Punjabi Language and Dialects: Mapping Linguistic Diversity Across the Punjab Region
Dr. Masood Tariq
Independent Political Theorist
Karachi, Pakistan
drmasoodtariq@gmail.com
Date: July 29, 2025
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Abstract
Punjabi, spoken by over 200 million people, displays remarkable dialectal diversity shaped by geography, migration, and historical interaction with neighbouring languages.
This paper offers a systematic classification of Punjabi’s eight intermediate dialects and thirty-one sub-dialects, centred around the standard Majhi core.
It examines regional distributions, linguistic features, and historical influences across Indian and Pakistani Punjab and bordering regions.
By tracing patterns of divergence and cohesion, the study reveals how Punjabi retains structural integrity despite external influences and argues for the preservation of this rich linguistic mosaic.
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Table of Contents
(1). Introduction
(2). Demographics of the Punjabi language
(3). Linguistic Foundations of Punjabi language
(4). Script Traditions of the Punjabi language
(5). Dialectal Complexity and Geolinguistic Expansion of Punjabi language
(6). Majhi: The Central Standard Dialect of Punjabi Language
(7). The 8 Intermediate Dialects Around Majhi
(
. Peripheral Dialects and Historical Linguistic Integration
(9). List of Punjabi Sub-Dialects by Region
(10). Conclusion
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(1). Introduction
Languages with large speaker populations and extensive territorial distribution tend to develop intricate dialectical structures. Global languages such as Arabic, Chinese, and English demonstrate this phenomenon with their wide arrays of primary and secondary dialects. Punjabi, as the ninth most spoken language in the world, exhibits a comparable degree of linguistic diversity. Spread across the culturally and historically rich regions of Pakistan and India, Punjabi serves as a vital case study in understanding how geography, migration, and sociopolitical evolution shape language variation.
This paper offers a systematic classification of Punjabi dialects and sub-dialects. It focuses on the Majhi dialect as the linguistic standard, while identifying eight major regional dialects—Malwai, Doabi, Dogri, Pahari, Pothohari, Hindko, Shahpuri, and Jhangochi—and thirty-one sub-dialects that form a linguistic continuum across Indian and Pakistani Punjab and adjacent territories. These dialects are analysed not only in terms of geography but also through their cultural, historical, and sociolinguistic dimensions.
Punjabi dialectology reveals an enduring linguistic cohesion despite substantial local variation. Sub-dialects often bear marks of external influences—from neighbouring languages to historical trade, migration, and occupation patterns—yet retain structural and grammatical consistency with standard Punjabi. The paper argues that this dialectal mosaic is not a source of fragmentation but a hallmark of Punjabi’s resilience and adaptability.
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(2). Demographics of the Punjabi language
Punjabi is spoken by approximately 200 million people—about 120 million in West Punjab (Pakistan) and 80 million in East Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh (India). Globally, Punjabi-speaking communities also exist in the UK, USA, Canada, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Australia.
The Punjabi ethnolinguistic group is the ninth-largest globally and the third-largest in South Asia. Within the Muslim Ummah, Punjabi Muslims constitute the third-largest ethnic group. In Pakistan, Punjabis make up around 60% of the population, with the Punjabi language spoken by over 80% of citizens.
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(3). Linguistic Foundations of Punjabi language
Punjabi is an Indo-Aryan language and descends from Shauraseni Prakrit / Sauraseni language, which was the chief language of medieval northern India in the Vedic period (1700 B.C.) and became a distinct language during the 11th century.
Punjabi evolved through intermediary linguistic forms such as Apabhramsha, which bridged Shauraseni Prakrit and early New Indo-Aryan vernaculars.
The term Prakrit is usually applied to the middle period of Middle Indo-Aryan languages, excluding earlier inscriptions and the later Pali.
Punjabi was enriched by the poetic and spiritual contributions of Sufi saints and Sikh Gurus, including Baba Farid, Baba Nanak, Shah Hussain, Sultan Bahu, Bulleh Shah, Waris Shah, and Mian Muhammad Bakhsh.
