अध्याय :-9 (क्षेत्रीय संस्कृतियों का
नि र्माण)
फिर से याद
करें :-
1. निम्नलिखित के मेल बिठाये :-
अनंतवर्मन
केरल
जगन्नाथ
बंगाल
महोदयपुरम
उड़ीसा
लीला
तिलकम
कांगड़ा
मंगलकाव्य
पुरी
लघुचित्र
केरल
उत्तर:- अनंतवर्मन उड़ीसा
जगन्नाथ
पुरी
महोदयपुरम
केरल
लीला
तिलकम
केरल
मंगलकाव्य
कांगड़ा
लघु चित्र
बंगाल
2. मणिप्रवालम् क्या है ?
इस भाषा में लिखी पुस्तक का नाम बताएँ।
उत्तर :- मणिप्रवालम का शाब्दिक अर्थ है
–
हीरा और
मूंगा,
जो यहाँ
दो भाषाओं–संस्कृत तथा क्षेत्रीय के साथ–साथ प्रयोग की ओर संकेत करता
है। यह एक भाषा शैली है। चौदहवीं शताब्दी में इस भाषा में एक पुस्तक लिखी गई थी
जिसका नाम लीला तिलकम हैं, जो व्याकरण तथा काव्यशास्त्र
विषयक है। ‘मणिप्रवालम‘ शैली में लिखा गया था ।
3. कत्थक के प्रमुख संरक्षक कौन
थे ?
उत्तर:- ‘कत्थक ‘ शब्द ‘ कथा ‘ शब्द से निकला है जिसका प्रयोग
संस्कृत तथा अन्य भाषाओं में कहानी के लिए किया जाता है । कत्थक मूल रूप से
मंदिरों में कथा यानी कहानी सुनाने वालों की एक जाति थी। आगे चलकर यह दो परंपराओं
अर्थात ‘घरानों ‘में फूला – फला: राजस्थान (जयपुर) के
राजदरबारों में और लखनऊ में। अवध के आँतम नवाब वाजिद अली शाह के संरक्षण में यह एक
प्रमुख कला –
रूप में
उभरा। इसलिए कत्थक के प्रमुख संरक्षण नवाब वाजिद अली शाह थे।
4. बंगाल के मंदिरों की
स्थापत्यकला के महत्वपूर्ण लक्षण क्या हैं ?
उत्तर:- जब स्थानीय देवी – देवता, जो पहले गाँवों में छप्पर वाली
झोपड़ियों में पूजे जाते थे, उनको ब्राह्मणों द्वारा
मान्यता प्रदान कर दी गई तो उनकी प्रतिमाएँ मदिरों में स्थापित की जाने लगीं। इन
मंदिरों की शक्ल या आकृति बंगाल की छप्पर दार झोपड़ियों की तरह ‘ दोचाला ‘ (दो छतों वाली ) या ‘ चौचाला ‘ (चार छतों वाली) होती थी। इसके
कारण मंदिरों की स्थापत्य कला में विशिष्ट बंगाली शैली का प्रार्दुभाव हुआ।
अपेक्षाकृत अधिक जटिल चौचाला यानी चार छतों वाली. ढाँचे में चार त्रिकोणीय छतें
चार दीवारों पर रखी जाती थी। मंदिर आमतौर पर एक वर्गाकार चबूतरे पर बनाए जाते थे।
आइए विचार करें :-
5. चारण-भाटों ने शूरवीरों की
उपलब्धियों की उद्घोषणा क्यों की ?
उत्तर :- राजपूत शूरवीरों की कहानियाँ
काव्यों एवं गीतों में सुरक्षित है। ये विशेष रूप से प्रशिक्षित चरण – भाटों द्वारा गाई जाती हैं। ये
काव्य एवं गीत ऐसे शूरवीरों की स्मृति को सुरक्षित रखते थे और उनसे यह आशा की जाती
थी कि वे अन्य जनों को भी उन शूरवीरों का अनुकरण करने के लिए प्रेरित एवं
प्रोत्साहित करेंगे। साधारण जन भी इन कहानियों से आकर्षित होते थे। इन कहानियों
में अक्सर नाटकीय स्थितियों और स्वामिभक्ति, मित्रता, प्रेम, शौर्य, क्रोध आदि प्रबल संवेगो के
चित्रण होते थे। चारण भाट ऐसा इसलिए भी करते थे ताकि उनके उदाहरणों को भी प्रेरित
किया जा सके।
6. हम जनसाधारण की तुलना में
शासकों के सांस्कृतिक रीति-रिवाजों के बारे में बहुत अधिक क्यों जानते हैं ?
