History of Writing Systems In The Punjab Region
Punjab-The land of five rivers, is known for its rich culture and beautiful heritage. Right from the beginning of the Indus Valley Civilization, which existed in the region during the period from around 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE, till the British rule, it has a great history. Several settlements, civilizations and empires lived over here and each of them brought their own elements to the land of Punjab. In this article, we are going to talk about one of such ‘elements’ which were brought by different empires/people over different time periods, that is, the writing system/script.
Indus Valley Civilization ( ਸਿੰਧੂ ਘਾਟੀ ਸੱਭਿਅਤਾ /سندھو گھاٹی سبھیَتا )
The roots of writing in the Punjab region can be traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world’s earliest urban civilizations that thrived in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent from approximately 3300 to 1300 BCE. This ancient civilization encompassed a vast territory, including parts of present-day Punjab.
The Indus Script:- One of the most intriguing aspects of the Indus Valley Civilization is the presence of a script that remains undeciphered to this day. This script is found on a variety of artifacts, including seals, pottery, and tablets. The symbols used in the script are characterized by a series of intricate and uniform characters. It’s important to note that the Indus script is distinct from the later Brahmi script, which is well-documented in ancient Indian texts.
Seals and Inscriptions:- Seals with Indus script have been discovered at several Indus Valley sites within the Punjab region, such as Harappa. These seals often depict intricate scenes and motifs, suggesting their use in trade, administration, or religious rituals.
Linguistic and Cultural Significance:- The existence of the Indus Script raises important questions about the language and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization. However, despite extensive efforts by scholars, the script remains undeciphered, and the precise language and content of these inscriptions remain a mystery.
The Indus script’s significance in the context of Punjab’s history lies in its role as a precursor to the region’s later writing systems. While the script itself remains enigmatic, it represents an early milestone in the development of writing and record-keeping in the Punjab region, setting the stage for subsequent script developments, including the adoption of Sanskrit and the emergence of the Brahmi script in the subcontinent.
Sanskrit language, Brahmi and Kharosthi Script ( ਸੰਸਕ੍ਰਿਤ ਭਾਸ਼ਾ, ਬ੍ਰਹਮੀ ਅਤੇ ਖਰੋਸ਼ਠੀ ਲਿਪੀ / سنسکرت بھاشا، برہمی اتے کھروشٹھی لِپی )
With the spread of Vedic culture in ancient India, Sanskrit became a prominent language in various parts of the Indian subcontinent, including the Punjab region. The use of Sanskrit language written in the Brahmi script played a pivotal role in recording and disseminating knowledge, religious texts, and inscriptions. Here’s a more detailed look at this period:
Vedic Influence:- The Vedic period, which began around 1500 BCE, saw the composition of sacred texts known as the Vedas. These texts were composed in Sanskrit and were of immense religious and philosophical significance. The influence of Vedic culture reached the Punjab region, where Sanskrit was used for religious and literary purposes.
Emergence of Brahmi Script:- The Brahmi script, which is believed to have originated in the 4th century BCE, was adapted to write Sanskrit and Prakrit languages. It is one of the oldest known scripts in India and is considered the precursor to many South Asian scripts, including Devanagari, Tamil, and Sinhala scripts.
Ashokan Inscriptions:- One of the most famous applications of the Brahmi and Kharosthi Script in the Punjab region is found in the inscriptions of Emperor Ashoka, who ruled the Maurya Empire in the 3rd century BCE. Ashoka’s inscriptions, often etched on pillars and rock edicts, were in Prakrit language written in the Brahmi and Kharosthi Script. Some of these inscriptions have been discovered in areas that are now part of the Punjab region, such as Shahbazgarhi.
Transmission of Knowledge:- The Brahmi script played a crucial role in transmitting knowledge, not only in the form of religious texts but also in administrative and trade-related documents. It facilitated the dissemination of religious and philosophical ideas, contributing to the cultural exchange between different regions of India, including the Punjab.
The influence of Sanskrit and the adoption of the Brahmi and the Kharosthi Script in the Punjab region marked a significant phase in its history of writing systems. This period laid the foundation for the subsequent evolution of scripts and languages in the region, and the use of these scripts for inscriptions by Ashoka reflects its administrative and cultural importance. Over time, as cultures and languages evolved, so did the scripts used in the Punjab region, leading to the development of unique scripts.
Sharada Script (ਸ਼ਾਰਦਾ ਲਿਪੀ /شاردا لِپی )
The Sharada Script, also known as Śāradā lipi, holds a unique and historically significant place as a writing system in the Punjab region. While it is not as widely known or used today as Gurmukhi, Shahmukhi, or even the Perso-Arabic script, Sharada Script has played an essential role in the cultural and linguistic heritage of the region.