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(4). Script Traditions of the Punjabi language
Punjabi is a language but Shahmukhi and Gurmukhi are scripts to write the Punjabi language. Shahmukhi, derived from the Arabic-Persian script and Gurmukhi, developed based on the Landa script.
The Shahmukhi script is based on the Arabic alphabet and written in Persian script. The Arabic alphabet is used by Muslim Punjabi to read the Holy Quran written in Arabic script; therefore, the Shahmukhi script is more familiar and acceptable to Muslim Punjabi.
Likewise, the Gurmukhi alphabet is used by the Sikh Gurus and they sing Psalms of Holy Gurbani written in Gurmukhi script, therefore, the Gurmukhi script is more familiar and acceptable to Sikh Punjabi.
The Gurmukhi script developed from the Landa alphabet and was standardised during the 16th century by Guru Angad Dev Ji, the second Sikh guru. Gurmukhi script is the Sikh script of prayer in which the Guru Granth Sahib is written.
The second Sikh guru, Guru Angad transcribed the compositions of his predecessor, Guru Nanak, into the Gurmukhi script. He developed a phonetic script, which could be easily learned by the common person.
The words of the ancient Gurmukhi script are similar to those of modern Punjabi but differ grammatically in that it is a poetic rather than spoken language. The Punjabi alphabet also has additional modern-day characters which are not included in the Gurmukhi script and which do not appear in the scriptural verses of the Guru Granth Sahib.
All Punjabi speak Punjabi in different dialects but Shahmukhi and Gurmukhi scripts are used to write the Punjabi language.
Given religious affiliations, Shahmukhi is typically preferred by Muslim Punjabis, while Gurmukhi is commonly used by Sikh Punjabis. Despite political tensions over script choices, bilingual literacy is increasingly common, particularly among diaspora communities.
Both scripts coexist as vehicles of the same language, shaped by religious preferences rather than linguistic divergence. The debate over script choice, often politicised, is resolved through mutual recognition and bilingual literacy, especially as modern education increasingly involves learning multiple scripts and languages.
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(5). Dialectal Complexity and Geolinguistic Expansion of Punjabi language
Languages with large speaker bases and vast geographic spans, such as English, Chinese, and Arabic, tend to evolve numerous dialects and sub-dialects. Punjabi fits this global linguistic pattern. Due to its extensive usage across diverse terrains and cultures, Punjabi today features one standard dialect (Majhi), eight primary regional dialects, and thirty-one sub-dialects, many of which reflect contact with neighbouring languages and historical migrations.
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(6). Majhi: The Central Standard Dialect of Punjabi Language
The Majhi dialect is the standard dialect of Punjabi and serves as the foundation of the language. The region where it is spoken is known as “Majha”, which means “central” or “middle.” Geographically, Majha is located in the central part of historic Punjab.
The Majhi dialect is mainly spoken in four districts of Indian Punjab—Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Tarn Taran Sahib—and in sixteen districts of Pakistani Punjab—Lahore, Kasur, Okara, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Toba Tek Singh, Faisalabad, Chiniot, Hafizabad, Mandi Bahauddin, Gujrat, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, and Nankana Sahib. Majhi is also spoken in major cities of Pakistan, Indian Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Mumbai.
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(7). The 8 Intermediate Dialects Around Majhi
The Majhi-speaking region is surrounded by the eight primary dialects of Punjabi: Malwai, Doabi, Dogri, Pahari, Pothohari, Hindko, Shahpuri, and Jhangochi.
1. Malwai Punjabi Dialect
The Malwai dialect is mainly spoken southeast of the Majhi region in 17 districts of Indian Punjab, including Ambala, Barnala, Bathinda, Patiala, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Firozpur, Ganganagar, Hisar, Kurukshetra, Ludhiana, Malerkotla, Mansa, Moga, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Rupnagar, and Sangrur.
Malwai is also spoken in the northern parts of Haryana and border areas of Vehari and Bahawalnagar in Pakistani Punjab.
