The World Urdu Conference 2020 is currently making headlines as it is organized by the National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL) from 27th-28th August 2020. Let’s delve into an in-depth exploration of the Urdu language, its history, spread, contemporary context, and status in India along with the role of NCPUL.
Meaning and Historical Background
Urdu, with roots in the Turkish language, translates to ‘the royal camp’. The evolution and flourishing of the Urdu language is closely tied with Delhi’s rich history, particularly during the ‘Delhi Sultanate’ period spanning the 12th to 16th centuries, and subsequently, the ‘Mughal Empire’ era from the 16th to 19th centuries. These periods saw a celebration of this language through the works of court poets who used Urdu in their acclaimed poetry and writings. The first significant folk poet, Amir Khusrau (1253-1325), composed dohas (couplets) and riddles in the early form of this language, then termed as Hindavi.
The Spread of Urdu in South India
As the influence of the Delhi Sultanate and Mughal Empire reached southern India, so did Urdu. The local languages of these states contributed words to Urdu, leading to the development of ‘Dakhni’ – a regional variation of Urdu distinct from its northern counterpart. The division between Urdu and Hindi is a product of the colonial era, with religious lines defining their identities. Hindi, written in Nagari script, became associated with Hindus, while Urdu, scripted in Persian, affiliated with Muslims.
Contemporary Context and Relationship with Hindi
Urdu has a significant presence in South Asia, being spoken in countries like India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal. It serves as the cultural language and lingua franca for South Asian Muslim diaspora residing outside the sub-continent, specifically in the Gulf and Middle East, Western Europe, Scandinavia, USA, and Canada. Urdu shares its Indic base with Hindi as both belong to the new Indo-Aryan group. Together, these two languages form the third largest speech community globally.
Status of Urdu in India
Urdu holds the title of a ‘Scheduled Language’ in India according to articles 344(1) and 351 relating to the 8th Schedule to the Constitution, alongside 21 other languages. It also serves as one of the official languages in several states including Kashmir, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, New Delhi, and West Bengal. Urdu symbolizes a composite culture and interfaith bonds in India, representing an amalgamation of Hindu and Islamic elements in South Asian culture. Almost 44 million people in India speak Urdu, with the majority residing in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. These states collectively account for 85% of India’s Urdu-speaking population. Delhi remains a prominent hub for Urdu literature and publishing.
National Council for Promotion of Urdu Language (NCPUL)
Established as an autonomous body in 1996, NCPUL falls under the Ministry of Education and serves as the National Nodal Agency for Promotion of Urdu. It has now emerged as the largest Urdu networking hub worldwide. Apart from Urdu, NCPUL also shoulders the responsibility of promoting Arabic and Persian. Its primary objectives revolve around making scientific and technological advancements accessible in Urdu and advising the Government on issues linked with the Urdu language.