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Gujari language
Indo-Aryan Language spoken by the Gujars From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Gujari[a] (English: /ɡʌjæri/ GUU-JAH-REE; گُوجَری) also spelt Gurjari, Gojri, Gujri, Gojari, or Gurjar is a Central Indo-Aryan language belonging to the Indo-Iranian subdivision of the Indo-European languages spoken by most of the Gurjars in the northern parts of India and Pakistan, as well as in Afghanistan.[14][15] Gujari in Jammu and Kashmir is the third most widely spoken language, after Kashmiri and Dogri.[16]: 109 It is mostly spoken in northern Indian states, including Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh and in Northern Pakistani areas, including Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Hazara and Azad Kashmir and also in the eastern parts of Afghanistan.[17]: 68-69 Gujari has strong linguistic similarities to Rajasthani, Punjabi, Haryanvi, Gujarati, Dogri, and Pahari, especially in phonology and morphology indicating the bond between the two Indo-Aryan languages.[16]: 112
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It is spoken by 19% of Muslim Gujjars in Azad Kashmir and 9. 5% in Jammu and Kashmir as the mother tongue.[18] Gujari is written mainly in the Perso-Arabic script in Pakistan, but in India it is both written in the Perso-Arabic script and in Devanagari.
Probably out of 16. 3 million people (as of 2011) it is spoken by ethnic Gujjars in various north Indian states who have switched to regional languages elsewhere.
In 1999 the government of then Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir recognized Gujari by including the language in the sixth schedule of the state constitution.[19][20][21] In March 2025 the Government of Azad Kashmir included the Gujari an optional subject in the course curriculum for grades 6 and 8.[22][23]
Since 27 October 2025, the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has in its absolute and unanimous opinion included Gujari as part of its rules to promote the cultural and language diversity in the province. Since then, Gujari has become the sixth officially recognized language in the provincial assembly.[24][25]
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Origin and history
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Origin
Some scholars have linked the Gujari language's origins and characteristics to the Gurjar Apabhraṃśa, a language form described by ancient Sanskrit grammarians.[26]
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 Gurjars spoke it when they arrived in India with the Aryans. This view posits that Gujari, with its regional variations, diverged slightly from Sanskrit.[17]: 67
Rita Kothari noted that Gurjar Apabhramsa was used as a literary language by the 12th century, with references in poet Bhoja's work (1014 AD). Ancient Indian philosopher Patanjali's classification described Apabhramsa as languages spoken in northern 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 Apabhraṃśa.[27]
History
In this regard Gujari language has a special place among the ancient languages of India (Gujari being evidence that it existed before Jesus Christ).[16]: 109
Gujarat Sultans also encouraged Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit literature. It has been noted that the people of Gujarat promoted a ‘Gujari’ lingua franca whose forms were distinctly Gujarati (influenced by the culture of the state of Gujarat). They also used Gujari as both an expression of literary work and, like other forms of communication in the empire, to connect the court of Gujarat with other Indo-Muslim courts in north India and the Deccan.[28]
Significant progress has been made in standardising Gujari writing notably with the publication of "Gojri Grammar" by Graham Bailey in 1905 and with the publication of a six volume book of Gujari dictionary by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) in 1992 which was put together over a period of ten years.[16]: 109
Also notable publications published by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages include Sheeraza and Awaz-e-Gurjar Journals published with Gujari literature.[16]: 109
In 1992 Hallberg and O'Leary carried out a comprehensive study of the Gujari dialects spoken by Gujjars in Pakistan and Azad Kashmir and classified them into Eastern and Western dialect groups on the basis of lexical similarity and intelligibility.[29]
In 1997 Hugoniot and Polster also examined the Eastern Gujari dialect of Dodhi Gujjars of the Indian states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.[29]
It was also officially declared as a mother tongue in 2006 with the admission of Gujari as a mother tongue by the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE).[16]: 109
According to Bukhari's (2007) observations, Gujari has been significantly shaped by other Indo-Aryan languages, including Urdu, Hindko and Pahari.[30]: 1
In March 2023, a Gujjar organisation Gujjar Qaumi Movement (GQM) petitioned the Peshawar High Court for included Gujari in the census of 2023, the court orders it in there but still no implementation.[31]
In March 2025 Government of Azad Kashmir included Gujari language as an optional subject in the curriculum of Classes 6 and 8.[22][32]
In May 2025 Gojri language books by Professor Muhammad Naseer Miskeen in the Gojri language were republished by Gandhara Hindko Academy in Peshawar and Gojri short stories in Urdu in "Gojri Afsaaney" and "Sheesho", comedy poetry.[33]
Gujari was admitted as a local language at the Provincial Assembly of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on 27 October, 2025 (unanimously) becoming the sixth language of the provincial legislative assembly.[24][25]
