Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s largest states, has a rich history of language and literature. The languages spoken in this region have evolved over centuries and are deeply rooted in ancient traditions. Let’s explore the main languages and dialects spoken in Uttar Pradesh, along with some notable literary contributions.
Main Languages of Uttar Pradesh
1. Hindi
- Origin: Hindi is a direct descendant of Sanskrit, passing through stages like Prakrit and Apabhramsa. It has also been influenced by languages like Turkic, Persian, Arabic, Portuguese, and English.
- State Language: Hindi was declared the official language of Uttar Pradesh in October 1947. In 1968, its use was made mandatory in government offices. To promote Hindi, the state government established a Language Fund in 1982 with an allocation of ₹10 crores.
- Dialects: Major dialects include Braj Bhasha, Awadhi, and Khariboli.
- Script: Hindi is written in the Devanagari script, which consists of 11 vowels and 33 consonants, written from left to right.
- Famous Writers and Poets:
- Bhartendu Harishchandra
- Munshi Premchand
- Mahadevi Verma
- Suryakant Tripathi Nirala
- Harivansh Rai Bachchan
2. Urdu
- Origin: Urdu evolved in the early 18th century from the interaction between Hindi and Persian. It was popularized by the Nawabs of Lucknow and became widely spoken.
- State Language: In 1988, Urdu was declared the second official language of Uttar Pradesh.
- Famous Poets:
- Firaq Gorakhpuri
- Josh Malihabadi
- Akbar Allahabadi
- Ghalib
- Key Fact: The main Urdu teaching institute is located in Lucknow.
read – DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF UTTAR PRADESH
Dialects Spoken in Uttar Pradesh
Dialects are regional variations of a language, and Uttar Pradesh has several, each with its unique history and literary tradition.
1. Awadhi
- Region: Spoken in the Awadh region, including Lucknow, Allahabad, and Faizabad.
- Literary Contributions:
- Tulsidas’s “Ramcharitmanas”
- Kabir’s Dohe (couplets)
- Notable Writers:
- Mulla Daud
- Tulsidas
2. Braj Bhasha
- Region: Associated with the Braj Bhoomi region, including Agra, Mathura, and Aligarh.
- Literary Contributions:
- Amir Khusrow composed poetry in Braj Bhasha.
- Surdas and Raskhan are other notable poets.
- Close Relation: Braj Bhasha is closely related to Awadhi.
3. Bagheli
- Region: Spoken in the Baghelkhand region, especially in Chitrakoot.
- Relation: Bagheli is a derivative of Awadhi.
4. Bundeli
- Region: Predominantly spoken in the Bundelkhand region, including Jhansi and Hamirpur.
- Dialects: Includes Lodhanti, Khatola, and Banaphari.
5. Kannauji
- Region: Spoken in parts of Uttar Pradesh, including Hardoi, Farrukhabad, and Etawah.
- Dialects: Includes Tirhari and Transitional Kannauji.
6. Khariboli or Kauravi
- Region: Spoken in Western Uttar Pradesh, including Saharanpur, Meerut, and Moradabad.
- Standard Language: Khariboli is considered a standard form of Hindi, especially in its modern form.
7. Bhojpuri
- Region: Spoken in the Eastern region of Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi, Gorakhpur, and Azamgarh.
- Literary Contribution: Bhikhari Thakur is a renowned playwright, often called the “Shakespeare of Bhojpuri.”
Summary Chart of Key Dialects in Uttar Pradesh
| Dialect | Region | Notable Literary Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Awadhi | Lucknow, Allahabad, Faizabad | Ramcharitmanas by Tulsidas |
| Braj Bhasha | Agra, Mathura, Aligarh | Poetry by Amir Khusrow, Surdas |
| Bagheli | Chitrakoot | Connected to Awadhi |
| Bundeli | Jhansi, Hamirpur | Lodhanti, Khatola dialects |
| Kannauji | Hardoi, Farrukhabad | Tirhari dialect |
| Khariboli | Western Uttar Pradesh | Basis for modern standard Hindi |
| Bhojpuri | Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Azamgarh | Plays by Bhikhari Thakur |
Key Points to Remember
- Hindi is the primary language of Uttar Pradesh, officially recognized since 1947.
- Urdu was declared the second official language in 1988.
- Awadhi and Braj Bhasha are prominent dialects with rich literary traditions.
Here’s a simplified and structured version of the provided content on the literature of Uttar Pradesh:
Literature of Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has a rich literary tradition that spans across various languages, including Hindi, Sanskrit, and Urdu. This region has been home to many notable authors and poets who have significantly contributed to Indian literature.
