Comment on the Hindi-Urdu controversy.
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The Hindi-Urdu controversy, also known as the Hindi-Urdu dispute, was a linguistic and socio-political debate that unfolded during the late 19th and early 20th centuries in British India. It centered around the scripts, vocabulary, and linguistic identity of Hindi and Urdu, two closely related languages with historical and cultural ties.
Scripts and Vocabulary:
Hindi and Urdu share a common linguistic base derived from the Hindustani language, but they developed distinctive features based on religious and cultural influences. The primary point of contention was the script used for writing—Devanagari for Hindi and the Perso-Arabic script for Urdu. While Hindi drew vocabulary from Sanskrit and had a Hindu cultural influence, Urdu incorporated words from Persian and Arabic and was associated with Muslim culture.
Socio-Political Dimension:
The controversy had socio-political implications, with language becoming intertwined with religious and cultural identities. During the colonial era, there were attempts by various linguistic and cultural groups to assert their distinct identity and gain recognition for their language.
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's Perspective:
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, a prominent Muslim reformer, played a significant role in shaping the Urdu perspective. He believed that Urdu should be the medium of instruction for Muslims, emphasizing its historical and cultural importance. Sir Syed founded the Muhammadan Anglo-Oriental College (later Aligarh Muslim University) to promote Urdu education among Muslims.
Hindi-Urdu Movement:
On the other side, there were efforts to bridge the gap between Hindi and Urdu. The Hindi-Urdu controversy led to the emergence of the Hindi-Urdu movement, advocating for a composite language known as Hindustani. Proponents of this movement aimed to bring Hindus and Muslims together by emphasizing the linguistic similarities and minimizing religious and cultural differences.
Post-Independence Resolution:
After India gained independence in 1947, efforts were made to address linguistic tensions. The Indian Constitution recognized Hindi as the official language and English as a subsidiary official language, with provisions for the gradual transition to Hindi. Urdu, written in the Perso-Arabic script, was also granted official status.
In conclusion, the Hindi-Urdu controversy was a complex linguistic and socio-cultural debate that reflected the broader religious and cultural dynamics in colonial India. The issue highlighted the importance of language as a marker of identity and influenced subsequent language policies in post-independence India.