Hindustani people are a panethnicity primarily living in the Hindi belt region of India, which is located in the Gangetic Plain of North India, between the Himalayas and the Vindhyas, identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds.
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Traditionally, Hindustani or Hindavi identity is primarily linguistic with Hindustanis or Hindavis being those who have the Hindustani language (Hindi/Urdu) and in a broader sense a variety of Hindi as their primary language, mainly residing in the present-day Indian States of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand. The original Urdu speaking Muhajir people (immigrants) of Pakistan are from the same Hindustani roots.
The Hindustani or Hindavi people seem to be of ethnolinguistic origin rather than an ethnic group. Some 19th century scholars believed them to be descendants of the lost tribes of Israel.
Present circumstances
Although the word "Hindustani" refers to people, it is historically important to understand the complex history, culture, ethos and demography of the subcontinent. Certain groups of Hindustani people have multiple identities, with a more localized prioritized ethnic orientation, for example the Awadhi people, Bagheli people, Bihari people, Brajbhashi people, Bundeli people, Chhattisgarhi people, Garhwali people, Haryanvi people, Kumaoni people, Malvi people, Pahari people, or Rajasthani people, in addition to further tribal, village, and/or religious identities. However, whenever used, it is used to generally denote people whose native language is Hindustani language and in a broader sense a variety of Hindi and belong to certain parts of North India ( i.e. the Hindi belt )
Use of term in media and culture
The term "Hindustani people" is used in many patriotic songs and films, made during the British era and even after independence, wherein it applies to persons belonging to India or Hindustan as a whole and is not restricted to apply only to persons of the Hindi belt.
One famous film using the above definition was Hum Hindustani made in 1960 and another was Hum Hindustani (television serial) directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee in 1986. Hindustani, as a surname, was used in the film Raja Hindustani where the lead character was known by this name.
The word "Hindustani people" is also used in a national sense, in the broad sense of culture, heritage and the customs of Hindustan.