Hindian

English

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhɪn.dɪ.ən/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈhɪn.di.ən/
• Rhymes: -ɪndiən
• Hyphenation: Hin‧di‧an

Etymology 1

Hind +‎ -ian, or a conflation of Hindi or Hindu and Indian. The term seems to have been coined several times independently.

Noun

Hindian (plural Hindians)

1. In the context of resistance to British colonialism, a native Indian (plural often same as singular)
2. In the context of Dravidian nationalism, a Hindustani in the sense of an Indian from north of the Deccan, a Hindustani-speaker or a bearer of that culture
   • 2006, Shankarlal C. Bhatt, Land and People of Indian States and Union Territories, volume 25, Tamil Nadu: Gyan Publishing House, page 139:

     Dravida Kazhagam was started by E. V. Ramaswany in 1944 to protect Dravida Nadu, comprising the southern regions of the Indian subcontinent, from northern domination (more specifically Hindian domination) by establishing an independent Dravidian Nation. [...] Hindian domination of Tamil Nadu culturally, continued Hindi imposition, transfer of billions of Rupees from Tamil Nadu to Hindi states during the past five decades and the total impotence of Tamil Nadu politicians to do anything about it have convinced Tamil nationalists that Tamil national rights cannot be protected within India and the liberation of Tamil Nadu from Indian rule is the only solution. [parentheticals removed]

3. In the context of Hindu nationalism, a native Indian of whatever religion, as a person of Hindu culture
4. (Asian) Indians
   • 1989, Rajiva Wijesinha, Days of Despair, page 120:

     In the end surely the Hindians must triumph. The peninsula's too small and they're just too powerful.

   • 2004, Hendrik M. J. Maier, We are Playing Relatives: A Survey of Malay Writing:

     the misunderstandings and differences between Dutch and Hindians—the terminological shifts between Dutch and Europeans, on the one hand, and between Hindians and Javanese on the other

Adjective

Hindian (comparative more Hindian, superlative most Hindian)

1. Of India or (Asian) Indians
   • 1989, Rajiva Wijesinha, Days of Despair, page 130,164:

     It was for this reason that it made very good sense to continue to cultivate Agni, who had been critical of the Hindian offensive while also making clear his opposition to the methods the Tigers had adopted […] it was patently absurd to talk of a concerted Hindian foreign policy.

   • 2020, Marcia Macguire, Too Late to Barter, page 11:

     The Hindian boy was consequently marched into Sister Baseball's private office and whacked solidly for an hour

Etymology 2

Persian هندیجان (hendijân)

Proper noun

Hindian

1. A town and district in Khuzistan, Iran, now Hendijan.
2. An old name for the Zohreh River separating Khuzistan and Bushehr provinces, named after the town.