उत्तर:- शासक अभिलेखों तथा अन्य
ऐतिहासिक लेखनों द्वारा अपने कार्यों को सुरक्षित रखते थे। इससे शासको द्वारा पाई
गई उपलब्धियाँ लोगों तक पहुँचती रहती थीं। शासकों द्वारा निर्मित कराये गये
धार्मिक स्मारकों से हमें उनके सांस्कृतिक रीति –रिवाजों की जानकारी मिलती है।
शासकों की सांस्कृतिक गतिविधियों के बारे में यात्रा – वृतांतों उत्तर तथा कई
रचनाकारों द्वारा भी वर्णन किया गया है।
7. विजेताओं ने पुरी स्थित
जगन्नाथ के मंदिर पर नियंत्रण प्राप्त करने के प्रयत्न क्यों किए ?
उत्तर :- ज्यों – ज्यों इस मंदिर को तीर्थ स्थल
यानी तीर्थ यात्रा के केंद्र के रूप में महत्त्व प्राप्त होता गया, सामाजिक तथा राजनीतिक मामलों
में भी इसकी सत्ता बढ़ती गई। जिन्होंने ने भी उड़ीसा को जीता जैसे:- मुग़ल , मराठे और अंग्रेजी ईस्ट इंडिया
कंपनी,
सबने इस
मंदिर पर अपना नियंत्रण स्थापित करने का प्रयत्न किया। वे सब यह महसूस करते थे कि
मदिर पर नियंत्रण प्राप्त करने से स्थानीय जनता में उनका शासन स्वीकार्य हो जाएगा।
8. बंगाल में मंदिर क्यों बनाए गए
?
उत्तर :- बंगाल में पंद्रहवीं शताब्दी
के बाद वाले वर्षों में मंदिर बनाने का दौर रहा, जो उन्नीसवीं शताब्दी में आकर
समाप्त हो गया । मंदिर और अन्य धार्मिक भवन अकसर उन व्यक्तियों या समूहों
द्वारा बनाए जाते थे जो शक्तिशाली बन रहे थे। इनके माध्यम से अपनी शक्ति तथा
भक्तिभाव का प्रदर्शन करना चाहते थे। बंगाल में साधारण ईटों और मिट्टी – गारे से अनेक मंदिर ‘ निम्न ‘ सामाजिक समूहों जैसे कालू
(तेली),
कसारी
(घंटा धातु के कारीगर) आदि के समर्थन से बने थे। बंगाल में जैसे जैसे लोगों की
सामजिक तथा आर्थिक स्थिति में सुधार आया उन्होंनें इन मंदिर स्मारकों के निर्माण
के माध्यम से अपनी प्रसिद्धि की घोषणा की।
आइए करके देखें :-
9. भवनों,
प्रदर्शन कलाओं,
चित्रकला के विशेष संदर्भ में अपने
क्षेत्र के सर्वाधिक महत्त्वपूर्ण लक्षणों विशेषताओं का वर्णन करें।
उत्तर:-
मैं आगरा से हूं। यह यमुना नदी के तट पर स्थित आगरा शहर
ऐतिहासिक स्मारकों के लिए प्रसिद्ध है। सन 1506 में सिकन्दर लोदी ने मुगलों का
राज्य स्थापित किया था। मुगलों के शासन के दौरान खूबसूरत स्मारक स्थापित किए गए थे
जिन्हें देखने आज भी पर्यटक आगरा आते हैं। आगरा में हस्तशिल्प बहुत ही प्रसिद्ध
है। यहाँ संगमरमर के पत्थरों पर सुंदर आकृतियाँ उकेरी गई हैं। गहने, तोहफे एवं अन्य चीजों को
सुरक्षित रखने के लिए कुछ विशेष प्रकार के बॉक्स बनाए जाते हैं। जरदोजी से बनाए गए
कपड़े पर्यटकों के मध्य बहुत ही लोकप्रिय हैं। सदर बाजार, किनारी बाजार, राजा-की-मंडी में विभिन्न
प्रकार की आकर्षक और मनोहारी चीजें देखी जा सकती हैं। मिठाइयों में आगरा के पेठे
एवं गजक बहुत ही प्रसिद्ध हैं। तिल एवं गुड़ से बनाई गई मिठाइयाँ बहुत ही
स्वादिष्ट होती हैं।
10. क्या आप
(क) बोलने, (ख)
पढ़ने, (ग)
लिखने के लिए भिन्न –
भिन्न भाषाओं का प्रयोग करते हैं। इनमें
से किसी एक भाषा की किसी प्रमुख रचना के बारे में पत्ता लगाएँ और चर्चा करें कि आप
इसे रोचक क्यों पाते हैं ?
