Bhil languages
The Bhil languages are a group of Indo-Aryan languages spoken in 2011 by around 10.4 million Bhils in western and central India.[1] They constitute the primary languages of the southern Aravalli Range in Rajasthan and the western Satpura Range in Madhya Pradesh, northwestern Maharashtra, and southern Gujarat. According to the 52nd report of the commissioner for linguistic minorities in India, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Bhili is the most commonly spoken language of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli constituting 40.42% of its total population. Bhili speakers are also significant in the states of Gujarat (4.75%), Madhya Pradesh (4.93%) and Rajasthan (4.60%).[2]
| Bhil | |
|---|---|
| Ethnicity | Bhil people |
| Geographic distribution | India |
| Linguistic classification | Indo-European |
| Subdivisions |
|
| Glottolog | bhil1254 |
 Bhili-speaking regions of India | |
Relationship
The Bhil languages form a link midway between the Gujarati language and the Rajasthani–Marwari languages.
The group comprises the following languages:
- Northern Bhil
- Central Bhil
- Eastern Bhil (Bareli)
Kalto, AKA Nahali, is another Bhil language.
The Vasavi language is spoken by ethnic Bhils, but is closer to Gujarati.
References
- "ABSTRACT OF SPEAKERS' STRENGTH OF LANGUAGES AND MOTHER TONGUES - 2011" (PDF). www.censusindia.gov.in. Indian Census 2011, Government of India. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- "Report of the Commissioner for linguistic minorities: 52nd report (July 2014 to June 2015)" (PDF). Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities, Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
Further reading
- Khare, Randhir. "Dangs: Journeys Into The Heartland". New Delhi: Harper Collins Publishers India.
- Khare, Randhir. "Flight Of Arrows". Selected Song Poems Of The Bhils.Pune:Grasswork Books
- Khare, Randhir. The Singing Bow: Song-Poems of the Bhil. New Delhi: HarperCollins Publishers India, 2001. ISBN 81-7223-425-2
- Varma, Siddheshwar. Bhil Dialects and Khandesi: A Linguistic Analysis. Panjab University Indological series, 23. Hoshiarpur: Vishveshvaranand Vishva Bandhu Institute of Sanskrit and Indological Studies, Panjab University, 1978.