Historically, pahari communities, including Bangladeshi Pahari groups—though their cultures are not extensively documented—and Indo-Aryan speaking populations developed distinct identities due to their geographical isolation. This separation encouraged the emergence of a unique art forms, folk traditions, and linguistic patterns. However, these cultures also absorbed elements from broader civilizations, including Indo-Aryan, Central Asian, and Tibetan influences.[5]
Pahari culture is influenced by the geography of the region, which consists of hilly terrains, forests, rivers, and remote valleys. The Pahari-speaking communities reside across various ecosystems such as the lush green hills of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to the rugged terrains of Jammu and Kashmir and northern Pakistan.[5] All these territories and regions, including cross border regions are originally classified as the Indo-European family.
The population comprises various ethnic groups, including Kolis, Dogras, Gujjars, Gaddis, Bhutias, and Bakarwals in India, and Pahari pathans and Dards in Pakistan. In Nepal, Pahari culture is practiced through groups like the Gurungs, Thakalis, and Tamangs. Despite differences in language and traditions, these communities share common cultural elements due to their geographic proximity and historical exchanges.[5]
The northern regions of the Indian subcontinent are home to a variety of regional languages. In the Jammu region of India, Dogri and Gojri are widely spoken.[6] Dogri, primarily used by the Dogra community, is recognized as one of the 22 scheduled languages of India and enjoys a rich literary tradition. Gojri is spoken by the nomadic Gujjar and Bakarwal communities, who traditionally engage in transhumance, moving between the plains and high-altitude pastures.
Himachal Pradesh is characterized by several Himachali languages, major of them including Mahasu Pahari (Mahasui) Kulluvi, Mandeali, Kangri, and Chambeali. Mahasu Pahari is spoken in Shimla and Solan district. It is divided into two subgroups Upper Mahasui and Lower Mahasui. Kochi, Sudochi, etc are dialects of Upper Mahasui which are spoken in Upper Shimla district while Keonthali, Baghati, Bagheali, Hinduri, etc are dialects of Lower Mahasui spoken in Lower Shimla district and Solan district. Kulluvi is spoken in the Kullu Valley, while Mandeali is associated with the Mandi district, Kangri is associated with the Kangra district, and Chambeali is native to the Chamba region. These languages belong to the Western Pahari group and are part of the cultural identity of their respective regions.
In Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir, Pahari-Pothwari serves as a significant linguistic variety. It is spoken in Azad Kashmir and in parts of northern Pakistan and regions across the Line of Control. The language features multiple dialects and acts as a linguistic link between communities on both sides of the Kashmir border.
These languages belong primarily to the Indo-Aryan linguistic family, with local dialects varying significantly between valleys and districts.[6] Although many Pahari languages have not been extensively documented, the government institutions and NGOs made attempts to preserve them through literature, radio broadcasts, and cultural programs.[6]
Art and craft are parts of Pahari culture, with communities known for their distinct styles of handicrafts, weaving, and painting, including Pahari painting. Originating in Himachal Pradesh, Pahari paintings are renowned for their delicate brushwork, colors, and themes drawn from mythology, nature, and folklore.[7][8] The Kangra school of painting is especially popular for its depictions of Radha and Krishna.
Handloom weaving such as woolen shawls, carpets, and blankets are commonly produced in the region. Kullu shawls and Chamba rumals (handkerchief) are known for their patterns and use of natural dyes. Communities in the Pahari belt engage in woodwork and pottery such as wood carving and pottery.[7]
Dance group performing Solangiddha (Pahari giddha)
Music and dance play a central role in the cultural life of the Pahari regions, within their celebrations, festivals, and rituals. These art forms serve as entertainment as well as linguistic expressions of tradition, emotions, and social unity. The folk music of the region is often centered around themes of nature, love, separation, and devotion. Traditional musical instruments, such as the dhol (a double-sided drum), nagara (a kettledrum), flute, and chimta (a percussion instrument with jingling discs), are commonly used as an traditional musical instruments for folk songs.[9]
Himachali men performing Nati with swords in Dev Jagar
Nati, originating from Himachal Pradesh, nati is known for its slow, and rhythmic movements. It is performed during festivals and celebrations, often involving long lines of dancers who move in unison to traditional music.[10][11]
The Pahaṛi communities exhibit a rich variety of marriage customs, encompassing practices such as polyandry, where multiple brothers share a single wife; polygyny, in which one man has several wives; and group marriages that involve a number of husbands and wives. Monogamous unions are also present, though they are less prevalent. In certain Pahari traditions, girls may be married at a young age, sometimes before turning 10, but they generally do not begin living with their husbands until they have reached a suitable level of adulthood. These marriage traditions suggests the complex social dynamics within Pahari culture and demonstrate how these communities navigate their social and environmental circumstances.[5]
The majority of Pahari communities follow Hinduism, Islam, or Buddhism, although local animistic practices are also prevalent in remote areas. Temples, mosques, and monasteries dot the landscape, often serving as important cultural centers.[12][13]
The cuisine of the Pahari region is influenced by local ingredients and seasonal availability.[3] Common foods include lentils, rice, vegetables, and dairy products. Traditional dishes vary from region to region.
