History and
Literature of Khasha/Khah Language: An Overview
Dr. M. M. Sohil
Government High School Bohardar,
Ramsu, Ramban,
Jammu and Kashmir, India
Abstract
The subject and context of the study is to explore the
length and breadth of the Khah or Khasha language with its history and
literature. The language is spoken mainly in the Union Territory of Jammu and
Kashmir and is used as mother tongue in ten to twelve districts of the Union
Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Khasha or modern Khah language is an ancient
language spoken since the settlement of Khasha and Kirates in Indian
Subcontinents but it is lesser-known and is yet to explore by the linguistics
and scholars. The language is spoken in various parts of the Union Territory of
Jammu and Kashmir. The literary work on this language starts in the twentieth
century; linguists, scholars and poets have contributed. The history and
literature written on Khasha language is yet to explore. The history of the
Khasha tribe is an ancient history of Indian civilization which is stored in
the great historical books like Mahabharata, Nilmata Purana, Rajtarangini, etc.
The roots of Khasha or Khah language are being found in Sanskrit and Persian
languages. The geographical expansion of the tribe is scattered over the
different parts of the Indian Continent as well but the languages have been
used differently. Historians and Linguists have worked on its historical
content and are working on its grammar and other form of literature. There are
some great scholars like Nilmata, Kalhana, Bamzia, Bailey, George Grison,
Verma, Koul, S.P Vaid, Mehga Sharma, Bright Bill, Turner, Iqbal Naik, Nazir,
Dhar, M.M Sohil, and Shakeel Sohil who have contributed towards the literature
of this language. The available literature regarding this language is written
in English, Urdu and in Khah language. Linguists, scholars, local writers and
poets have contributed to this language in different forms. This language has
not its own orthographic system but it has adopted the Arabic, Urdu, and
Kashmiri orthographic system. Historically this language was spoken along with
ancient languages like Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Persian. The present status of
this language is that scholars are working on its grammar, dictionary, and
glossary. The study will focus on its historical examination and the
availability of literature on Khasha or Khah language. It can be expected that
this research paper would provide some new insights regarding its history and
literature which will be helpful to the readers.
Keywords: History, Literature, Khah, Khasha, Language, Historian
and Linguists.
Introduction
Khah language is an Indo Aryan language
spoken by Khasha tribe. It is an ancient language spoken in most of the
districts of Jammu province and in three to four districts of Kashmir. (Sohil,
M M, English and Khah Language: Philological Study across Chenab Valley Jammu
and Kashmir, 2020, P 121)
According to the Rajataragini”
“The Khasa tribe occupied the areas to the south and west of the Pir
Pantsal range between the middle course of the Vitasta in the west and
Kastavata in the east”. It is understood that the early inhabitants of the Pir
Panchyal region were Khasha and their language was Khah/Khasha. The area
occupied by the Khasha tribe in ancient times was from Kashmir to Nepal and
particularly the area of Pir Panchayal which include the some districts of
Jammu province like Rajapori (Rajouri) Purnutsa (Punch), Laharekota, Budhal
(Pangabar) Dengbhatal (Gool) Kashtawata (Kishtawar) Vanshalla (Banihal)
According to Bamzia “The rulers of Rajauri are also
mentioned as lord of Khasas in Rajatatrangini”. Bamzia has mentioned in a book
titled Culture and History of Kashmir,
Volume I, 1994 on 42 that Khasha/Khah tribe is an ancient and were early
inhabitants of Kashmir Valley. The
country of Khasas is said to have also comprised the Valleys lying to the west
of Pir Panchal Range between the middle course of Vitasta (Jehlum), in the west
and Kast – Vata in the East. (Shakeel
Sohil, History of Khah…P, 472). Shakeel Sohil has described that Khasha/Khah
people has expanded population and geographical boundaries.
Objectives of the
Study
v To highlight the history of the tribe (Khasha/Khah) since
the Aryan migration to India and give the historical background of the tribe
and explore the realities about the real heroes of this region.
v To examine short purview of Khasha Kingdoms across the
Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
v To analysis the history of language spoken in the area
where Khasha tribe resides.
v To give an overview of Khasha/Khah language literature.
Historical
Perspectives on Khasha/Khah Tribe
Historically it is proved that Khasha tribe is one of the
ancient tribe in the Indian civilization. According to historians and scholars
the people before 3rd millennium BC in India were known as
Khasas/Khasha/Khas/Khah and were also known as Aryans. It is proved by
analyzing the historical records that Khasha people were known as Aryans who
had migrated from central Asia to India before 3300 BC. After migration they
started to settle down from Nepal to Kashmir. Along with the civilization and
population of tribes these people got scattered on different parts in Himalayan
belt. Sohil M M in his research paper stated that the “History is the store
house of facts about people, their language culture, traditional custom, and
values. The history of Khasas tribe is mentioned in Mahabharata in the English
version by Roy on page number 22 and 253 as warriors and had fought Kurukshetra
war with Cauranas defeated Koles.”