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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".[34]
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.[35]
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Dialects
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The Gujari language have two major dialects Eastern Gujari and Western Gujari.[35][36] Both of these two dialects spoken in Pakistan:[37] in the areas of Gilgit-Baltistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Kashmir. These two dialects share approximately 64% to 94% lexical similarities.[36]
Western Gujari
Western Gujari is mainly spoken by the Gurjars in the Hazara region and other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[36][38] These districts include Battagram, Swat, Dir, Haripur, Mansehra, and Black Mountain. It is also spoken in many areas of eastern Afghanistan.[39] Western Gujari is easily understand for the speaker of eastern Gujari.[36]
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.[39] It is also mixed with northern Hindko and Pahari languages.[36][40]
Other dialects
Van Gujari
Van Gujjari is a variety of the Gujari language spoken by the Van Gujjars of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
Bakerwali
Bakerwali Gujari is mainly spoken by the Bakarwal Gujjars in Indian adminsntrated Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.[41]
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.[42]
Regional dialects
- Kunar Gujari: Kunar or Kunari Gujari is mainly spoken by the Gujjars of Kunar province in Afghanistan.[43]
- Chitral Gujari: Chitrali Gujari is mainly Gujari spoken in the Chitral valley and Ashriki area of Chitral.[43]
- Swat Gujari: It is spoken by the Gujjars of Peshmal and Raguhu valleys of Swat district.[43]
- Gilgit Gujari: It is spoken in Naltar valley and Bala in Gilgit-Baltistan.[43]
- Kaghan Gujari: It is poken mainly in Mittikot village in Kaghan valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[43]
- Poonch Gujari: Mainly spoken in Mendhar and Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.[43]
- Gujaranwala Gujari: It is mainly spoken by the Gujjars migrated from Agra district of Uttar Pradesh, India.[43]
- Dir Gujari: Mainly spoken in Sheringal area in Dir district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.[43]
- Southern Hazara Gujari: It is spoken in Tarchatti in the Hazara region of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.[43]
- Central Azad Kashmir Gujari: Mainly spoken in Trarkheli area of Azad Kashmir.[43]
- Southern Azad Kashmir Gujari: Mainly spoken in the Kotli district of Azad Kashmir.[43]
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Classification
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Scholars disagree on the precise classification of the Gujari language. Walter Roper Lawrence said that the Gujari language was Parimu or Hindki or Hindko. Scholars have since disputed this assumption after conducting research.[26]
Colin Paul Masica and Sir George Abraham Grierson argued that the language Gujari is closely related to the group of Rajasthani languages.[44][45] Grieson argued that either Rajasthani was the dialect of Gujari or vice versa. He found that it is indeed evident that Gujari has been rehashed to Rajasthani – because there are strong similarities between it and Marwari and even stronger similarities between it and Mewati.[26][46] Ethnologue, however, lists the language as not classed as in the Marwari branch of the Rajasthani languages, but has three distinct dialects of Gujari in existence: Western Gujari, Eastern Gujari and Dhed Gujari. [ Khandeshi]] (or Dedh Gujari) is spoken mainly in some parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat.[47]
Additionally, in the linguistics Survey of India (the) George Abraham Grierson placed Gujari within the Western Pahari language family.[48]
As noted by Jagdish Chandra Sharma (J. C. Sharma), psychological aspects of Gujari are similar to those of Punjabi language.[39]
Prior to the partition of India Gujari was enumerated in census reports as a dialect of (Marwari) Rajasthani by the State Government of Rajasthan[26] Some scholars argue that Gujari is closely related to the Marwari language.[26]
Frederick Drew wrote in 1875 that Gujari is a type of Pahari language, but his conclusion was later disputed by the Indian Census of 1911. The Indian Census of 1941 states that although Gujari has been classified as Pahari language since Drew's writing, that label may not be more reliable than that earlier given to it as Rajasthani.[26][16]: 112
Wanye E. Losey disagreed with the classification of Indo-Aryan languages and submitted that observation of Gujari language in the Phonological and Morphological sense in no way seems to implicate any relation between it and Rajasthani (Marwari) or Punjabi language.[39]
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Writing System
Gujari can be written using both Nastaliq and Devanagari scripts. In India, Devanagari is more common in places like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, while Nastaliq is used in Kashmir. Over in Pakistan, you'll usually see Nastaliq script used by people in Azad Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, Hazara, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.[35][20]
Geographical distribution
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Jammu and Kashmir
Gujari speaking Gujjars and Bakarwals 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.[49]
There are approximately 2 to 3 million Gujari speakers in Jammu and Kashmir.[50]
Population
Districts wise Gujari speakers per 2011 census in Jammu and Kashmir.