The word “Malwai” comes from “Malav,” an ancient Aryan tribe mentioned in the Mahabharata. Malwai dialect retains several Vedic words, and hence, the name Malwai dialect is used.
2. Doabi Punjabi Dialect
The Doabi dialect is mainly spoken in the northeast of the Majhi region in four districts of Indian Punjab: Hoshiarpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (Nawanshahr).
“Doaba” means “land between two rivers”—specifically between the Sutlej and Beas rivers. Historically spoken in this region, the Doabi dialect is now also spoken in Faisalabad and Toba Tek Singh, where it is known as Faisalabadi Punjabi.
3. Dogri Punjabi Dialect
The Dogri dialect is mainly spoken in the north of the Majhi region in northern Punjab and Jammu, as well as parts of Himachal Pradesh. Speakers of this dialect are called Dogras.
Although sometimes claimed to be a separate language, Dogri is better understood as a mixture of Majhi and Doabi dialects.
4. Pahari Punjabi Dialect
The Pahari dialect is mainly spoken in the north of the Majhi region, covering Azad Kashmir and Indian-administered Kashmir, and parts of Himachal Pradesh. Pahari is seen as a blend of Majhi and Pothohari dialects.
5. Pothohari Punjabi Dialect
The Pothohari dialect is mainly spoken in the northwest of the Majhi region in three districts of Pakistani Punjab—Jhelum, Rawalpindi, and Attock—and in Muzaffarabad district of Azad Kashmir.
Pothohari dialect is primarily spoken on the Pothohar Plateau, which gives the dialect its name.
In the south, Pothohari dialect is spoken in Jhelum, Gujar Khan, Rawat, Rawalpindi, and Murree; in the north, in Bhimber and Rawalakot. Related dialects like Chibhali and Dhundi-Kairali resemble Pothohari.
6. Hindko Punjabi Dialect
The Hindko dialect is mainly spoken in the northwest of the Majhi region in Attock (Punjab) and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Battagram, Nowshera, Peshawar, and Kohat.
Hindko dialect is also spoken in parts of Pothohar and Azad Kashmir, such as Poonch, Bagh, Neelum, and Muzaffarabad.
Hindko dialect is understood in northern India and Afghanistan, particularly in areas referred to as “Hindki.”
Hindko Dialect Speakers are called Hindkowans, but in the Hazara Division (Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra), they are referred to as Hazarewal. In Peshawar, they are known as Peshawari or Khare, meaning native Hindkowans of the city.
Historically, Amb State was ruled by the Tanoli tribe, and Hindko was the dominant language. The Tanoli remain the largest Hindko-speaking tribe in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The word “Hindko” means “language of the Indian mountains”, with “Hind” referring to lands around the Indus River and “Ko” meaning mountains.
Hindko has also been referenced in ancient Greek scholarship, referring to the mountainous regions of northern Pakistan and eastern Afghanistan.
In 1920, linguist Grierson classified Hindko as a dialect of Western Punjabi (Lahnda). Though some consider it a separate language, that claim is incorrect.
7. Shahpuri Punjabi Dialect
The Shahpuri dialect is mainly spoken in the west of the Majhi region in Sargodha and Khushab districts of Pakistani Punjab.
Shahpuri dialect is also found in parts of Mianwali, Bhakkar, Attock, Chakwal, Dera Ghazi Khan, and Dera Ismail Khan.
The Shahpuri dialect is named after Shahpur District (now a tehsil of Sargodha).
Shahpuri dialect is among the oldest Punjabi dialects and is a blend of Majhi, Pothohari, and Jhangochi, spoken west of the Chenab River, across the Jhelum, up to the Indus River.
8. Jhangochi Punjabi Dialect
The Jhangochi dialect is mainly spoken in the south and southwest of the Majhi region in the Bar regions of Pakistani Punjab; Sandal Bar, Kirana Bar, Neeli Bar, and Ganji Bar.
