From which word is the term Hinduism derived?

The term "Hinduism" is derived from the word "Sindhu," which was the name used in ancient times for the Indus River. The Persian invaders who came into the region used the term "Hindu" to refer to the people living beyond the river Sindhu, thus creating a linguistic transition from Sindhu to Hindu. Over time, this term evolved and became associated with the religions, beliefs, and practices of the people of the Indian subcontinent.

The influence of the word "Sindhu" is significant not only because it represents a geographic marker but also as a basis for cultural and religious identity. This etymological connection illustrates how the geographical and cultural landscape of ancient India contributed to the formation of what we recognize today as Hinduism.

Other options, while relevant to the broader context of Hindu culture and religion, do not serve as the etymological root of the term Hinduism itself. "Indus" refers to the river but is not the term that gave rise to "Hinduism." "Sanskrit" is the sacred language in which many Hindu texts are written, and "Vedic" pertains to the ancient scriptures of Hinduism but does not directly relate to the term Hinduism's origin.