Pahari murga dish features chicken cooked in a mixture of milk and yogurt, seasoned with spices such as coriander, ginger, garlic, cardamom, cinnamon, and fennel. Paharis also prepare chainsoo, a lentil-based dish from the Garhwal region, Chainsoo is made from black gram (urad dal).[17]
The cuisine of the Pahari region includes several dishes classified by the use of local ingredients, aromatic spices, and traditional cooking methods. One such dish is the pahari chicken snack, where pieces of chicken are stir-fried with a paste made from mint, coriander, garlic, and ginger. Green chilies and garam masala is also added to its flavor, which is used during colder months.[17]
Babru is a variation of poori, prepared by adding baking powder to the dough. The dough is filled with cooked black gram dal, the same lentil used in chainsoo, and then deep-fried for crisp texture. This dish is served on everyday meals.[17]
Chana madra is another staple dish that involves slow-cooking chickpeas in a yogurt-based gravy. Spices like cardamom, cloves, turmeric, and cumin impart layers of flavor, making it a prominent dish in the region's culinary repertoire.[17]
Shakuli, a traditional papad, is made using refined flour, salt, water, and oil. The mixture is steamed and left to dry in the sun for several days. It is usually served with meals.[17]
Aloo palda is prepared of potatoes, which are simmered in a gravy made from onions, whisked yogurt, and ground rice. The Chamba region serves Chamba Chukh and fried fish, which features freshwater fish coated in a mixture of ginger, garlic, coriander, turmeric, and red chili powder. The fish is dipped in gram flour batter and deep-fried, resulting in a golden dish.[17]
Kullu trout is also a fish preparation process from the Kullu region. The trout is marinated with spices and pan-fried, usually served with hot rice.[17] Traditional tea such as kahwa is infused with saffron, cinnamon, and almonds. People of different cultures including from paharis serve kehew.[18]Siddu is another cuisine prepared by paharis and other natives of Jammu and Kashmir, steamed bread made with wheat flour and stuffed with lentils or vegetables, popular in Himachal Pradesh.[3]
Pahari attire is adapted to the cold climate of the mountains. Woolen garments are common, with men wearing chogas (long cloaks) and women draping shawls or pashmina scarves.[19]Himachali caps, known for visible colors and geometric patterns, are a distinctive feature of the region's attire.[20] In Kashmir, the pheran is a traditional loose gown worn by both men and women during winter.[21]
Social structure
The social structure of Pahari communities is often organized around villages, with a close-knit community lifestyle.[22] Traditional joint families are common, although nuclear families are becoming more prevalent due to modernization.[23][24] Agriculture, livestock rearing, and horticulture are the primary sources of livelihood. Some communities, such as the Bakarwals and Gujjars, follow a semi-nomadic lifestyle, migrating with their herds across different altitudes throughout the year.
The decline of Pahari culture is closely tied to the diminishing use of its dialects, which serve as carriers of the region's folklore, traditions, and modern social behavior. In regions like upper Shimla and the Mahasu area of Himachal Pradesh, these dialects are under significant pressure, primarily because they lack a standardized script and formal documentation.[29] Although the Tankri script exists, limited attempts were made to record the oral traditions or cultural practices of the region. For centuries, the transmission of Pahari dialects, ballads, and folk tales has relied on oral methods, which are now being disrupted by modern lifestyle changes.
