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'''Urdu''' is a [[Central Indo-Aryan language]] of the [[Indo-European languages|Indo-European]] family. It is primarily spoken in [[Pakistan]] and six states of [[India]]. Urdu is associated with the [[Nastaʿlīq script|Nastaliq]] style of [[Persian calligraphy]], and reads right-to-left.  
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Language|name=Urdu}}
 
==Urdu==
[[File:Urdu_example.svg|thumb|right|An example of Urdu script.]]
Urdu ({{lang-ur|اُردُو}}) is an [[Indo-Aryan languages|Indo-Aryan language]] spoken chiefly in [[Pakistan]] and [[India]]. It is the official national language and [[lingua franca]] of Pakistan. In India, it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and is an official language of five states. Urdu is also widely spoken in the [[United Arab Emirates]], the [[United Kingdom]], and the [[United States]], among other countries.


==History==
==History==
Urdu developed in the 12th century CE from the regional [[Apabhramsha]] of northwestern India, serving as a linguistic bridge between the court and the common people. The language was used as a tool for the cultural and poetic dialogues between Persian-speaking Muslims and Hindu writers.  
[[File:Nuskaha-e-Hamidiyya.jpg|thumb|left|A historical manuscript in Urdu.]]
Urdu developed during the [[Delhi Sultanate]] and the [[Mughal Empire]] in South Asia. It evolved from the [[Apabhraṃśa]] register of the preceding [[Shauraseni language]], a Middle Indo-Aryan language. The language was influenced by [[Persian language|Persian]], [[Arabic]], and [[Turkish language|Turkish]] due to the cultural and political influence of the Persianate Mughal Empire.


==Modern Urdu==
==Script and Orthography==
In the 20th century, the word "Urdu" was used to describe the language of the [[Mughal Empire|Mughal]] courts, both in the courts themselves and in the homes of the nobility. Today, Urdu is the national language and [[lingua franca]] of Pakistan, and it is also an officially recognized language in India.
Urdu is written in the [[Perso-Arabic script]], which is a right-to-left script. The script is an extension of the [[Arabic script]] with additional letters to accommodate the phonetic requirements of Urdu. The script is known for its calligraphic beauty and is used in various forms of art and literature.


==Urdu Literature==
==Geographical Distribution==
[[Urdu literature]] is rich in forms of poetry and prose. The [[ghazal]] is a common form of poetry in Urdu, while the [[nazm]] represents the modern trends in the language. Prose in Urdu includes a wide range of genres, from short stories to novels.
[[File:Geographical_distribution_of_Urdu_in_India_and_Pakistan.png|thumb|right|Geographical distribution of Urdu in India and Pakistan.]]
Urdu is predominantly spoken in Pakistan, where it serves as the national language and a symbol of national identity. In India, it is spoken in several states, including [[Uttar Pradesh]], [[Bihar]], [[Telangana]], [[Jammu and Kashmir]], and [[Delhi]]. The language has a significant number of speakers in the [[Middle East]], particularly in the [[United Arab Emirates]] and [[Saudi Arabia]], due to the large South Asian diaspora.


==Urdu and Hindi==
==Cultural Significance==
Urdu and [[Hindi]] are two standardised registers of the same language, [[Hindustani language|Hindustani]]. They are mutually intelligible, and very similar in basic structure and grammar. The main differences are found in the higher levels of vocabulary and the writing system.
Urdu holds a prestigious place in South Asian culture, particularly in the fields of [[literature]], [[poetry]], and [[music]]. The language is known for its rich literary tradition, with notable poets such as [[Mirza Ghalib]], [[Allama Iqbal]], and [[Faiz Ahmed Faiz]]. Urdu poetry, especially [[ghazal]]s, is celebrated for its emotional depth and linguistic beauty.


==Writing system==
==Official Status==
Urdu is written in the [[Nastaʿlīq script]], a calligraphic style of the [[Arabic script]]. The Nastaliq style is a cursive script that was developed in the 8th-9th century CE in Persia.
[[File:Urdu-speakers_by_Pakistani_District_-_2017_Census.svg|thumb|left|Urdu speakers by Pakistani district according to the 2017 Census.]]
In Pakistan, Urdu is the official language and is used in government, education, and media. In India, it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and is an official language in several states. Urdu is also recognized as a minority language in several countries with significant South Asian communities.


==See also==
==Usage in Public Signage==
* [[Languages of India]]
[[File:UAE_signboard.jpg|thumb|right|A signboard in the UAE featuring Urdu.]]
* [[Languages of Pakistan]]
Urdu is commonly used in public signage in Pakistan and in areas with significant Urdu-speaking populations. In India, it is often seen on trilingual road signs alongside [[Hindi]] and [[English language|English]].
* [[Hindustani language]]
* [[Urdu literature]]
* [[Nastaʿlīq script]]


==Related Pages==
* [[Hindi]]
* [[Indo-Aryan languages]]
* [[Persian language]]
* [[Arabic language]]
* [[Mughal Empire]]
[[Category:Languages of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Languages of India]]
[[Category:Languages of India]]
[[Category:Languages of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Indo-Aryan languages]]
[[Category:Indo-European languages]]
[[Category:Urdu]]
 
{{Languages of India}}
{{Languages of Pakistan}}
{{Indo-European languages}}
{{Urdu}}
 
{{language-stub}}

Latest revision as of 11:20, 23 March 2025



Urdu[edit]

An example of Urdu script.

Urdu (Urdu: اُردُو ) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in Pakistan and India. It is the official national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. In India, it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and is an official language of five states. Urdu is also widely spoken in the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, among other countries.

History[edit]

A historical manuscript in Urdu.

Urdu developed during the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire in South Asia. It evolved from the Apabhraṃśa register of the preceding Shauraseni language, a Middle Indo-Aryan language. The language was influenced by Persian, Arabic, and Turkish due to the cultural and political influence of the Persianate Mughal Empire.

Script and Orthography[edit]

Urdu is written in the Perso-Arabic script, which is a right-to-left script. The script is an extension of the Arabic script with additional letters to accommodate the phonetic requirements of Urdu. The script is known for its calligraphic beauty and is used in various forms of art and literature.

Geographical Distribution[edit]

Geographical distribution of Urdu in India and Pakistan.

Urdu is predominantly spoken in Pakistan, where it serves as the national language and a symbol of national identity. In India, it is spoken in several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Telangana, Jammu and Kashmir, and Delhi. The language has a significant number of speakers in the Middle East, particularly in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, due to the large South Asian diaspora.

Cultural Significance[edit]

Urdu holds a prestigious place in South Asian culture, particularly in the fields of literature, poetry, and music. The language is known for its rich literary tradition, with notable poets such as Mirza Ghalib, Allama Iqbal, and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Urdu poetry, especially ghazals, is celebrated for its emotional depth and linguistic beauty.

Official Status[edit]

Urdu speakers by Pakistani district according to the 2017 Census.

In Pakistan, Urdu is the official language and is used in government, education, and media. In India, it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and is an official language in several states. Urdu is also recognized as a minority language in several countries with significant South Asian communities.

Usage in Public Signage[edit]

A signboard in the UAE featuring Urdu.

Urdu is commonly used in public signage in Pakistan and in areas with significant Urdu-speaking populations. In India, it is often seen on trilingual road signs alongside Hindi and English.

Related Pages[edit]