Historical Roots:- The Sharada script has ancient origins, with its earliest inscriptions dating back to around the 8th century CE. It was primarily used in the region of Kashmir, but its influence extended into the western part of the Indian subcontinent, including parts of present-day Punjab.
Characteristics:- The Sharada Script is an alpha-syllabic script, which means that it represents syllables rather than individual consonants or vowels. Its character set includes both consonants and vowels, making it suitable for writing Indo-Aryan languages like Sanskrit, as well as Prakrit and Apabhramsha.
Key characteristics of the Sharada script include:-
1. Distinctive Characters: The script has a set of unique characters that distinguish it from other Indic scripts. These characters have intricate and ornate forms, making Sharada script visually distinct.
2. Vertical Writing: Originally, Sharada was written from top to bottom, similar to traditional Chinese script. However, over time, it evolved to be written horizontally from left to right, aligning more with the direction of other scripts in the region.
3. Limited Usage: While Sharada was historically used for various purposes, including inscriptions, religious texts, and administrative documents, it was predominantly associated with religious texts, particularly those of the Shaiva tradition.
Religious Significance:- The Sharada Script holds immense religious significance in the Punjab region, as it was used for transcribing and preserving sacred texts of the Shaiva sect. It was the script of choice for writing texts related to Shaivism, a sect of Hinduism that reveres Lord Shiva. Several important Shaiva texts, commentaries, and manuscripts were composed in the Sharada script in Kashmir and neighboring regions.
Decline:- The decline of the Sharada Script in the Punjab region can be attributed to several historical factors:
1. Shift to Persian and Arabic Scripts: With the advent of Islamic rule and Persian as the language of administration in the medieval period, the use of the Sharada script gradually declined. Persian and later Arabic scripts became dominant in official and literary circles.
2. Erosion of Shaivism: As the influence of Shaivism waned in the region and other religious and linguistic traditions took hold, the script lost its prominence. Newer religious and literary movements favoured other scripts for their texts.
3. Political and Cultural Changes: The Punjab region, like the rest of the Indian subcontinent, witnessed numerous political and cultural shifts over the centuries, contributing to changes in writing systems and linguistic preferences.
Resurgence and Preservation:- While the Sharada script experienced a decline, it has not been entirely forgotten in the Punjab region. Efforts have been made to preserve and revive this script for its historical and cultural significance:
1. Academic and Research Interest: Scholars and researchers have studied the Sharada script, deciphered inscriptions, and published academic works to document its history and usage in the region.
2. Cultural Revival: Some cultural and linguistic organizations have undertaken initiatives to revive the script as part of broader efforts to preserve regional heritage and languages.
3. Calligraphic Art: Sharada script continues to be appreciated as a form of calligraphic art, with enthusiasts and artists creating beautiful renderings of the script.
The Sharada script, once an integral part of the cultural and religious landscape of the Punjab region, has seen a decline in usage over the centuries. However, it remains an important historical script that reflects the rich heritage of the region. Efforts to preserve and revive the script demonstrate its enduring cultural significance, even in a world dominated by other writing systems. As scholars and enthusiasts continue to explore the script’s history and beauty, the legacy of Sharada lives on in the Punjab region.
Landa Scripts (ਲੰਡਾ ਲਿਪੀਆਂ /لنڈا لِپیاں)
The meaning of the word ‘Landa’ means ‘without a tail’ in the Punjabi language. The history of the Landa scripts, also known as the Mahajani and Gurmukhi Landa scripts, in the Punjab region is a fascinating and lesser-known aspect of the region’s linguistic and cultural heritage. These scripts played a significant role in the past but have largely faded from common use. In this essay, we will explore the history, characteristics, decline, and legacy of the Landa scripts in the Punjab region.
Historical Origins:- The Landa scripts, which encompass both Mahajani and Gurmukhi Landa (Or simply called as Landa only), emerged during the medieval period in the Punjab region. They were primarily used for administrative and trade purposes, serving as a writing system for various languages spoken in the area.
Mahajani Script:- The Mahajani Script, also referred to as ‘Mahajani’, was one of the early forms of the Landa Script. Its name, ‘Mahajani’, is derived from the Hindustani word ‘Mahajan’, meaning ‘Merchant’, which reflects its primary use in trade and commerce. Mahajani was developed as a business script to record financial transactions and account-keeping.
Key characteristics of the Mahajani script include:
1. Syllabic Script: Like other Landa scripts, Mahajani is a syllabic script, meaning that each character represents a syllable rather than individual consonants or vowels.
