Wiki: Gujari language - upcScavenger

Gujari ( ), (also spelt Gurjari, Gojri, Gujri, or Gojari; ) is an Indo-Aryan language of the Indo-European family spoken by most of the Gurjar in the northern parts of India and Pakistan, as well as in Afghanistan. Gujari in Jammu and Kashmir is the third most widely spoken language, after Kashmiri and Dogri language. It is widely spoken in several Indian states, including Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. It is also prevalent in Northern Pakistani areas, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Hazara region, and Azad Kashmir, and extends into some parts of Afghanistan. Gujari shares a strong linguistic kinship with Rajasthani, Punjabi language, Haryanvi, Gujarati, Dogri, and Western Pahari, exhibiting similarities in phonology and morphology that highlight its close ties to these Indo-Aryan languages.

It is spoken as the mother tongue by 19% of Muslim Gujjars in Azad Kashmir and by 9.5% in Jammu and Kashmir.

Gujari is primarily written in the Perso-Arabic script in Pakistan, while in India, both the Perso-Arabic script and Devanagari are used.

It is spoken by 16.3 million people (as of 2011) in various North India states, with ethnic Gujjars elsewhere having shifted to the regional languages instead. The government of the erstwhile Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir had recognized Gujari by including it in the sixth schedule of the state constitution.

Origin and history

Origin

Some scholars have linked the Gujari language's origins and characteristics to the Gurjar Apabhraṃśa, a language form described by ancient Sanskrit grammarians.

In the Indian subcontinent, the language known as "Indik" eventually evolved into Sanskrit and became the language of the elite. As Sanskrit spread, it branched out into various regional languages, known as Prakrit or Indo-Aryan languages. Some researchers believe Gujari is one of these Prakrit, while others argue it's even older than Sanskrit, suggesting Gurjar spoke it when they arrived in India with the Aryan. This view posits that Gujari, with its regional variations, diverged slightly from Sanskrit.

Rita Kothari noted that Gurjar Apabhramsa was used as a literary language by the 12th century, with references in poet Bhoja work (1014 AD). Ancient Indian philosopher Patanjali classification described Apabhramsa as languages spoken in North India. However as per Shapiro & Michael, the term Apabhramsa is broadly applied in Indology, making it unlikely that Gujari was specifically known as Apabhramsa or directly descended from Gurjar Apabhramsa.

History

Gujari language holds a distinguished place among India's ancient languages. Evidence suggests Gujari existed before the time of Jesus Christ.

Notable advancements have been made in standardizing Gujari's written form. Key milestones include the publication of "Gojri Grammar" by Graham Bailey in 1905 and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages' (JKAACL) release of a comprehensive six-volume of Gujari dictionary in 1992, which was compiled over a period of ten years.

The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages also released two notable publications, Sheeraza and Awaz-e-Gurjar Journals, which feature Gujari literature.

In 1992 Hallberg and O'Leary conducted a comprehensive study of Gujari dialects spoken by Gujjars in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir, identifying Eastern and Western dialect groups based on lexical similarities and intelligibility.

In 1997 Hugoniot and Polster also surveyed the Eastern Gujari dialect spoken by Dodhi Gujjars in Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

In 2006, Gujari was officially recognized as a mother tongue, with the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) acknowledging its status.

According to Bukhari's 2007 observation, Gujari has been significantly influenced by other Indo-Aryan languages, including Urdu, Hindko and Pahari.

Literary traditions

Gujari folklore is very large, including songs, ballads and folktales, known as Dastans. Hundreds of folk songs have been recorded and published, including "Nooro", "Tajo", "Nura Beguma", "Shupiya", "Kunjhdi", "Mariyan".

A modern tradition of creative writing encompasses poets such as Sain Qadar Bakhsh, Noon Poonchi, and others. Others such as Mian Nizam ud Din, Khuda Bakhsh Zar, Zabih Rajourvi, Shams ud Din Mehjoor Poonchi, Mian Bashir Ahmed, Javaid Rahi, Rafiq Anjum, Milki Ram Kushan, Sarwari Kassana, Naseem Poonchi have also made remarkable contributions to Gujari through poetry, prose and criticism.

William Frawley (2003). 9780195139778, Oxford University Press, USA. . ISBN 9780195139778

Dialects

The Gujari language have two major dialects Eastern Gujari and Western Gujari. Both of these two dialects spoken in Pakistan: in the areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir. These two dialects share approximately 64% to 94% lexical similarities.

Western Gujari

Western Gujari is mainly spoken by the Gurjars in the Hazara region and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These districts include Battagram, Swat District, Dir District, Haripur District, Mansehra, and Black Mountain. It is also spoken in many areas of eastern Afghanistan Western Gujari is easily understand for the speaker of eastern Gujari.

