Recently, Bollywood lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar made headlines as he claimed that Urdu belongs to 'Hindustan'.&nbsp;

“Urdu hasn't come from any other place...it is our own language. It isn't spoken outside Hindustan...Pakistan also came into existence after partition from India, earlier it was a part of India only. So, the language isn't spoken outside Hindustan," he had said.

“Earlier it was only Hindustan - Pakistan later separated from Hindustan. Now Pakistan said that Kashmir is ours...will you believe that? I think 'No'! Likewise, Urdu is a Hindustan(i) language and it remains (so),” the lyricist said.

His words sparked debates over the birth and existence of the language which has been spoken for centuries and has remained an important part of the Indian subcontinent's cultural milieu.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/javed-akhtar-says-urdu-doesnt-belong-to-pakistan-or-egypt-but-to-hindustan-571989">Poet, lyricist, screenwriter Javed Akhtar says Urdu ‘doesn’t belong to Pakistan or Egypt, but to Hindustan’</a>

<h2>So, where was Urdu born?</h2>

If scholarly historiography is traced back, Urdu's presence can be observed in the languages of 16th-century Delhi – Hindi, Hindvi, Gujri, Dhilavi, Dakani and Rekhtah. Edward Terry, who accompanied Thomas Roe to the Mughal emperor Jahangir's court, termed the language of Delhiwalas as 'Indostan' in his work 'A Voyage to East India' (London, 1655).

Recalling the beauty of the language, Terry stated that it was powerful in nature and had major reflections of Persian and Arabic languages. Around 1780, &nbsp;'Urdu' was for the first time put into use as a term representing the language of Delhi by Mushafi (1750-1824) in his divan 'Kulliyat' in which he wrote, 'Mushafi has, most surely claim of superiority in Rekhta - That is to say, he has expert knowledge of the language of Urdu.'

In the world of literature and Mughal courts, the term Urdu debuted as 'zaban-e-urdu-e mu'alla-e 
shahjahanabad' (the language of the exalted city or the court of Shahjahanabad or what we today call Delhi). The terminology was soon cut down to 'zaban-e urdu-e mu'alla' and then to 'zaban-e- urdu' which meant the 'language of the camp', finally becoming the peerless 'Urdu'.

<h2>How did Urdu gain prominence in the world of politics and literature?</h2>

When Mughal emperor Shah Alam II (1759-1806) shifted to Delhi, his love for Urdu helped the language gain respect among the courtiers and become the informal language of the court. Describing the birth of Urdu in Delhi, literary historian and poet Azad called the language 'an orphan found wandering in the bazaars (markets) of Shahjahanabad'.

Soon after 1722, Urdu poetry boomed in North India and scores of poets emerged. The love for Urdu took the streets of Delhi by such a wave that even reciting of classic Urdu poetry by street urchins became a common phenomenon.&nbsp;

The most remarkable literary renaissance of Urdu took place under the patronage of the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II in the 19th century. Delhi saw the flourishing of great love poets, from Mirza Ghalib to Mughal poet laureate Sheikh Ibrahim Zauq. In 1837, the British East India Company replaced Persian with various vernaculars of the country as the court language. The officials had identified Urdu as the regional vernacular of Oudh, Bihar, Punjab and the North-Western provinces of India, and hence, it was made the government's language across North India.

WATCH | Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar takes on Pakistan on Pak soil, calls out their sponsored terrorism

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-lyricist-javed-akhtar-takes-on-pakistan-on-pak-soil-calls-out-their-sponsored-terrorism-564633/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<h2>How did Urdu become Pakistan's national language?</h2>

On March 24, 1948, Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in an iconic speech, stated, “In my personal opinion, Pakistan’s official language — which will become a source of communication between its different provinces — can only be one and that is Urdu. No language other than Urdu.”

That's how Urdu, &nbsp;once widely used in the Independence movement of India, made its presence felt to the entire nation in popular slogans (“inquilab zindabad” — “Long live the revolution”) and song (“Saare Jahaan se Accha”– “Better than the entire world”), suddenly became the national language of the neighbouring nation, post-partition.

