Languages Spoken in Uttar Pradesh, Check the List

Uttar Pradesh, a large and culturally diverse state in India, is home to a variety of languages. These languages are spoken across different districts and reflect the region’s rich history and cultural diversity. From Hindi, Urdu and Awadhi to Braj, Bhojpuri and more, each district has its own district language or dialect, making the state a fascinating blend of linguistic traditions.

An Overview of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is a state in northern India with over 241 million people, making it the most populous state in India and the world’s most populous subdivision. It covers an area of 243,286 square kilometers, about 7.3% of India’s total area. UP is bordered by Rajasthan, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Nepal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. The capital is Lucknow, with Prayagraj as the judicial capital. Uttar Pradesh has 18 divisions and 75 districts.

Number of Districts of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has 75 districts, along with one temporary district. For better administration, the state is divided into 18 divisions. These divisions help in organizing the state’s governance and ensuring effective management of its regions.

Official Language of Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh has two official languages: Hindi and Urdu. Hindi, written in Devanagari script, was made the official language by the Uttar Pradesh Official Language Act of 1951. Urdu became the second official language through an amendment to the Act in 1989.

Other Popular Languages Across Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is home to several languages that are spoken across different regions. The main languages in the state are listed below.

Bhojpuri Language in Eastern Uttar Pradesh

Bhojpuri is predominately spoken in the eastern Uttar Pradesh. Key areas where Bhojpuri is widely used include:

• Ballia
• Deoria
• Mirzapur
• Jaunpur
• Varanasi
• Azamgarh
• Gorakhpur
• Siddharthnagar

This language has a strong cultural presence in the eastern part of the state.

Awadhi Language in Central Uttar Pradesh

Awadhi is a major language spoken in the central regions of Uttar Pradesh. This language can be heard in districts such as:

• Lakhimpur Kheri
• Shravasti
• Prayagraj
• Gonda
• Sitapur
• Lucknow
• Unnao
• Ayodhya
• Raebareli
• Sultanpur

Awadhi is known for its rich literary and folk traditions.

Kannauji Language in the Western and Northern Regions

Kannauji is mainly spoken in the western and northern parts of Uttar Pradesh. Some of the districts where Kannauji is spoken include:

• Kanpur
• Pilibhit
• Hardoi
• Kasganj
• Etawah
• Kannauj
• Auraiya

This language holds a significant place in the cultural history of the state.

Bundeli Language in Southern Uttar Pradesh

In the southern regions of Uttar Pradesh, Bundeli is the primary language. Some of the districts where Bundeli is commonly spoken are:

• Jalaun
• Banda
• Chitrakoot
• Mahoba
• Hamirpur
• Jhansi
• Lalitpur

Bundeli is famous for its traditional songs and folklore.

Braj Language in the Braj Region

Braj is mainly spoken in the western parts of Uttar Pradesh, especially in areas associated with Lord Krishna. Some of the districts where Braj is spoken are:

• Mathura
• Agra
• Hathras
• Mainpuri
• Firozabad
• Aligarh

Braj is an ancient language with strong cultural and religious significance.

Khari Boli Language in Western Uttar Pradesh

Khari Boli, a dialect of Hindi, is spoken widely in the western regions of Uttar Pradesh. Key areas where Khari Boli is used include:

• Saharanpur
• Bijnor
• Bareilly
• Badaun
• Sambhal
• Muzaffarnagar
• Gautam Buddh Nagar
• Meerut
• Baghpat
• Bareilly

Khari Boli is considered the base of modern Hindi and is widely understood across the state.