Kæshír Koör - Kashmiri Girl

Language Demographics Comparison
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1) Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Azad Jammu & Kashmir Language Demographics side by side for comparison (AJK side: Pahari includes dialects such as Potohari-Pahari, miripuri and Poonchi Pahari)

2) Kashmir division vs Jammu division (Both Indian Occupied) language demographics in a side by side comparison.

Linguistic Map of IOK, JAMMU, AJK, GB & Ladakh: Most accurate one yet, grouped by most widely spoken language in each region.

🟥Kashmiri is the language native to Kashmir Valley IOK, it’s spoken by the ethnic Kashmiris who have their own kashmiri culture. Kashmiri is a dardic language.

🟩Green part of AJK expresses the Potohari-Pahari continuum. It starts in the north with Hindkowan Pahari . In the middle the language changes to Poonchi; Pahari mixed with Hindkowan phrases & sounds, and then to the south we see Potohari-Pahari & it’s sub dialect mirpuri. It’s a lahnda language and culture with various sub groups and variety but they are all mutually intelligible for the most part.

🟧Dogri comes from Western Pahari and is also mutually intelligible with gojri. Sarazi language is heavily mixed with a koshur/kashmiri and Dogri. Also rambani & poguli which are sometimes classified as kashmiri dialects are heavy with Dogri lexicon and accents. Dogri can be understood somewhat by Punjabi’s, Paharis and Gujjars despite being from its own language family.

🔹ALSO Many Gujjar bakarwals are spread out across IOK and AJK but theyre language is Rajasthani based. They are nomadic group and that’s why they are not the most populous language in any district because they are very spread out. They are still an important part of the region as they have been in this region for centuries.

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Kashmir Valley Map 🍁
Land of Wazwan, Samovars, Noön Chai, Wanwun, Rouf, Papier Mache, Silk Carpets, Snow capped mountains surrounding our beautiful green valley, crystal blue rivers and streams, Mughal gardens that resemble a glimpse of heaven. A diverse land of many religions and influences from empires ago. Bridges, Masjids, Temples, Gurduwaras, Fruit Markets, Floating Vegetable market on Dal Lake, Amazing hospitality and the strongest yet softest hearts. And let’s not forget 14+ million people living imprisoned under occupation. 🍁

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Language Families of Indian Occupied Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir & Gilgit-Baltistan.

•All language families are Indo A***n except for Ladakhi/Balti which are SINO-TIBETAN.

• There are many languages in the language family of Rajasthani but they couldn’t fit here; also the only Rajasthani origin language spoken in IOK/AJK or Jammu is Gojri.

• Northern Zone of Indo A***n languages includes Western Pahari also known as Himachali; from this family comes the Dogri language. It’s the only language from this family spoken in the region as well. The Dogri language doesn’t derive from Lahnda or Northwestern Indo A***n, but it has a lot of common lexicon with Punjabi; (as does Lahnda). Dogri May be somewhat mutually intelligible with Gojri as well as some dialects of Pahari such as Potohari & Mirpuri.

•If your language isn’t listed that’s most likely because it’s a dialect of one of these. I did not list every dialect because there are tons within each category.

❤️Which one do you speak? 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻comment below

The regions of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir as well as Azad Jammu and Kashmir are a melting pot of cultures, languages and religions. We all have our own unique foods, music, dance, clothing and unique customs. Although many may choose to call us all Kashmiris, it’s not accurate because that identity promotes erasure of the other lovely cultures as well as appropriates the Kashmiri identity.

We are all from equally amazing cultures and are all native to our respective regions. To avoid appropriation of other identities we must reclaim our own. Be proud of your ethnic identity and learn about your history.

If you are Kashmiri, Pahari, Gujjar, Etc please share below something you love about your culture.. so we can all learn and appreciate the diversity of our region. People may find it division to label our ethnic groups accurately, but it’s factual and should promote preservation of each identity. If we were all one culture that would be boring ! ❤️❤️❤️

Indo A***n languages of Indian Occupied Kashmir, Jammu, Azad Jammu & Kashmir & Gilgit.

Baltistan & Ladakh also have a SINO-TIBETAN language & Their language tree is SINO-Tibetan; Ladakhi; Balti

Also there is a language isolate(not related to any language family in the region; called Burushashki. It’s spoken by the Burusho people in Hunza, Gilgit-Baltistan and one part of Kashmir Valley. Their language tree is
Burushashki; Werchikwar

Comparative Languages of Indian Occupier Kashmir & Azad Jammu and Kashmir:

• Kashmiri
• Pahari
• Gojri

Which one do you speak? Comment below👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

LANGUAGES OF IOK & AJK
In order of most widely spoken by region. SCROLL 👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻👉🏻

1. First image is the entire region of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and Gilgit Baltistan and its language demographics. Made and key designed by
& Map labeled by me.

2. Languages of Kashmir Region in IOK/AJK Demographics: Map crested by & labeled by me :)

(Also nowadays Urdu and English is spoken in most of these places as well but it’s not an language native to South Asia so I’ve not listed it).

Languages of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

💙We are a diverse bunch! Each language comes from a unique language family which is really interesting too! None of these are dialects of one another unless they are in the same circle :)

💙WHICH ONE DO YOU SPEAK ??
comment below 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻

Simple comparison chart between Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)

• Disclaimer: It’s very difficult to acquire recently updated and unbiased sources for demographic information.

• Religions of AJK: the 12% figure is listed as Christians, Hindus , Sikhs and Others. The Others are officially declared as Non-Muslim ‘Ahmedis’ by the AJK Government and make up the majority of this ~12% figure, (~20,000). The amount of Christians, Hindus and Sikhs are under ~1% officially.

• Regarding the public grievances, I’ve tried to source unbiased reports as well as as many personal opinions (anecdotal accounts) to develop a well rounded view. I’ve not listed the amount of people who want independent kashmir vs merger with Pakistan, as there is no possible way to determine the statistics of this in an unbiased format. Also Gilgit-Baltistan and Ladakh are not included in this post because their legal status has changed. Ladakh is now separated from the state of Jammu and Kashmir (illegally), and Gilgit-Baltistan is also separated by Azad Jammu and Kashmir and formally integrated into Pakistan. Plebiscite is still pending for IOK & AJK and until then we don’t know the demographics of the political aspirations for sure, we can only speculate.

❤️Some encouragement for our Kashmiri activists, journalists and supporters of human rights for all Kashmiris. You cannot please everyone. You’re purpose is too great to let yourself get discouraged by the naysayers. I’ve talked to so many women who have told me they are facing Harassment from RSS supporters and islamophobes at the same time harassment by our own Kashmiris; a minority of hyper critical and misogynistic group of people who only share their negative opinions whenever a fellow Kashmiri puts themself or their work out there instead of encouraging them and giving critique in a respectful way. We are all in this together. Don’t give up on your social media activism. It does make an impact whether you think that or not. Take frequent breaks for your mental health, block people whenever you have to and don’t try too hard to please everyone. The ones who appreciate your effort will come regardless, and this cause is more important than being liked or gaining approval. Whatever you’re doing, making awareness, highlighting arts or culture, making music, journalism, activism.. whatever you do, there will be criticism. Do it anyways ! ❤️