This dynamic shift of language and Urdu getting designated as the national language of Pakistan raised eyebrows as there were hardly any native speakers of the language in 1947. Jinnah who was a westernised Muslim and whose mother tongue was Gujarati was he was not well-versed in Urdu. However, from 1938, he made it a point to address crowds in Urdu, even though he lacked fluency.

Urdu was declared as the national and official language in 1947 and 2015 respectively in Pakistan, where till now 38.78 per cent speak Punjabi, 18.24 per cent speak Pashto, 14.57 per cent speak Sindhi, 12.19 per cent speak Saraiki, 7.08 per cent speak Urdu, 3.02 per cent speak Balochi and 2.24 per cent speak Hindko.

The imposition of Urdu in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was seen as a major reason why the Bengali-dominated province seceded in 1971 post the Bangladesh Liberation War. Today, Urdu has become the identity of Muslim-dominated Pakistan even though it belonged to the cultural synthesis of the Ganges-Yamuna Doab in India.

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Recently, Bollywood lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar made headlines as he claimed that Urdu belongs to 'Hindustan'. “Urdu hasn't come from any other place...it is our own language.

Recently, Bollywood lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar made headlines as he claimed that Urdu belongs to 'Hindustan'. “Urdu hasn't come from any other place...it is our own language. It isn't spoken outside Hindustan...Pakistan also came into existence after partition from India, earlier it was a part of India only. So, the language isn't spoken outside Hindustan," he had said. “Earlier it was only Hindustan - Pakistan later separated from Hindustan. Now Pakistan said that Kashmir is ours...will you believe that? I think 'No'! Likewise, Urdu is a Hindustan(i) language and it remains (so),” the lyricist said. His words sparked debates over the birth and existence of the language which has been spoken for centuries and has remained an important part of the Indian subcontinent's cultural milieu. ALSO READ | Poet, lyricist, screenwriter Javed Akhtar says Urdu ‘doesn’t belong to Pakistan or Egypt, but to Hindustan’ So, where was Urdu born? If scholarly historiography is traced back, Urdu's presence can be observed in the languages of 16th-century Delhi – Hindi, Hindvi, Gujri, Dhilavi, Dakani and Rekhtah. Edward Terry, who accompanied Thomas Roe to the Mughal emperor Jahangir's court, termed the language of Delhiwalas as 'Indostan' in his work 'A Voyage to East India' (London, 1655). Recalling the beauty of the language, Terry stated that it was powerful in nature and had major reflections of Persian and Arabic languages. Around 1780, 'Urdu' was for the first time put into use as a term representing the language of Delhi by Mushafi (1750-1824) in his divan 'Kulliyat' in which he wrote, 'Mushafi has, most surely claim of superiority in Rekhta - That is to say, he has expert knowledge of the language of Urdu.' In the world of literature and Mughal courts, the term Urdu debuted as 'zaban-e-urdu-e mu'alla-e shahjahanabad' (the language of the exalted city or the court of Shahjahanabad or what we today call Delhi). The terminology was soon cut down to 'zaban-e urdu-e mu'alla' and then to 'zaban-e- urdu' which meant the 'language of the camp', finally becoming the peerless 'Urdu'. How did Urdu gain prominence in the world of politics and literature? When Mughal emperor Shah Alam II (1759-1806) shifted to Delhi, his love for Urdu helped the language gain respect among the courtiers and become the informal language of the court. Describing the birth of Urdu in Delhi, literary historian and poet Azad called the language 'an orphan found wandering in the bazaars (markets) of Shahjahanabad'. Soon after 1722, Urdu poetry boomed in North India and scores of poets emerged. The love for Urdu took the streets of Delhi by such a wave that even reciting of classic Urdu poetry by street urchins became a common phenomenon. The most remarkable literary renaissance of Urdu took place under the patronage of the Mughal emperor Bahadur Shah Zafar II in the 19th century. Delhi saw the flourishing of great love poets, from Mirza Ghalib to Mughal poet laureate Sheikh Ibrahim Zauq. In 1837, the British East India Company replaced Persian with various vernaculars of the country as the court language. The officials had identified Urdu as the regional vernacular of Oudh, Bihar, Punjab and the North-Western provinces of India, and hence, it was made the government's language across North India. WATCH | Indian lyricist Javed Akhtar takes on Pakistan on Pak soil, calls out their sponsored terrorism How did Urdu become Pakistan's national language? On March 24, 1948, Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in an iconic speech, stated, “In my personal opinion, Pakistan’s official language — which will become a source of communication between its different provinces — can only be one and that is Urdu. No language other than Urdu.” That's how Urdu, once widely used in the Independence movement of India, made its presence felt to the entire nation in popular slogans (“inquilab zindabad” — “Long live the revolution”) and song (“Saare Jahaan se Accha”– “Better than the entire world”), suddenly became the national language of the neighbouring nation, post-partition. This dynamic shift of language and Urdu getting designated as the national language of Pakistan raised eyebrows as there were hardly any native speakers of the language in 1947. Jinnah who was a westernised Muslim and whose mother tongue was Gujarati was he was not well-versed in Urdu. However, from 1938, he made it a point to address crowds in Urdu, even though he lacked fluency. Urdu was declared as the national and official language in 1947 and 2015 respectively in Pakistan, where till now 38.78 per cent speak Punjabi, 18.24 per cent speak Pashto, 14.57 per cent speak Sindhi, 12.19 per cent speak Saraiki, 7.08 per cent speak Urdu, 3.02 per cent speak Balochi and 2.24 per cent speak Hindko. The imposition of Urdu in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) was seen as a major reason why the Bengali-dominated province seceded in 1971 post the Bangladesh Liberation War. Today, Urdu has become the identity of Muslim-dominated Pakistan even though it belonged to the cultural synthesis of the Ganges-Yamuna Doab in India. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Explained: Here's why Javed Akhtar said 'Urdu belongs to Hindustan'