2. Numerals and Symbols: Mahajani script includes special characters for numerals and various symbols used in accounting and trade documentation.
3. Short Vowels: Mahajani primarily represents short vowels and relies on context and pronunciation for understanding.
4. Direction: Historically, Mahajani was written from left to right, similar to most modern scripts.
Gurmukhi Landa Script:- The Gurmukhi Landa script, often simply referred to as “Landa,” is closely related to Mahajani but with notable differences. It evolved into the modern Gurmukhi script used for writing Punjabi and is an essential part of Sikh heritage.
Key characteristics of the Gurmukhi Landa script include:-
1. Religious Significance: Gurmukhi Landa script is closely associated with Sikhism and is the script used for writing the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious text of Sikhism. Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Sikh Guru, is credited with standardizing the script.
2. Syllabic Nature: Like Mahajani, Gurmukhi Landa is a syllabic script. It has a set of characters representing consonants and vowels and is well-suited for writing Punjabi and other languages.
3. Sacred Art: The script is regarded with great reverence by Sikhs, and writing the Guru Granth Sahib in Gurmukhi Landa script is considered an art form and a spiritual practice.
4. Cultural significance: The script was a very important part of everyday life of several mercantile communities in the region like Aroras, Khatris, Baniyas, Arhtiyas, Jains, etc., as they used to maintain their business records in this script only.
Decline and Legacy:- The decline of the Landa scripts can be attributed to several factors:
1. Shift to Persian and Arabic Scripts: With the use of Persian as the language of administration in the Punjab region during the medieval period, the Landa scripts gradually lost prominence to Persian and Arabic scripts.
2. Standardization of Scripts: The standardization of the Gurmukhi script for writing Punjabi, particularly for Sikh religious texts, contributed to the decline of the scripts.
3. Cultural and Political Changes: As the region experienced cultural and political shifts over the centuries, writing systems evolved accordingly. The use of scripts was influenced by the ruling powers and dominant languages.
However, while the Landa scripts have largely faded from everyday use, they have not been forgotten:
1. Historical Significance: These scripts hold historical significance as predecessors to the Gurmukhi script, which is the official script for Punjabi in India.
2. Scholarly Interest: Scholars and linguists have studied the Landa scripts to understand their historical and linguistic importance in the Punjab region.
3. Cultural Heritage: Efforts have been made to preserve and promote awareness of these scripts as part of the broader cultural heritage of the Punjab region.
The Landa scripts, particularly the Mahajani and Gurmukhi Landa scripts, are a testament to the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of the Punjab region. They played significant roles in trade, administration, and religion during their respective periods of use. While these scripts have been largely replaced by other writing systems, their legacy lives on in historical documents, academic research, and cultural preservation efforts, serving as a reminder of the region’s multifaceted history.
Perso-Arabic and the Shahmukhi Script (ਫ਼ਾਰਸੀ-ਅਰਬੀ ਅਤੇ ਸ਼ਾਹਮੁਖੀ ਲਿਪੀ /فارسی عربی اتے شہمُکھی لِپی)
The arrival of Persian and Arabic scripts in the Punjab region can be attributed to the Islamic conquests of the 7th century CE. This period marked a significant shift in the linguistic landscape of the region as Persian and Arabic became important languages for administration, religion, and culture. Here’s a more detailed information in this context:
Islamic Conquests: With the Arab conquest of Sindh in the early 8th century and the subsequent establishment of Islamic empires in the Indian subcontinent, including the Ghaznavid and Ghurid dynasties, Persian and Arabic began to gain prominence in the Punjab region.
Persian as the Language of Administration: Persian, known as ‘Farsi’ in the region, became the language of administration during the medieval period. This was due to its use by ruling dynasties, particularly the Delhi Sultanate and later the Mughal Empire. Persian was employed for record-keeping, official communication, and as a language of culture and literature. The Punjab region, being part of these empires, saw an increased use of Persian in various aspects of life.
Persian Literature and Cultural Impact: The influence of Persian in the Punjab region extended beyond administration. Persian literature, poetry, and art thrived during this period. Notable poets like Baba Farid and Bulleh Shah composed their verses in Persian. Sufi orders, which played a significant role in Punjab’s spiritual landscape, also used Persian to convey their teachings.
Arabic in Religious Context: Arabic script was predominantly associated with the Islamic religious texts, particularly the Quran. Islamic religious schools (Madrasas) in the Punjab region taught Arabic for religious education. Arabic calligraphy, with its intricate beauty, became a prominent art form in the region.
Development of Hybrid Scripts: The interaction between Persian, Arabic, and local languages in the Punjab region led to the development of hybrid scripts. One notable example is the Shahmukhi Script, primarily used by Punjabi Muslims. Shahmukhi is derived from the Perso- Arabic Script but adapted for the Punjabi language, and it remains in use in Pakistan.
