One of the most common questions that people have about India is what the residents of the country call themselves. The answer to this question is not as simple as it may seem, as there are actually multiple ways in which people in India refer to themselves.

The name "Indian" is commonly used to refer to people from India, both within the country and internationally. However, within India itself, people use a variety of terms to describe themselves, depending on their region, language, and culture.

One of the oldest names used to refer to the people of India is "Bhārata," which has its origins in ancient Hindu texts. The name Bhārata has been used for millennia to refer to the Indian subcontinent and its inhabitants. In fact, the official name of the country is the Republic of India, which in Hindi is called Bhārata Gaṇarājya.

Another term that is commonly used by people in India to refer to themselves is "Hindustani." This term has its roots in Persian and Urdu, and is used to describe people who are from the Indian subcontinent.

In addition to these terms, people in India also use their regional and cultural identities to describe themselves. For example, people from the southern state of Tamil Nadu may refer to themselves as Tamilians, while people from the northern state of Punjab may identify as Punjabis.

Overall, the people of India use a variety of terms to describe themselves, depending on their individual and cultural identities. The most common term used internationally is "Indian," while within India, people may use terms like Bhārata, Hindustani, or their regional identities to describe themselves.