Punjabi is a language that carries a rich history and beauty in its words and expressions. It is spoken by more than 100 million people worldwide, making it the 10th most spoken language in the world. However, what many don’t know is that there are two different scripts used to write Punjabi: Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi.
Gurmukhi is the script used predominantly by Punjabis in India, while Shahmukhi is used predominantly by Punjabis in Pakistan. While both scripts have the same linguistic and grammatical origin, they have different origins and are written differently.
Gurmukhi is a script that originated in the 16th century as a way to write the Punjabi language when the Sikh religion was founded. The word ‘Gurmukhi’ means ‘from the mouth of the Guru,’ signifying that its development was inspired by the teachings of the Sikh Gurus. It is written from left to right, unlike Arabic which is written right to left. Gurmukhi has its unique characters and, like other Indian scripts, it has vowels that are marked above, below, or to the side of consonants.
Shahmukhi, on the other hand, is a script derived from Persian-Arabic. It is named ‘Shahmukhi’ because it was commonly used by the Mughal emperors in Shah Jahan’s reign. It is written from right to left and has 39 letters. Like Arabic, it has no distinct vowel letters, but the vowel sound is marked with diacritical marks above or below the letters.
While both scripts have their own merits, Gurmukhi is often considered more versatile when it comes to writing Punjabi. It has a larger set of characters and can effectively convey the intricacies of the language’s sounds and tones. It is also more suited to convey the religious texts written in Punjabi, as it was originally developed for that purpose. Shahmukhi, on the other hand, is best suited for modern Punjabi prose and poetry.
Despite their differences, both Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi remain integral parts of Punjabi culture and heritage. They reflect the diversity of the Punjabi language and its people, who have the freedom to choose the script that feels most comfortable to them.
In conclusion, the two scripts of Punjabi: Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi, have their own unique features. They both have their own significance in Punjabi culture and heritage. While Gurmukhi is more suited for traditional religious material, Shahmukhi is more versatile in modern prose and poetry. As with other languages, the choice of script depends on personal preference and regional affiliations, with both scripts holding a special place in the hearts of Punjabis across the globe.