Veteran poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has emphasised the importance of Urdu and the role Punjab played in its growth and prominence during an Urdu poetry album&nbsp;launch event. He was accompanied by his wife and veteran actress Shabana Azmi for the launch of Shayarana – Sartaj.

Speaking at the event, Akhtar said that Urdu doesn’t belong to Pakistan or Egypt, it belongs to "Hindustan".

The 78-year-old&nbsp;said, “Urdu hasn’t come from any other place. It is our own language. It isn’t spoken outside of Hindustan. Pakistan also came into existence after partition from India, earlier it was a part of India only. So, the language isn’t spoken outside Hindustan…”

He added, “Punjab has a big contribution towards Urdu and it is the language of India! But why did you leave this language? Because of partition? Because of Pakistan? Urdu should be given attention. Earlier it was only Hindustan – Pakistan later separated from Hindustan. Now Pakistan says&nbsp;that Kashmir is ours…will you believe that? I think ‘No’! Likewise, Urdu is a Hindustani&nbsp;language and it remains (so). Nowadays, new generation youths speak less Urdu and Hindi in our country. Today more focus is on English. We must speak in Hindi because it’s our national language.”

Akhtar continued, “Language is not based on religions, but is of regions. If language was based on religion, then the whole of Europe would have one language. That’s why the language is not of religion, but of the region.”

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/parasite-fame-choi-woo-shik-opens-up-about-working-with-bts-singer-v-in-jinnys-kitchen-571976">Parasite fame Choi Woo Shik opens up about working with BTS singer V in Jinny’s Kitchen</a>

The heart and soul behind the Urdu album&nbsp;Shayarana – Sartaj&nbsp;is famous Punjabi singer Dr Satinder Sartaaj. It comprises beautiful poetry in the nearly extinct Urdu&nbsp;language.

Akhtar had recently created a buzz with his statement against Pakistan. He said&nbsp;that the perpetrators and conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks were still “roaming freely” in Pakistan.

A clip of the poet-lyricist&nbsp;speaking about “bitterness” in the hearts of Indians over the 26/11 attacks had&nbsp;gone viral on internet. Responding to an audience member while attending a poetry festival in Lahore, he was purportedly heard saying, “When you visit your homeland, do you tell your fellow citizens, ‘we (Pakistanis) are good people, we don’t just bomb people but also greet them with garlands?'”

