Hindi, the fourth most spoken language globally, sits at a crossroads. While Devanagari script binds it to its Sanskrit roots, a vibrant reality pulsates beneath the surface.
This reality whispers of a Hindi enriched by its diverse linguistic tapestry, a Hindi written not just in Devanagari but also in the elegant curves of the Arabic script.
To truly unlock Hindi’s potential as a unifying force in the subcontinent and beyond, embracing this plurality in script and vocabulary is not just necessary, but transformative.
Historical Continuity
Firstly, promoting Hindi in Arabic script transcends historical divisions. Urdu, with its Perso-Arabic script, shares a close bond with Hindi. Separating them solely by script erases centuries of shared cultural and literary heritage.
One must also note that the word “Hindi” itself is of Arab-Persian origin and as such it does not find mention in any Sanskrit literature as a language of India.
During medieval times, India was officially known as “Hind” and its language and people as “Hindi”. Noted medieval Indian poet Amir Khusro also referred to the local language as Hindi or Hindavi.
Also, for centuries, Arabic script served as the official script of various empires and kingdoms, including Mamluk, Khilji, Tughlaqs, Lodhi, Mughal, Rajputana, Deccan, Hyderabad, Maratha, Awadh, Bengal, Punjab, Afghan, Kashmir, etc.
- The Delhi Sultanate: From the 13th to the 16th centuries, the Sultanate employed the Arabic script for administration, literature, and even coinage.
- The Mughal Empire: Under the Mughals, the script flourished, finding its way into court chronicles, architectural inscriptions, and literary masterpieces like Baburnama.
- Rajput Kingdoms: Several Rajput rulers, like Raja Man Singh of Amber, patronized the Perso-Arabic script, using it for official documents and literary works.
- Maratha Empire: The Marathas adopted the script for administrative purposes and also encouraged its use in religious texts and translations.
- Deccan Sultanates: The Deccan Sultanates, like Golconda and Bijapur, relied heavily on the Arabic script for administration, legal documents, and literary pursuits.
While Devanagari too has a rich literary history, its widespread administrative use throughout the subcontinent wasn’t as prominent as the Arabic script.
Instead, languages like Kharoshti, Pali, Prakrit, Arabic & Persian scripts enjoyed wider patronage during ancient and medieval periods.
Thus, Embracing both scripts acknowledges the richness of this shared past and fosters greater inclusivity for Urdu speakers within the broader Hindi umbrella.
Embracing both Devanagari and Arabic scripts acknowledges the historical continuity and fosters inclusivity for communities accustomed to the Perso-Arabic script.
This inclusivity becomes even more crucial in regions like Jammu and Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh, where Arabic script carries strong cultural significance.
Problem with extensive Sanskrit Borrowings
Secondly, the current vocabulary of Hindi often leans heavily on Brahmanical Sanskrit, a language associated with historical social hierarchies and caste inequalities since its inception.
Also, Sanskrit has never ever been the colloquial language of masses but only the ritualistic and ceremonial language of a few elite Brahmins. In fact according to subaltern scholars, people were punished for imitating Sanskrit in ancient times.
Extreme Sanskritization of the colloquial Hindi also renders it into a superficial bookish language mostly incomprehensible to common masses and thus serves no purpose except furthering the illusionary pride & arrogance of Brahmanical classes.
Thus, borrowing not only from Vedic Sanskrit but also from other local and global languages including English, Persian, Arabic, Chinese, Punjabi, Haryanvi, Awadhi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Munda, etc and other Indian languages democratizes Hindi’s vocabulary.
This linguistic tapestry reflects the true multicultural essence of the subcontinent, drawing inspiration from its diverse histories and lived experiences.
Borrowing from Persian and Arabic strengthens connections with the wider Islamic world, opening doors to cultural exchange and collaboration.
Embracing Tamil and Munda influences acknowledges the vibrant contributions of Dravidian and Adivasi communities, fostering greater cohesion within the Indian linguistic landscape.
Other Benefits of Arabic Script for Hindi
Thirdly, the Arabic script’s phonetic nature offers potential benefits for comprehension.
Unlike Devanagari, which requires knowledge of inherent vowel sounds, Arabic script provides clearer vocalization, potentially making Hindi easier to learn and understand for a wider range of Indians, especially those from non-Hindi speaking regions. This increased accessibility can break down linguistic barriers and promote greater national unity.
Fourthly, embracing a script used in the Arab world, Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia opens doors to unprecedented connectivity.
This facilitates cultural exchange, promotes trade and tourism, and strengthens geopolitical ties.
Imagine Indian films reaching a wider audience in their original script, fostering intercultural understanding and appreciation. Envision Indian businesses connecting seamlessly with Arabic-speaking countries, unlocking new economic opportunities.
A step towards Internationalisation of Hindi
By embracing the Arabic script, Hindi transcends its geographical and cultural boundaries. Imagine Indian films reaching a wider audience in the Arab world and Africa, with subtitles seamlessly woven into the script.
Cultural exchange becomes effortless, fostering appreciation for Indian cinema and narratives. Business negotiations with Arabic-speaking nations gain fluidity, opening doors to trade and economic partnerships. Tourist interactions enrich both sides, promoting mutual understanding and appreciation.
This expanded reach elevates Hindi’s international presence, strengthening India’s soft power through cultural and economic connections.
Further, a standardised mixture of Arabic, Hindi, Persian and Turkish can serve as a lingua-franca of the whole region of North Africa, Middle East, Balkan, Persia, Central Asia, East China, and much beyond.
Moreover, a plurilingual Hindi showcases India’s linguistic diversity, projecting an image of inclusivity and cultural openness, further enhancing its global standing.
Fifthly, a plurilingual Hindi in Arabic script becomes a treasure trove of knowledge. Borrowing from diverse languages enriches its literary repertoire, creating a space for narratives that reflect the subcontinent’s multifaceted reality.
This linguistic diversity becomes a bridge to understanding various historical, cultural, and religious perspectives, fostering tolerance and mutual respect.
Constitutional Backing
Article 343 of Indian constitution provides for official language of the Union. It provides that the official language of the Union shall be Hindi in Devanagari script.
However Article 352 contains a directive for development of the Hindi language. It says that “it shall be the duty of the Union to promote the spread of the Hindi language, to develop it so that it may serve as a medium of expression for all the elements of the composite culture of India and to secure its enrichment by assimilating without interfering with its genius, the forms, style and expressions used in Hindustani and in the other languages of India specified in the Eighth Schedule, and by drawing, wherever necessary or desirable, for its vocabulary, primarily on Sanskrit and secondarily on other languages”.
Challenges
Of course, challenges accompany this vision. Standardizing transliteration systems, developing educational resources, and overcoming potential Brahmanical apprehension towards Arabic script require careful planning and community engagement.
However, the potential benefits – increased inclusivity, enhanced international connectivity, greater comprehension, and a richer cultural repository – far outweigh the initial hurdles.
In conclusion, advocating for Hindi in both Devanagari and Arabic scripts, coupled with a vocabulary that embraces India’s linguistic diversity, is not a rejection of tradition but a bold embrace of the future.
It is a vision for a Hindi that serves not just as a language of administration, but as a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of the subcontinent’s rich linguistic heritage. It is a vision for a Hindi that unites, empowers, and connects, becoming a bridge to a more inclusive and prosperous future for India and the world.