Dr Ved Kumari has described in Nilmat Puran Vol. 1. that
“The country of Khasas is said to have also comprised the Valleys lying to the
west of Pir Panchal Range between the middle course of Vitasta (Jehlum), in the
west and Kast – Vata in the East. The Puranic references obviously show that
they were more than one settlement of Khashas”. The present scenario of Khasha
tribe is that they have occupied vast geographical areas in Jammu and Kashmir
but are ignored and unexplored.
Historical Kingdoms
of Khasha/Khah in Pir Panchyal area of Jammu and Kashmir
The Khasa tribe occupied the areas to the
south and west of the Pir Pantsal range between the middle course of the
Vitasta in the west and Kastavata in the east. (Ved Ghai, The Nilamata purana,
vol.1, P 74)
Nilmata Purana is the first historical book written in
Sanskrit language by Nilmata Pandit. Nilmata had mentioned the Khahsas as the
Nation along with the other nations of the Himalayan belt. This is the first
text that had written on the early tribal people and inhabitants. It is
believed that this text was written between sixth to eighth centuries. Sanskrit
language came into use during 1500 to 1400 BC as per the historian this language
was used in the territory since the ages. So the very first and second
historical books written on Jammu and Kashmir were in Sanskrit language. These
books have been translated into Persian language and then Urdu, Hindi, and
English languages. According to Rajataragini there were various Kingdoms in
different areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Rajataragini
has mentioned names of different lords and their kingdoms, lord Bhagik, lord
Dengpal, lord Tikka, lord Rajpal, lord Budhupal, etc. of Rajapori (Rajouri) Purnutsa
(Punch), Laharekota, Budhal (Pangabar) Dengbhatal (Gool) Kashtawata (Kishtawar)
Vanshalla (Banihalla). Historians and scholars are of the opinion that this
historical book written on the political system of Jammu and Kashmir from 14th
to 15th century is one of the big source of history and culture of
the people of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Pir Panchyal area is
mentioned as one of the biggest area that had occupied by Khasha lords in Jammu
and Kashmir.
History of
Khasha/Khah Language
Khasha or Khah language is an Indo Aryan
Language which is related to Sanskrit, Prakrit and Persian and is very similar
to Kashmiri and Urdu. It was spoken by the Kashtariya and Yoddhas (Warriors) or
Kush or Khasha who were also ruled as Kings and their language was Khasha
“modern Khah”. (Sohil M M, Case Study on Khah Language, P 322)
Language is a source of communication by which a person
can convey messages and transmit ideas. Man is man by the use of language only.
To understand the history and literature of a language of a community or a
social group we have to study the history of that community or that social
group in the context. History of the language is the history of the people who
use language for the purpose of communication. Khah language was ignored and
unexplored in the context that the not any printed matters have been found in
this language. Historically and Geographically the Khasha tribe has an
important place in various books written in the ancient times. Geographically
the tribe has occupied the most important mountainous areas of the Pir
Panchayal located in the Himalayan belt. In the historical and geographical
context Khasha modern Khah language is has an important place because the area
is civilized by these people living in such areas in the Pir Panchyal. History
is witnessed for their existence in the Jammu and Kashmir particularly in the
Pir Panchyal area. It is obvious that the Khashas were the early inhabitants of
this region and they had even ruled over Kashmir nearly 214 years as lords of
the Valley Kashmir. It can be understood that the language of the tribe is as
ancient as their presence in the areas. Khasha or modern Khah language is an
ancient language of the Khasha people and it is used by the early inhabitants
along with the Sanskrit, Prakrit, Persian and other language of that times.
According to Brightbill and Turner Khasha language is the language of an
ancient tribe lived in Pir Panchyal area. They both have proved that there are
common features of Khasha/Khah language in all Pahari dialects spoken across
the Jammu region.
Naik Iqbal a local writer and linguist wrote a book
titled “Pogali Zubaan Ka Sutyati Nizaam”
(Phonetic System of Language) published in 2005. He has described that the
Khah language is an ancient language spoken by the Khasha tribe across the
territory of Jammu and Kashmir. According to Mega Sharma the Khasas are
mentioned alongside the Kulutas, the Tanganas and the Kashmiras in Brhat
Samhita. It can be safely concluded that this tribe is a hilly tribe and was in
close proximity to the region of Kashmir which could be make out from the
constant references given in Rajatarangini.
