Languages Of Rajasthan

Official Language : Hindi
Major Dialects : Marwari, Malvi, Dhundari, Rajasthani and Mewari
Main Language : Marwari
Commonly Spoken Words: Aao Sa, Baitho Sa, Padharo Hukum, Mhere Des

Rajasthan is principally a Hindi-speaking region in its various dialects. Rajasthani comprises of five primary dialects - Marwari, Mewari, Dhundhari, Mewati and Harauti along with several other forms that we discuss here. These dialects have been derived as a distortion of the linguistic and orthographical peculiarities of the language with time. Rajasthani literature faced its worst period during the British Raj period. However, it is flourishing these days as hundreds of poets and writers have emerged who use the vernacular form of Rajasthani language as their medium. Rajasthan's folk literature is rich and varied in its nature and exists in forms of the folk songs, so famous folklores, witty sayings and proverbs, riddles and much-treasured folk-plays known as 'khayals'.

The most common language of Rajasthan is Marwari, spoken mainly in and around Jodhpur district. The mixed dialects of Marwari are also spoken in Barmer, Jalore, Pali, part of Nagaur district. In the east, it influences the dialects of Ajmer, Udaipur, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, to the south in Sirohi district and in the west, it affects the dialects of Jaisalmer district. Bikaner, Churu, Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts in the north are also influenced by Marwari while in the northwest, it is spoken with Punjabi influence in the Ganganagar district.

Mewari is actually the eastern form of Marwari used frequently to the southeast of the former princely state of Mewar, which comprised of Udaipur, Bhilwara and Chittorgarh districts, and its neighborhood. The dialect used in the western parts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Thar and Parkar areas of the former Sind is called Thali in the north and Dhatak in the west. In Bikaner it is called Bikaneri while in the northeastern part of Churu, it is known as Bagri.

Jaipurior Dhundhari, earns a second place in terms of use and covers the districts of Jaipur, Tonk, Kota, Bundi, parts of Kishangarh, Ajmer and Jhalawar. Mewati is a dialect of Jaipuri to the northeast, which assumes the form of Braja Bhasha in Bharatpur. Mewati is actually the language of the former Mewat, the abode of the Meos. Dang is a further sub-dialect of Braja Bhasa in Sawai Madhopur and Karauli and that of Bundeli and Malvi in Jhalawar and the southern parts of Kota. Kishangarhi is spoken in Kishangarh and Ajmeri in Ajmer. The dialect spoken in Bundi and Kota is Harauti, which is also spoken in Jhalwar and Tonk districts.

Malvi of the former Malwa covers parts of the Jhalawar and Kota districts. The Bundeli of Narsinghpur and central Hoshangabad, the Marathi of Berar and the Nemadi dialect of Rajasthani is spoken in north Nimach and Bhansawar. The Bhils communicate in Bhili, which is similar to Dungarpur's and Banswara's Bagria form of Rajasthani with the exception of slight variation in the pronunciation. However, the language structure for both of them is the same.

People of Rajasthan

Population	56.5 million, 2001 census
Religious Composition	Hindus 88.8% of the population, 8.5 % Muslims, Sikhs, Jains and Sindhis less than 02%.
Scheduled Tribes	Meenas and Bhils
Major Languages	Hindi, Rajasthani and Marwari

India is known for its unity in diversity and Rajasthan in itself presents this in a most complete manner where people have been divided in groups and sub-groups based on their roles and trades that haven followed in their families for generations till the time when these people were assigned the work not through their merits but by the family, they were born in and they were trained for their family professions ever since their childhood. This accounts for the basis of the trades dominated by a people of a particular religion, caste or sub-caste and other communities such as tribals and nomads. We have presented here some broad categories in which the people of Rajasthan can be classified and have attempted to include their distinctive habits and way of living in our passage:

Rajput - The Warrior Class
Valiant and chivalrous, Rajputs were the rulers of the land for a long time and the legends of their medieval concepts and acts of bravery are still sung in Rajasthan. The Rajput rulers were great patrons of arts and crafts and Rajasthan still boasts of monuments of the finest examples of architecture that sprung up during their reign. They still strictly observe their religion and offer sacrifices to their gods and goddesses in order to appease and please them. They have proved formidable foes from time to time. They rose to the elite class of the region and the only reason of their downfall can be attributed to their inter-clan rivalries and internecine wars that often came in the way of their offering a joint opposition to the forces of invaders. Later, Rajputs have been known to serve in the armies of their rulers and acquired land as their compensation not only as a payment for their services but often because they shared a friendly bond and were very loyal to the kings they served.

Brahmins - The Class of Priests
Unlike other parts of India, Brahmins in Rajasthan had to be content with the secondary position, as the dangerous area plagued by invasion and plundering, needed more warriors than intellectuals at the time. Besides the priesthood, Brahmins also served in royal courts and as administrators of the state.

Marwari And Jains - The Trader Class
As usual, the economy of the state mainly depended on its traders and merchants and they were often richer than the rulers themselves. The Marwaris originated in the Shekhawati region and used to serve in the courts of princely states. They were so called as they traveled with the armies of Marwar (now known as Jodhpur) to the eastern side of the country and thus capitalized on the opportunity of making profits in the new markets.

