Andhra Muslims
Encyclopedia
Andhra Muslims is a name given to the Muslims hailing from the regions of Coastal Andhra
and Rayalaseema
in Andhra Pradesh
, India
. They are economically and educationally advanced than most of the Muslims of India as well as the rest of Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Muslims have a different culture and traditions and speak a distinct dialect of Urdu, hereafter hypothetically referred to as South Dakhni for educational purposes only.. Urdu is second official language in Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh, where Andhra Muslims are in significant numbers. Their culture owes a lot to the local Telugu
culture and in many forms of secular practice, they hardly differ from their Andhra Non-Muslim compatriots.
While Hyderabad is the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, the indigenous Muslim culture of the city is vastly different from the rest of the State. Due to its position as the capital of one of the most important Muslim dynasties in India for four centuries, Hyderabad has been a melting pot of foreign cultures and influences. Consequently, the imprint of Persian and Arab
culture is evident on Hyderabadi Muslims. Their mother tongue is Urdu (also known as Dakhni) and the old Hyderabadi elite have Persian, Arab and Pathan
roots. Apart from Hyderabad, a sprinkling of Hyderabadi Muslims may be found in Karimnagar
, Kurnool
and Vishakhapatnam.
The Andhra Muslims on the other hand have been little influenced by foreign cultures. Barring a few of the Telangana
districts, they almost universally speak a variant of Dakhni i.e. South Dakhni as their mother tongue and can communicate in Telugu
quite well. However many can manage a smattering of standard Urdu
, largely because of the dominance of Urdu in Islamic publications in India. In their food habits and other secular practices, they are indistinguishable from their Non Muslim neighbours.
school of Islamic Jurisprudence. Nevertheless, some Shia practices like Rajab (Imam Jafar Sadiq) Ke Kunde / Kheer Pooriyan and fire-walk during Muharram
are prevalent among an insignificant few. Machilipatnam
also known as Bandar, a town in Krishna District
has the second largest Shia population in Andhra Pradesh
after Hyderabad, though.
. South Dakhni is closely related to the more widespread and famous Hyderabadi Urdu
and are mutually intelligible. South Dakhni has some loan words from Telugu
but its contribution to the later is quite significant. Though they might not be pronounced the same way as in Urdu or South Dakhni that is spoken locally, such words in Telugu
were borrowed from Urdu
.
South Dakhni like Hyderabadi Urdu
and other Dakhni dialects is different from traditional Urdu
in many ways. The plural of a word is formed by sufixing 'an' to the word, the letter 'n' is silent. Eg. pottian (girls), choran (thieves), machcharan (mosquitoes), naaman (names), kitaban (books) etc. And, the letter "Qaaf" is pronounced as "Khaa"; 'qabar' (grave) is pronounced as 'khabar' (news) and 'qadam' (foot) is pronounced as 'khadam'.
Some Telugu words in South Dakhni...
Some Urdu words in Telugu...
Some salient features of South Dakhni...
in 1312. Proselytization was carried out by individual Sufi saints and major shrines may be found in Kadapa
and Penukonda
. Major medieval forts like Kondavid Fort, Vinukonda
and Gurramkonda
also have a significant resident Muslim population that descends from their garrison. Many of them claim North Indian or even Persian ancestry.
where they number around 600,000 and form 17% of the district's population. Important populations are also found in Kadapa
, Nizamabad
, Guntur
and Anantapur
. Like the Muslims of North India, Andhra Muslims are also concentrated in the cities with much smaller rural populations. Nizamabad town is around 36% Muslim while Kadapa and Anantapur follow with around 30% and 25% respectively. North Coastal Andhra has very few Muslims.