A key factor contributing to the decline is the of people from rural areas to urban centers in search of better employment and educational opportunities. This migration has weakened intergenerational exposure to the native dialects and customs, as individuals become disconnected from their roots. Additionally, economic shifts—such as the decline in the region's apple industry—have driven many families toward the service sector, often requiring them to move away from their ancestral homes.[29] As a result, the younger generation is increasingly adopting Hindi and English as primary languages, particularly in family settings, further eroding the use of Pahari dialects.
Without written records or sufficient daily interaction with the language, the cultural bond with Pahari heritage is weakening. As fewer people engage with their native dialects, the risk of cultural erosion grows, leading to the gradual decline of both the language and the traditions it encapsulates.[29]
Preservation
Pahari culture, like many indigenous cultures, faces challenges from modernization, migration, and environmental changes. The government and non-governmental organizations attempting to preserve traditional arts, languages, and lifestyles. Cultural festivals, museums, and academic research are playing a role in safeguarding the heritage of these communities.[30]
Pahari culture has been recognized under the UNESCO Convention for the safeguarding of the Intangible cultural heritage (2003), focused on preserving the cultural practices of the Pahari communities in the Himalayan region. This recognition has facilitated community-based inventorying processes, allowing local populations to actively document and celebrate their traditions, including folk music, dance, crafts, and languages. The UNESCO's recognition was aimed to safeguard this intangible heritage and to promote cultural exchange and inform policies that support the sustainability and resilience of Pahari cultural practices.[31]
The Northern Indo-Aryan languages, also known as Pahāṛi languages, are a proposed group of Indo-Aryan languages spoken in the lower ranges of the Himalayas, from Nepal in the east, through the Indian states of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab was coined by G. A. Grierson.
The Western Pahari languages are a range of languages and dialects of Northern Indo-Aryan languages spoken in the western parts of the Himalayan range, primarily in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. They are also spoken in Jammu and Jaunsar-Bawar regions of India.
Dogri is an Indo-Aryan language of the Western Pahari group, primarily spoken in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir, India, with smaller groups of speakers in the adjoining regions of western Himachal Pradesh, northern Punjab, and north-eastern Pakistani Punjab. It is the ethnic language of the Dogras, and was spoken in the historical region of Duggar. It is currently spoken in the districts of Kathua, Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Reasi and other adjoining districts of Jammu Province Unusually for an Indo-European language, Dogri is tonal, a trait it shares with other Western Pahari languages and Punjabi. It has several varieties, all with greater than 80% lexical similarity.
The Dogras, or Dogra people, are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group living primarily in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and speak their native Dogri language. They live predominantly in the Duggar region of the Jammu Division of Jammu and Kashmir, and in adjoining areas of the states of Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Some also live in northeastern Pakistan.
Kangri is an Indo-Aryan language, spoken in northern India, predominantly in the Kangra, Una and Hamirpur of Himachal Pradesh as well as in some parts of Mandi and Chamba districts of Himachal Pradesh and Gurdaspur, Rupnagar and Hoshiarpur districts of Punjab. Kangri language is also spoken in Duggar i.e. Jammu region and in a few villages of Pakistan by the people belonging to the families migrated from Kangra Valley. It is associated with the people of the Kangra Valley. The total number of speakers has been estimated at 2.3 million as of 2024.
The Bakharwal dog is a livestock guardian dog found in northern India. It is an ancient working Indian dog breed found in Ladakh and across the Pir Panjal Range of Jammu and Kashmir, India.
The North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh is a state that has remained largely uninfluenced by Western culture. Himachal Pradesh is a multi-religion practising, multicultural and multilingual state. Some of the most commonly spoken languages are Hindi and the various Pahari languages. The Hindu communities residing in Himachal include the Brahmins, Rajputs, Kannets, Rathis and Kolis. There is also a tribal population in the state which mainly comprises Gaddis, Kinnarms, Gujjars, Pangawals and Lahaulis.
Jaunsar-Bawar is a hilly region in Garhwal division of Uttarakhand, northern India. It is located in the north-west of Dehradun district, along the border with the state of Himachal Pradesh.