Eastern Gujari

Eastern Gujari is mostly spoken in the Shinkari area of eastern Mansehra and also in Nagaki, Kakul, and Sarban union councils located near Abottabad district of Hazara region. It is also mixed with northern Hindko and Pahari languages.

Other dialects

Van Gujari

Van Gujjari is a variety of the Gujari language spoken by the Van Gujjars of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.

Bakarwali

Bakarwali Gujari is mainly spoken by the Bakarwal in Indian adminsntrated Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.

Banihari

Banihari Gujari is mainly spoken by the Dhodhi or Banihara Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir. It is closely related to Dogri, Kashmiri and Gujari spoken in various villages of Kashmir.

Regional dialects

Kunar Gujari: Kunar or Kunari Gujari is mainly spoken by the Gujjars of Kunar province in Afghanistan.
Chitral Gujari: Chitrali Gujari is mainly Gujari spoken in the Chitral valley and Ashriki area of Chitral.
Swat Gujari: It is spoken by the Gujjars of Peshmal and Raguhu valleys of Swat district.
Gilgit Gujari: It is spoken in Naltar Valley and Bala in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Kaghan Gujari: It is poken mainly in Mittikot village in Kaghan Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Poonch Gujari: Mainly spoken in Mendhar Tehsil and Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Gujaranwala Gujari: It is mainly spoken by the Gujjars migrated from Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dir Gujari: Mainly spoken in Sheringal area in Dir district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Southern Hazara Gujari: It is spoken in Tarchatti in the Hazara region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
Central Azad Kashmir Gujari: Mainly spoken in Trarkheli area of Azad Kashmir.
Southern Azad Kashmir Gujari: Mainly spoken in the Kotli District of Azad Kashmir.

Classification

Scholars have differing opinions on the precise classification of the Gujari language. Walter Roper Lawrence referred to the Gujari language as Parimu language or Hindko (Hindko). However, scholars have disputed this claim after conducting research.

Masicca and Sir George Abraham Grierson noted that Gujari language is closely related to the Marwari language of Rajasthani languages. However, Ethnologue lists Gujari as unclassified within the Marwari branch of Rajasthani languages, with three distinct Gujari dialects: Western Gujari, Eastern Gujari and Dhed Gujari. Khandeshi (or Dedh Gujari) is mainly spoken in some parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Additionally, In the linguistics Survey of India, George Abraham Grierson classified Gujari as part of the Western Pahari language group.

Jagdish Chandra Sharma (J.C. Sharma) noted that the psychological aspects of the Gujari language show similarities with the Punjabi language.

Before the partition of India the Gujari language was categorized in census reports as a dialect of (Marwari language) Rajasthani by the state Government of Rajasthan. Some scholars have note that Gujari is closely related to the Marwari language language.

In 1875 Frederick Drew noted that Gujari is a type of Western Pahari but his conclusion was disputed by the 1911 Indian Census. The 1941 Indian Census notes that while Gujari has been classified as Pahari language since Drew's account, this classification may not be more accurate than its earlier categorization as Rajasthani.

Wanye E. Losey disagreed with the classification of Indo-Aryan languages and argued that there is no meaning in observation of Gujari language on the basis of Phonology and Morphological and arguing its relationship with Marwari language or Punjabi language.

Writing system

The Nastaliq and Devanagari both scripts used to write Gujari language. In Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand Devanagari is preferred but in Indian Adminstrated Kashmir Nastaliq script. In Pakistani areas of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Hazara and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Nastaliq script used.

Geographical distribution

Jammu and Kashmir

Gujari speaking Gurjar and Bakarwal are concentrated in all districts of Jammu and Kashmir and also in Kargil district of Ladakh. As per 2011 census in Jammu and Kashmir there were 11,35,196 Gujari speakers and 34,858 were Khandeshi Gujari speaking individuals.Numbers as Political Allies The Census in Jammu and Kashmir By Vikas Kumar · 2024 p.183

There are approximately 2 to 3 million Gujari speakers in Jammu and Kashmir.

Population

Districts wise Gujari speakers per 2011 census in Jammu and Kashmir.

+ 2011 census Vikas Kumar (2024). 9781009317221, Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781009317221
35.17%
14.36%
9.21%
3.45%
3.96%
8.8%
11.46%
6.32%
8.82%
3.01%
1%
5.18%
3.86%
4.32%
20.21%
40.39%
7.53%
12.18%
25.6%
3.5%

Historical population

The Gujari speaking population in Jammu and Kashmir was 7,47,850 with a increase of +2.83% according to the 2001 Indian census.

The 2011 Indian census showed a +4.26% increase in the Gujari speaking population, reaching 11,35,196 in the Jammu division and Kashmir division region.

Himachal Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh

In 1961 census in Himachal Pradesh Gujari speaking Muslim Gujars were recorded as 4,927 and in Uttar Pradesh were recorded as 1,448.

