Ajay Kumar at 16:23, 29 August 2023

2023-08-29T16:23:28Z

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{{Short description|Variety of Rajasthani spoken by the Gujars}}
{{Distinguish|Gujarati language}}
{{Redirect|Gujari|the raga|Gujari Raga}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2017}}
{{Infobox language
| name = Gujari
| altname = Gojri, Gurjari, Gujjari
| nativename = {{hlist|{{nastaliq|گُوجَری}}|गुर्जरी}}
| states = [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Afghanistan]]
| region =
| speakers = 1-2 million
| date = 2021
| ref = e26
| familycolor = Indo-European
| fam2 = [[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]]
| fam3 = [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan]]
| fam4 = [[Western Indo-Aryan languages|Western]]
| fam5 = Rajasthani–Marwari
| fam6 = [[Rajasthani language|Rajasthani]]
| iso3 = gju
| glotto = guja1253
| glottorefname = Gujari
| image = Gojari.png
| imagecaption = ''Gurjari'' written in [[Takri]], [[Perso-Arabic script]] (middle) and [[Devanagari]] (bottom)
| imagescale = 0.8
| script = [[Takri]], [[Perso-Arabic script]], [[Devanagari]]
}}
'''Gujari''' (also spelt '''Gojri''', '''Gujri''', or '''Gojari'''; {{nq|گُوجَری}}) is an [[Indo-Aryan language]] spoken by most of the [[Gujjar]]s in the northern parts of India and Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan. It is a member of the [[Rajasthani languages|Rajasthani]] group of languages.<ref>[http://www.languageinindia.com/april2002/jcsharmagojri.html Gojri And Its Relationship With Rajasthani, Etc.]</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.koshur.org/Linguistic/5.html
|title=Gujari Language and Identity in Jammu and Kashmir
|author=Dr. R.P. Khatana
|publisher=Kashmir News Network: Language Section (koshur.org)
|access-date=2007-05-31
}}</ref>

In India, the language is spoken by 1.3 million people (as of 2011) in [[Jammu and Kashmir (union territory)|Jammu and Kashmir]] and [[Himachal Pradesh]], with ethnic Gujjars elsewhere having shifted to the regional languages instead. In Pakistan, there are an estimated 400,000 speakers (as of 2018) in [[Azad Kashmir]], in [[Gilgit-Baltistan]] ([[Diamer District|Diamer]] and [[Gilgit District|Gilgit]] districts), in [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] (the [[Hazara region]], and northwest up to [[Chitral District]]), and in [[Rawalpindi District]] in northern Punjab. The population in Afghanistan is scattered, and numbers at 15,000 (according to a 2015 estimate).<ref>{{e26|gju|Gujari}}</ref>

The [[Government of Jammu and Kashmir|government]] of the erstwhile Indian state of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] had recognized Gujari by including it in the sixth schedule of the [[Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir|state constitution]].<ref>In Jammu and Kashmir, Gujari is written right-to-left in an extension of the Persian alphabet, which is itself an extension of the Arabic alphabet. Gujari is associated with the Nastaʿlīq style of Persian calligraphy - http://jktribals.page.tl/Gojri-Language.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626054413/http://jktribals.page.tl/Gojri-Language.htm |date=26 June 2018 }}, http://www.merinews.com/article/writers-in-jk-seek-constitutional-safeguards-for-gojri/129813.shtml {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626030202/http://www.merinews.com/article/writers-in-jk-seek-constitutional-safeguards-for-gojri/129813.shtml |date=26 June 2018 }}</ref>

== Literary traditions ==
Gujari folklore is very large, including songs, ballads and folktales, known as Dastans. Hundreds of folk songs have been recorded and published, including "Nooro", "Tajo", "Nura Beguma", "Shupiya", "Kunjhdi", "Mariyan".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/41978043|title = The Gujjars - Vol: 01 a Book on History and Culture of Gujjar Tribe : Ed Javaid Rahi|last1 = Rahi|first1 = Dr Javaid}}</ref>

A modern tradition of creative writing encompasses poets such as Sain Qadar Bakhsh, Noon Poonchi, and others. Others such as Mian Nizam ud Din, Khuda Bakhsh Zar, Zabih Rajourvi, Shams ud Din Mehjoor Poonchi, [[Mian Bashir Ahmed]], [[Javaid Rahi]], [[Rafiq Anjum]], Milki Ram Kushan, Sarwari Kassana, Naseem Poonchi have also made remarkable contributions to Gujari through poetry, prose and criticism.