उत्तर :- मैं बोलने के लिए हिंदी, अंग्रेज़ी,और हरियाणवी भाषा का प्रयोग
करता .
पढ़ने
के लिए हिंदी और अंग्रेजी का।
लिखने
के लिए भी हिंदी और अंग्रेजी का ही प्रयोग करता हूँ।
हिंदी
भाषा की जो रचनाएँ मिलती हैं वे दोहा रूप में ही हैं और उनके विषय, धर्म, नीति, उपदेश आदि प्रमुख हैं।
राजाश्रित कवि और चारण नीति, शृंगार, शौर्य, पराक्रम आदि के वर्णन से अपनी
साहित्य-रुचि का परिचय दिया करते थे। ये आसानी से कोई भी व्यक्ति रोचक लेकर पढ़
सकता है। क्योंकि हिंदी को हम आसानी से पढ़ और समझ सकते है।
11. उत्तरी,
पश्चिमी,
दक्षिणी,
पूर्वी और मध्य भारत में एक–एक
राज्य चुनें। इनमें से प्रत्येक के बारे में उन भजनों की सूची बनाएँ,
जो आमतौर पर सभी के खाए जाते हैं आप उनमें
कोई अंतर या समानताएँ पाएँ,
तो उन पर प्रकाश डालें।
उत्तर:-
|
राज्य |
भोजन (जो आमतौर पर सभी खाते है) |
|
उत्तरी राज्य (जम्मू और कश्मीर) |
दम आलू, मोमोज |
|
पश्चिमी राज्य (महाराष्ट्र) |
गेंहू, चावल, ज्वार, बाजरी, आलू पत्तों की
सब्जी |
|
दक्षिणी राज्य (केरल) |
चावल,अप्पम,डोसा |
|
पूर्वी राज्य (बिहार) |
दाल, भात, चावल, लिट्टी चोखा |
|
मध्य भारत (छत्तीसगढ) |
चावल आटा और गुड़ की चाशनी से बनने वाले पकवान |
12. इनमें
से प्रत्येक क्षेत्र से पांच–पांच
राज्यों की एक–एक अन्य
सूची बनाएँ और यह बताएं कि प्रत्येक राज्य में महिलाओं तथा पुरुषों द्वारा आमतौर
पर कौन–से
वस्त्र पहने जाते हैं। अपने निष्कर्षों पर चर्चा करें।
उत्तर:-
|
राज्य |
महिलाओं
द्वारा पहने गए वस्त्र |
पुरुषों द्वारा पहने गए वस्त्र |
|
जम्मू और कश्मीर |
अबाया, कासाबा ,तरंगा |
फेरन , पश्मीना शॉल |
|
महाराष्ट्र |
चोली के साथ एक पारंपरिक मराठी साड़ी |
एक धोती और एक साधारण पेथा |
|
केरल |
कसावु मुंडू और कासवु नेराथु |
लुंगी और एक तौलिये जैसा कपड़ा |
|
बिहार |
लहंगा, चुनरी साड़ी |
पायजामा कुर्ता,
धोती कुर्ता, गमछा |
|
छत्तीसगढ़ |
साड़ी, गले में सूत,
बाजू में बाजूबंद, हाथ में ऐठी, कमर का कर्धन, पैजन, सांटी, लच्छा, तोड़ा, पैरी |
धोती कुर्ता,
गमछा,
और सिर में पागा (पगड़ी) |
Chapter 9 The Making Of Regional Cultures
1. Match the following :
Anantavarnam – Kerala
Jagannatha – Bengal
Mahodayapurma – Orissa
Lilatilakam – Kangra
Mangalakavya – Puri
Miniature –
Kerala
Answer:
Anantavarnam – Orissa
Jagannatha –
Kangra
Mahodayapurma – Kerala
Lilatilakam –
Kerala
Mangalakavya – Bengal
Miniature –
Kangra
2. What is Manipravalam? Name abook written in that
language.
