Punjabi language

Punjabi (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ) is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Punjab region (in Pakistan and India) and Indian and Pakistani emigrants around the world. Speakers mainly include adherents of the religions of Sikhism, Hinduism, and Islam. It is the official language of the Indian state of Punjab, Delhi, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh.

Punjabi is the most widely spoken language in Pakistan and third most spoken language in South Asia. According to the Ethnologue 2005 estimate, there are 88 million native speakers of the Punjabi language. According to the 2008 Census of Pakistan, there are approximately 76,335,300 native speakers of Punjabi in Pakistan, and according to the Census of India, there are over 29,102,477 Punjabi speakers in India.

'Punjabi' today generally refers to 'Eastern Punjabi', the language based on the Majhi dialect of the historical region of Majha, which spans the Amritsar District and Gurdaspur District of the Indian State of Punjab, and Lahore, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Gujranwala, Sialkot and Narowal Districts of the Pakistani Province of Punjab.

The Punjabis found in India are composed of various ethnic groups, tribal groups, social groups (caste) and economic groups. Some major sub-groups of Punjabis in India include Ahirs, Arora, Bania, Bhatia, Brahmin, Gujjar, Kalals/Ahluwalias, Kambojs, Khatris, Lobanas, Jats, Rajputs, Saini, Sood and Tarkhan. Most of these groups can be further sub-divided into clans and family groups. Punjabi uses Gurmukhi and Shahmukhi scripts.

Information: Wikipedia