== Institutions and media ==
[[All India Radio]] and [[Doordarshan]] Kendra run various Gujari programmes. [[Radio Kashmir Jammu]], Srinagar, [[Poonch (town)|Poonch]] in India and seven radio stations of Pakistan and PTV air Gujari programmes and news bulletins accepted across Jammu and Kashmir. Books have been published in Gujari, including encyclopedias, poetry, fiction and non-fiction, on topics including dictionaries, grammars, nature, folklore, art and architecture, agriculture, sociology and research.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/archive/j-k/give-more-airtime-to-gojri-programmes-urge-gujjars-706541|title = Give more airtime to Gojri programmes, urge Gujjars}}</ref>

The National Academy of Letters, [[Sahitya Akademi]], recognized Gujari as one of the major Indian languages for its National Award, Bhasha Samman, and other programmes. The [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages|Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Arts, Culture and Languages]] established a Gujari Department in its Central Office in the 1970s and published in Gujari. They organized seminars, conferences, etc. for the development of the Gujari Language. Jammu and Kashmir State Board of School Education made curriculum in Gujari up to Middle Standard for teaching Gujari in schools. The University of Jammu Council approved the opening of Gojri Research Centre in Jammu and University of Kashmir that have been awarded doctorate degrees on completing research projects on the language. In [[Pakistan administered Kashmir]], the Gujari Academy has been established and postgraduate studies departments were set up in various universities and regional research centers.

== Revival ==
In lower or plain areas of Pakistan, Gujjars have a major concentration in districts like Islamabad, Attock, Rawalpindi, Chakwal, Jhelum, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sargodha, Faisalabad, Sheikhupura, Lahore and Layyah. However, due to the revolution of time, the majority of them have forgotten or stopped speaking Gujrai. Gojri Bahali Programme (Gojri Revival Programme) has been launched in these areas to encourage Gujjars to restart speaking Gujari. Though this programme has a particular focus on these areas, it extends to the whole of Pakistan. Under this programme, Gujjars are being persuaded to readopt Gujari as their mother language. They are also being asked to mention it in the mother language column of various forms at educational institutions; when applying for computerised national identity card; and while filling out their particulars when seeking employment. Under this programme, the federal government will be asked to add Gujari in the mother language column of the population census. Similarly, the [[University of Gujrat]] will be asked to set up Gojri Department. The programme is the initiative of Muhammad Afsar Khan, a [[Kunduana]] Gujjar from [[Chak Dina]] village in [[Gujrat District|Gujrat]] district. [[Kunduana]]s are a branch of [[Khatana]] [[Gujjars]] and trace their descent from [[Kandu]], a famous [[Gujjar]] who lived during the reign of Mughal King [[Akbar]] or immediately before him in [[Gujrat District|Gujrat]] district. His grave survives to date in Makiana village in Gujrat tehsil.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/books/gojri-the-language-that-s-spoken-but-rarely-read/story-Y6Ci7JnfCHqfvKGbbyy33H.html|title = Gojri: The language that's spoken but rarely read|date = 21 July 2018}}</ref>

==Bibliography ==
Dictionaries :<ref name="auto">{{cite web |url=https://www.dailyexcelsior.com/of-a-gujjar-scholar-and-social-activist/ |title=Of a Gujjar Scholar and Social activist |date=18 October 2020 |website=[[Daily Excelsior]]}}</ref>
* '' Gojri Dictionary'' 6 Volume [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages]]
* '' Concise Gojri Dictionary'' Ed. Javaid Rahi, [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages]]
* '' Hindi- Gojri Dictionary'' Ed. Javaid Rahi, [[Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation]]
* '' Folk-Lore Dictionary'' 2 VOL of Gujjar Tribe Ed. Javaid Rahi, [[Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation]]
* '' Hindi- Gojri Dictionary'' Ed. Javaid Rahi, [[Tribal Research and Cultural Foundation]]
* '' Gojri English Dictionary'' Ed.Dr. Rafiq Anjum

Books / Author/ [[Javaid Rahi]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thedispatch.in/life-story-javaid-rahi-cultural-activist-writer/ |title=Life Story: Javaid Rahi, cultural activist, writer |date=14 July 2021 |website=The Dispatch}}</ref>
* '' Lok-Virso'' – (Research )Awarded by [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages]](1999)
* '' Jammu Kashmir ke Qabaila-aur-unki Zubanein'' (Research /Urdu) –(2010)
* '' Gujjar Tribe of Jammu and Kashmir'' (Research English) (2015)
* '' Gujjar Shanakhat Ka Safar'' (History and Culture Urdu-2005)
* '' Gojri Lok Geet'' -2018
* ''Gujjar Aur Gojri'' (2004)
* ''Gujjar Tarekh'' (2009)
* ''Tagore ki Chunam Shairi'' (2011) Published by [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages]]
* ''Gojri Grammer'' (2012) Published by [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages]]
* ''Qadeem Gojri Lughat'' (2013) Published by [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages]]
* ''The Gujjar Tribe of J&K'' (2012) Published by [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages]]
* ''The Gujjars'' vol 1 to 6 (2013–16) Published by [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages]]
* ''The Gujjars Tribe of Jammu and Kashmir'' Research Book

