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Urdu - As The National Language

The document discusses the history and status of several major languages of Pakistan - Urdu, Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi, and Pushto. It outlines the reasons for Urdu being chosen as the national language, despite disadvantages, and describes its development since 1947 through media, education and other cultural activities. The document also summarizes the histories of Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi and Pushto and promotions taken for each language through organizations, publications, education and events.

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Momina A Khan
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
145 views

Urdu - As The National Language

The document discusses the history and status of several major languages of Pakistan - Urdu, Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi, and Pushto. It outlines the reasons for Urdu being chosen as the national language, despite disadvantages, and describes its development since 1947 through media, education and other cultural activities. The document also summarizes the histories of Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi and Pushto and promotions taken for each language through organizations, publications, education and events.

Uploaded by

Momina A Khan
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Urdu 

Urdu – As the National Language: 

1st Para:
• Urdu has an extensive history and association with
Muslims. 
• It is the language that the Mughal and Sultans of Delhi
used during their rule in Delhi. 
• By the end of the thirteenth century, it was used among
Muslim armies. 
• It was a language that was widely used and understood by
Muslims. 
2nd Para:
• Another reason is its high status, Urdu has produced many
great poets including Amir Khusrou.
• The Aligarh School of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan also played a
major role in the promotion of Urdu language for Muslims. 
3rd para:
• One undeniable reason, for choosing Urdu as the national
language is its close association with the Pakistan Movement. 
• Sir Syed Ahmed Khan also supported Urdu, and the
Muslim League was established with a purpose to defend
Muslims and the Urdu language. 
• Quran and many religious books have been translated into
Urdu. 
• Quaid-e-Azam also considered Urdu as a force to unite
Muslims.  Urdu was treated as the symbol of unity among the
Muslims making it eligible to be Pakistan’s national language as
it is a country made for Muslims. 
 
Disadvantages of Choosing Urdu: 

• The selection of Urdu later became the building block for


the separation of East Pakistan (Bangladesh). 
• It was considerably new to Pakistan and considering the
people, it was a language only for 8% of the population. 
• Its adoption as a national language contributed to the
decline of other regional languages.  

Development of Urdu Since 1947: 

• Urdu has been the widely used language in the national


media including newspapers, radio, and television. Media plays
a crucial role in the development of Urdu since people use it for
information and entertainment. 
• In many schools and institutions, Urdu is used as the
medium of instruction developing student’s interest in Urdu. 
• Urdu is taught till Ph.D. level in various institutions allowing
extensive scholar research and exploring different aspects of
poetry and prose. 
• It is also the official language to be used in courts helping
its promotion as each judgment and proceedings are done in it. 
• It is a compulsory subject till class 12th promoting the
interest of students in its literature.  
• Urdu mushairas also play an integral role in the promotion
of Urdu as it helps frequently where poets recite their writings
and get an appreciation for their work. 
   
 
Sindhi 

• Sindhi has its share of history and it is older Urdu. 


• It has produced many famous poets such as Shah Abdul
Latif Bhitai, Sachal Sarmast, and Shah Inayat Rizvi. 
• Today Sindhi is spoken, same as it was spoken in the
twelfth century. 
• It follows the Arabic script and borrowed many words from
it. 
• It is also influenced by Persian. 

Promotions: 

• Sindhi literacy board was set up to promote Sindhi after


independence in 1947. 
• Various books and magazines have been written in
Sindhi. 
• The Bazm –e –Talib –ul –Maula also helped in the
promotion and development of Sindhi by attracting more
readers. 
• As a tribute to Sachal Sarmast, the Dramatist Academy
was founded that helped in the promotion of Sindhi by printing
Sachal Sarmast’s writings. 
• In Sindh University, Jamshoro, Sindhi is taught till M.A
level helping students take more interest in the language. 
• In Sindh schools, Sindhi is a compulsory subject. 
 
   
Balochi

• Steps to promote Balochi has also been taken after


independence as it is the language that is spoken in Pakistan’s
largest province, Balochistan. 
• There are two types of Balochi, one is ‘Mekrani’ and other,
‘Sulemanki’. 
• Balochi was originally brought to Balochistan by the people
who migrated from North-West Iran.  
• The people who brought Balochi were nomadic (always
traveling), therefore Balochi didn’t develop as much as it
should. 
• Jam Darang and Atta Shad are famous Balochi poets. 

Promotions: 

• The Balochi Literary Association was founded, it helped in


the promotion of Balochi by monthly and weekly magazines
publications such as Ollasis and Nan Kissan. 
• News and entertainment programs are broadcasted in
Quetta and Karachi televisions for the promotion of the
language. 
• Radio Pakistan also broadcasted programs in Balochi to
promote it. 
   
Punjabi

• Statistically, as of 2008, 44.17% population speak Punjabi


while only 7.59% of people speak Urdu. 
• Punjabi is the regional language that is spoken more than
Urdu.  
• It is the language that is spoken in Punjab mostly. 
• It follows the Arabic script. 
• Sufi Poets use Punjabi for their writings. Famous Sufi
literature music includes Bulley Shah. 
• It has a famous and extensive literature including Sohni-
Mahiwal and Heer-Ranjha. 

Promotions: 

• Philosophy, Science, Law, and History are just a few of the


subjects whose books have been printed and published in it. 
• It a popular language in theaters, radio and film industry.
Many movies have been made and helped in the promotion of
the language. 
• It is taught till M.Phil, developing an interest in students
and scholar to research its literature. It also helped in
modernizing the language. 
• Muhammad Ali Faiq translated the Holy Quran in Punjabi
language and helped in the promotion of the language on the
religious aspect. Today, people of Punjab like to read the
Punjabi translation of the Quran with more interest.  
• Punjabi Mushairas also held in Punjab frequently that help
in the promotion of the language and helps the poets to further
make their contribution to the language. 
 
 
Pushto

• The people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (previously known as


NWFP) and northern Balochistan use this language. 
• Pushto is influenced by Arabic, Persian, and Greek. 
• It is an old language with a vast history. 
• It played an integral role in opposing British rule. 
• Pushto became a symbol of unity in NWFP and helped in
the freedom movement. 
• Bayazaid Ansari and Amir Khan are the well-known poets
who made their contributions to the language. 

Promotions: 

• Peshawar University was established to promote the


language with the first three years after independence. 
• It has been taught till M.A level in Peshawar University to
help develop an interest of students and scholars in its literature
research. It helped in modernizing the language. 
• In 1954, an Academy was established to promote the
language. It assembled a Pushto dictionary to help more people
understand the language better.

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