This site gathers together research on the origins of the most common place names in India & Sri Lanka: states, cities, towns, districts and more.

It attempts the impossible because India & Sri Lanka are part of a subcontinent with millions of place names, tens of thousands of languages and thousands of years of history.

But it seemed to me that someone should make a start. And a site which included all places large enough to be a District, or interesting enough to attract tourists and archaeologists, seemed about right.

What is contained here is more than a simple collection of names and their origins. Every place name is a door which, when opened, can reveal its unique history and geography.

It is also a map and a record of political, religious, economic, social, natural and cultural history; showing how personalities, events, communities and changing landscapes have shaped modern India and modern Sri Lanka.

You can search on the HOME page (this one) using the search box above or by state using the the states list. On the PLACE NAMES page (see Menu above) you can also search or browse alphabetically. On the CONTACT US page you can suggest changes or new place names you think should be included.

This is a site under construction – bear with me – I am uploading daily.