Evolution of Hindi Literature
- 19th and 20th Centuries: Modernization of Hindi literature was driven by authors such as Jaishankar Prasad, Maithili Sharan Gupt, Munshi Premchand, and Suryakant Tripathi ‘Nirala’.
- Classifications: Hindi literature is broadly classified into four prominent styles:
- Vir-Gathas (Heroic tales)
- Bhakti Era Poems (Devotional poetry)
- Riti Poems (Poetry of courtly love and erotics)
- Adhunik Literature (Modern literature)
Sanskrit Literature
- Rich Tradition: Encompasses poetry, drama, and various scientific, philosophical, and religious texts.
- Major Works: Over 1000 Sanskrit works originate from Uttar Pradesh, including the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.
- Prominent Scholars:
- Ashwaghosh
- Banabhatta
- Vyas
- Bhavbhuti
- Rajshekhar
- Sri Harsh
- Krishna Misra
- Centers of Sanskrit Literature: Varanasi, Mathura, Allahabad, and Gorakhpur.
Urdu Literature
- Key Features: Renowned for its poetry, especially the Ghazal and Nazm forms, and expands into short stories (Afsana) and long stories.
- Popular Centers: Allahabad, Lucknow, Aligarh, and Agra.
Famous Literary Personalities of Uttar Pradesh
Ravidas (1398-1540)
- Born: Varanasi
- Contribution: North Indian mystic poet-saint of the Bhakti Movement.
- Works: Found in Adi Granth (Sikh) and Panchvani (Dadupanthis).
Kabir Das (1440-1518)
- Born: Varanasi
- Contribution: Influential figure in the Bhakti Movement, with verses found in Guru Granth Sahib.
- Famous Works: Kabir Bijak, Kabir Parachai, Sakhi Granth, Adi Granth, Kabir Granthawali.
Surdas (1478-1573)
- Born: Braj region, near Mathura
- Contribution: Devotional poet known for his lyrics praising Krishna.
- Famous Works: Sur Sagar, Sur Saravali, Sahitya Lahari.
Tulsidas (1511-1623)
- Born: Rajapur, Chitrakoot
- Contribution: Hindu Vaishnava saint and poet, best known for Ramcharitmanas.
- Legacy: Tulsi Ghat in Varanasi is named after him.
Mirza Ghalib (1797-1869)
- Born: Agra
- Contribution: Prominent Urdu and Persian-language poet, last great poet of the Mughal era.
- Legacy: Renowned for his ghazals.
Bharatendu Harishchandra (1850-1885)
- Born: Varanasi
- Contribution: Father of modern Hindi literature and theatre.
- Famous Works: Bharat Durdasha, Satya Harishchandra, Andher Nagari.
Munshi Premchand (1880-1936)
- Born: Lamhi, Varanasi
- Contribution: Indian writer famous for his modern Hindi-Urdu literature.
- Famous Works: Godaan, Rangbhoomi, Nirmala, Karmabhoomi.
Maithili Sharan Gupt (1888-1964)
- Born: Jhansi
- Contribution: One of the most important modern Hindi poets, known as the Rashtra Kavi.
- Famous Works: Saket, Bharat-Bharati, Yashodhara.
Jaishankar Prasad (1889-1937)
- Born: Varanasi
- Contribution: A key figure in modern Hindi literature and theatre.
- Famous Works: Kamayani, Skandagupta, Ansu.
Suryakant Tripathi Nirala (1896-1961)
- Contribution: Poet, novelist, essayist, and story writer.
- Famous Works: Dhwani, Anamika, Apsara.
Subhadra Kumari Chauhan (1904-1948)
- Born: Allahabad
- Contribution: Known for Hindi poems in Veer Ras.
- Famous Works: Jhansi Ki Rani, Vida, Rakhi Ki Chunauti.
Mahadevi Verma (1907-1987)
- Born: Farrukhabad
- Contribution: A major poet of the Chhayavaad movement, also known as the Modern Meera.
- Famous Works: Neelkanth, Mere Bachpan Ke Din, Gillu.
Harivansh Rai Bachchan (1907-2003)
- Born: Allahabad
- Contribution: A poet of the Nayi Kavita movement.
- Famous Works: Madhushala, Chal Mardane, Madhukalash.
Sachchidananda Vatsyayan ‘Agyeya’ (1911-1987)
- Born: Kushinagar
- Contribution: Pioneer of modern Hindi poetry, fiction, criticism, and journalism.
