Pakistan International School Jeddah English Section

Department of Pakistan Studies [Session 2020- 2021]

History and Culture of Pakistan 0448/1

TOPIC: Urdu and Regional Languages

NAME: __Basim Iftikhar CLASS: Y 8____1___ DATE: _______13/10/2020

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 Chapter 5

Focus points: Specified content:

• Why did Urdu become the national • The importance of Urdu and the reasons for its

language? choice as the national language of Pakistan.

• How successful has the promotion of • The advantages and disadvantages of Urdu as the

regional languages been since 1947? national language.

• The promotion of provincial languages (Balochi,

Punjabi, Pushto, Sindhi).

To what extent have Urdu and regional languages contributed to the

cultural development of Pakistan.

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 Section A

Importance of Language

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Development of Urdu as a language

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How did Urdu become the national language of Pakistan?

It has long been considered the language of the Muslims of the subcontinent, developed by

combining many other languages. It became widely used in the Mughal period, but dates back

as far as the era of the sultans of Delhi. It is said that it first originated in north west India when

Persian, Turkish and Punjabi interacted with the local dialects of Delhi and the surroundings

areas. We also know that at the end of 13th century the Muslim armies were using a common

language to help people from different areas and languages to understand each other. This

language eventually went through many stages of development to form what we now call Urdu.

It became widely spoken and understood in many different regions of the subcontinent. As

Muslims travelled abroad hey spread their language further.

Urdu language developed a rich literary background which helped to promote its use. Poetry

has been significantly prevalent in Urdu for centuries. Amir Khusrau (1253-1325) occupies a

prominent position in its early development. The language received a boost when emperor

Muhammad Shah and Bahadur Shah Zaffar took an interest in promoting it, the latter being a

great poet himself. Famous poets of this period are Mir, Sauda, Dard and Ghalib. Alighar

Muslim University became a center for the study of Urdu and produced talented writers like

Hasrat Mohani, Majaz and Jazbi. In the early 20th century Dr.Allama Iqbal, Dr.Nazir Ahmed,

Muhammad Hussain Azad, Maulana Altaf Hussien Hali and Allama Shibli greatly enriched Urdu

prose and poetry, producing numerous literary masterpieces

A major reason of forming of Muslim league was protection of Urdu. Urdu played a great role in

unity for the people who were trying to protect their own province. Urdu played a great role in

the freedom of Pakistan. It also reflected on the growth of the nationalism.

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 Regional Languages

Language Famous books Famous poets Famous writers Government efforts to promote

Sindhi

Balochi

Punjabi

Pashto

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 Section B

Worksheet 1

Date: _____________________ Marks /11

Q1. Read the source below and answer the question (a)

Urdu became the national language after independence in 1947. Quaid was keen to promote
Urdu as he saw it as an important unifying force in the new country. However, he also
recognized the importance of regional language and was interested to promote them. One of
these was Balochi.

(a) How has the Government of Pakistan promoted the development of Balochi language

since 1947?

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(b) Why were regional languages promoted in Pakistan after 1947?

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Balochi is the language spoken in Balochistan. There are 2 main kinds of Balochi,

Sulemanki and Mekrani. The government of Pakistan wanted to develop the language

because it was limited. The people who spoke Balochi nomadic people who migrated

from place to place. They did not settle in places for longer periods of time. There were

very less books or magzines written in Balochi. By 1830 a British traveler reported the

existence of Balochi language and it literature. This explains why Balochi Language was

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 very limited and ignored by the people. Later after partition, there were steps taken to

promote the balochi language. The Pakistan radio in Karachi Started broadcasts in

Balochi. The Quetta Television station also started broadcasts in Balochi. The Balochi

literary Association was set up and there are now weekly and monthly magazines

published in Balochi.

(DON’T DO THIS 14 MARKS QUESTION. STUDENTS WE WILL DO 14 MARKS QUESTION AFTER

(c) Urdu has been promoted more than any other regional language in Pakistan after 1947.

Do you agree or not? Give reasons for your answer.

[14]

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