Roadmap for Answer Writing

1. Introduction:

• Begin with a brief overview of the medieval period in India, emphasizing the cultural and political changes that led to the rise of new languages.
• Highlight the importance of language as a medium of cultural expression, and how the introduction of new languages during this period contributed to the growth of literature.

2. Factors Contributing to the Growth of New Languages:

• Political Changes:
  • The rise of regional kingdoms and new political entities after the Gupta period.
  • The shift from Sanskrit to Persian as the official language during the Sultanate period, which contributed to the decline of Sanskrit and the growth of Persian and regional languages.
• Religious Movements:
  • The Bhakti movement, with its emphasis on devotion and personal connection with the divine, encouraged the use of regional languages for spiritual expression.
  • The Sufi movement also played a key role in fostering vernacular literature.
• Social and Cultural Shifts:
  • The increasing importance of regional identities and the desire for more accessible forms of expression led to the development of languages such as Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, and Urdu.

3. Impact of New Languages on Culture and Literature:

• Persian:
  • Persian became a dominant literary language, especially under the Delhi Sultanate, and contributed to the creation of history, religious literature, and translations of Sanskrit works (e.g., Amir Khusrau’s works).
  • Persian led to the development of languages like Punjabi and Kashmiri.
• Hindi:
  • The growth of Hindi literature, especially in dialects like Brajbhasha and Awadhi, reflected the cultural shift and the influence of regional kingdoms and the Bhakti movement.
  • Key figures like Kabir and the Chishti Sufi saints contributed to the rise of devotional and philosophical literature in Hindi.
• Urdu:
  • Urdu emerged as a hybrid language combining Persian, Arabic, and local dialects. Amir Khusrau’s compositions were foundational in the development of Urdu.
  • Urdu literature flourished in the Deccan region, with Dakhini Urdu being recognized as its earliest form.
• Bengali:
  • Bengali literature was influenced by the Vaishnav Bhakti movement, with important contributions from poets like Chandidas and Vidyapati.
  • The period saw translations of religious texts and adaptations of epics.
• Marathi:
  • Marathi literature grew significantly through the contributions of saints like Sant Eknath and Sant Tukaram, with a focus on social reform and devotion.
  • Marathi became a medium for ethical values and religious expressions.

4. Conclusion:

• Summarize how the introduction of new languages during the medieval period played a pivotal role in the growth of culture and literature in India.
• Emphasize that these languages allowed people to express their emotions, thoughts, and religious beliefs, thus enriching the cultural and literary heritage of India.

Relevant Facts to Include:

1. Political Changes:
   • The post-Gupta period saw the rise of regional kingdoms and the decline of Sanskrit literature (e.g., regional languages emerging from Apabhramsa).
2. Religious and Social Movements:
   • The Bhakti movement encouraged devotion and worship in regional languages, which made religious literature more accessible.
   • The Sufi movement contributed to the spread of Persian literature and the development of languages like Urdu.
3. Development of New Languages:
   • Persian: Introduced by the Delhi Sultanate and promoted by Amir Khusrau in “Sabaq-i-Hindi”, which blended Persian with Indian themes. It contributed to languages like Punjabi, Kashmiri, and Pushtu.
   • Hindi: Developed in dialects such as Brajbhasha, Awadhi, and Rajasthani; the period between the 7th and 14th centuries is known as ‘Veergatha Kala’ (Age of Heroic Poetry).
   • Urdu: Formed from Persian, Arabic, and local dialects. Amir Khusrau was pivotal in its development, and Dakhini Urdu was its early form in the Deccan region.
   • Bengali: Influenced by Vaishnav bhakti poetry and the translations of epics like the Ramayana.
   • Marathi: Strongly influenced by the Bhakti movement; poets like Sant Tukaram, Sant Dnyaneshwar, and Sant Eknath were instrumental in popularizing Marathi.
4. Literary Contributions:
   • Kabir and the Chishti Sufi saints contributed greatly to the development of Hindi literature.
   • The works of Amir Khusrau in Persian and Urdu literature created a fusion of Persian style with Indian themes.
   • Sant Tukaram and Sant Eknath in Marathi emphasized social reform and devotion.

Conclusion:

In your answer, focus on how these new languages became vehicles for social, religious, and cultural expression, and how they contributed to the enrichment of India’s medieval literature. The regional languages allowed for greater inclusivity and gave voice to the common people, paving the way for the development of a diverse literary tradition.