Answer: Manipravalam is a language. The book written in that
language is Lilatilakam.
3. Who were the major patrons of
Kathak?
Answer: The Mughals were the major patrons of Kathak.
4. What are the Important
architectural features of the temples of Bengal?
Answer:
Architectural features of the temples of Bengal:
1.
Double
roofed or dochala, four roofed (chauchala).
2.
Comparative
more complex-four roofed structures-four triangular roofs placed on four walls
moved up to coverage on curved line or a point.
3.
Built on a
square platform.
4.
Interior
plain.
5.
Outer walls
decorated with paintings, ornamental tiles or terracotta tablets.
5. Why did minstrels proclaim the achievements
of heroes?
Answer: Minstrels used to recite poems and songs which depicted the
stories of the ” Rajputs’ heroic deeds. By reciting such poems and songs these
minstrels inspired others to follow the examples of Rajputs. Ordinary people
were also attracted by these stories.
6. Why do we know much more about
the cultural practices of rulers than about those of ordinary people?
Answer: We know much more about the cultural practices of rulers
than about those of ordinary people because the ordinary people followed the
cultural practices adopted by their kings/emperors. Moreover people had faith
in their rulers. They could not adopt other cultural practices which their
rulers did not practise.
7. Why did conquerors try to control
the temple of Jagannatha at Puri?
Answer: The temple of Jagannatha at Puri gained importance as a
centre of pilgrimage. Its authority in social and political matters also
increased. Hence, conquerors tried to establish control over the temple. They
felt that this would make their rule acceptable to the local people.
8. Why were temples built in Bengal?
Answer:
Temples were built in Bengal because of the following reasons:
1.
Increase in
religious faith.
2.
Mosques had
already been built.
3.
Powerful
people wanted to demonstrate their power and proclaim their piety.
4.
‘Low’ people
also participated in the temple building.
5.
New economic
opportunities to people also helped in temple setting up.
6.
Support of
Brahmanas to get idols placed in temples from huts.
9. Describe the most important
features of the culture of your region, focussing on buildings, performing
arts, and painting.
Answer: I live in Delhi. Right from the beginning, it has been a
land of mixed cultures. In old days, it was invaded by a number of foreign
rulers. Some of them stayed here for some time and some settle down
permanently. They all affected its culture, language, religion, society,
architecture, art and painting. Still we have buildings and monuments built by
Mughal emperors, slave emperors, Rajput rulers and many more. We have temples,
mosques and many other such places constructed by different rulers. Differences
of cultures can still be seen in the areas of old Delhi and new Delhi.
10. Do you use different languages
for (a) speaking, (b) reading, (c) writing? Find out about one major
composition in language that you use and discuss why you find it interesting.
Answer:
(a) For speaking I use Hindi and Punjabi.
(b) For reading I use Hindi and English.
(c) For writing I use Hindi and English.
Thus, I use different languages for speaking, reading and writing.
11. Choose one state each from
north, west, south, east and central India. For each of these, prepare a list
of foods that are commonly consumed, highlighting any differences and
similarities that you notice.
12. Choose another set of five states from each these regions and prepare a
list of clothes that are generally worn by women and men in each. Discuss your
findings.
Very Short Answer
Type Questions
1. Who was Anantavarman?
Answer: Anantavarman was one of the most important rulers of the
Ganga dynasty in the 12th century.
2. Who did King Anangabhima III
dedicate his kingdom to? What did he proclaim himself?
Answer: King Anangabhima III dedicated his kingdom to Purushottama
Jagannath and proclaimed himself as the deputy of the god.
3. What was called Rajputana by the
British? [V. Imp.]
Answer: In the 19th century, the region that constitutes most of
the present-day Rajasthan was called Rajputana by the British.
4. How were the Rajput rulers most
distinctive?
Ans. The Rajput rulers were the apostles of bravery. They fought
valiantly and often chose death on the battlefield rather than face defeat.
5. Define the term Kathak.
Answer: The term Kathak is derived from Katha, a word used in
Sanskrit and other languages for the story.
6. Who were the Kathaks?
Answer: The kathaks were originally a caste of storytellers in
temples of north India who beautified their performances with gestures and
songs.
7. Where did Kathak develop?
Answer: Kathak developed in the courts of Rajasthan (Jaipur) and
Lucknow.
8. Under whose patronage did kathak
grow into a major art form?