- Famous Works: Bhagndoot, Chinta, Saagar-Mudra.
Other Notable Literary Personalities
| Name | Major Works |
|---|---|
| Rahul Sankrityayan | Jeeney ke Liye, Volga Se Ganga |
| Babu Gulabrai | Navras, Shanti Dharma |
| Dharamvir Bharati | Gunaho ke Devta, Thanda Loha |
| Mahavir Prasad Dwivedi | Kavyajanjusha, Mere Jivan ki Yatra |
| Swami Sahajanand Saraswati | Brahman Kaun?, Ab Kya Ho? |
| Dushyant Kumar | Kaise Manjar, Saaye Me Dhoop |
| Hazari Prasad Dwivedi | Sahitya Ki Bhumika, Kabir |
| Kuber Nath Rai | Priya Neelkanthi, Gandhmaadan |
| Kamleshwar Prasad Saxena | Aagami Ateet, Amma |
| Sumitranandan Pant | Chidambara, Pallav, Boodha Chand |
read more – SOCIAL WELFARE SCHEMES OF UTTAR PRADESH
Institutes Promoting Language and Literature in Uttar Pradesh
- Hindustani Academy (Allahabad)
- Established in 1927 to promote Hindi and its various forms, including Urdu, Bhojpuri, Awadhi, Braj.
- Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy (Lucknow)
- Established in 1972 for the promotion of Urdu literature.
- Uttar Pradesh Hindi Sansthan
- Established in 1976 by Purushottam Das Tandon to promote Hindi.
- Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan
- Established in 1976 for the publication and preservation of Sanskrit literature.
- Uttar Pradesh Language Institute
- Established in 1994 to promote Hindi and regional languages.
- Uttar Pradesh Sindhi Academy
- Established in 1997 to promote Sindhi language.
FAQs
Question 1: Braj, Awadhi, and Khariboli are dialects of which language?
ANSWER: Hindi
Question 2: Hindi is written in which script?
ANSWER: Devanagari
Question 3: Sumitranandan Pant was the author in which language?
ANSWER: Hindi
Question 4: In which century did Urdu become more popular?
ANSWER: 18th Century
Question 5: Which language was born out of the interaction between Hindi and Persian?
ANSWER: Urdu
Question 6: What is the source of the grammatical structure of Urdu?
ANSWER: Apabhramsa
Question 7: Firaq Gorakhpuri is a poet of which language?
ANSWER: Urdu
Question 8: Who are the leading luminaries in the field of Urdu poetry?
ANSWER: Josh Malihabadi and Mazaz Lakhnavi
Question 9: The main Urdu Teaching Institute in Uttar Pradesh is situated in which place?
ANSWER: Lucknow
Question 10: ‘Kabir Ke Dohe’ were written in which language?
ANSWER: Hindi
Question 11: Bhakti poems and Riti poems are styles of which literature?
ANSWER: Hindi
Question 12: Banabhatta and Vyas are writers of which literature?
ANSWER: Sanskrit
Question 13: Who wrote the book “Godaan”?
ANSWER: Munshi Premchand
Question 14: Who was given the title ‘Rashtra Kavi’ by Mahatma Gandhi?
ANSWER: Maithili Sharan Gupt
Question 15: The author of Anamika is?
ANSWER: Suryakant Tripathi Nirala
Question 16: The famous poem ‘Jhansi Ki Rani’ was written by?
ANSWER: Subhadra Kumari Chauhan
Question 17: Name the prominent poet of the Chhayavaad movement in India.
ANSWER: Mahadevi Verma
Question 18: The author of ‘Madhushala’ was?
ANSWER: Harivansh Rai Bachchan
Question 19: To safeguard the Hindi language, Hindustani Academy was established in which place?
ANSWER: Allahabad
Question 20: The main purpose of which institute is to promote Hindi and its other forms?
ANSWER: Hindustani Academy
Question 21: In which year was the Uttar Pradesh Urdu Academy established?
ANSWER: 1972
Question 22: In which year was the Uttar Pradesh Sanskrit Sansthan established?
ANSWER: 1976
Question 23: Does Uttar Pradesh have a long history of language and literature because it was the state of the Hindu twin Sanskrit epics, the Ramayana, and the Mahabharata?
ANSWER: Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
Question 24: Which of the following is not correctly matched: Upendranath Ashk and Urdu?
ANSWER: Correct, this is not correctly matched.
Question 25: Which poet wrote in Braj Bhasa and is known for his works in the language?
ANSWER: Surdas
