Evolution of Hindi Language

Study Notes

Exploring Hindi's Past: A Peek into its Rich History

Hindi is a diverse and vibrant language spoken by more than half a billion people across India and beyond, boasting centuries of evolution and transformation. To understand this modern tongue better, let's delve into its historical roots.

Origins and Early Development

The foundation of what we now know as Hindi was laid with Sanskrit—an ancient Indian language from which hundreds of regional dialects emerged over time. Prakrit, one such offshoot, evolved further into Apabhramsha during the medieval period, paving the way for Middle Indo-Aryan languages like Braj Bhasha, Awadhi, and Rajasthani. These early forms gradually merged and developed into what would become Modern Standard Hindi around the mid-nineteenth century.

Hindu scriptures, religious texts, and courtly literature all played significant roles in shaping Hindi's syntax and vocabulary throughout the centuries. As Hindu rulers patronized poets, numerous literary works were composed, contributing to the growth of regional variations within Hindi's diverse family tree.

Influences from Persian and Arabic

During the Muslim rule in India, beginning in the thirteenth century, Persian became widely used among the higher classes. This foreign influence resulted in Persio-Arabic borrowings into Hindi lexicon, also known as Dakhini Urdu. While some consider this development problematic due to potential cultural hegemony associated with Persian and Islam, it cannot be denied that these influences helped enrich Hindi's vocabulary significantly.

British Rule and the Emergence of Modern Standard Hindi

Although the British colonization of India worked against Native Indian languages, hindering their progress and threatening local cultures, it did eventually bring about the standardization of Hindi. English was imposed upon the ruling elite, leading them to recognize the need for a unified language amongst themselves. Consequently, scholars began systematizing various tongues under the umbrella term 'Hindusthani,' later shortened simply to 'Hindi.' It is worth mentioning that this process had already been initiated by nationalist movements prior to the British era.

Modern Standard Hindi, primarily based on Khari Boli ( Delhi Urdu), gained official recognition after independence in 1947, becoming one of the two official languages of the Indian Union State alongside English. However, Hindi does not exist isolated from other vernaculars; there remains considerable overlap between neighboring languages, giving rise to multiple dialects and local variations.

In summary, Hindi has come a long way since its humble beginnings, influenced by myriad forces including religion, culture, politics, and colonialism. This multifaceted heritage makes Hindi a dynamic and fascinating language worthy of exploration and appreciation.

Description

Explore the historical journey of Hindi language from its roots in Sanskrit to the emergence of Modern Standard Hindi. Learn about the influences of Persian, Arabic, British rule, and cultural developments that shaped Hindi's diverse family tree.