Answer: Kathak grew into a major art form under the patronage of
Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Awadh.
9. What are
miniatures? [Imp.]
Answer: Miniatures are small-sized paintings, generally done in
water colour on cloth or paper.
10. What distinguished Kangra
painting from the paintings?
Answer: Soft colours including cool blues and greens, and lyrical
treatment of themes distinguished Kangra painting from other paintings.
11. On what objects do we fiend
paintings of ordinary people?
Answer: We find paintings of ordinary people on pots, walls,
floors, and cloth.
12. Who were the Naths?
Answer: The Naths were the ascetics who engaged in a variety of
yogic practices.
13. Why was the second category of
the early Bengali literature not written down?
Answer: The second category of the early Bengali literature was
circulated orally and therefore it was not written down.
14. What are the chief food items of
the Bengalis?
Answer: Rice and fish are the chief food items of the Bengalis.
15. What do terracotta plaques on
the walls of temples and viharas depict?[V. Imp.]
Answer: They depict scenes of fish being dressed and taken to the
market in baskets.
16. Why was the Bengal Brahmanas
allowed to eat fish?
Answer: The Bengal Brahmanas were allowed to eat fish because fish
was the main item in the local diet.
17. What is the Brihaddharma Parana?
Answer: It is a thirteenth-century Sanskrit text from Bengal.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE
QUESTIONS
1. Mention the role of the
Chercis in the development of Malayalam.
[V. Imp.]
Answer: The Chera kingdom of Mahodayapuram was established in the ninth
century in the south-western part of the peninsula, part of present-day Kerala.
It is likely that Malayalam was spoken in this area. The rulers introduced the
Malayalam language and script in their inscriptions.
2. How did the Cheras draw
upon Sanskritic traditions?
Answer: The temple theatre of Kerala borrowed stories from the
Sanskrit epics. The first literary works in Malayalam, dated to about the 12t.h
century, are directly indebted to Sanskrit. The Lilatilakam, a
fourteenth-century text, dealt with grammar and poetics and was composed in
Manipravalam – literally, ‘diamonds and corals’ referring to the two languages
namely Sanskrit and the regional language.
3. How did regional cultures
evolve? [V. Imp.]
Answer: Regional cultures today are often the product of complex
processes of intermixing of local traditions with ideas from other parts of the
sub-continent. Some traditions appear specific to some regions, others seem to
be similar across regions and yet others derive from older practices in a
particular area, but take a new form in other regions.
4. How are women depicted in
the stories about Rajput heroes?
Answer: Sometimes these stories depict women as the cause for
conflict, as men fought with one another to either win or protect them (women).
Women are also depicted as following their heroic husbands in both life and
death. We are familiar with the stories about the practice of sati or the
immolation of widows on the funeral pyre of their husbands. So. those who
followed the heroic ideal often had to pay for it with their lives.
5. Mention all the six dance forms
that are recognised as classical.
Answer: Six classical dances are :
·
Kathak
(North India)
·
Bharatnatyam
(Tamil Nadu)
·
Kathakali
(Kerala)
·
Odissi
(Orissa)
·
Kuchipudi
(Andhra Pradesh)
·
Manipuri
(Manipur).
6. How did miniature painting
develop under the Mughal patronage? [V. Imp.]
Answer: Miniatures are small-sized paintings, generally done in
water colour on cloth or paper. The earliest miniatures were on palm leaves or
wood. The Mughal emperors especially Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan patronised
highly skilled painters. These painters primarily illustrated manuscripts
containing historical accounts and poetry. These were generally painted in
brilliant colours and portrayed court scenes, scenes of battle or hunting and
other aspects of social life. They were often exchanged as gifts and were
viewed only by the emperor and his close associates.
7. Write a brief note on early
Bengali literature.
Answer: There are two categories of early Bengali literature:
·
The first
includes translations of the Sanskrit epics, the Mangalakavyas, auspicious
poems, dealing with local deities, and Bhakti literature such as the
biographies of Chaitanyadeva, the leader of the Vaishnava Bhakti movement.
·
The second
includes Nath literature such as the songs of Maynamati and Gopichandra,
stories concerning the worship of Dharma Thakur, and fairy tales, Folk tales
and ballads. The texts belonging to the first category are written while those
belonging to the second category circulated orally.
8. Who were the pirs? What was their
position in society? [V. Imp.]
