Question

Describe the ‘Hindi-Urdu Controversy’.

Answer 1

Instructions:
Explain the following points:

• Use of Urdu in official documents in the United Provinces
• In 1900, government instructed to use Hindi while submitting petitions.
• Equal status to Hindi and Urdu increased tension between Hindus and Muslims.

Solution:

• During the end of 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, in the United Provinces the official documents of the offices and courts were submitted in Urdu.
• As a result the Hindus protested against this and on 8th April 1900, the government instructed that the petitions were now to be submitted in Hindi i.e in Devanagari script.
• This controversy turned the two communities hostile toward one another. Following to avoid further conflict the British Government passed an equal status to Hindi and Urdu which was criticised by Nawab Mohsin-ul-Mulk.