Bagheli

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A language of India

ISO 639-3
bfy
Alternate Names
Bagelkhandi, Bhugelkhud, Gangai, Godwani Kawathi, Kenat, Kevat Boli, Kevati, Kewani, Kewat, Kewati, Kewot, Kumhari, Mandal, Mannadi, Riwai
Population

2,860,000 in India (2001 census).

Location

Northeast Madhya Pradesh, Rewa, Satna, Sidhi, Shahdol, Umaria, Anuppur, Jabalpur, Mandla, Chhindwara, Dindori, and Panna districts; Uttar Pradesh, Allahabad, Mirzapur, Banda, and Hamirpur districts; Chhattisgarh, Bilaspur and Koriya districts. Also in Nepal.

Language Maps
Language Status

6a (Vigorous).

Classification
Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, East Central zone
Dialects

Godwani, Kumhari, Rewa. Godwani (refers to Bagheli-speaking Gonds), Kumhari (refers to Bagheli-speaking Kumhar). Though geographic and caste variation is found in Bagheli, no dialect is prevalent. Rewa area variety is considered standard. Lexical similarity: 79%–99% between all Bagheli varieties; 72%–91% with Hindi [hin].

Language Use

Vigorous. All domains. All ages. Positive attitudes. 35% of the Bagheli-speaking population is projected to have good general proficiency or more in Hindi [hin]. Hindi use is widespread but does not appear to be completely displacing Bagheli in any of the domains.

Language Development
Literacy rate in L2: 49% in Hindi. Had literature since 16th century. Radio programs. NT: 1821.
Language Resources
OLAC resources in and about Bagheli
Writing
Devanagari script.
Other Comments

Hindu.

Also spoken in:

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