Answer: Pirs were spiritual leaders having supernatural powers.
They also functioned as teachers and adjudicators. When early settlers in
Bengal sought some order and assurance in the unstable conditions of the new
settlements pirs favoured them and gave them full moral support. People viewed
them as respectful figures. The cult of pirs became very popular and their
shrines can be found everywhere in Bengal.
9. What is the significance of fish
in Bengal? [Imp.]
Answer: Bengal is a riverine plain which produces abundant rice and
fish. These two items are important foods of the Bengalis. Fishing has always
been an important occupation and Bengali literature contains several references
to fish. What is more, terracotta plaques on the walls of temples and viharas
depict scenes of fish being dressed and taken to the market in baskets?
Due to the popularity of fish in the
local diet, the Bengal Brahmanas also started eating fish. The Brihaddharma
Purana, a thirteenth-century Sanskrit text from Bengal, permitted them to eat
certain varieties of fish.
Long Answer Type
Questions
1. What do you know about the Rajput
tradition of heroism? Write in brief [V. Imp.]
Answer: Rajputs are closely associated with the culture of
Rajasthan. It is they who made this culture distinctive. The cultural
traditions of Rajasthan were linked with the ideals and aspirations of rulers.
From about the eighth century, most of the present-day Rajasthan was ruled by
various Rajput families. The name of Prithviraj is worth mentioning because he
was one of the ablest Rajput rulers. These Rajput rulers ares known for their
bravery and sense of sacrifice. They cherished the ideal of the hero who fought
valiantly, often choosing death on the battlefield rather than face defeat.
Stories about Rajput heroes were
recorded in poems and songs, which were recited by specially trained minstrels.
These preserved the memories of heroes and were expected to inspire others to
follow their examples. Ordinary people also liked these stories which often
depicted dramatic situations and a range of strong emotions in the forms of
loyalty, friendship, love, valour, anger etc.
2. Give a detailed description
of kathak, a popular classical dance form of north India. [V. Imp.]
Answer: The term Kathak is derived from Katha, a word used in
Sanskrit and other languages for the story. The Kathaks was originally a caste
of storytellers in temples of north India, who beautified their performances
with gestures and songs. Kathak began evolving into a distinct mode of dance in
the 15th and 16th centuries with the spread of the Bhakti movement.
The legends of Radha-Krishna were
enacted in folk plays known as rasa Lila, which combined folk dance with the
basic gestures of the Kathak story-tellers. Kathak was performed in the Mughal
court. Here, it acquired its present features and developed into a form of
dance with a distinctive style. Afterward, it developed in two traditions known
as gharanas—one in the courts of Rajasthan, Jaipur, and the other in Lucknow.
Kathak grew into a major art form only under the patronage of Wajid Ali Shah,
the last Nawab of Awadh.
By the third quarter of the 19th
century, it was firmly established as a dance form not only in these two
regions but also in the adjoining areas of present-day Punjab, Haryana, Jammu
& Kashmir, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh. Emphasis was laid on intricate and
rapid footwork, elaborate costumes as well as on the enactment of stories.
Although most British administrators never favoured Kathak, it survived and
continued to be performed by courtesans. It was recognised as a classical dance
form after the country got independence.
3. How did Bengali develop as a
regional language? [Imp.]
Ans: Bengali is said to have been derived from Sanskrit but early
Sanskrit texts derived it. Now the question arises how did this language
develop. From the fourth-third centuries BCE, commercial ties developed between
Bengal and Magadha which may have led to the growing influence of Sanskrit.
During the fourth century, the Gupta rulers established political control over
north Bengal and began to settle Brahmanas in this area. Thus, the linguistic
and cultural influence from the mid-Ganga valley became stronger.
In the seventh century, the Chinese
traveller Xuan Zang observed that languages related to Sanskrit were in use all
over Bengal. From the eighth century, Bengal became the centre of a regional
kingdom under the Palas. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, Bengal was ruled
by Sultans. In 1586, when Akbar conquered Bengal, it formed the nucleus of the
Bengal Suba, While Persian was the language of administration, Bengali
developed as a regional language.
By the 15th century, the Bengali
group of dialects came to be united by a common literary language based on the
spoken language of the western part of the region, now known as West Bengal.
Thus, although Bengali is derived from Sanskrit, it passed through several
stages of evolution. A wide range of non-Sanskrit words, derived from tribal
languages, Persian and European language, have become part of modem Bengali.
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