Akhand Bharat or Akhand Hindustan is a vision of a united and greater India. This encompasses the belief that various modern-day nations once formed a single, unified region. These nations include:
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- India
- Maldives
- Myanmar
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Tibet
- Iran
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Laos
- Cambodia
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Philippines
- Brunei
- Singapore
The idea of Akhand Bharat highlights the shared cultural and historical heritage of these regions. It reminds us that despite modern borders, these areas have deep-rooted connections from ancient times.
Akhand Bharat, or Undivided India, embodies a concept that supports the struggles of India and its ancestors. Various religious and political organizations, such as the Hindu Mahasabha, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishva Hindu Parishad, Shiv Sena, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, Hindu Sena, Hindu Janjagruti Samiti, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and Akhand Hindustan Morcha, have advocated for the reunification of India.
Before 1947, the map of India included Pakistan and Bangladesh as part of British India, outlining the territorial unity of the region. Therefore, the aim of Akhand Bharat is to reunite these countries that separated from India. The concept of Akhand Bharat is closely associated with the ideologies and organizational efforts of Hinduism.
The textbook of the All India Sanskrit Knowledge Examination includes a map in its first chapter showing Pakistan, Bangladesh, and post-partition India as part of Akhand Bharat. The organization’s labor union magazine also depicts Afghanistan, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Tibet as part of Akhand Bharat.
Although the BJP leadership is skeptical about it, the RSS has always been a vocal supporter of this idea. The book “The Tragic Story of Partition” emphasizes the importance of Akhand Bharat’s ideology. The Organizer, a publication of the RSS, published a statement by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, saying that only an Akhand Bharat and a united society can truly deliver freedom.
During the 3rd century BCE, the concept of Akhand Bharat covered modern-day Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Burma, Tibet, Bhutan, and Bangladesh as part of the Indian subcontinent. However, over time, these territories were divided into several independent states.
The story of Akhand Bharat, characterized by unity and shared cultural heritage, is fascinating and resonates deeply with Indian history. It dates back to a time when humans had not yet learned to divide days into time and dates. India has not always been depicted as it is on maps today; it was fragmented into many pieces, divided into janapadas and mahajanapadas.
Then, a valiant king born in Taxila unfurled his banner, setting the stage for the emergence of a unified India. These fragmented pieces coalesced under one flag. Today, Chanakya and Chandragupta are remembered for extending the borders of India from Bihar to Baluchistan and Kashmir to Kandahar. Emperor Ashoka further expanded these borders from Taxila to Iran.