The History of the Saraiki Language

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The History of the Saraiki Language

The Saraiki language is one of the oldest and richest regional languages of Pakistan, spoken by more than 30 million people today. It carries within it the cultural, spiritual, and historical essence of the Indus Valley region, especially Southern Punjab. Let’s explore its fascinating journey through history.



🌿 Ancient Roots (2000 BCE – 600 CE)

Indus Valley Seal Saraiki has deep ties to the Indus Valley Civilization and the languages that emerged from it. Linguists trace its origins to Shauraseni Prakrit and later Apabhraṃśa dialects, spoken in the early centuries CE. These ancient dialects provided the foundation for modern Saraiki. Multan and surrounding areas became a hub of trade and religion, which helped shape the language’s unique identity.

🕌 Medieval Period (600 – 1500 CE)

Shrine of Bahauddin Zakariya, Multan During the medieval era, the arrival of Islam and the rise of Sufi saints had a profound impact on Saraiki. Saints like Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya, Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Sachal Sarmast, and Khwaja Ghulam Farid used Saraiki and Sindhi in their poetry to spread messages of peace, love, and spirituality. Persian and Arabic words also enriched Saraiki during this time.

📜 Early Modern Period (1500 – 1857)

Multani Script Sample In this period, the Multani script was widely used for trade and writing. Saraiki maintained close connections with Sindhi, Punjabi, and Balochi, which influenced its vocabulary and sound system. It retained unique implosive sounds (ɓ, ɗ, ʄ, ɠ) that distinguish it from Punjabi.

🇬🇧 Colonial Era (1857 – 1947)

British Raj Map When the British took control of India, Urdu and English became dominant languages, while Saraiki was sidelined. Many colonial scholars and administrators classified it as just a dialect of Punjabi, a label that persisted for decades.

🇵🇰 Modern Pakistan (1947 – Today)

Pakistan Flag After the creation of Pakistan, Saraiki continued to be spoken widely across Southern Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In the 1960s and 70s, a strong Saraiki identity movement emerged, demanding recognition of Saraiki as a distinct language. Today, it is acknowledged as a separate language with its own grammar, phonetics, literature, and identity.

🎶 Saraiki Culture and Literature

Khwaja Ghulam Farid Shrine Saraiki is not just a language—it is a cultural treasure. Its folk music, proverbs, and especially Sufi poetry remain central to South Asian spiritual and cultural traditions. The poetry of Khwaja Ghulam Farid stands out as a symbol of resistance, mysticism, and love.

✅ Conclusion

The Saraiki language is far more than a regional dialect—it is a living bridge between ancient civilizations and modern Pakistan. From the Indus Valley roots to Sufi shrines of Multan and the Saraiki movement of today, its history reflects resilience, richness, and cultural pride. 

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