Coastal Andhra
Coastal Andhra or Kosta, is a region of India's Andhra Pradesh State. This region was part of Madras State before 1953 and Andhra State from 1953 to 1956. According to the 2011 census, it has an area of and a population of 3,41,93,868...
and Rayalaseema
Rayalaseema
Rayalaseema is a geographic region in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. It includes the districts of Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool. These Telugu speaking districts were part of Madras Presidency until 1953 when Telugu speaking districts of Madras presidency were carved out to form...
in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. They are economically and educationally advanced than most of the Muslims of India as well as the rest of Andhra Pradesh. Andhra Muslims have a different culture and traditions and speak a distinct dialect of Urdu, hereafter hypothetically referred to as South Dakhni for educational purposes only.. Urdu is second official language in Kadapa, Kurnool, Anantapur, Chittoor and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh, where Andhra Muslims are in significant numbers. Their culture owes a lot to the local Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
culture and in many forms of secular practice, they hardly differ from their Andhra Non-Muslim compatriots.
Andhra and Hyderabadi Muslims
Main Article: Muslim culture of HyderabadMuslim culture of Hyderabad
Hyderabadi Muslims are a community of Urdu-speaking Muslims from the area that used to be the princely state of Hyderabad, India. With its origins in the Muslim Bahmani Sultanate and then Deccan sultanates, the culture became defined in the latter half of the reign of the Nizam dynasty in Hyderabad...
While Hyderabad is the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh, the indigenous Muslim culture of the city is vastly different from the rest of the State. Due to its position as the capital of one of the most important Muslim dynasties in India for four centuries, Hyderabad has been a melting pot of foreign cultures and influences. Consequently, the imprint of Persian and Arab
Arab
Arab people, also known as Arabs , are a panethnicity primarily living in the Arab world, which is located in Western Asia and North Africa. They are identified as such on one or more of genealogical, linguistic, or cultural grounds, with tribal affiliations, and intra-tribal relationships playing...
culture is evident on Hyderabadi Muslims. Their mother tongue is Urdu (also known as Dakhni) and the old Hyderabadi elite have Persian, Arab and Pathan
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
roots. Apart from Hyderabad, a sprinkling of Hyderabadi Muslims may be found in Karimnagar
Karimnagar
As of 2011 India census Estimation, Karimnagar city had a population of 2,99,660. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49% has an average literacy rate of 86.75%, higher than the national average of 74.04%: male literacy is 92.61%, and female literacy is 80.79%. In Karimnagar, 12% of...
, Kurnool
Kurnool
Kurnool is located at . It has an average elevation of 273 metres .Kurnool lies on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. The Handry and Neeva rivers also flow through the city. The K.C...
and Vishakhapatnam.
The Andhra Muslims on the other hand have been little influenced by foreign cultures. Barring a few of the Telangana
Telangana
Telangana is a region in the present state of Andhra Pradesh, India and formerly was part of Hyderabad state which was ruled by Nizam. It is bordered with the states of Maharashtra on the north and north-west, Karnataka on the west, Chattisgarh on the north-east and Orissa to the east...
districts, they almost universally speak a variant of Dakhni i.e. South Dakhni as their mother tongue and can communicate in Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
quite well. However many can manage a smattering of standard Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
, largely because of the dominance of Urdu in Islamic publications in India. In their food habits and other secular practices, they are indistinguishable from their Non Muslim neighbours.
Religion
Almost all of the Andhra Muslims are Sunni, and follow the HanafiHanafi
The Hanafi school is one of the four Madhhab in jurisprudence within Sunni Islam. The Hanafi madhhab is named after the Persian scholar Abu Hanifa an-Nu‘man ibn Thābit , a Tabi‘i whose legal views were preserved primarily by his two most important disciples, Abu Yusuf and Muhammad al-Shaybani...
school of Islamic Jurisprudence. Nevertheless, some Shia practices like Rajab (Imam Jafar Sadiq) Ke Kunde / Kheer Pooriyan and fire-walk during Muharram
Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months of the year in which fighting is prohibited...
are prevalent among an insignificant few. Machilipatnam
Machilipatnam
Machilipatnam is a city and a special grade municipality in the Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It is located south east of state capital, Hyderabad.-History:...
also known as Bandar, a town in Krishna District
Krishna district
Krishna District is a district of India's Andhra Pradesh state. It is named after the Krishna River, the third longest river that flows within India, flows through the district and joins Bay of Bengal here in this district. It has a population of 4,529,009 of which 32.08% is urban as of...
has the second largest Shia population in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
after Hyderabad, though.
