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Panjab and Panjabi

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Panjab and Panjabi Panjab and Panjabi G.S.Sidhu Publisher:- Guru Nanak Charitable Trust 1 Contents OPINIONS...................................................................................... 5 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................... 9 CHAPTER 1 ................................................................................. 11 POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE PANJAB.......................................... 11 MAIN CURRENTS ............................................................................ 11 1.1 PHASE 1 (PREHISTORIC & VEDIC PERIOD)............................... 11 1.2 PHASE2 (FOREIGN INVASIONS)................................................ 17 1.3 PHASE 3 (MUSLIM RULE)......................................................... 22 1.4 PHASE 4 (BRITISH RULE) ......................................................... 24 CHAPTER 2 ................................................................................. 26 ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT OF LANGUAGE ............................... 26 2.1 HOW LANGUAGES ARE BORN ................................................... 26 2.2 HOW LANGUAGES DEVELOP..................................................... 29 2.3 INDO-EUROPEAN LANGUAGES................................................. 31 CHAPTER 3 ................................................................................. 42 ORIGIN OF PANJABI LANGUAGE .................................................. 42 3.1 DRAVIDIAN LANGUAGES ......................................................... 42 3.2 DRAVIDIAN INFLUENCE IN PANJABI......................................... 44 3.3 LANGUAGE OF THE RIG VEDA.................................................. 45 3.4 IMPACT OF THE VEDAS ON PANJABI ........................................ 48 3.5 IMPACT OF RELIGION ON LANGUAGE ....................................... 52 3.6 PRAKRIT ................................................................................... 53 3.7 APBHRANSH ............................................................................. 54 3.8 MODERN PANJABI .................................................................... 56 2 3.9 DIALECTS OF PANJABI.............................................................. 58 3.10 NOMENCLATURE .................................................................... 59 3.11 FOREIGN INFLUENCES ON PANJABI ........................................ 64 LANGUAGES OF INDIA .................................................................. 67 CHAPTER 4 ................................................................................. 68 THE SIKH GURUS AND GURMUKHI.............................................. 68 4.1 GURU NANAK INVENTED GURMUKHI ...................................... 68 4.2 GURU ANGAD DEV INVENTED GURMUKHI ............................ 70 4.3 BABA SRI CHAND INVENTED GURMUKHI ................................ 72 4.4 EVALUATION OF THE SOURCES OF GURMUKHI ........................ 72 4.5 CONCLUSION ............................................................................ 75 4.6 HOW WERE THE GURUS’ HYMNS PRESERVED? ........................ 76 4.7 GURMUKHI WRITINGS BEFORE GURU NANAK ......................... 77 4.8 THE GURUS PRESERVED GURMUKHI SCRIPT............................ 79 4.9 THE FACTS................................................................................ 82 4.10 MODIFICATIONS OF GURMUKHI SCRIPT................................. 85 4.11 SOME DISTINCTIVE QUALITIES OF GURMUKHI ...................... 87 CHAPTER 5 ................................................................................. 90 HISTORY OF THE GURMUKHI SCRIPT.......................................... 90 5.1 ORIGIN OF SCRIPTS................................................................... 90 5.2 BRAHMI AND KHAROSHTI SCRIPTS.......................................... 96 5.3 SIDDH MATRIKA SCRIPT........................................................... 98 5.4 GURMUKHI SCRIPT ................................................................. 100 5.5 GURMUKHI AND SIDDH MATRIKA ......................................... 102 5.6 WHY IS IT CALLED GURMUKHI?............................................. 104 5.7 ANTIQUITY OF GURMUKHI..................................................... 107 5.8 ALPHABETS OF GURMUKHI .................................................... 108 5.9 CONCLUSION .......................................................................... 110 CHAPTER 6 ............................................................................... 113 PANJABI WRITINGS OF PRE- GURU PERIOD .............................. 113 6.1 PRE-NANAK PANJABI LITERATURE ........................................ 114 6.2 SIDDH NATHS (850AD – 1540 AD)....................................... 115 3 6.3 BALLADS OF PANJABI (PMJWBI VWRW)............................................. 126 CHAPTER 7 ............................................................................... 132 FOOTPRINTS ON THE SANDS OF TIME ........................................ 132 7.1 MOHINJO DARO (MOUND OF THE DEAD) ............................... 133 7.2 HARRAPPA.............................................................................. 138 7.3 WHY MOHINJO DARO AND HARRAPPA DISAPPEARED? ......... 140 7.4 ESTIMATES OF ANTIQUITY ..................................................... 140 7.5 CENTRES OF PANJABI CIVILIZATION ...................................... 141 CHAPTER 8 ............................................................................... 148 THE GLORIOUS PAST................................................................... 148 8.1 THE VEDAS............................................................................. 148 8.2 MEDICINE............................................................................... 151 8.3 CHEMISTRY ............................................................................ 154 8.4 PHYSICS.................................................................................. 155 8.5 MATHEMATICS ....................................................................... 155 8.6 GEOMETRY............................................................................. 160 8.7 ALGEBRA................................................................................ 161 8.8 ASTRONOMY .......................................................................... 162 8.9 METALLURGY ........................................................................ 163 8.10 RELIGION.............................................................................. 164 8.11 POLITICS............................................................................... 165 CHAPTER 9 ............................................................................... 166 THE PRESENT PANJAB................................................................ 166 4 Opinions I have read the manuscript of "Panjab and Panjabi". The author has very nicely and ably outlined the origins, evolution, and the development of Panjabi language and the Gurmukhi script. This book, in addition to other factors, is a thorough study of words and the way they get modified over time. The study indicates that we have got a great wealth of words and word- roots in Guru Granth Sahib. We should therefore find new words from the Guru Granth Sahib to further enrich our everyday language. This will not only develop our language and strengthen our cultural ties but also cement our bond with the Guru. On reading this book one does not fail to be struck by the fact that the Panjabi civilization was the oldest civilization of the world. The book also clarifies how the foreigners gathered knowledge from the Punjabis and stamped it as their own. It will surely awaken and rivet the Punjabis’ interest in their language and culture and open up further areas for research. May Akal Purkh grant Mr.Sidhu good health to continue such efforts for a long time. Dr. Sarbjit Singh, Scientific Officer, Bhaba Atomic Research Centre. Bombay(India)-400085 2.6.2004 I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the manuscript of “Panjab and Panjabi”. I congratulate Mr.Sidhu on doing such a remarkable work. Dr. Haribala Kaur Vaid, Education Secretary, Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha), 5 London. 6 The book titled “Panjab and Panjabi” authored by Mr. G.S.Sidhu, is a highly delightful, informative and interesting addition to literature. It is a genuine attempt to put forth in a lucid style the facts about the origin, growth, and development of Panjabi language and script starting from the earliest times. I am sure the book will prove very useful for the readers in general and the lovers of Panjabi and Panjabiat in particular. Prof. A.S.Virk Senior lecturer in English, G.T.B.National College Dakha (India) Mr. G.S.Sidhu has conducted excellent research and brought to light the historical importance of Panjab, Panjabi language and the Gurmukhi script. I have read the manuscript between the lines and found it very informative. Justified inferences, precise and concise treatment, and comprehensive arguments make this book a valuable asset. Interpretations are supported with authentic historic documents. I can say with confidence that this book is an authentic document on Panjab’s geographical, political, linguistic, and cultural evolution over the millenniums. I am sure it will prove a unique gift for posterity. Shivcharan Singh Gill Panjabi writer Southall (U.K.) 21.4.2004 7 This book contains very useful information and valuable references about the history of Panjab and the Panjabi language. The author has especially put in great effort in tracing the origin and development
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