Several invasions and conquests in one place affect the development of its language. Urdu is no exception, as it also underwent various stages of development. History and evolution of the Urdu languageĮvolution and development of any language depends on the evolution and development of a society where that language is spoken. The Urdu term derives from a Turkish word ordu which means camp or army. The Urdu language developed among the Muslim soldiers of the Mughals armies that belonged to various ethnic groups such as Turks, Arabs, Persians, Pathans, Balochis, Rajputs, Jats and Afghans. These soldiers lived in close contact with each other and communicated in different dialects, which evolved slowly and gradually until today Urdu. It is for this reason that Urdu is also known as Lashkari Zaban or the language of the army.ĭuring its development, the Urdu language also assumed various names such as the term Urdu-e-Maullah which means the exalted army that was given by Emperor Shah. Jahan and the term Rekhta scattered meaning (in Persian words) that was coined by scholars for Urdu poetry.
