PAKISTAN STUDIES NOTES-GRADE 10TH

Chapter # 9 – Society and Culture of Pakistan

9.2.2. Explain the Reasons Behind Choosing Urdu as the National Language of Pakistan.

Reasons behind choosing Urdu as the national language of Pakistan

The choice of Urdu as the national language of Pakistan was influenced by several significant factors deeply rooted in the historical, linguistic, and cultural context of the Indian subcontinent.

1. Association with Muslims: Urdu’s connection to Muslims and Islam played a crucial role in its selection as the national language of Pakistan. Emerging as a result of interactions between Muslim soldiers and locals in India during the second millennium, Urdu gained prominence under Muslim rulers such as the Sultans of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughals. It became the court language and was written in Arabic script, further strengthening its ties to Islam. Additionally, Urdu served as a medium for translating the Holy Quran and other Islamic literature, making it accessible to Muslims who did not understand Arabic. Its role as a lingua franca among Muslims from diverse linguistic backgrounds fostered a sense of unity and identity among them.
2. Neutral language: In the diverse linguistic landscape of Pakistan, where people speak multiple languages, Urdu emerged as a neutral and common language. Unlike regional languages like Bengali, Punjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, and Balochi, Urdu was perceived as a language easy to speak and understand by people across the country. Its neutrality and widespread familiarity made it an ideal choice to serve as a vehicle of communication for the newly formed nation.
3. Official language of the Muslim League: Urdu’s status as the official language of the All-India Muslim League and its prominent role in the Pakistan Movement further solidified its position as the national language. Muslims throughout India, speaking different languages and dialects, found Urdu to be a common means of communication. Its usage within the Muslim League underscored its significance in fostering a sense of Muslim identity and unity, paving the way for its adoption as the national language of Pakistan.
4. Similarities with local languages: Urdu shares linguistic similarities with regional languages, including a shared grammatical structure and the use of Arabic script. This linguistic affinity made Urdu easily understandable to speakers of various local languages across Pakistan. Its extensive vocabulary borrowed from regional languages further facilitated communication and comprehension among people from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Urdu’s deep-rooted association with Muslims, its neutrality and widespread familiarity, its official status within the Muslim League, and its linguistic similarities with local languages collectively contributed to its selection as the national language of Pakistan. As a symbol of unity and identity, Urdu continues to play a vital role in fostering national cohesion and communication among Pakistan’s diverse populace.