Sandal Bar: in Rachna Doab (includes parts of Jhang, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh)
Kirana Bar: in Chaj Doab (includes parts of Sargodha and upper Jhang)
Neeli Bar: between the Ravi and Sutlej Rivers (includes Sahiwal, Okara, and Pakpattan)
Ganji Bar: south of the Sutlej-Beas confluence (includes Bahawalnagar, Vehari, Lodhran, and Khanewal)
In Punjabi, “Bar” refers to a forest or wildland. These are regions rich in Punjabi cultural and literary heritage. The famous romantic epics Heer Ranjha and Mirza Sahiban originate from here.
Jhangochi dialect is among the oldest and most unique Punjabi dialects. Jhangochi is considered by many to be the original form of Punjabi.
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(. Peripheral Dialects and Historical Linguistic Integration
The “central” or “middle” dialect of Punjabi, known as Majhi, is surrounded on all sides by eight intermediate dialects. In these dialects, occasional words have different spellings from those in standard Majhi Punjabi. However, the overall vocabulary and grammar of Punjabi sentences remain largely the same.
The 31 sub-dialects of Punjabi are connected on one side to the regions of intermediate dialects, but on the other side, being located at the fringes of Punjab, they border non-Punjabi-speaking regions.
Historically, people from other communities and nations, for purposes such as trade, tourism, migration, or occupation, often entered central Punjab via its peripheries and settled there. As a result, the dialects spoken in these peripheral areas have absorbed some vocabulary from neighbouring languages.
Thus, even though the grammar and vocabulary of these sub-dialects mostly match standard Punjabi, there are a few words that differ in spelling or are borrowed from adjacent languages or from the tongues of migrant communities who settled in these regions.
Because of the migration and settlement of non-Punjabi groups in the entry regions of Punjab’s eight peripheral areas, the influence of their languages—especially in the form of unique spellings or borrowed words—has contributed to the development of multiple Punjabi sub-dialects in these regions. This has led to two consequences:
a). The emergence of many small regional speech communities.
b). A limited number of speakers for each sub-dialect.
Migration, invasion, and trade from the west, northwest, and southwest led to a higher presence of sub-dialects in those directions compared to the east, northeast, north, southeast, and south.
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(9). List of Punjabi Sub-Dialects by Region
1. Pwadhi Punjabi Dialect
Derived from the Malwai intermediate dialect, influenced by Haryanvi. Spoken in southeastern Indian Punjab districts such as Kharar, Kurali, Ropar, Nurpur Bedi, Morinda, Peel, Rajpura, and Samrala. The name comes from the Sanskrit Purva Ardh meaning “eastern half,” referring to the eastern periphery of Majha.
2. Banwali Punjabi Dialect
A derivative of the Malwai dialect influenced by Haryanvi, spoken in Haryana’s Banwali area, southeast of Majha.
3. Bhattiani Punjabi Dialect
A Malwai-based dialect influenced by both Haryanvi and Marwari (from Bikaner), spoken in Hisar district, Haryana.
4. Bagri Punjabi Dialect
Influenced by Marwari and is spoken in the Firozpur district of Indian Punjab by people of Bikaner’s Bagri and Rathore communities.
5. Labanki Punjabi Dialect
Influenced by Rajasthani and resembles the Bagri dialect. Spoken by the Labana tribe in southeast Pakistani Punjab, Rajasthan, and Gujarat.
6. Kangri Punjabi Dialect
A sub-dialect of the Dogri intermediate dialect. Spoken in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, northeast of Majha.
7. Chambyali Punjabi Dialect
A sub-dialect of the Pahari intermediate dialect, spoken in Chamba district, Himachal Pradesh, northeast of Majha.
8. Punchhi Punjabi Dialect
A sub-dialect of Pahari, spoken in the Chamba district of Azad Kashmir and adjoining areas north of Majha.
9. Gujri Punjabi Dialect
A sub-dialect of Pothohari, spoken in southern Azad Kashmir and northwestern Punjab, northwest of Majha.
10. Awankari Punjabi Dialect
A sub-dialect of Pothohari, resembling Ghebi. Spoken in Mianwali, northwest of Majha.
11. Ghebi Punjabi Dialect
A sub-dialect of Pothohari, spoken in Fateh Jang and Pindi Gheb tehsils of Mianwali. Named after the ruling Gheba tribe and the city of Pindi Gheb.
