15 hours ago
Why is the Indian Ocean the only one named after a modern country in the world?
Names aren't just labels, they are stories woven in the fabric of history, culture, power, and identity, not only of a person but countries and all the natural landscapes that shape the Earth.
That's why the naming of the vast expanse south of Asia, the
Indian Ocean
, has been a topic of controversy and debates over centuries, especially among neighboring nations that share its shores. As per reports in the 1960s and 70s, Indonesia and Pakistan both raised objections to calling it the 'Indian Ocean,' each feeling the name gave too much prominence to India.
To understand why this ocean alone bears a country's name, one must know about the interesting stories that are a combination of instances from ancient empires, colonial explorers, and post-colonial geopolitics.
The 1960s and 70s
In July 1963, Indonesian President Sukarno instructed his Navy chief, Admiral Eddy Martadinata, to refer to the 'Indian Ocean' as the 'Indonesian Ocean'. This came from Indonesia's long-standing desire to shed colonial-era names and emphasise its national identity. Meanwhile, in Pakistan, the conditions were similar. At a 1971 seminar at Georgetown University, Latif Ahmed Sherwani advocated renaming it the 'Afro-Asian Ocean,' arguing that, like the Mediterranean or Atlantic, the ocean shouldn't be named after a single country, according to the report by The Print.
These objections continued into the late 1980s, with the defunct Pakistan Times criticising the name as unfair 'link[ed] to this country [India]… heir to the entire history of the subcontinent'
The Indian Ocean has roots associated with the Romans and Greeks
Going back to the 2nd century BCE, when Indian spices, textiles, and gems flowed into the Roman Empire, Roman geographers referred to the sea south of India as Oceanus Indicus or Indicum Mare, Latin for 'Indian Ocean'. Greeks and Romans also used the name 'Erythraean Sea' for the northwestern regions, including the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea.
These early European references laid the foundation for the modern name.
Sanskrit influence
At the same time, across the subcontinent, Sanskrit texts referred to the waters surrounding India as Sindhu Mahāsāgar, named after the mighty Sindhu or Indus River. 'Sindhu' was the original term for the region that later became 'India.' Over centuries, this Sanskrit title merged with Greek and Roman names, supporting the idea of an 'Indian' ocean.
When European explorers entered the Indian Ocean in the 15th century, they called it the 'Sea of India' or 'Eastern Sea'. By 1515, Latin maps had the name Oceanus Orientalis Indicus, literally meaning 'Indian Eastern Ocean,' which evolved into the English 'Indian Ocean.' By the 18th century, this was firmly established in global cartography.
Why does the Indian Ocean remain the only one named after a modern country?
As per general understanding India dominates the ocean geographically, with the longest coastline, and its Deccan Peninsula, which juts prominently into the sea.
Plus, the ocean has always been an important shipping route connecting Africa, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, often centered on India. Ancient and medieval trade also strengthened its central role and, by extension, the name.
Post‑colonial objections
Despite Indonesia's and Pakistan's concerns, their renaming efforts failed to make an impact. International bodies, naval maps, and most governments continued using the name 'Indian Ocean.' The International Hydrographic Organization maintains the name officially.