The Tākri script is an abugida writing system of the Brahmic family of scripts. It is derived from the Sharada script formerly employed for Kashmiri. It is the sister script of Laṇḍā scripts. It has another variant Dogra Takri employed in Jammu region. There are numerous varieties present throughout Himachal Pradesh. Until the late 1940s, the adapted version of the script was the official script for writing Dogri in the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. Throughout the history, different kingdoms of what now forms Himachal Pradesh used their own variety to maintain their records. The Takri script used in Sirmour in Himachal Pradesh and in the adjacent region of Jaunsar-Bawar in Uttarakhand has some distinction.
The Gurjar are an agricultural ethnic community, residing mainly in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, divided internally into various clan groups. They were traditionally involved in agriculture, pastoral and nomadic activities and formed a large heterogeneous group. The historical role of Gurjars has been quite diverse in society: at one end they have been found related to several kingdoms and, at the other end, some are still nomads with no land of their own.
Mandeali is a Western Pahari language, spoken in northern India, predominantly in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh by the people of the Mandi Valley and particularly in the major city of Mandi. Other spellings for the name are Mandiyali and Mandiali. UNESCO reports it is one of the highly endangered languages of India. Speakers of the dialect have decreased by 21% from 1961 to 2001.
Pahari, or Pahadi is an ambiguous term that has been used for a variety of languages, dialects and language groups, most of which are found in the lower Himalayas.
The Punjabi dialects and languages or Greater Punjabi are the varieties of the Punjabi language, a Northwestern Indo-Aryan language of the Indo-European language family, widely spoken in the Punjab region and neighbouring areas of South Asia, split between Pakistan and India. They constitute a dialect chain of mutual intelligibility and have sometimes been referred to as the Greater Punjabi macrolanguage. Punjabi may also be considered as a pluricentric language with more than one standard variety.
Doi is a sub clan of the Gurjar/Gujjar ethnic group of Pakistan and India.
Mahasu Pahari is a Western Pahari is a dialect of Himachali language spoken in Himachal Pradesh. It is also known as Mahasui or Mahasuvi. The speaking population is about 1,000,000 (2001). It is more commonly spoken in the Himachal Pradesh, Shimla (Simla) and Solan districts. It is to be known that Shimla and Solan were parts of the old Mahasu district. Himachal Pradesh State on 1 September 1972 reorganised the districts dissolving Mahasu district. The Solan district was carved out of Solan and Arki tehsils of the then Mahasu district and tehsils of Kandaghat and Nalagarh of the then Shimla District of Punjab.
Dogri Cinema or Western Pahari Cinema or Pahariwood refers to cinema in Western Pahari languages especially Dogri language, which is included in the Schedule VIII of the Constitution, spoken primarily in the Jammu Division region of Jammu and Kashmir state and Himachal Pradesh of India.
Gaddi is an Indo-Aryan language of India. It is spoken by the Gaddi people primarily residing in the Bharmour region of Chamba district and the upper reaches of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh. It is also spoken in neighbouring parts of Jammu, with Gaddi villages found in Udhampur, Kathua and Doda districts.
The Pahari people or Pahari-speaking people is a cover term for a number of heterogeneous communities inhabiting in Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir, Pothohar Plateau, the Hindkowans of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and also some parts of Pakistan-administered Azad Kashmir who speak Pahari languages/dialects.
Javaid Rahi is an Indian author, researcher and tribal social worker. He is a writer and poet of Gojri, Punjabi and Urdu languages. He has written 25 books and edited over 300 books and issues of magazines in different languages especially in the field of tribal literature, history, and culture of pastoralists including Gujjars, Bakarwals, Shina-Dard, Sippis, and Gaddis— and other Scheduled Tribes groups of India.
Siddu is a Himachali dish. It is fermented steamed bread commonly made from wheat flour, with yeast playing a key role in its preparation by allowing the dough to rise over several minutes or hours. It is often stuffed with various fillings such as green peas, walnuts, pudina, and herbs. It is typically served with accompaniments like clarified butter, lentil soup, or green chutney.
References
↑ "BGSB UNIVERSITY". Baba Ghulam Shah Badshah University, Rajouri, (J&K). Retrieved 23 Oct 2024.
↑ Himachal Pradesh (India); Negi, T.S. (1975). Himachal Pradesh District Gazetteers. Gazetteer of India. Printed at the Standard Print. Press. Retrieved 24 Oct 2024.
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