12. Chhachi Punjabi Dialect
A Pothohari sub-dialect with similarities to Hindko, spoken in the Chhachh region of Attock district, Hazara Division, and surrounding areas of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Named after the Chhachh area.
13. Swaani Punjabi Dialect
A Hindko sub-dialect spoken in the Swaan Valley of Attock district, northwest of Majha. Named after the valley of River Swaan, known for its hilly terrain and limited arable land.
14. Peshawari Punjabi Dialect
A Hindko sub-dialect spoken in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Native speakers in the city are called Peshawari or Kharay, referring to the original Hindko-speaking inhabitants.
15. Kohati Punjabi Dialect
A Hindko sub-dialect spoken in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Locals are referred to as Kohati, meaning native Hindko-speaking residents of Kohat.
16. Jandali / Rohi Punjabi Dialect
A mixed dialect combining the Pothohari sub-dialect Chhachi and the Shahpuri sub-dialect Thalochi. Also known as Rohi. Spoken in the western periphery of Punjab, particularly in Tehsil Jand and Mianwali areas.
17. Dhani Punjabi Dialect
The Dhani dialect is a sub-dialect of the Shahpuri dialect of Punjabi. It is spoken in the western periphery of Punjab, in the districts of Chakwal, Jhelum, and Attock, moving westward from the central region of Majha. The name “Dhani” comes from the Dhan Vall, which is located in the Chakwal district. This region is referred to as the Dhani area.
18. Chakwali Punjabi Dialect
The Chakwali dialect is a sub-dialect of the Shahpuri dialect of Punjabi. It is spoken in Chakwal district, located on the western edge of Punjab moving from the central Majha region. Geographically, Chakwal borders Rawalpindi to the north, Jhelum to the south, Khushab to the east, and Mianwali to the west.
19. Bherochi Punjabi Dialect
The Bherochi dialect is a sub-dialect of the Shahpuri dialect of Punjabi. It is spoken in the city of Bhera, the Sargodha district, in western Punjab beyond Majha. Bhera is one of the oldest cities in Punjab. During the 326 BCE battle between Alexander the Great and Raja Porus, Alexander’s famous horse “Bucephalus” died here. In ancient Sanskrit, Bucephalus was called “Bhera,” and Alexander founded a city in the horse’s name due to his grief. The Chinese traveller Faxian mentioned Bhera in his travelogue. Mughal Emperor Zahir-ud-din Babur also referenced it in his memoir Tuzk-e-Babri. Bhera was an important source of knowledge and medicine 1,300 years ago and has long been a haven for Sufi mystics. The dialect is named Bherochi after the city.
20. Thalochi / Thali Punjabi Dialect
The Thalochi or Thali dialect is a mix of the Shahpuri and Jhangochi dialects of Punjabi. It is mostly spoken in the Thal Desert region on the western edge of Punjab. On the eastern side of the Indus River, it is spoken in the districts of Bhakkar, Layyah, and Muzaffargarh. On the western side, it is spoken in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa districts of Dera Ismail Khan, Bannu, and Tank.
21. Derawali Punjabi Dialect
The Derawali dialect is a mixture of the Thalochi dialect (itself a blend of Shahpuri and Jhangochi). It is spoken primarily in the southwestern edge of Punjab in the districts of Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur, and also in Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
22. Bar di Boli Punjabi Dialect
Bar di Boli is a sub-dialect of the Jhangochi dialect of Punjabi. It is spoken in the non-agricultural “Bar” region along the banks of the Chenab River in Gujranwala district in central Punjab (Majha region).
23. Wazirabadi Punjabi Dialect
The Wazirabadi dialect is a sub-dialect of the Jhangochi dialect of Punjabi. It is spoken in the city of Wazirabad, located on the banks of the Chenab River in Gujranwala district of the Majha region.
24. Rachnavi Punjabi Dialect
The Rachnavi dialect is a sub-dialect of the Jhangochi dialect of Punjabi. It is mainly spoken in the Toba Tek Singh district and, to a lesser extent, not in the districts of Sahiwal, Chiniot, and Faisalabad.