Even today, they constitute most of the major business and industrialist families of the country. Though, Marwaris were very rich they remained discreet on account of their loyalty and respect of the rulers, which they served, and their elaborately painted havelis never stood in competition with the affluent palaces of the royal class. It was their way of expressing their gratitude to the princes and kings who had honored them, time and again, with a title of tazimi-sardar, which was very rarely given to anybody as it made allowances for the title-owner to continue sitting in the presence of the Maharaja and to wear gold on his feet (a privilege accessible only to the immediate circle of the royal family).

Jains, the only other mercantile community that enjoyed as much influence in the courts of the Rajput rulers and often played an important political role, however, built some superlative marble temples dedicated to their tirthankaras at Ranakpur, Dilwara at Mount Abu, Chittaurgarh, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner. Though they observed austerity in their lifestyles, their temples and havelis at Jaisalmer were enviable and grander with delicate stone carving work than many of the palaces of the region.

Jats And Bishnois - The Pastoral Class
The importance of the pastoral side of Rajasthan that involved farming and cattle rearing cannot be underestimated considering the rough weather conditions and hostile climate of the region. There is much folklore about the local heroes, generally a sub-group of Rajputs known as Jats, who sacrificed their lives for the protection of their village communities. A hardworking race, these people are spread over in the regions of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and were once the rulers of Bharatpur and Dholpur and are known for their skills and farming practices of turning even the most arid lands into the fertile fields.

Bishnois, known for their passion to conserve both plant and animal life, follow the paths of a local saint, Jamboji, who instructed them to protect their trees and cattle even at the time of famine, some centuries ago. They gained popularity when innumerable Bishnois refused to let the soldiers cut the trees in their area and did not deterred even when they were dealt with an iron hand. They wrapped themselves around their beloved trees and welcomed death from the soldiers' hand rather than allowing them to cut the trees while they were still alive. Today, they have become the icons for the conservationists. Bishnois men wear a distinct white turban while their women dress up in colorful garments and an ornate nose ring.

Muslims - The Craftsmen Class
Muslims came to Rajasthan as invaders but soon deserted the arid land to more luring places in the east. However, there were some who settled down here and indulged in agriculture such as Kayamkhanis and Meos, especially in the Shekhawati belt, where the Kayamkhani nawabs once had substantial influence. However, only one Muslim kingdom of Tonk survived in the region marked by its feudal system. It has now become a flourishing commercial area. Muslims also served in the courts of the princely states under the Rajput rulers and both the religions flourished together quite amicably.

Yet, undeniably, most of the Muslim population were artisans of good repute and master craftsmen and were kidnapped from the trading caravans passing through the area to serve the princely kingdoms and even today, they dominate the artistic side of Rajasthan, in the fields of painting, dyeing, printing, bangle and jewellery making and paper manufacture. The Bohras, mercantile Muslims who came from Gujarat occupy southeast Rajasthan in large numbers.

The Tribals
Natives of the barren hills of Rajasthan, these tribals are known for their bravery and zest with which they celebrate their festivals. Minas were once the rulers of the region, which Kachchwahas won through treachery, to create Amber. Largely agriculturists now, they still hold the honor of anointing the head of the Kachchwaha clan and used to serve as guards to the Kachchwaha treasury kept inside the Jaigarh fort, while the reigning Kachchwaha rulers were led only once a year to the treasury to choose anything from the vast collection of jewellery there and that too blindfolded.

Bhils of Chittaurgarh, Banswara and Dungarpur, still lead a primitive life and are poverty stricken. Known to be brave and trustworthy, they once helped the Sisodia rulers to escape from the Mughals and taught them the art of concealing themselves in the hills.

Other tribals include the Sahariyas, people of the forest who have degraded from being the elite class to that of severely poverty stricken and the Gerasiyas, who have managed to survive by singing and dancing for their guests.

Nomads - People With No Homes
These people are akin to gypsies who travel in large groups, often on a cyclical, seasonal basis, and move around providing their particular services for people in settled communities. Most of them are Gadoliya Lohars, blacksmiths known for their decorated carts. They repair and work with iron and other metals,and make everything from a shovel to a pair of scissors.Banjaras, were nomadic caravan runners who traveled with balaads or oxen-laden caravans. A lakhi or one hundred thousand bullocks leading a caravan has also found its mention among their caravans. However, as these caravans are of no use today, they now live a semi-nomadic life and drifted to other means of livelihood. Rabaris travel in the desert in search of pastures for their flocks of sheep and camels while there are Nayaks who are entertainers, Kanjars, Sansis, Nats and the well-known Kalbeliyas, a group of snake charmers who have gained immense popularity for their unique dance forms and no more travel on foot or in carts but around the world in jets.

