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Mirzapuri

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Mirzapuri
मिर्ज़ापुरी 𑂧𑂱𑂩𑂹𑂔𑂺𑂰𑂣𑂳𑂩𑂲 مرزاپوری
Native toIndia
RegionUttar Pradesh 
Awadh
Mirzapur
EthnicityAwadhis
Early forms
Language codes
ISO 639-2awa
ISO 639-3awa
Glottologmirz1238
Linguasphere59-AAF-rab
This article contains Indic text. Without proper rendering support, you may see question marks or boxes, misplaced vowels or missing conjuncts instead of Indic text.

Mirzapuri[2][3][4] (Kaithi: 𑂧𑂱𑂩𑂹𑂔𑂺𑂰𑂣𑂳𑂩𑂲, Devanagari: मिर्ज़ापुरी, Nastaleeq: مرزاپوری) is a dialect of the Awadhi language spoken in district of Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.[5] Since Mirzapuri is grouped as Mother-tongue under Hindi language,[6] people report it as Hindi language. Thus Hindi (Mirzapuri) is the most spoken language or mother tongue in the district of Mirzapur.

Distribution of mother tongues in Mirzapur District (Tehsil)

A Local Variant of Awadhi

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The Mirzapuri[7][8][9] dialect is a term used by the residents of Mirzapur to describe their local variant of the Awadhi language.[10][11][12][13] While not formally recognized in historical linguistic surveys, "Mirzapuri" is a colloquial designation used by locals and some Awadhi writers to refer to the dialect spoken in the region.[14][15] Historically, the Linguistic Survey of India, conducted by G.A. Grierson, identified the language of the Mirzapur region as Western Standard Bhojpuri.[16] However, significant changes have occurred since the division of the district in 1989, with the 2011 census showing that 80% of the population in the current Mirzapur district reports Hindi as their primary language, with Awadhi being a significant Mother-tongue.[17] The Mirzapuri dialect of Awadhi has been documented with a Glottolog code (mirz1238[18]) and a Linguasphere ID (59-AAF-rab[19]), indicating its recognition within linguistic databases. Efforts have been made by local communities to document and promote the use of the term "Mirzapuri" to preserve the linguistic heritage of the region.

Historical Context and Linguistic Surveys

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Historically, the Linguistic Survey of India, conducted by G.A. Grierson, identified the language of the Mirzapur region as Western Standard Bhojpuri. At the time of the survey, the Mirzapur district included what is now the separate Sonbhadra district. However, significant changes have occurred since the division of the district in 1989.[20] According to the 2011 census, 80% of the population in the current Mirzapur district reports Hindi as their primary language, with Awadhi being a significant Mother-tongue.[21]

The term "Mirzapuri" does not appear in Grierson's survey, which reflects the broader categorization of dialects at the time. Nonetheless, local usage and subsequent linguistic studies have highlighted the distinctiveness of the dialect spoken in Mirzapur, which aligns more closely with Awadhi[22] than with Bhojpuri.

Recognition and Documentation

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The Mirzapuri dialect has been documented with a Glottolog code (mirz1238) and a Linguasphere ID (59-AAF-rab),[23] indicating its recognition within linguistic databases. Despite its local significance, Mirzapuri is often underrepresented in broader linguistic surveys due to its limited geographical scope and the dominance of more widely recognized languages like Hindi and Bhojpuri.

Literary and Scholarly References

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One of the most comprehensive sources on the Awadhi language, including its variants, is Baburam Saxena's book "Evolution of Awadhi: Branch of Hindi" (1938).[24] Saxena discusses the language of Mirzapur in detail, noting its characteristics and its place within the broader Awadhi language family.[25] Saxena states, "The dialect spoken in Mirzapur exhibits features typical of Awadhi, with local variations that distinguish it from other dialects within the region."

