Dialects of Rajasthan

Main Dialects of Rajasthan

Main Dialects of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is bounded by the Indian states of Haryana and Punjab to the south, Uttar Pradesh to the east, and Madhya Pradesh to the west. The state has an area of 303,086 km2 and a population of approximately 30 million people. Rajasthan is the biggest state in India by area. The state is home to several major languages, including Hindi, Rajasthani, Marathi, and Gujarati. The state also has a significant population of speakers of other languages, such as Punjabi, Sindhi, and Bengali.

 

Rajasthan is known for its rich culture and diverse dialects. The state is home to about 25 dialects, which are spoken by a majority of the population. The dialects are mainly spoken in rural areas, and there is no standard form of Rajasthani.

 

The most spoken dialect in Rajasthan is Chittorgarhi. Other dialects include Jaipuri, Jodhpuri, Ranthamburi, Sirohi, Tonk, and Udaipuri. Rajasthani is written in the Gurmukhi script, and most dialects have their own written form.

Dr. G.A. Gierson classified the dialects in Rajasthan in the following Group-

1. Western Rajasthan – Marwari, Mewari,Dhakri, Bikaneri, Bagari,Shekhawati,kheradi and godawari

2. N.E. Rajasthan - Aheerwati and Mewati

3. Middle Eastern Rajasthan - Dhundhari, Torawati, Khodi, Jaipuri, Khathedi, Nagarchal,Hadoti and Rajathani

4. S.E. Rajasthan- Rangadi and Sandhuadi.

5. Southern Rajasthan - Nimari and Bhili.

Although, there is no proper record about the source and type of language used in Rajasthan yet a number of dialects can be identified in vogue with their derivation from Nagari or Shaurseni or Dingal languages in the past. A few dialects are commanding wide areas and rich literature for study. Such dialects need to be individually elaborated:

 

(i) Marwari : It is sweet, polite and widely spoken dialect of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Sirohi and Shekhawati synonymous of Marwar people the word 'Sa' is used at the end of each sentence for Marwari Sethies, honourable persons, elders, kith and kins and strangers as a mark of respect. It induct as Mewari, Godwani, Thali, Bikaneri, Shekhawati, Bagri,Marwari, Dhundhari, Gujrati and Marwari Sindhi dialects.

 

Marwari is an admixture of Dhundhari, Gujarati,and Marwari as Khusi (Pleasure), Marwari-Chho(Dhundhar). In Jaisalmer and Bikaner the impact of Gujarati, Sindhi & Punjabi is discernible on Marwari dialect. Luni is the master stream of this area. Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Jodhpur wrote Prabandha Chandodaya in Marwari. Ajit Charitra was written by Balkrishna Dikshit.

 

An exhaustive Marwari literature can be traced out from Pustaka Prakasha, Jodhpur, Anup library and Archaeological centre of Bikaner. Individuals also possess some valuable works with them. Prithvi Raj Raso, Buddi Raso, Bisaldev Raso, Dhola-Maru-ra-Doha are of the valuable some literary works in Marwari and Rajasthani.

 

 

(2) Mewari : It is spoken in Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh and adjoining areas of Pratapgarh and Khersar. The area is covered by Gambhir, Berach,Banas, Menal and Ahar rivers. The main difference in Marwari and Mewari is the use of the verbs and pronunciation. The word Su is pronounced as Hu in Mewari. Lok Kala Mandal and Maharana's foundation scheme and Rajasthan Sahitya Academy are busy in enriching it as in important sub-dialect of Marwari.

 

Khuman Raso of Dalpat is one of the standard creation in Mewari. Mewari Poet Shashi's work on 'Haldi Ghati' is a promise of valour. Saraswati Bhawan Library, Udaipur, Sahelion-ki-Bari library, Udaipur and Sarawati Bhandar library, Kota contribute innumerable works of different authors in Mewari.

(3) Dhundhari : It is a local dialect of Jaipur and adjoining area fed by Dhundh and Bandi rivers. It too is sweet to hear Dundhari in central and southern parts of Jaipur, towns of Jaipur district, parts of Tonk,Kherar, Kishangarh and of Ajmer, is a spoken dialect. The use of 'Choo', 'The', 'La', Chhu, ha, 'ma' is commonly heard at the beginning of last of the sentences. Toji records, Pothikhana of Jaipur, MojMandir records, Chandra Mahal and Hawa Mahal museum records and Dadu Sect literature are the main source of Dhundhari literature.

 

 

(4) Hadoti: River Chambal and its tributaries like Parvati, Kali Sindh covering the districts of Kota,Baran, Bundi, Jhalawar and eastern part of Udaipur come under Hadoti dialect. It has its affinities with Dhundhari, how-ever influenced by languages of Huns and Gujars who settled down in this area in the historical past. In Hadoti, “Sh' is connoted by ‘Sa',and 'Chhu'as well as 'Chho' are the verbs substantiated in this dialect. The personal library of the then Maharaja of Jhalawar is considered to be the best collection in Hadoti literature. Suryamal Mishran was a great poet and writer of Hadoti dialect, whose name should always be remembered.

 

 

(5) Mewati : It is an admixture of Rathi and Ahirwati dialects, spoken in area of Alwar, Bharatpur, North-western Jaipur and Dholpur and is a transition between Brij Bhasa and Rajasthani language. The area is covered by Utangan (Gambhir) and its tributaries and Banganga. Mewati enlisted the wordslike 'Likhayat, 'Jhanke', 'Apu', 'Chahije' and'Bhale' meaning writer, the place, your honour, desired and good respectively. Many words of Brij Bhasa have been absorbed in the Mewati to enrich it.

 

 

(6) Bagri or Vagadi : It is the dialect of Vagad fed by river Mahi streaming in Dungarpur, Banswara and south-western hilly tracts of Udaipur. It is the combination of Mewari and Gujarati language. In this dialect 'S' is commonly pronounced by 'ch', 'chh',and 'Sh' and Sa is pronounced as Ha. Bhili is virtually the Vigadi. The Vagad has always been influenced by Mewar politically and socially and hence Vagadi has great antecedents in Mewari, Vagad is also known as Bhili or Bhilodi.

 

 

(7) Malvi : Malvi is the dialect from Jhalwar,Nimbahera tehsil of Chittor, eastern border of Mewar and Kota alongwith Mandsor, Rajgarh, Guna,Shahjahanpur (M.P.) associated with Malva. The area is fed by the tributaries of Kali Sindh and Sipra in Ujjain. The standard literature in Malvi is discernible in the works of Chandra Sakhi' and Net Nagar. Besides Rajasthani, Hindi is the main official languages of the State. Punjabi is generally spoken in Sriganganagar, Hanumangarh and Bikaner districts.

 

The infra-structure and hierarchical pattern of dialects is getting diminished day by day because of progressive ideas. Recent trends in transportation of fast mingling of people, press material and communication have fairly eliminated these varied dialects in the interest of one language Hindi and united India.

 

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