Sohil Shakeel in one of his article titled The History of Panchali (Poguli/Khah)
Language and its Areas stated on page no 472 that “Khah, Katwal, Khokar
etc. are some of the surnames of Khasha Tribe from these references it becomes
clear, that Khasha/Khah was a tribe and it is the because of their living in
these areas that the language was called Khah or Khashali”. Khasha/Khah.
Khasha/Khah language is lesser known language of the ancient tribe and it is
unexplored. Linguists and scholars of languages are working on it and are
contributing to its literature.
An Overview on
Khasha/Khah Literature
There are various forms of literature
available in Khasha or Khah language like we have books on phonetics, books on
history, poetry, prose, short stories, folksongs, folklores, and some work is
also found on the grammar. (M M Sohil, Khah Language and its Documentation… PP,
200)
The word literature is derived from the Latin word “literature” which means written or
spoken material. There are different forms of literature written or spoken we
have literature of history, literature of language literature about tribe and
its politics, literature of poetry, folk literature, folklore and songs.
Khasha/Khah tribe has rich historical literature and other forms of literature
including poetry, folk songs, folklore, verbal as well as written. Work on
Khasha/Khah literature begun in the twentieth century some linguists have
contributed to its grammar and other form of literature. Khasha/Khah Literature
is available in different forms like language literature, prose writings,
poetry, songs, folklore, and folk songs.
Documentation work on Khasha or Modern Khah language is
not explore and is required to analyses in the light of literature, its
grammar, poetry, and other forms of literature. Linguists, writers, scholars,
poets and singers, prose writers, are contributing to its literature a parts
from this there are folksongs, folklores, and translation works in Khasha/Khah
language. These forms of literature are yet to explore. In Khah language
Grammar has been published by Shakeel Rahi Sohilpori in 2020. Research work is
going on its history, language, grammar and literature. Following are books
written in English, Urdu, and in Khasha/Khah language
Ø The Languages of
the Northern Himalayas: Being Studies in the Grammar of Twenty Six Himalayan
dialects by Grahame Bailey 1908.
Ø Survey of Indian
Languages by G.A Grierson 1906.
Ø The Linguistic
Classification of Kashmiri.
Ø The Dialects of
Khasali Group by Varma Siddheshwar, 1938.
Ø Pahari and Other
Tribal Dialects of Jammu by Koul PK, 2006.
Ø Linguistic Survey
on Kashmiri Dialects Part 11, 2012.
Ø Himalayan Languages
and Linguistics: Studies in Phonology, Semantics, Morphology and Syntax.
Ø A Note on Khah
Morphological, by Nazir Ahmed Dhar, 2013.
Ø Aspects of Kashmiri
Linguistics by Omkarnath Koul.
Ø A Sociolinguistic
Survey of the Dogri Language, Jammu and Kashmir by Brightbill and Turner.
Ø Mallo Nakwoon
Tanqeed Te Tehqeek by Prof Shad.
Ø Phulhaar by Naik Hussain, 2017.
Ø Phonetic System of
Language (Pogali Zubaan Ka Sutiyaati Nizaam) by Mohd
Iqbal Naik 2005.
Ø Phulwan Goosh by Masror Ghalum Abass, 2008.
Ø Nov Bahaar by Shakeel Rahi Sohilpori
Ø Khah Haraph Zaan by Shakeel Rahi Sohilpori
Ø Grammar of Khah
Language Volume 1, by Shakeel Rahi Sohilpori
Ø Tareek Neel by Abdul Rehman Sohil
Research Articles by Mohd Muzamil Sohil (M M Sohil)
1. Khah as a Rural Dialect Spoken in Chenab Valley, 2016.
2. Usage of Verbs in Khah Dialect: A Comparative Study 2016.
3. Original and Inherent Name of Kashmiri Dialect, 2017.
4. Extraction and words Influential Study in Pogali Jubaan
ka Sutiyatey Nizaam by Mohd Iqbal Naik, 2017.
5. Case Study on Khah Language, 2020.
6. English and Khah Language: Philological Study across
Chenab Valley Jammu and Kashmir, 2020.
7. Khah Language and its Documentation: An Ancient Language
Spoken in Jammu and Kashmir. 2020.
Research Articles by Shakeel Rahi Sohilpori
1. The History of Panchali (Poguli/Khah) Language and Its
Areas, 2017.
2. Influence of Persian on Panchali (Poguli/Khah) Language,
2017.
3. Phonological Study of the Panchali (Poguli/Khah)
Language, 2017.