Literature

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Indravati[26] is a major work in this language written by Nur Muhammad on the model of Padmdvat in 1757 AD.[27] Another work is Shri Ramayana written by Jhama Dasa at Vindhyachal of Mirzapur in 1761 AD.[28]

Current Linguistic Landscape

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The current linguistic landscape of Mirzapur reflects a shift from the historical dominance of Western Bhojpuri to a more complex mix of languages. While Hindi is reported as the primary language by the majority of the population, Awadhi remains a significant local dialect. Bhojpuri is still spoken in the eastern region of Chunar Tehsil, but it is no longer the dominant language across the entire district. Kajri folk song is playing a major role in promoting the Mirzapuri dialect.[29][30]

References

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  1. ^ "पूर्वी हिंदी की प्रमुख बोलियाँ और विशेषताएँ | purvi hindi". 27 March 2020.
  2. ^ Frawley, William J. (2003-05-01). International Encyclopedia of Linguistics. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-977178-3.
  3. ^ General, India Office of the Registrar (1965). Census of India, 1961: Uttar Pradesh. Manager of Publications.
  4. ^ Commissioner, India Census (1902). Census of India, 1901. Printed at the Government central Press.
  5. ^ International encyclopedia of linguistics. Internet Archive. Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press. 2003. ISBN 978-0-19-513977-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  6. ^ General, India Office of the Registrar (1962). Census of India, 1961. Manager of Publications.
  7. ^ "Glottolog 5.1 - Mirzapuri". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  8. ^ "Hindi Language Variation". lisindia.ciil.org. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  9. ^ Śarmā, Pāṇḍeya Becana (2007). About Me. Penguin Books India. ISBN 978-0-14-310180-2.
  10. ^ Grierson, G. A. (1967). Linguistic Survey of India. The Long Now Foundation. Motilal Banarsidass.
  11. ^ "OLAC resources in and about the Awadhi language". olac.ldc.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  12. ^ admin (2020-03-27). "पूर्वी हिंदी की प्रमुख बोलियाँ और विशेषताएँ | purvi hindi". HINDI SARANG. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  13. ^ "Explore Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh, India - Things To Do, Best time to Visit, How to Reach and more". www.ixigo.com. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  14. ^ "OLAC resources in and about the Awadhi language". olac.ldc.upenn.edu. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  15. ^ "Hindi Language Variation". lisindia.ciil.org. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  16. ^ Grierson, G. A. (1967). Linguistic Survey of India. The Long Now Foundation. Motilal Banarsidass.
  17. ^ "Mirzapur Language Profile". langlex.com. Retrieved 2025-03-13.
  18. ^ "Glottolog 5.1 - Mirzapuri". glottolog.org. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  19. ^ "hortensj-garden.org". www.hortensj-garden.org. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  20. ^ Uttar Pradesh Administrative Atlas. Directorate of Census Operations. 2007.
  21. ^ Chaturvedi, Vartik (2024-07-01). "Know About All The Hindi Dialects In Different Parts Of Uttar Pradesh - Culture". Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  22. ^ "Mirzapur District Map". Maps of India. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  23. ^ "hortensj-garden.org". www.hortensj-garden.org. Retrieved 2025-03-19.
  24. ^ Saksena, Baburam (1938). Evolution of Awadhi: branch of Hindi.
  25. ^ Saksena, Baburam (1938). Evolution of Awadhi: branch of Hindi.
  26. ^ Kashi Nagari Pracharini Sabha. Indravati Of Kavi Noor Mohammad Vol 1 By Shyama Sundara Dasa Benares 1906 Kashi Nagari Pracharini Sabha.
  27. ^ Saksena, Baburam (1938). Evolution of Awadhi: branch of Hindi.
  28. ^ Saksena, Baburam (1938). Evolution of Awadhi: branch of Hindi.
  29. ^ "Awadhi music, folk dance performed under 'Gamak'". The Pioneer. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
  30. ^ Vellat, Anuradha (2017-08-17). "That fragrance of soil..." The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2025-03-10.
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