Language
South Dakhni is the language spoken by Andhra Muslims. The term South Dakhni is not cognizant to Andhra Muslims as they simply refer to it as Urdu, though different from standard UrduUrdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
. South Dakhni is closely related to the more widespread and famous Hyderabadi Urdu
Hyderabadi Urdu
Hyderabadi Urdu is a dialect of Urdu spoken in the Indian region of Hyderabad State and its diaspora. It is also known as Deccani Urdu from its former name Hyderabad Deccan...
and are mutually intelligible. South Dakhni has some loan words from Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
but its contribution to the later is quite significant. Though they might not be pronounced the same way as in Urdu or South Dakhni that is spoken locally, such words in Telugu
Telugu language
Telugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
were borrowed from Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
.
South Dakhni like Hyderabadi Urdu
Hyderabadi Urdu
Hyderabadi Urdu is a dialect of Urdu spoken in the Indian region of Hyderabad State and its diaspora. It is also known as Deccani Urdu from its former name Hyderabad Deccan...
and other Dakhni dialects is different from traditional Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
in many ways. The plural of a word is formed by sufixing 'an' to the word, the letter 'n' is silent. Eg. pottian (girls), choran (thieves), machcharan (mosquitoes), naaman (names), kitaban (books) etc. And, the letter "Qaaf" is pronounced as "Khaa"; 'qabar' (grave) is pronounced as 'khabar' (news) and 'qadam' (foot) is pronounced as 'khadam'.
Some Telugu words in South Dakhni...
- Tippalaan meaning Hardhship; originally tippalu
- Chambu meaning mug, also often used to express Exhaustion
Some Urdu words in Telugu...
- Maaji - originally Maazi, meaning former
- Tareekhu - originally Tareekh, meaning date (Arabic origin)
- Moju - originally Mouj, meaning to have fun
- Raaji Naama - originally Raazi Naama, meaning resignation (PersianPersian languagePersian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
origin) - Jamindaar - originally Zamindaar, meaning land lord
- Kalamu - originally Qalam, meaning pen (Arabic)
- Khaidi - originally Qaidi, meanining inmate (Arabic)
- Jawabu - originally Jawab, meaning answer (Arabic)
- Sawalu - originally Sawal, meaning question (Arabic)
- Tarafu - originally Taraf, meaning direction or on behalf (Arabic)
- Meku - originally Mekh, meaning nail (PersianPersian languagePersian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
) - Kaazhi (Kaali) - originally Khaali, meaning empty (Arabic)
- Munasabu - originally Munsif, meaning judge (Arabic)
- Roju - originally Roz, meaning day (PersianPersian languagePersian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
)
Some salient features of South Dakhni...
- Kaiku - why instead of Kyon in traditional Urdu Eg. Kaiku gaya un? (Why did he go? )
- Mujhe - me instead of Mereku in Hyderabadi UrduHyderabadi UrduHyderabadi Urdu is a dialect of Urdu spoken in the Indian region of Hyderabad State and its diaspora. It is also known as Deccani Urdu from its former name Hyderabad Deccan...
Eg. Mujhe malum nai. (I don't know. ) - Tujhe - you instead of Tereku in Hyderabadi UrduHyderabadi UrduHyderabadi Urdu is a dialect of Urdu spoken in the Indian region of Hyderabad State and its diaspora. It is also known as Deccani Urdu from its former name Hyderabad Deccan...
Eg. Tujhe malum kya? (Do you know? ) - Un/In - he/she instead of Woh/Yeh in traditional Urdu Eg. Un kidhar gaya? (Where did he go? )
- Ku - for instead of Ko in traditional Urdu Eg. Iqbal ku khana hona kate. (Iqbal wants food. )
- Ko - Ke in traditional Urdu Eg. Iqbal ku deko aavo. (Iqbal ko deke aavo in traditional Urdu meaning Give it to Iqbal and come back here. )
- Po - on instead of Pe or Per in traditional Urdu Eg. Kitab table po hai. ( The book is on the table. )
- Si - from instead of Se in traditional Urdu Eg. Sab si alag hai un. ( He's different from everyone. )
- Nakko - an alternate (and informal) negative generally indicating "no thanks" or "do not". Can be (and is often) used in place of mat.
