Glottolog guja1253 | ISO 639-3 gju | |
Region Kashmir, southeastern Afghanistan Native speakers (990,000 cited 1992–2000)Census results conflate some speakers with Hindi. Language family Indo-EuropeanIndo-IranianIndo-AryanWesternRajasthani–MarwariRajasthaniGujari | ||
Gujari, also known as Gojri (गुजरी, ગુજરી, گوجری) is a variety of Indo-Aryan spoken by the Gujjars of India and also found in Pakistan.
Contents
The language was known as Gujjar bhakha, "Gojari" or Gurjar Apabhramsha lately. It was used as literary language as early as 12th century. The poet Bhoja referred to Gaurjar Apabhramsha (Gurjar Apabhramsha) in 1014 AD.
The language is mainly spoken in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Murree, Nathiagalli,and many other parts of India. The language is also spoken by Gujjars of Pakistan.Pakistan have Gujri news channel daily basis they show news. Many Gujari words originate from Rajasthan. The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has recognized Gujari by including it into sixth scheduled of the constitution.
History
Gojri is an offshoot of Indo-Aryan Group of languages, and during the dawn of Sanskrit and Persian poetry and prose in the Indian sub-continent several noted poets and Sufi saints used Gojri to spread their message. Noted poet-musician Hazrat Amir Khusro formally made mention of the Gojri language in the list of eighteen Indian languages of his time. Researchers and historians believe that Gujri language is the mother of Rajasthani languages
Gojri is being widely spoken and is in fact mother tongue of over 20 million people residing in various parts of India particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Uttarakhand.
In Pakistan Gojri is being widely spoken and is in fact mother tongue of over 25 million people residing in varous parts of Pakistan particularly in Azad Kashmir, [Hazara Division], [malakand Division], [Gilgit Baltistan], [Chitral]
Institutions working for Gojri
The All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendra are already running various Gojri programmes. The Radio Kashmir Jammu, Srinagar, Poonch in India and Seven Radio Stations of Pakistan and PTV have since long been airing Gojri programmes and news bulletins which has wide acceptance across the state of Jammu and Kashmir. A large number of Gojri books have been published in various subjects which include encyclopedias, dictionaries, grammar, poetry, prose, flora and fauna, folklore, art and architecture, agriculture, sociology and research documents. The National Academy of Letters, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi has also recognised Gojri as one of the major Indian languages for its prestigious National Award, Bhasha Samman and other programmes. The Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages has a well established Gojri Department in its Central Office which is in operation for last 30 years. Hundreds of books in Gojri, dictionaries and other research works have been published by this institutasion and organised hundreds of Seminar, conference etc. for the development of Gojri Language. Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education made curriculum in Gojri up to Middle Standard for Teaching Gojri in Schools. The University of Jammu Council has also approved the opening of Gojri Research Centre in Jammu and University of Kashmir have awarded several Doctorate Degrees on completing research projects on Gojri. In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the Gojri Academy has been established and Post Graduate Studies Department has been set up in various Universities, Regional Research Centers.
Organizations working for Gojri:
Demographics
Muslim gujjars of Jammu & Kashmir speak gojri as their first language. These communities are found large amount in India anywhere in big cities like Mumbai, Pune, Chinchiwad, Maharashta, Tamil nadu, Rajasthani speak Gojri as second language.
The Gojri is also being widely spoken and is in fact mother tongue of over 20 million people residing in various parts of India particularly in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttarakhand.