It is one of the official languages of India, spoken by over 55 million people. Because of the large population of individuals who speak this language in India and beyond, Gujarati is the 26th most spoken language in the world. Gujarati has a rich history that includes ties to the ancient language Sanskrit.

What is so special about Gujarati language?

Gujarati is part of the greater Indo-European language family. ... The Gujarati language is more than 700 years old and is spoken by more than 55 million people worldwide. Outside of Gujarat, Gujarati is spoken in many other parts of South Asia by Gujarati migrants, especially in Bombay and Pakistan (mainly in Karachi).

Is Gujarati language dying?

The Gujarati language is facing an uncertain future in this country, to put it mildly. At least its written form is in danger of a slow death. ... Spoken by over 50 million people, Gujarati is the 26th most widely spoken language in the world.

Where is Gujarati spoken in the world?

In addition to being spoken in India (mainly in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh), it is also spoken in Bangladesh, Fiji, Kenya, Malawi, Oman, Pakistan, Reunion, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, United Kingdom, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Who was the founder of Gujarati?

Unlike most other Indian languages, Gujarati is considered relatively young, given that its origins can be traced to as late as the 12th century A.D. Formal Gujarati grammar was introduced by Hemchandracharya, a Jain Monk and an eminent scholar.

The Importance of Gujarati Language

Which God is Worshipped in Gujarat?

Shaivism (Shivaism), the cult of the Hindu god Shiva, has long flourished in Gujarat; so too has Vaishnavism (the worship of Vishnu), from which have emerged not only the cult of bhakti (devotion) but also a rich repertoire of verse and song.

Is Gujarati different from Hindi?

Gujarati, also known as Gujarathi, is a member of the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. Its closest relatives are Hindi and Punjabi.

What is the capital of Gujarat?

The city is the administrative centre of Ahmedabad district, and was the capital of Gujarat from 1960 to 1970; the capital was shifted to Gandhinagar thereafter. The city was at the forefront of the Indian independence movement in the first half of 20th century.

Is kutchi a dead language?

In January, an earthquake in western India killed an estimated 30,000 speakers of Kutchi, leaving about 770,000. Manx, from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea, disappeared in 1974 when its last speaker died. ... That languages die isn't new; thousands are believed to have disappeared already.

What is the mother tongue of India?

Hindi, written in Devanagari script, is the most prominent language spoken in the country. In the 2001 census, 422 million (422,048,642) people in India reported Hindi to be their native language.

Who is father of Gujarati literature?

Literature tradition in Gujarat is largely linked to the Bhakti Movement and as it swept across most of India during 12th and 17th Century, it began with the Poet Narsinh Mehta (1414-1481) Narsinh Mehta began the rise of Gujarati Literature and is referred as 'Father of Literature.

What Gujarat is famous for?

Stretches out into the Arabian Sea, with a hint of the desert and with a coastline of 1600 kms long is Gujarat – the home state of Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of Nation. It is renowned for its beaches, temple towns and historic capitals. Wildlife sanctuaries, hill resorts and natural grandeur are gifts of Gujarat.

Who built Ahmedabad?

Ahmedabad was founded by the, ruler of Gujarat, Sultan Ahmed Shah in 1411 AD. It has been the focal point of political authority, a cultural hub and a prominent centre of trade and commerce.

How Gujarat got its name?

Gujarat draws its name from the Gurjara (supposedly a subtribe of the Huns), who ruled the area during the 8th and 9th centuries ce. The state assumed its present form in 1960, when the former Bombay state was divided between Maharashtra and Gujarat on the basis of language.

Where did Gujaratis originate?

Regarding Gujaratis, the study mentioned that "Gujarati Indians (GIH), originating from Gujarat (the most western state of India and immediately adjacent to Pakistan) are easily placed in Central South Asia where they are classified as Pakistanis".

What is the famous food of Gujarat?

Gujarati cuisine is that of the state of Gujarat, in western India. The typical Gujarati thali consists of rotli, dal or kadhi, rice, and shaak (a dish made up of several different combinations of vegetables and spices, which may be either spicy or sweet).

Why is Gujarat a rich state?

Gujarat is also a mineral rich state with large reserves of oil and gas. It produces the highest amount of crude oil in India. Alongside a stable electricity supply, the airports, ports and roads in Gujarat are high quality.

What is the culture of Gujarat?

Customs and Traditions of Gujarat

Embracing different religious faiths, Gujaratis demonstrate a vibrant mix of Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, and Buddhism. This amalgamation of cultures is quite evident in their beliefs, customs, traditions, institutions, and practices.

Why Gujarat is called Saurashtra?

The name of State was given after the Kathiawar and Saurashtra region, both of which generally denote the same geographical region of lands on the main peninsula of Gujarat. ... Most of the native rulers of the Kathiawar States entered into a Covenant for the formation of the United States of Kathiawar on 24 January 1948.