PahariPothohar

PahariPothohar refers to the cluster of Indo-Aryan language varieties spoken in the Pothohar Plateau region of northern Punjab, Pakistan. The name blends Pahari, a term used for hill languages, with Pothohar, the regional designation for the plateau that covers areas such as Rawalpindi, Islamabad Capital Territory, Chakwal, Jhelum, and surrounding districts. In linguistic discussions, PahariPothohar is linked to the broader Pahari-Potwari language group, a family that includes several related speech forms in the northwestern part of the Indian subcontinent.

Classification and varieties: PahariPothohar is generally treated as part of the Pahari-Potwari cluster within Northwestern Indo-Aryan. Its exact classification varies by source; some consider it a distinct language, while others view it as a set of closely related dialects that form a continuum with Punjabi and Hindko varieties. Major local varieties include Pothohari, which is most closely associated with the Pothohar region, and related northern Punjab speech forms.

Geography and speakers: The speech varieties are concentrated in the Pothohar belt, with significant communities in Rawalpindi District, Islamabad, Chakwal, Jhelum, and adjacent areas. Diaspora communities also maintain use of these varieties abroad. Because of overlaps with Punjabi, census and linguistic surveys often record speakers within broader Punjabi counts, making exact figures fluid.

Script and literature: Writing is typically in Shahmukhi, the Perso-Arabic script used for Punjabi and related languages, though Devanagari or Latin scripts appear in informal contexts. Much of the traditional culture is oral, including poetry and folk songs, with increasing representation in digital media and local media outlets.

See also: Pothohar Plateau, Pothohari, Punjabi languages, Hindko.