=== Gujari journals ===

Published by [[Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Gojri Books of Javaid Rahi published by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages|url=https://viaf.org/viaf/58386804/|publisher= viaf.org }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Why I Gurjar Desh Charitable Trust Jammu -Gojri Books by Dr Javaid Rahi |url=http://www.gurjardesh.org/publications_list.htm|publisher= viaf.org }}</ref>

* ''Sheeraza Gojri-Bi-Monthly''
* ''Maharo Adab Gojri''
* ''Shingran Ka Geet''
* ''Gojri Ka Lal''
* ''Qadawar''
* ''Paneeri''
* ''Gojri Look Geet''
* ''Gojri Look Kahani''
* ''Gujjar Aur Gojri''
* ''Gojri Zaban-o-Adab''

GOJRI BOOKS Published by NGOs

* ''Akhan Gojri Quotations'' JK Gojri Anjuman 2004 Edited by Dr. Rafeeq Anjum
* ''Gojri Kahawat Kosh Gojri Quotations'' JK Gojri Anjuman 2004 Edited; by Dr. Rafeeq Anjum
* ''Anjum Shanasi Biography'' JK Gojri Anjuman 2007 Edited
* ''Sajra Phull ( Hakeem)'' Selected poetry JK Gojri Anjuman 2007, Edited
* ''Peehng (Mukhlis)'' Selected poetry JK Gojri Anjuman 2007, Edited by Dr. Rafeeq Anjum
* ''GOJRI BOOKS'' Published by BAZM E ADAB KALAKOTE
* ''SAJAR BOOT'' – book series
* گوجری سیرت النبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم(لشکار محمد) مصنف مفتی محمد ادریس ولی ہسوال گوجر

==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
*1992: Rensch, Calvin R., ''Hindko and Gujari'' - National Institute of Pakistani Studies, 305 pp. {{ISBN|969-8023-13-5}}.
*2012: Javaid Rahi, ''The Gujjar Tribe of Jammu & Kashmir'' -Gulshan Books, Srinagar J&K 190001, 305 pp. {{ISBN|81-8339-103-6}}.

==External links==
{{Incubator|code= gju}}
* Dr. R.P. Khatana. ''[http://www.koshur.org/Linguistic/5.html Gujari Language and Identity in Jammu and Kashmir]''.
* [https://www.jkbose.nic.in/PageDoc/637333975270231122Gojri-1.pdf Gojri Language Textbook for Class1]
* [https://www.jkbose.nic.in/PageDoc/637333946528222452Gojri-2.pdf Gojri Language Textbook for Class2]
* [https://www.jkbose.nic.in/PageDoc/637334784238357417Gojri-3.pdf Gojri Language Textbook for Class3]
* [https://www.jkbose.nic.in/PageDoc/637334837039483025Gojri-4.pdf Gojri Language Textbook for Class4]
* [https://www.jkbose.nic.in/PageDoc/637336578466398130Gojri-5th.pdf Gojri Language Textbook for Class5]
* [https://www.jkbose.nic.in/PageDoc/637336640602743687Gojri%206th.pdf Gojri Language Textbook for Class6]
* [https://www.jkbose.nic.in/PageDoc/637338176208804159Gojri-8th.pdf Gojri Language Textbook for Class8]

{{Rajasthani languages}}
{{Western Indo-Aryan languages}}
{{Languages of Pakistan}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Indo-Aryan languages]]
[[Category:Languages of India]]
[[Category:Languages of Afghanistan]]
[[Category:Languages of Jammu and Kashmir]]
[[Category:Languages of Azad Kashmir]]
[[Category:Languages of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
[[Category:Languages of Gilgit-Baltistan]]
[[Category:Languages of Punjab, Pakistan]]
[[Category:Languages of Himachal Pradesh]]
[[Category:Gurjar]]
[[Category:Tonal languages in non-tonal families]]
[[Category:Languages written in Devanagari]]
[[Category:Languages listed as Hindi dialects in latest census]]

Gujari language - Revision history

Ajay Kumar at 16:23, 29 August 2023