As an expert in linguistic history, I can provide a comprehensive overview of the formation of the Urdu language. The Urdu language, spoken predominantly in Pakistan and India, is a fascinating blend of various linguistic influences that have shaped the Indian subcontinent over centuries.

The evolution of Urdu is a complex process that began with the contacts between local Indian languages and the languages of invading forces from Persia and the Arab world. This process started around the 11th century, as Persian and Turkic forces invaded the region. The Persian influence was particularly significant, as Persian was the language of the elite and the court during many of the Islamic dynasties that ruled parts of the Indian subcontinent.

During the Delhi Sultanate (1206-1526), the language that would eventually become Urdu began to take more distinct shape. This period saw a significant amount of Persian vocabulary and script influence, as Persian was the official language of the court and administration. The language spoken by the masses, however, was still largely an Indo-Aryan dialect.

The Mughal Empire (1526-1858) is another crucial era in the development of Urdu. The Mughals, who were of Turkic origin, brought with them a strong Persianate culture. The language of the court was Persian, but the common language spoken by the people evolved into what is known as Rekhta, a blend of Persian, Arabic, and local Indian languages. Rekhta was the precursor to modern Urdu, and it was during this time that the language began to be used in literature and poetry.

The use of the Perso-Arabic script for writing Urdu was also significant. This script was adapted to accommodate the sounds of the Indo-Aryan languages, and it became the standard for writing Urdu. The script facilitated the inclusion of Persian and Arabic words, which became an integral part of the Urdu lexicon.

By the 18th century, Urdu had developed into a distinct language with its own grammar, vocabulary, and literature. It was during the British colonial rule in India that Urdu and Hindi began to diverge more sharply. The British policy of divide and rule led to the promotion of separate scripts for Urdu and Hindi; Urdu continued to use the Perso-Arabic script, while Hindi adopted Devanagari.

The formation of Pakistan as a separate nation in 1947 further solidified Urdu's status as a national language alongside English. In India, Urdu is one of the 22 scheduled languages and is an important language in the cultural and linguistic tapestry of the country.

In conclusion, the Urdu language is a product of a rich history of linguistic and cultural interactions. Its formation is a testament to the dynamic nature of language evolution and the influence of political, social, and cultural factors on language development.

read more >>

The language started evolving from Farsi and Arabic contacts during the invasions of the Indian subcontinent by Persian and Turkic forces from the 11th century onward. Urdu developed more decisively during the Delhi Sultanate (1206-C1526) and the Mughal Empire (1526-C1858).May 11, 2015read more >>