“Blaming each other won’t solve our problems. We saw how Mumbai was attacked. They (terrorists) didn't come from Norway nor Egypt. They are still roaming freely in your country. So you shouldn’t be offended if there’s a grouse and bitterness in Indian hearts over the 26/11 attacks,” Akhtar said at the literary event held in the memory of Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz.

Akhtar added, “I wouldn’t hesitate to say that though we have organised so many grand functions of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan&nbsp;and Mehdi Hassan in our country, Pakistan couldn’t organise a single event of Lata Mangeshkar&nbsp;ji."

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

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Veteran poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has emphasised the importance of Urdu and the role Punjab played in its growth and prominence during an Urdu poetry album launch event.

Veteran poet, lyricist and screenwriter Javed Akhtar has emphasised the importance of Urdu and the role Punjab played in its growth and prominence during an Urdu poetry album launch event. He was accompanied by his wife and veteran actress Shabana Azmi for the launch of Shayarana – Sartaj. Speaking at the event, Akhtar said that Urdu doesn’t belong to Pakistan or Egypt, it belongs to "Hindustan". The 78-year-old said, “Urdu hasn’t come from any other place. It is our own language. It isn’t spoken outside of Hindustan. Pakistan also came into existence after partition from India, earlier it was a part of India only. So, the language isn’t spoken outside Hindustan…” He added, “Punjab has a big contribution towards Urdu and it is the language of India! But why did you leave this language? Because of partition? Because of Pakistan? Urdu should be given attention. Earlier it was only Hindustan – Pakistan later separated from Hindustan. Now Pakistan says that Kashmir is ours…will you believe that? I think ‘No’! Likewise, Urdu is a Hindustani language and it remains (so). Nowadays, new generation youths speak less Urdu and Hindi in our country. Today more focus is on English. We must speak in Hindi because it’s our national language.” Akhtar continued, “Language is not based on religions, but is of regions. If language was based on religion, then the whole of Europe would have one language. That’s why the language is not of religion, but of the region.” Also read: Parasite fame Choi Woo Shik opens up about working with BTS singer V in Jinny’s Kitchen The heart and soul behind the Urdu album Shayarana – Sartaj is famous Punjabi singer Dr Satinder Sartaaj. It comprises beautiful poetry in the nearly extinct Urdu language. Akhtar had recently created a buzz with his statement against Pakistan. He said that the perpetrators and conspirators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks were still “roaming freely” in Pakistan. A clip of the poet-lyricist speaking about “bitterness” in the hearts of Indians over the 26/11 attacks had gone viral on internet. Responding to an audience member while attending a poetry festival in Lahore, he was purportedly heard saying, “When you visit your homeland, do you tell your fellow citizens, ‘we (Pakistanis) are good people, we don’t just bomb people but also greet them with garlands?'” “Blaming each other won’t solve our problems. We saw how Mumbai was attacked. They (terrorists) didn't come from Norway nor Egypt. They are still roaming freely in your country. So you shouldn’t be offended if there’s a grouse and bitterness in Indian hearts over the 26/11 attacks,” Akhtar said at the literary event held in the memory of Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Akhtar added, “I wouldn’t hesitate to say that though we have organised so many grand functions of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Mehdi Hassan in our country, Pakistan couldn’t organise a single event of Lata Mangeshkar ji." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Poet, lyricist, screenwriter Javed Akhtar says Urdu ‘doesn’t belong to Pakistan or Egypt, but to Hindustan’

BJP MLA Vikram Saini, who is known for making controversial statements, has claimed that India is a country for the Hindus as it is known as &#39;Hindustan&#39;.

Khatauli MLA Saini made the statement at an event held here on Monday.

He said that some &quot;irresponsible leaders&quot; had allowed some Muslims to live in India.