Historical population
The Gujari speaking population in Jammu and Kashmir was 7,47,850 with an increase of +2.83% according to the 2001 Indian census.[55]
The 2011 Indian census showed a +4.26% increase in the Gujari speaking population, reaching 11,35,196 in the Jammu and Kashmir region.[55]
Himachal Pradesh
In 1961 census in Himachal Pradesh Gujari speaking Muslim Gujars were recorded as 4,927[56]
Uttar Pradesh
In 1961 Indian census Uttar Pradesh Gujari speakers were recorded as 1,448.[56]
Madhya Pradesh
In Madhya Pradesh's 1961 census Gujari speaking were recorded as 453 Hindu Gujjars.[56]
Azad Kashmir
In Azad Kashmir Gujari speaking Gujjars estimated as 7,00,000 to 8,00,000.[57][58] Gujari speakers found in all ten districts of Azad Kashmir, while non Gujari speaking Gujjars are not included. Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Jhelum (Hattian Bala) and Haveli are major districts where 35-30% Gujari is spoken as mother tongue.
Population
Gujar speaking population share in districts of Azad Kashmir.
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 Kohistan.[60] Although they are found throughout northern areas of Pakistan especially in Hazara region.[60]
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).[61][62] However, other estimates from local tribesmen estimate upwards of 50,000.
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Typological features
Gujari shares linguistic similarities with nearby Indo-Aryan languages like Urdu, Hindi, Mewati, Punjabi, Pahadi, and Hindko.[17]: 70
Orthodoxy
Before Islam, it's unclear how Gujari was written down. Around 1900 AD, when Gujjar tribes migrated to the Himalayan valleys, they started to develop a more regular way of writing Gujari. Muslim, Hindu, and Sikh Gujjars played a role, using different scripts. Gojri mixes letters from Persian, Urdu, Devanagari, and Gurmukhi. The alphabet is like Urdu's, but it has its own distinct sounds.sounds.[17]: 70
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Phonology
The sounds in Gujari are much like other Indo-Aryan languages. There are constants, vowels, and special sounds like nassals, voiced and voiceless stops, and retroflex constants.[30]: 2
- Gujari exhibits a fossilised system of vowel harmony as other Indo-Aryan languages of the same areas including Dogri, Rajasthani, Punjabi, Pahadi, and Kangri.[63]
- Nasalization: Gujari language has vowel nasalization /~/.
- Tones: Gujari has a high tone/´/.[63]
Institutions and media
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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 Jammu and 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.[64]
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.
In some areas of Afghanistan and Kunar Province local radio stations air programs in Gujari, Nuristani and other languages.[65]
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Resemblance
Gujari has connections to Urdu and Marwari (Rajasthani) because they all come from the same Indo-Aryan background. You can see this in how they are written and their vocabulary. Gujari takes words, such as Zubaan (meaning language), from Urdu, like in the phrase 'Gujari Mahri Zubaan'.[16]: 111 It's also similar to other Indo-Aryan languages like Punjabi, Urdu/Hindi, Pahari, Hindko, and Kangri.
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Revival
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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. Kunduanas 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. His grave survives to date in Makiana village in Gujrat tehsil.[68]
On December 25, 2022, a group of Gujjars in the Lower Dir District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa requested Gujari be taught in schools. Sardar Shajehan Yousef gave the keynote speech at this event. It was organized by Tehreek Haquq-i-Gujjar Pakistan. Other figures, including Haji Zarin Khan, Bakht Zada Gujjar, and Imran Yousaf Gujjar, spoke at the meeting. Attendees came from Punjab and Azad Kashmir. The speakers shared stories of the Gujjars' bravery throughout history, including their fight against the British during the 1857 independence movement.[69]
The Government of Azad Kashmir, the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the Allama Iqbal Open University have began studies on how to protect and keep the Gujari language of Azad Kashmir alive.[70]
See also
Bibliography
Dictionaries
- Gojri Dictionary (six volumes)
- Concise Gojri Dictionary
- Hindi- Gojri Dictionary
- Folk-Lore Dictionary (two volumes)
- Hindi- Gojri Dictionary
- Gojri English Dictionary
Books
- Gojri Lok Geet (2018)
- Gujjar Tribe of Jammu and Kashmir (2015)
- The Gujjars vol 1 to 6 (2013–16)
- Qadeem Gojri Lughat (2013)
- The Gujjar Tribe of J&K (2012)
- Gojri Grammer (2012)
- Tagore di Chunam Shairi (2011)
- Jammu Kashmir de Qabaila-te-uhna diya boliyaa (2010)
- Gujjar Tarekh (2009)
- Anjum Shanasi Biography (2007)
- Sajra Phull (Hakeem) (2007)
- Peehng (Mukhlis) (2007)
- Gujjar Shanakhat Ka Safar (in Urdu, 2005)
- Akhan Gojri Quotations (2004)
- Gojri Kahawat Kosh Gojri Quotations (2004)
- Gujjar ate Gojri (2004)
- Encyclopedia of Himalayan Gujjars (encyclopaedia in multiple volumes, 2000)[71]
- Gojri Books
- Sajar Boot (book series)
- Gujari: Gwjry Syrt Alnby Ṣly Allh ʿlyh Wslm(lškār Mḥmd) Mṣnf Mfty Mḥmd Adrys Wly Hswāl Gwjr
- The Gujjars Tribe of Jammu and Kashmir[72]
- Lok-Virso (1999)
Journals
References
Notes
Further reading
External links
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