Sindhi Language
Sindhi Language
Scheme OF Presentation
• Introduction
• Significance
• Vocabulary
• History & promotion
• Development of Language
• Shah Abdul latif Bhittia
• Golden periods
• CIE questions
Sindhi At Glance
Native to: Sindh, Pakistan and Kutch,India. Also immigrant communities in India, Hong
Kong, Oman, Philippines,Indonesia, Singapore, UAE, UK, USA, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka
• When Sindh was occupied by British army and was annexed with
Bombay, governor of the province Sir George Clerk ordered to make
Sindhi the official language in the province in 1848.
Vocabulary
• Historically, the Sindh region suffered frequent invasions.
Arabs under Mohammad bin Qasim conquered parts of Sindh
and the region was Islamized gradually under the Sultanate of
Delhi and later under the Mughal Empire until the British
conquest in 1843. Hence, the Sindhi language borrowed many
Arabic and Persian words.
• Sindhi became a popular literary language between the 14th and 18th centuries. This
is when mystics or Sufis such as Shah Abdul Latif,Sachal Sarmast, Lal Shahbaz
Qalandar (as well as numerous others) narrated their theosophical poetry depicting
the relationship between humans and Allah.
History &Promotion (Cont.)
Now days various steps had been taken for the growth and promotion of Sindhi
language :
• Many great poets were also attracted to this language and played and
important role in the promotion and development of sindhi language. The
growth of the language was further aided by journals such as Ta’alim
Alkhashaf o Tauheed.
Development (cont.)
Some great poets of sindhi poetry are as follows :
Sachal Sarmast
Makhdoom Noor
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai
• The age of Shah Abdul Latif (Kalhora period 1658-1783) is most significant in
the history of Sindhi literature.
• He wrote Sassi Punnun, Umar Marvi in his famous book Shah Jo Risalo.
• Bhittai gave new life, thought and content to the language and literature of
Sindh.
• Through simple folk tales, expressed profound ideas about the universal
brotherhood of mankind, patriotism, war against injustice and tyranny, and
above all the romance of human existence.
Golden periods
2) With the advent of Arabs in subcontinent, it 2) It has been influenced by Urdu as well.
adopted words from Persian and Turkish. 3) Passed through the indo Aryan stages (
3) Also a important language in India. Sanskrit) .
Summary
1) Became a popular literary language between the 14th
1) Kalhora period and Somroo period is the most
and 18th centuries because of Sufis such as Shah Abdul
important period in history of sindhi literature.
Latif,Sachal Sarmast etc.
2) Shah abdul latif bhattai Focused on creating
2) Organistions such as 'Sindhi Literary Board' and
brotherhood, justice and love for humanity.
Bazm-e-Talib-ul-Maula were set up in 1948.
CIE Question relating Sindhi language
Similarly Abdul Qadir Khattak, Ashraf Khan Hijri, Kazim Khan Shaida, Ma`azullah Khan, Ahmad Shah Abdali and many
others have left valuable treasure of literature in Pashto.
The third which reached in the evolution of Pashto
literature came to a close with the death of great warrior-
king and poet, Ahmad Shah Abdali. Political rivalries
were at their worst during this period. The decline of
Mughal hegemony in India, on the one hand and the rise
of Marhattas and Sikhs not to speak of the British
machination in south-east India and Russian incursions
greatly changed the outlook of people.
• The 3rd period begins with the dawn of the twentieth
century. The Khilafat and Hijrat Movements gave rise to a type
of poetry that called out to soldiers of freedom. This generation
of Amir Hamza, Khan Shinwari and Dost Mohammed of
young poets enriched the poetry of the period with new
idealism. Abdul Akbar Khan Akbar, Ghani Khan, Khadim
Mohammad Akbar, Khaliq, Samandar Khan, Rahat Zakheli,
Khan Mir Hilali, Makhfi, Sanober Hussain Kakajee, Khan
Kamil played an important role in promoting the cause of
Pashtoon's revivalism.
Pashto language is not developed at a very high magnitude BUT
still some people are still making efforts to promote it and the
promotion started (as you learned from those THREE Periods)
from Thirteenth Century.
=>A large number of literary organizations took birth in 20th century. Olasi Adabi Jirga that is considered as the first
ever organized literary organization of Pashto was founded by Sanober Hussain Kakajee, Dost Mohammed Kamil and
Amir Hamza Khan Shinwari in 1949.Olasi Adabi Jirga made remarkable contributions to Pashto literature. Literary
criticism and research on scientific lines were the two major achievements of this organization. It also produced great
men of letters like Qalandar Moomand, Murad Shinwari, Saif-u- Rahman Salim, Hamish Khalil and some others.
Qlandar Moomand founded Da Sahu Leekunkew Adabi Maraka in 1962 and rendered invaluable services to Pashto
since its inception. Qalandar Moomand compiled the first ever Pashto to Pashto dictionary (Daryab) while Hamish
Khalil compiled a comprehensive directory of Pashto poets and writers (Da Qalam Khawandan) containing necessary
information about more than three thousand men of letters.
=> The younger generation of poets carried forward the legacy of
these early poets and writers with great enthusiasm. The
contributions of Kabul Adabi Tolana and Pashto Academy are
immense.
The books taught to the students are either in Urdu or in English language.
There are no organization ,researchers or poets nowadays that can help this
language develop.
CIE question relating Pushto
Q. What are the main reasons because of which Phusto has not been
able to develop as much as other regional languages. (7)