&quot;During partition, due to them (Muslims), the Hindus are facing problem in the country. If they (Muslims) had not stopped in India, property of crores would be of the Hindus,&quot; Saini claimed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/rajasthan-mla-sees-muslim-conspiracy-to-take-over-india-by-2030-28290" target="_blank">Muslims aiming to take over India by 2030, says Rajasthan MLA</a>

When asked to comment on his statement, Saini refused to reply, saying he was busy.

Last year, Saini had threatened to break the limbs of those who kill and disrespect cows, sparking a controversy.

Saini is an accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case and was detained under the National Security Act.&nbsp;

BJP MLA Vikram Saini said some irresponsible leaders' had allowed some Muslims to live in India

BJP MLA Vikram Saini, who is known for making controversial statements, has claimed that India is a country for the Hindus as it is known as 'Hindustan'. Khatauli MLA Saini made the statement at an event held here on Monday. He said that some "irresponsible leaders" had allowed some Muslims to live in India. "During partition, due to them (Muslims), the Hindus are facing problem in the country. If they (Muslims) had not stopped in India, property of crores would be of the Hindus," Saini claimed. Also read: Muslims aiming to take over India by 2030, says Rajasthan MLA When asked to comment on his statement, Saini refused to reply, saying he was busy. Last year, Saini had threatened to break the limbs of those who kill and disrespect cows, sparking a controversy. Saini is an accused in the 2013 Muzaffarnagar riots case and was detained under the National Security Act.

UP MLA says 'India is for Hindus'

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said &lsquo;Hindustan&rsquo; is a country of Hindus, but it does not mean that it does not belong to &ldquo;others&rdquo;.

Addressing a gathering of college-going RSS volunteers in Indore, Bhagwat also said the government alone cannot bring development, and that it needs changes in the society.

&ldquo;Whose country is Germany?...It&rsquo;s a country of Germans, Britain is a country of Britishers, America is a country of Americans, and in the same way, Hindustan is a country of Hindus. It does not mean that Hindustan is not the country of other people,&rdquo; Bhagwat said.

&ldquo;The term Hindu covers all those who are the sons of Bharat Mata, descendants of Indian ancestors and who live in accordance with the Indian culture,&rdquo; the RSS chief said.

No one leader or party can make the country great but it needs a change and we will have to prepare the society for it, he said.

&ldquo;In ancient times, people used to look to God for development, but in Kalyuga people look to the government... But the fact is, the government can go only as far as the society goes,&rdquo; Bhagwat said.

&ldquo;The society is the father of the government. The government can serve the society, but it cannot bring changes in the society. When the society brings changes in itself, this change reflects in the government and the system,&rdquo; the RSS chief said.

To make India powerful, prosperous and &ldquo; vishwa&nbsp;guru&rdquo;, the countrymen will have to rid their hearts of the thought of &ldquo;discrimination on any grounds&rdquo;, he added.

'Britain is a country of Britishers, America is a country of Americans, and in the same way, Hindustan is a country of Hindus,' Mohan Bhagwat said

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat on Saturday said ‘Hindustan’ is a country of Hindus, but it does not mean that it does not belong to “others”. Addressing a gathering of college-going RSS volunteers in Indore, Bhagwat also said the government alone cannot bring development, and that it needs changes in the society. “Whose country is Germany?...It’s a country of Germans, Britain is a country of Britishers, America is a country of Americans, and in the same way, Hindustan is a country of Hindus. It does not mean that Hindustan is not the country of other people,” Bhagwat said. “The term Hindu covers all those who are the sons of Bharat Mata, descendants of Indian ancestors and who live in accordance with the Indian culture,” the RSS chief said. No one leader or party can make the country great but it needs a change and we will have to prepare the society for it, he said. “In ancient times, people used to look to God for development, but in Kalyuga people look to the government... But the fact is, the government can go only as far as the society goes,” Bhagwat said. “The society is the father of the government. The government can serve the society, but it cannot bring changes in the society. When the society brings changes in itself, this change reflects in the government and the system,” the RSS chief said. To make India powerful, prosperous and “ vishwa guru”, the countrymen will have to rid their hearts of the thought of “discrimination on any grounds”, he added.

RSS chief: Hindustan a country of Hindus... does not mean is not country of other people

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