4. Sanskrit Elements in Panchali (Pguli/Khah) Language,
2017.
5. Rasmul Khaat (The Alphabets of Khah Language) 2018.
Poets in
Khasha/Khah Language
Hussain Naik published in 2017 in a book titled Phulhaar.
v Khah Zubaan
v Anul Haq
v Moen Watan
Masrar Ghalum Abass, his poem have been published in
Pholwan Gosh in 2008,
v Jigar Jaan.
v Bewafa.
v Yadaak.
v Bajwal.
Some poems by Iqbal Naik (a linguist and a poet) in Khah
language are:
v Ihna Mazar.
v Dard Mohabat.
v Lokzan.
v Saqi Nama.
Poems written in Khah language by Mohd Sharief Malik are:
v Corona Virus,
v Jordros Jord.
v Duniya thi Tarani Doo Bye Ho.
Ghalum Mohammad Bali a poet has written several poems
like:
v Ramban Zela Seon Puraon Naam.
v Ajaok Nawjawaan Zindigi.
v Khari Seon Pore Naam.
v Khah Zubaan thi Aseye Zindigi.
M M Sohil is historian, scholar, writer and poet of Khah
language, he has written some poems and a beautiful satire in Khah language.
His poems are:
v Raey Gamat Mohabat
v Dostan Tanaz
v Gazele Mosalsal.
Hashmatullah is a young poet who has written some
beautiful poems like:
v Madhari Zubaan and Kerri Haq Ada.
Abdul Rehman Sohil, Naik, Farooq Nadim, Ghalum Mohad
Bulbul, we have some folklores, prose works, and folksongs. We have poets and
singers like Ameen Banihal - singer and poet, and Abdul Majeed - poet and
singer, some young new generation poets are Nazir Bali Neel, Ameen Madnihally,
Shajaan Neelvi, Sharief Sheria, Rahi Shakeel, Ghalam Nabi Bulbul from Khari,
Rahi Yousf, Hamraz Shahbaz, Yousef Ahmed Yousef Khari, Ahmed Aijaz Naik, etc.
Above mentioned poets and writers are writing in Khah language and in Urdu
language. We have writers who write in English language and these are Mohd
Iqbal Naik, M M Sohil and Shakeel Rahi Sohilpori.
Prose Writers and
Translators
In the twenty-first century some writers have contributed
towards the prose literature in Khah language. We have some prose works by
local writers in the Khah language.
The below mentioned prose works have been published in a
book titled Pholwaan Gosh by Masrar
Ghalum Abass in 2008 Kohistan Bazme Adab.
v Purdah,
v Moen Watan,
v Gulistan Neel, 40 Hadiths,
v Teprari,
v Kut Karam, Armaan,
v Shaaman
We have translators and prose writers who can translate
English into Urdu language, Urdu, into English, Arabic into Khasha/Khah, Urdu
into Khasha/Khah, Arabic into Urdu, Khasha/Khah and Urdu into English. In
Khasha or modern Khah language we have writers and translators likewise,
Ø Madni Nazir Ahmed who has deliver lectures in Khah
language which are available on YouTube Channel “The Khah World” created and
run by Idrees Ahmed.
Ø Hafiz Mohammad Yousef, M A Malik, and Qasmi Surtaj
It can be verified that there are other writers who
translate English, Urdu, Arabic and Khah languages into English and English
Urdu into Khah language and these translators are:
Ø Naik Mohd Iqbal Urdu, who translates, Khah, and Urdu into
English and English and Urdu into Khah,
Ø Madni Nazir Ahmed an Islamic scholar who translates
Arabic language into Khah and Urdu language,
Ø M M Sohil a scholar, historian and a poet, who translates
Urdu and Khah languages into English language, and
Ø Sohil Skakeel a scholar, linguist, and a poet who
translates Urdu, Persian, Khah into English, Urdu, and Khah languages.
Social Media and
Literarily Movements in Khahsa/ Khah language
Khasha Bazm Adab was founded in 2000 for the promotion of mother tongue
in district Ramban. In this association there were several members who
contributed for the culture and language development in the said district. This
Bazm Adab was headed by Masroor Ghalum Abass, Sadiq Ahmed, Farooq Nadim, Mohd
Yousef and other members as well.