Madhya Pradesh

In Madhya Pradesh 1961 census Gujari speaking were recorded as 453 Hindu Gujjars.

Azad Kashmir

In Azad Kashmir Gujari speaking Gujjars estimated as 7,00,000 to 8,00,000. Gujari speakers found in all ten districts of Azad Kashmir, while non Gujari speaking Gujjars are not included. Muzaffarabad, Kotli District, Jhelum (Hattian Bala) and Haveli District are major districts where 35-30% Gujari is spoken as mother tongue.

Population

Gujar speaking population share in districts of Azad Kashmir.

+ 2020 census statistics
35%
35%
35%
30%
10%
10%
6%
5%
3%
1 or 2%

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

There is no official record for Gujari speakers is available in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as Gujari is not included in any census reports for KPK province. As per estimation there were 2,910 in 1969 for Chitral and 20,000 in 1987 for Swat District Kohistan. Although they are found throughout northern areas of Pakistan especially in Hazara region.

Afghanistan

The population of Gujari (Gojri) speakers in Afghanistan is scattered in the eastern parts of Afghanistan and numbers at 18,580 (according to a 2015 estimate). However, other estimates from local tribesmen estimate upwards of 50,000.

Typological features

The Gujari language exhibit linguistic similarities with neighboring Indo-Aryan languages, including Urdu, Hindi, Mewati, Punjabi language, Pahadi, and Hindko, in terms of its typological characteristics.

Orthography

The origins of Gujari's writing system before Islam remain unclear. As Gujjar tribes migrated to the Himalayas valleys, Gujari's written form merged around 1900 AD. The Muslim Gujjars, Hindu Gujjar and Sikh Gujjar contributed to its literary development, drawing from multiple scripts. Gojri adopted a mix of Persian language, Urdu, Devanagari, and Gurmukhi orthographies. While its alphabet shares many similarities with Urdu, it also includes distinct sounds.

Phonology

Gujari's phonology resembles that of other Indo-Aryan languages, featuring a complex array of constants, Vowel, and distinctive sounds like nassals, voices, Plosive, and retroflex constant characteristics of this language family.

+Consonants !colspan=2

!Labial consonant !Dental consonant/
Alveolar !Retroflex !Post-alv/
Palatal !Velar consonant !Uvular consonant

Gujari exhibits a fossilised system of vowel harmony as other Indo-Aryan languages of the same areas including Dogri, Rajasthani, Punjabi language, Pahadi, and Kangri.

+Vowels ! !Front vowel !Central vowel !Back vowel

Nasalization: Gujari language has vowel nasalization /~/.
Tones: Gujari has a high tone/´/.

Institutions and media

All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra run various Gujari programmes. Radio Kashmir Jammu, Srinagar, Poonch in India and seven radio stations of Pakistan and PTV air Gujari programmes and news bulletins accepted across Kashmir. Books have been published in Gujari, including encyclopedias, poetry, fiction and non-fiction, on topics including dictionaries, grammars, nature, folklore, art and architecture, agriculture, sociology and research.

The National Academy of Letters, Sahitya Akademi, recognized Gujari as one of the major Indian languages for its National Award, Bhasha Samman, and other programmes. The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages established a Gujari Department in its Central Office in the 1970s and published in Gujari. They organized seminars, conferences, etc. for the development of the Gujari Language. Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education made curriculum in Gujari up to Middle Standard for teaching Gujari in schools. The University of Jammu Council approved the opening of Gojri Research Centre in Jammu University and University of Kashmir that have been awarded doctorate degrees on completing research projects on the language. In Pakistan administered Kashmir, the Gujari Academy has been established and postgraduate studies departments were set up in various universities and regional research centers.

Revival

In lower or plain areas of Pakistan, Gujjars have a major concentration in districts like Islamabad, Attock, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Lahore and Layyah. However, due to the revolution of time, the majority of them have forgotten or stopped speaking Gujrai. Gojri Bahali Programme (Gojri Revival Programme) has been launched in these areas to encourage Gujjars to restart speaking Gujari. Though this programme has a particular focus on these areas, it extends to the whole of Pakistan. Under this programme, Gujjars are being persuaded to readopt Gujari as their mother language. They are also being asked to mention it in the mother language column of various forms at educational institutions; when applying for computerised national identity card; and while filling out their particulars when seeking employment. Under this programme, the federal government will be asked to add Gujari in the mother language column of the population census. Similarly, the University of Gujrat will be asked to set up Gojri Department. The programme is the initiative of Muhammad Afsar Khan, a Kunduana Gujjar from Chak Dina village in Gujrat District district. are a branch of Khatana Gujjars and trace their descent from Kandu, a famous Gujjar who lived during the reign of Mughal King Akbar or immediately before him in Gujrat District district. His grave survives to date in Makiana village in Gujrat tehsil.

Gujari language

( Indo-aryan Languages )

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Gujari language

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