25. Jatki Punjabi Dialect
The Jatki dialect is a
sub-dialect of the Jhangochi dialect of Punjabi. It is mostly spoken in the Sahiwal district, in the areas situated between the Ravi and Sutlej rivers in the Majha region.
26. Chanavari Punjabi Dialect
The Chanavari dialect is a sub-dialect of the Jhangochi dialect of Punjabi. It is spoken in Jhang district, on the western bank of the Chenab River. The name “Chanavari” derives from the Chenab River.
27. Kachi / Kachhari Punjabi Dialect
The Kachi or Kachhari dialect is a sub-dialect of the Jhangochi dialect of Punjabi. It is spoken in the Jhang district, on the right bank of the Jhelum River, in the western periphery of the Majha region.
28. Multani Punjabi Dialect
The Multani dialect is a sub-dialect of the Jhangochi dialect of Punjabi. It is spoken in the southern fringe of Punjab, particularly in the districts of Multan and Muzaffargarh. In 1920, linguist Grierson classified it as Western Punjabi or Lahnda. In 1962, a claim was made that it is a separate language and it was renamed as Seraiki—an assertion deemed incorrect here. Multani remains a sub-dialect of Jhangochi Punjabi.
29. Jafri / Khetrani Punjabi Dialect
The Jafri or Khetrani dialect is a blend of the Thalochi dialect (itself a mix of Shahpuri and Jhangochi). It differs from the Derawali dialect and is spoken in the southwestern fringe of Punjab, in the Balochistan districts of Musakhel and Barkhan.
30. Riyasti / Bahawalpuri Punjabi Dialect
The Riyasti dialect originated from a mix of the Jhangochi dialect of Punjabi with the Rajasthani language. It is spoken in the southern edge of Punjab, in Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts. It is also called Bahawalpuri. The term “Riyasti” comes from the fact that this region was once part of the princely state of Bahawalpur.
31. Rathi / Cholistani Punjabi Dialect
The Rathi dialect emerged from a mixture of the Jhangochi dialect of Punjabi and the Marwari language. It is spoken in the southern edge of Punjab in the Cholistan Desert region. It is also referred to as “Cholistani,” named after the desert.
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(10). Conclusion
Punjabi’s dialectal map is a testament to its deep historical roots, geographical breadth, and cultural resilience. From the standardised Majhi core to the peripheral dialects influenced by adjacent linguistic traditions, each dialect and sub-dialect enriches the collective identity of the Punjabi language.
This paper’s classification of 31 sub-dialects—across Indian and Pakistani Punjab, and extending into Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and Rajasthan—reveals a nuanced linguistic terrain shaped by centuries of interaction, adaptation, and movement.
Rather than seeing dialectal diversity as fragmentation, it should be embraced as evidence of linguistic vitality. Each dialect, no matter how regionally confined or externally influenced, contributes to the shared fabric of Punjabi linguistic heritage.
Recognising and preserving this diversity is essential not only for linguistic scholarship but also for cultural continuity, educational planning, and regional pride. As globalisation and standardisation exert pressure on smaller dialects, this study urges renewed attention toward documenting, valuing, and revitalising the full spectrum of Punjabi’s linguistic legacy.
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Author Biography
Dr. Masood Tariq is a Karachi-based politician and political theorist. He formerly served as Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Muslim Students Federation (PMSF) Sindh, Councillor of the Municipal Corporation Hyderabad, Advisor to the Chief Minister of Sindh, and Member of the Sindh Cabinet.
His research explores South Asian geopolitics, postcolonial state formation, regional nationalism, and inter-ethnic politics, with a focus on the Punjabi question and Cold War strategic alignments.
He also writes on Pakistan’s socio-political and economic structures, analysing their structural causes and proposing policy-oriented solutions aligned with historical research and contemporary strategy.
His work aims to bridge historical scholarship and strategic analysis to inform policymaking across South Asia, Central Asia, and the Middle East.
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