Language of Uttar Pradesh | Course for UPPSC Preparation - UPPSC (UP) PDF Download

Uttar Pradesh stands at the heart of the Hindi Heartland, encompassing states like Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan. Consequently, Hindi naturally serves as the lingua franca in this region. The standard accent of Hindi spoken in Uttar Pradesh has become the norm for the language. Hindustani, the second most widely spoken language, is the common tongue of the masses, with Hindi primarily reserved for administrative purposes. In contemporary usage, Hindustani written in the 'Devanagari' script is referred to as Hindi, while the same language in the 'Nastaliq' script is termed Urdu.
Uttar Pradesh has been a prolific producer of poets and scholars in both Hindi and Urdu, who have held influential positions for many years. Additionally, Awadhi is a prevalent language, serving as the lingua franca for the rural population in Oudh. It is a vibrant blend of Urdu and Khadi Boli, with its roots traced back to influential Sufi poets like Amir Khusrau. Bhojpuri is another widely spoken language in the state, ranking as the second most spoken language after Hindi according to the latest census report. The majority of Bhojpuri speakers are concentrated in approximately 20 districts in Eastern Uttar Pradesh.
'Braj Bhasha' is the language associated with Lord Krishna and is predominantly spoken in the areas surrounding Mathura and Vrindavan. Recognized for its sweetness and lyrical qualities, Braj Bhasha holds cultural significance in these regions. Other minor languages like Gujari, Haryanvi, and Bundeli exist but are highly localized and confined to specific communities.