Rajasthani was considered a dialect of Hindi in the 19th and early 20th century. It is now considered a distinct language and is recognized as a state language by the government of Rajasthan.

Rajasthani is a language spoken predominantly in the Indian state of Rajasthan, which is located in the northwestern part of the country. It’s considered to be a part of the larger Indo-Aryan language family, which also includes languages like Hindi, Punjabi, and Gujarati. Rajasthani has a rich history and a unique cultural significance within the region. Rajasthani developed from a language spoken between 1100 and 1500 AD in Gujarat and Rajasthan and known as Old Gujarati, Maru-Gurjar, Maruwani or Gujjar Bhakha

Geographical distribution and Dialects:

Rajasthani is known for its various dialects, which differ based on geographic regions within Rajasthan. Some of the major dialects include Marwari, Mewari, Dhundhari, and Shekhawati. Each dialect has its distinct characteristics in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammatical structure. Rajasthani is mostly spoken in the state of Rajasthan but some dialects are also spoken in Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab. It is also spoken in some Pakistani provinces of Punjab and Tharparkar district of Sindh. A distribution of the geographical area can be found in ‘Linguistic Survey of India’ by George A. Grierson.

1. Marwari: Marwari is one of the most widely spoken and recognized dialects of Rajasthani. It is spoken in the Marwar region, which encompasses cities like Jodhpur, Pali, and Nagaur, as well as parts of neighboring states. Marwari has a significant presence in business and commerce circles and is often spoken by the Marwari community.
2. Mewari: Mewari is spoken in the Mewar region of Rajasthan, including cities like Udaipur, Chittorgarh, and Rajsamand. It has historical and cultural significance, and its speakers are known for their distinctive dialect and accent.
3. Dhundhari: Dhundhari is spoken in the Dhundhar region, which includes Jaipur and parts of Tonk and Sawai Madhopur districts. It is often considered one of the more accessible Rajasthani dialects and shares some linguistic features with Hindi.
4. Shekhawati: Shekhawati is spoken in the Shekhawati region, which is known for its unique havelis (traditional mansions) and rich cultural heritage. The dialect is spoken in cities like Sikar, Jhunjhunu, and Churu.
5. Bagri: Bagri is spoken in the western parts of Rajasthan, including districts like Hanumangarh and parts of Ganganagar. It shares some linguistic similarities with Haryanvi.
6. Harauti: Harauti is spoken in parts of the Hadoti region, which includes districts like Bundi, Baran, and Jhalawar. It has historical importance and is associated with ancient inscriptions.
7. Godwari: Godwari is spoken in the Godwar region, which includes parts of Sirohi and Pali districts.

It’s important to note that while these are some of the major dialects, Rajasthani encompasses a rich variety of sub-dialects, each with its unique linguistic characteristics. The geographical distribution of these dialects reflects the diverse cultural and linguistic landscape of Rajasthan.

Features of Rajasthani Language:

1. Vocabulary: Rajasthani vocabulary is heavily influenced by the local culture, history, and environment. It includes a mix of words borrowed from Sanskrit, Arabic, Persian, and other regional languages.
2. Writing System: Rajasthani traditionally used the Devanagari script for writing. However, due to the diversity of dialects and linguistic variations, the script used for writing Rajasthani may vary based on the specific dialect.
3. Literature: Rajasthani has a rich literary tradition that includes folk songs, ballads, and stories. The famous poetess Meera Bai, known for her devotion to Lord Krishna, composed her poetry in the Rajasthani language.
4. Cultural Significance: Rajasthani is not only a means of communication but also an integral part of the cultural identity of the region. It’s used in folk music, dance, and storytelling, reflecting the history, traditions, and lifestyle of the people of Rajasthan.
5. Modern Usage: While Rajasthani has deep cultural roots, it’s worth noting that Hindi is widely used for official communication, education, and administration in Rajasthan. This has led to a decline in the use of Rajasthani in formal settings.
6. Language Revival Efforts: In recent years, there has been a growing interest in reviving and preserving Rajasthani as a distinct language. Efforts by cultural organizations, educational institutions, and local communities aim to promote its use and importance.
7. Bilingualism: Many speakers of Rajasthani are bilingual, using both Rajasthani and Hindi in their daily lives. This bilingualism has led to an interplay of linguistic elements between the two languages.

Scripts:

The Rajasthani language is traditionally written using various scripts, depending on the specific dialect and historical context. The most commonly used script for writing Rajasthani is the Devanagari script. However, due to the diversity of dialects within Rajasthani, other scripts like the Mahajani script and the Perso-Arabic script have also been historically used for specific dialects. Here’s an overview of the scripts used for writing Rajasthani:

Devanagari Script: The Devanagari script is the most widely used script for writing Rajasthani. It’s also the script used for writing Hindi, Sanskrit, and many other Indian languages. Devanagari is characterized by its distinctive characters and is well-suited for representing the phonetic sounds of Rajasthani. This script is used for writing various dialects of Rajasthani, including Marwari, Mewari, and Dhundhari.

Mahajani Script: The Mahajani script was historically used for writing Marwari, a major dialect of Rajasthani. It is a script with a distinct style of characters, often used by traders and merchants for maintaining financial records and documents. While it’s less commonly used today, the Mahajani script played an important role in Marwari literature and trade-related documents in the past.

Perso-Arabic Script: In some regions of Rajasthan, particularly among the Muslim communities, the Perso-Arabic script has been used to write Rajasthani dialects. This script is derived from the Arabic script and was adapted to write various Indian languages, including Rajasthani.

While the Devanagari script remains the most prevalent for writing Rajasthani across different dialects, it’s important to recognize the historical and cultural significance of other scripts that have been used for specific purposes and dialects within the region. The choice of script often depends on factors such as local tradition, historical context, and personal preference.

Current Status:

Rajasthani does not have official language status at the national level in India. However, some dialects of Rajasthani, particularly Marwari, have been recognized and used for communication in certain areas within the state of Rajasthan. Marwari has been given the status of a “Partially Recognized Language” in Rajasthan, allowing its use in specific local contexts, such as in schools and local administrative matters.

India’s National Academy of Letters, the Sahitya Akademi, and University Grants Commission recognize Rajasthani as a distinct language, and it is taught as such in both Jodhpur’s Jai Narain Vyas University and Udaipur’s Mohanlal Sukhadia University. The state Board of Secondary Education included Rajasthani in its course of studies, and it has been an optional subject since 1973.

In 2003, the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly passed a unanimous resolution to insert recognition of Rajasthani into the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India.

In conclusion, the Rajasthani language is a vibrant part of the cultural fabric of Rajasthan. While it faces challenges due to the dominance of Hindi and other factors, its rich literary heritage and its role in local traditions continue to keep it alive and evolving.