- Naheen, naa and mat (from traditional Urdu) are still used where nakko is inappropriate for the context or in polite situations. Eg. Khana nakko mujhe. ( I don't want food. )
- Hau or Ho - for yes, instead of "Haan".
- Potti - (slang; rather offensive) - Girl
- Potta - (slang; rather offensive) - Boy
- Khan - Man Eg. Chalao khan. ( Let's go, man.)
- Halka - Slow Eg. Zara halka chalo bawa. ( Will you walk a bit slow? )
- Kate - its hard to describe the actual meaning as its used in various sentences under various circumstances. Eg. Kaiku kate? ( Why? ); Iqbal ku khana hona kate. (Iqbal wants food.)
History
The spread of Islam in Andhra Pradesh has been the gradual result of centuries of Muslim rule. Consequently there is no specific time period from which the spread of Islam here may be dated. A useful indicator would be the invasion of Malik KafurMalik Kafur
Malik Kafur, General , or Chand Ram as his name was originally, was a slave who became a head general in the army of Alauddin Khilji, ruler of the Delhi sultanate from 1296 to 1316 AD. He was originally seized by Alauddin's army after the army conquered the city of Khambhat...
in 1312. Proselytization was carried out by individual Sufi saints and major shrines may be found in Kadapa
Kadapa
Kadapa , formerly Cuddapah, is a city in the south-central part of Andhra Pradesh, India . The city's name originated from the Telugu word "Gadapa" meaning threshold or gate...
and Penukonda
Penukonda
Penukonda or Penu Konda is a small town in the Anantapur district of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is 70 km away from Anantapur town.-Geography:Penukonda is located at...
. Major medieval forts like Kondavid Fort, Vinukonda
Vinukonda
Vinukonda is a town in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh, India. It had a population of 52,830 at the time of the 2001 Census. Local mythology holds a hill nearby as the place where Rama was informed of his wife Sita's abduction. The name therefore literally translates to "Hearing Hill". It is also...
and Gurramkonda
Gurramkonda
Gurramkonda is a historical place located between Cuddapah and Bangalore highway in Chittoor district in the state of Andhra Pradesh in India. Gurramkonda is a mandal headquarter in modern India.-Geography:...
also have a significant resident Muslim population that descends from their garrison. Many of them claim North Indian or even Persian ancestry.
Population
According to the Census of 2001, Andhra Pradesh has a population of approximately 7 million Muslims who form around a little under 9% of the State's population. Out of this around a million and a half live in Hyderabad. Therefore an approximate figure for Andhra Muslims would be somewhere around 6 million. The sex ratio is around 960 females per 1000 males, higher than the national average of 933. The literacy rate stands at 68%, again higher than the national average of 64%.Distribution
Andhra Muslims are found fairly spread over the State. However their greatest concentration is in Kurnool districtKurnool district
Kurnool District is a district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, located in the west-central part of the state on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra and Handri rivers. The town of Kurnool is currently the headquarters of the district...
where they number around 600,000 and form 17% of the district's population. Important populations are also found in Kadapa
Kadapa district
YSR Kadapa District is one of the 23 districts of Andhra Pradesh, India. On 8 July 2010, the government of Andhra Pradesh renamed the district in honor of Y. S...
, Nizamabad
Nizamabad district
Nizamabad District is located in the north-western region in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. It is also known as Induru. Nizamabad is the current and official name of the district....
, Guntur
Guntur district
Guntur district is located in Andhra Pradesh along the east coast of Bay of Bengal. The district has a coastline of around 100 kilometers. Guntur City is the largest city in the district and administrative center of Guntur District. The district is a major center for learning.-Etymology:There are...
and Anantapur
Anantapur district
Anantapur District , ) is one of the 23 districts in Andhra Pradesh, India. The district headquarters is Anantapur City. It is currently a part of the Red Corridor.- Geography :...
. Like the Muslims of North India, Andhra Muslims are also concentrated in the cities with much smaller rural populations. Nizamabad town is around 36% Muslim while Kadapa and Anantapur follow with around 30% and 25% respectively. North Coastal Andhra has very few Muslims.