The influence of Persian and Arabic scripts in the Punjab region during the medieval period was multifaceted. Persian served as the language of administration, culture, and literature, leaving a lasting impact on the region’s linguistic and literary heritage. Meanwhile, Arabic maintained its significance as the language of Islamic religious texts and education. These influences would continue to shape the development of writing systems and languages in the Punjab region, especially as it transitioned into the Mughal period, which saw the flourishing of Punjabi literature in Persian Script.
Contemporary writing systems ( ਸਮਕਾਲੀ ਲਿਖਣ ਪ੍ਰਣਾਲੀਆਂ /سمکالی لِکھݨ پْرݨالیاں )
In modern times, the Punjab region, which spans both India and Pakistan, primarily uses two distinct scripts for writing Punjabi, reflecting the political and cultural divisions in the region. These scripts are Gurmukhi in India and Shahmukhi in Pakistan. Here’s a closer look at these contemporary writing systems:
Gurmukhi Script (India):
· Official Script: Gurmukhi is the official script for the Punjabi language in India. It is used for all administrative, educational, and literary purposes related to Punjabi in the Indian state of Punjab and other Punjabi-speaking regions.
· Standardized Character Set: Gurmukhi has a standardized character set that includes 35 consonants and 10 vowels. It is written from left to right.
· Prominence in Sikhism: Gurmukhi is particularly associated with Sikhism, and it is the script in which the Guru Granth Sahib, the central religious scripture of Sikhism, is written.
· Cultural and Literary Significance: Gurmukhi has a rich literary tradition, with a wide range of Punjabi literature, poetry, and historical texts composed in this script. It is also used for educational materials and newspapers in the Indian Punjab.
Historical texts composed in this script. It is also used for educational materials and newspapers in the Indian Punjab.
Shahmukhi Script (Pakistan):-
· Commonly Used Script: In Pakistan, particularly in the province of Punjab, Punjabi is often written in the Shahmukhi script, which is a variant of the Perso-Arabic script adapted for Punjabi.
· Informal and Literary Use: Shahmukhi is commonly used for informal communication, including personal correspondence and literature. Many Punjabi newspapers and magazines in Pakistan are also published in Shahmukhi.
· Cultural Identity: While Urdu is the official language of Pakistan, Punjabi in the Shahmukhi script holds cultural significance and is an essential part of the identity of Punjabi speakers in Pakistan.
Conclusion
Unicode Standardization: Both Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi scripts have been included in the Unicode Standard, which ensures their compatibility with digital technologies and enables the representation of Punjabi text on computers and digital devices.
Challenges and Multilingualism: In both India and Pakistan, the Punjab region is characterized by linguistic and script diversity. In addition to Punjabi, other languages such as Hindi, Urdu, and English are widely used. This multilingual environment can present challenges in education and administration but also reflects the region’s cultural richness.
In summary, contemporary writing systems in the Punjab region reflect the linguistic and cultural diversity of the area. Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi scripts play crucial roles in preserving and promoting Punjabi language and culture in India and Pakistan, respectively. These scripts are essential tools for communication, education, literature, and the expression of cultural and religious identity in the Punjab region.
Credits
Itihaas Chronicles In Collaboration With Tarikh-i-Hind تاریخِ ہند
Varun Sharma: He pursued a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Delhi. He Has been passionate about the history, heritage, literature, folk, and culture of different regions of the Indian Subcontinent. Besides this, He also has an interest in learning different languages/dialects and the scripts in which they are written (Both Indian and foreign), as He currently knows how to speak, read and write in English (Roman script), Hindi (Devanagari script), Punjabi (Gurmukhi, Shahmukhi and Landa of Amritsar region) and Urdu; Can understand Haryanvi; Can read the Cyrillic alphabet of Russian language. Rest, the learning process is still going on, as He loves to learn new things every day!
Tarikh i Hind: Varun Sharma started this page around February 2022, but started to post actively on it from July 2022 only. The page focuses on the heritage and history of different regions of the Indian Subcontinent, that being in an unbiased way. The reason for starting it was that He felt that this whole region (Currently India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh) is so great in its rich heritage and diverse cultures, that many of us are unaware of. Whenever He gets to know/see something new about a place/thing, He loves to share about it here. He feels that there is also a need to create an interest in this field, which is somehow lagging behind overall. So this page also aims to create that interest to learn new things about the events/elements of our rich history, heritage, and cultures. Through this platform, He feels glad that He is able to connect with people from diverse sub-fields in this, which makes my own learning process very interesting!