Awadhi people

For Awadhi Muslims who settled in Pakistan, see Muhajir.

Awadhi people

Total population
47,151,820[1][2]
Regions with significant populations
India (Awadh) and Nepal (Terai)
Languages
Awadhi, Hindi, Urdu
Religion
Majority: Hinduism Minority: Islam Christianity Jainism Buddhism
Related ethnic groups
other Indo-Aryan peoples

The Awadhi people or Awadhis (Awadhi: अवधी, اودھی) are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group who speak the Awadhi language and reside in the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh. Many Awadhis also migrated to Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Odisha in India and some adjoining regions of the Terai in Nepal,^[3] and in addition 3 per cent of Nepalis are Awadhi speakers.^[4] Awadhi people can be found throughout the world, most notably in Fiji, Guyana, Mauritius, South Africa, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. Historically, Indo-Aryans dominated the North Indian Gangetic Planes; thus, the Awadhi language continuously evolved over the centuries in the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh.

Language

Main article: Awadhi language

The Awadhi language is spoken by about 55 million people.^[5] In India, native speakers are estimated to be 65 million,^[6] while in Nepal native speakers are estimated to be 500,000 people.^[7]

Linguistically, Awadhi is a distinct language with its own grammar. However, the Indian government considers Awadhi to be a dialect of Hindi due to political reasons. Awadhi is not formally taught in any institution.^{[citation needed]}

Cuisine

Main article: Awadhi cuisine

Consisting of both vegetarian and non vegetarian dishes, Awadhi cuisine has influences that can be linked to the Mughal Empire. It is similar to cuisines from surrounding areas, such as Bhojpur, Kashmir, Central Asia, Punjab, and Hyderabad.^{[citation needed]} Awadhi cuisine is known for its use of aromatics and spices, such as cardamom and saffron, in a slow fire cooking process. There is also notable variety in ingredients that are cooked, such as paneer and mutton.

In addition, there are rice, curry, dessert, and chaat preparations that are specific to Awadhi cuisine.

Notable Awadhis

• Afroz Ahmad
• Muzaffar Ali
• Nahshad Ali
• Abhishek Bachchan
• Anand Satyanand
• Amitabh Bachchan
• Harivansh Rai Bachchan
• Piaa Bajpai
• Sarita Bhadauria
• Pali Chandra
• Abhishek Chaubey
• Rudrasen Chaudhary
• Narendra Deva
• Shanta Devi
• Babu Gulabrai
• Ali Sardar Jafri
• Cheddi Jagan
• Kailas Nath Kaul
• Imdad Khan
• Wahid Khan
• Akhil Kumar
• Ram Manohar Lohia
• Amaresh Misra
• Satish Mishra
• Gopaldas Neeraj
• Shringi Rushi
• Babu Himmat Sah
• Ramchandra Shukla
• Lal Pratap Singh
• Babu Bhoop Singh
• Bajrang Bahadur Singh
• Nivedita Tiwari
• Bekal Utsahi
• Bhagwati Charan Verma
• Anand Sen Yadav
• Mitrasen Yadav
• Raju Srivastav

References

1. "Statement 1: Abstract of speakers' strength of languages and mother tongues – 2011" (PDF). www.censusindia.gov.in. Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
2. National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
3. "Awadhis in India".
4. "CIA – The World Factbook – Nepal".
5. "Awadhi language". www.omniglot.com. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
6. "Census of India Website : Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India". www.censusindia.gov.in. Retrieved 2019-04-14.
7. "National Population and Housing Census 2011" (PDF).