Rajasthan Ornaments

Both Men and Women wear ornaments but with the passage of time, men are giving up their use.The ornaments of gold and silver are more prevalent in Rajasthan. There are certain ornaments which are used by men. In daily use the ladies wear normal ornaments of neck, hand, nose and ear but on special occasions and social functions. Women wear all the ornaments of different parts of the body to look beautiful and attractive. For its exquisite designs and delicacy of art Rajasthan Jewelry is a rage not only for ladies of India but also for women of foreign countries.

Ornaments for the head
The ladies of the royal family of Rajasthan wore atleast half a dozen kinds of hair jewellery at one time, each with its own name and specific function. The most common head jewel is the bindi, which has a central pendant hanging from a string of fine pearls and is worn down the parting of the hair with the pendant resting in the middle of the forehead A variant of this is called the borla in which the central pendant is semi-spherical and set with precious stones and a fringe of fine pearls. Chains of gold, shaped like the lotus and other flowers are worn across the length of the plait. There are flower-shaped hair pins and hair combs beautifully enamelled and set with stones.

Ornaments for the nose
The nath is a nose ornament which, when worn, is considered to bring good fortune. It is often a ring of fine gold with a pearl threaded between two rubies in its central part. There are many other kinds of nose rings as well.
Ornamentation for the ears

The kinds of earrings worn are too many to enumerate, but the main styles are the karanphool jhumka, literally the flower of the ear, shaped like a star. The phool jhumka is like a bell shaped flower, toti is the image of a parrot, lathan is the image of a grape, papal patti is shaped like a pipal leaf. A special type of earring is one which runs along the entire shape of the outer ear with an ear top and jhoomka attached to the lower half. Sometimes, strings of fine pearls run from the earring into the hair, and pearls are also threaded through the hair.

Ornaments for the foot
The foot ornaments are of two types- the toe rings and the anklets. The toe rings for the big toe are and are called amvat. The rings for the other toes are modelled in the shapes of fish, flowers, or just circles of gsaranules on the surface. There are also double toe rings which cover the entire toe. There is a great exuberance in the designs of the anklets.

Ornaments for the waist
The women also wear girdles and belts around their waists. These are usually made of gold and set with rubies emeralds and diamonds. Belts are usually broad bands of flattened, twisted metal in silver or gold, encrusted with gems, and embossed with exquisite designs. They are usually finished off with clusters of beads at the rims. The Kardhani is made of various chains, each a little longer than the previous one and all held together with metalbands.

Ornaments for the arm
The wearing of ornainentv, on the wrists and forearm follows a special pattern. The smallest bangle to fit the wrist is the kada, which is a thick rounded bangle with various decorations on it. The two ends are usually carved with replicas of the heads of animals and birds like elephants, lions or parrots. Then come bangles, any number of them in various shapes and designs. Here may be the chuda which is sometimes made of ivory inlaid With gold. The last item is the pail, which is a plain bangle that highlights the ostentation of therest of the ornaments that go before it.

Ornaments for the neck
Jewellery for the neck is one of the most important items of jewellery and there is a bewildering range strings, sometimes with rubies and emeralds strung with them or with gem studded pendants, are worn double and triple strings. There is the chandan haar (a necklace gold sequins), the mohanmala ( anecklace of beads resembling melon seeds), champakali (a string of flowers stylised in the shape of the champa), the mohurn, the jugnu, the hansli(a gold collar or ring, thick in the middle and tapering towards the ends)

Rajasthan Slangs

Rajasthan phrases will prove to be quite useful to you, if you are planning a tour of the state. Slangs of Rajasthan, India are quite similar to that of the Hindi language. Some of the major Rajasthani words and phrases are:

I: Main/manne
Come (You come) : Aawo, padharo
Came : Aaya chha, padhara chha
Will come : Aawega
Open : Khulo
Opened : Kholyo
Will open : Khul jawega
Sit : Baitho
Walk : Chaal
Eat : Kha
Drink : Piyo
Go : Jawo
Run : Bhago
I go : Main gayo
He goes : Woh ja rayo hai
He is eating : Woh khai rayo hai
Yesterday : Kaal
What is your name : Tharo naam kaain hein?
What : Kaain?
Is : Chhe
Your : Tharo
Name : Naam
What did you do : Tu kaain karyo?
What should I do : Main kaain karoon?
What can I do : Main kaain kar sakoo?
What you had been told : Tanne kaain batayo?
Why did you tell him to go : Tu une jaavane kyu bolyo?
How did you come : Tu kaaiyan aayo? / They kaaiyan aaya?
How much distance to go : Aur kitto door jaano hai?
How was the journey yesterday : Kaal ki yaatra kaiyaan ki hai?
Which way did you come : Tu kun sa rasta se aayo?
Where did you come from : Tu kathi se aayo?
Where should I go : Main kathe jaaun?
Is it the answer : Yo uttar hai kaain?
It is the answer : Yo uttar he.
Yes, of course : Haan, jaroor.
How are you : Tu kiso hai? / They kisaa ho?
I am fine : Main thik thak hu.
Do you love me : Tu manne pyaar kare hai?
Yes, I love you : Haan main tanne pyaar karoon.