Urdu and regional languages
The origin of Urdu
Urdu developed in the north of the subcontinent from about the 12th–13th centuries as Muslim soldiers, traders, Sufis and rulers mixed with the local people. It grew from the local dialects (around Delhi) with a large number of words from Persian, Arabic and Turkish. It is written in the Persian (Nastaliq) script. The word urdu comes from a Turkish word for an army camp. Under the Mughals it became the common language of the army, the court and the towns, and by the 18th–19th centuries it had a rich literature (poets such as Mir, Ghalib and later Iqbal).
Why Urdu became the national language
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| a symbol of Muslim identity | its script and vocabulary link it to Islam and Persian-Arabic culture. During the Hindi–Urdu controversy (1867) and later, it became a symbol of Muslim nationalism |
| a link between provinces | Pakistan has many languages (Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Balochi, Bengali, ...). Urdu was understood or spoken in many parts of the country and was seen as a common language |
| used in the Pakistan Movement | the leaders of the movement, including Jinnah, used Urdu and English. It was the language of newspapers, poetry and the movement |
| a rich literature and language of education | it was already in use in schools and universities in many areas |
| a unifying national symbol | the leaders feared that the use of many provincial languages would divide the new country |
Jinnah's statement. In March 1948, at Dhaka, Jinnah said that Urdu, and no other language, would be the state language of Pakistan. In the constitutions, Urdu is the national language (the 1973 Constitution, Article 251, also provides that English would be used as an official language until arrangements were made for Urdu, and that provinces may promote regional languages).
Advantages and disadvantages of Urdu as the national language
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| unites people from different provinces | it was the mother tongue of only a small minority (mostly the muhajirs, about 7–8%) |
| a symbol of Pakistan and Muslim identity | in East Pakistan the Bengali majority felt that their language was ignored, which led to the Language Movement (the Dhaka shootings of 21 February 1952) and became one reason for the later break-up of Pakistan. Bengali was accepted as a state language in 1954/1956 |
| a rich literature; connected to Islamic and Persian heritage | in Sindh (language riots 1972, over the Sindhi Language Bill) and other provinces, people feared losing their own languages |
| widely understood as a second language | English remained the language of government, courts and higher education, so many people who did not speak English were disadvantaged |
The promotion of provincial languages
| Language | Province | Promotion |
|---|---|---|
| Punjabi | Punjab | the language spoken by the largest number of Pakistanis (about 40%); a rich literature (Sufi poets such as Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah, Waris Shah, and folk tales such as Heer Ranjha). Promoted through the Punjabi Adabi Board, publishing, teaching up to MA level at the University of the Punjab, and radio, TV and film, but it has been less supported in schools |
| Pashto | Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | Pashto Academy at Peshawar; literature (poets such as Khushal Khan Khattak, Rahman Baba); radio and TV |
| Sindhi | Sindh | strong support: the Sindhi Adabi Board; Sindhi is used in education in Sindh; the 1972 language riots |
| Balochi (and Brahui) | Balochistan | the Balochi Academy; limited publishing; radio and TV; fewer facilities |
More specific examples (useful for "how has the government promoted…" questions).
- Sindhi: the Sindhi Adabi Board (early 1950s) publishes books; Sindhi is taught as a first language in Sindh schools, there is a Sindhi department at Sindh University, and many Sindhi newspapers and magazines appear. Famous poets: Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Sachal Sarmast.
- Pashto: the Pashto Academy at Peshawar University compiles dictionaries and publishes books; Pashto is taught at university level; Peshawar radio and TV broadcast in it. Famous poets: Khushal Khan Khattak and Rahman Baba.
- Balochi: it has two main dialects (western or Makrani and eastern or Sulemani). The Balochi Academy at Quetta publishes books, Radio Pakistan broadcasts in Balochi, and it is taught in the university at Quetta. Fewer resources than for Sindhi or Pashto.
- Urdu: Government support includes its status in the 1956, 1962 and 1973 Constitutions, a body for its promotion (the National Language Authority, 1979), teaching and research up to university level, and use in radio, TV and the press. Early development: Amir Khusrau (1253–1325) used it, and Fort William College at Calcutta (1800) encouraged prose in Urdu; the Anjuman Taraqqi-e-Urdu (1903) promoted it.
Overall. Regional languages are promoted through academies, radio and TV programmes, newspapers and books, and as a subject or medium in some schools. The Constitution allows provinces to take steps to promote them. However, resources are limited, Urdu and English dominate education and government, and some people fear that regional languages will weaken.
Outline. Symbol of Muslim identity and the Pakistan Movement; understood across provinces as a link language; rich literature; unifies; Jinnah's support. Evaluation: it was the mother tongue of only a minority, so it caused resentment in East Pakistan and Sindh.