Khah Writers
Association it is founded by the scholars and writers of
Khasha/Khah language speakers in 2020. Writers and poets of Khah language are
working under this banner for the cause, development and its culture. There are
different groups on social media like: WhatsApp group, FaceBook group, and
YouTube Channel named The Khah World
created and runn by Idress Naik. WhatsApp and FaceBook groups have created and
run by Shakeel Rahi for the promotion of culture and language of Khasha tribe
across the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Papers Presentation
of Khah Language in National and International Conferences
1. National Research Conference, (Literature & Rural
Life) 19th – 20th 2016. Jointly Organized by Shabd-Braham Association & School of
Comparative Languages and Culture Devi Ahilya University, Indore, “Khah as a rural Dialect Spoken in Chenab
Valley. (J&K), presented by M M Sohil.
2. 4th “ICOLLITE” International Conference on
Language, Literature, Culture, and Education, Multiliteracies, Multiculture and
Lingua Franca: Contemporary Perspectives in Language and Literature Studies
organized by Faculty of Language and
Literature Education, Univeritas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, on 31
August 2020. Case Study on Khah Language,
presented by M M Sohil.
3. 4th “ICOLLITE” International Conference on
Language, Literature, Culture, and Education, Multiliteracies, Multiculture and
Lingua Franca: Contemporary Perspectives in Language and Literature Studies
organized by Faculty of Language and
Literature Education, Univeritas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, on 31
August 2020. English and Khah
Language: Philological Study across Chenab Valley Jammu and Kashmir, presented
by M M Sohil.
4.
International
Conference on Literature, Society & the Global Media ICLSGM–2020 Date 26
& 27 Sept 2020 Jointly organized by Research Culture Society, Agra
College, Uttar Pradesh India & Sabaragamuwa University of Sri Lanka. Presentation
Session-4 on 27 2020, Khah Language and
its Documentation: An Ancient Language Spoken in Jammu and Kashmir, presented
by M M Sohil.
5.
International
Conference on Languages and One Day International Workshop organized by Tezpur
Central University, Centre for Endangered Languages. 19 February, 2021 Pre-conference Workshop on Developing
an Orthography: Issues and Challenges Under Northeast Endangered Languages
Documentation Project Funded by North Eastern Council (NEC) Paper presented by
Shakeel Sohil topic Comparative Study of
Chinab Valley Dialects with Khah Language, Chaired by Dr. Babita
Sarangthem, Session 1A, Date and Timing
20.02.2021 11:00-11:20
6.
International
Conference on Languages and One Day International Workshop organized by Tezpur
Central University, Centre for Endangered Languages. 19 February, 2021 Pre-conference Workshop on Developing
an Orthography: Issues and Challenges Under Northeast Endangered Languages
Documentation Project Funded by North Eastern Council (NEC) Paper presented by
M M Sohil topic Ecolinguistic perspectives on Khah or Khasha language spoken in
Jammu and Kashmir, Chaired by Prof. Kavita Rastogi Session 1B, Date and
Timing 20.02.2021 11:00-11:20.
7.
International
Conference on Languages and One Day International Workshop organized by Tezpur
Central University, Centre for Endangered Languages. 19 February, 2021 Pre-conference Workshop on Developing
an Orthography: Issues and Challenges Under Northeast Endangered Languages
Documentation Project Funded by North Eastern Council (NEC) Paper presented by
M M Sohil topic History and literature of
Khah or Khasha language: An overview, Chaired by Dr. Amalesh Gope Session
1A, Date and Timing 20.02.2021
03:30-03:50.
Research
Methodology
In this research paper descriptive and analytical type of
methods have been implemented to explore and analyze the data about Khasha/
Khah history, language, and literature. The primary and secondary data have
been analyzed in order to examine and verify the history of language, tribe,
and literature. The research is based on descriptive facts and its analysis on
history, literature and language of Khasha modern Khah people across the Union
Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Conclusion
In the concluding part we can verify that the history of
Khasha or modern Khah language is an ancient history of the tribe mentioned in
various historical books. The tribe is one of the dominant tribe in the Pir
Panchyal area of the territory and has occupied the most mountainous area of
the Jammu province. The people reside here used Khasha language as their mother
tongue, it is also understood that these people are also utilizing Urdu,
Punjabi language as their mother tongue across the Union Territory of Jammu and
Kashmir. The history of the language is the history of people who share and
convey social, cultural aspects within or with each other. It is proved by
analyzing the primary and secondary data available in this language that it was
spoken with the ancient languages of the Indian subcontinent. Culturally and
socially Khasha or modern Khah people are very rich and unique their
intelligibility is more than any tribe in the territory. The language and its
literature are rich in its different forms. But the problem is that this
language is lesser known and less explored. The Khasha/ Khah language is as
rich and old as the tribe is in the Pir Panchyal region of Jammu and Kashmir.
The subject of the context is to explore its history and literature in the
light of Nilamata Purana, Rajataragini
and other historical books written on and about this tribe and their language.
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