I have already shown with quotes of da Orta that Fr. Ferrao's claim that the word Hindu as an identifier of people belonging to a religion distinct from Islam and Christianity did not exist in 16th century Goa, is bogus. I provide below further evidence that this word with the said connotation did exist in common usage even in the 15th century in India. Here is a translated poem of Kabir (1440 - 1518 C.E.) containing this word, the connotation of which should be clear from the context, as in the case of the da Orta quote:
QUOTE "Gorakh! Gorakh!" cries the Jogi "Ram! Ram!" says the Hindu. "Allah is One" proclaims the Muslim. But... My Lord pervades all. The god of Hindus resides in a temple; The god of Muslims resides in a mosque. Who resides there Where there are no temples Nor mosques? UNQUOTE ----- Kabir (Kumar, S. (1984). The vision of Kabir: Love poems of a 15th century weaver-sage. Concord: Alpha & Omega Books) Cheers, Santosh
