Language

Punjabi

Sacred & Content Languages

Punjabi, written in the Gurmukhi script devised for the purpose, is the language in which the Guru Granth Sahib, the central scripture of Sikhism, was composed and compiled by the Sikh Gurus, incorporating hymns in Punjabi alongside material in other regional languages within a single canonical volume. It is also the language of the compositions of Guru Nanak, Sikhism's founder, and of his successors, making it the primary devotional and liturgical language of Sikh worship. Unlike most other entries in this classical group, Punjabi remains a living, widely spoken language across Punjab and its global diaspora, so its scriptural role sits alongside ordinary contemporary use rather than being confined to liturgy. The atlas holds it here as the primary source language behind the Sikh scriptural material it catalogs.

Facts

Identity

Native Script

Gurmukhi in India, devised in the sixteenth century and the script of the Guru Granth Sahib, and the Perso-Arabic Shahmukhi in Pakistan, so that one language is read in two scripts across a border. 1

Origins

Language Family

Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family; unusual among major Indo-Aryan languages for being tonal; written in Gurmukhi (Sikh, Indian Punjab) or Shahmukhi (Muslim, Pakistani Punjab) depending on religious community. 2

Place of Origin

Punjabi originated in the Punjab region straddling what is now northwestern India and eastern Pakistan, the language in which the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism's central scripture, is composed. 2

Attestation

Era of Attestation

Punjabi is attested as a distinct language from around the tenth to twelfth centuries CE, emerging from Apabhramsha alongside the other modern North Indian languages before its later use in the Guru Granth Sahib. 3

Overview

Diaspora Presence

Sikh migration since the nineteenth century, first within the British Empire and later worldwide, established Punjabi-speaking Sikh communities in the United Kingdom, Canada, especially British Columbia, and the United States, where gurdwara worship and the recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib in Gurmukhi script sustain the language outside the Punjab. 2

Practice

Liturgical and Scriptural Rolethe subject's own account

Principal language of the Guru Granth Sahib (1604), Sikhism's central scripture, written in the religiously significant Gurmukhi script alongside portions in Braj Bhasha, Sanskrit and Persian. 4

Geography

Modern Area

Spoken across the Punjab region divided between India and Pakistan, and the principal language of the Sikh tradition, with a substantial diaspora in the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. 2

Liturgical role (class)

Scriptural language 2

Learn More

Punjabi: An Indo-Aryan Language of the Sikh Scriptures

Punjabi belongs to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European family, developed from Sanskrit-derived Prakrit and Apabhramsha vernaculars of the Punjab region straddling modern India and Pakistan, and is unusual among major Indo-Aryan languages for being a genuinely tonal language, a feature that developed through the historical loss of certain consonant sounds whose effect shifted onto pitch instead. Punjabi is written in two distinct scripts depending on religion and national border, Gurmukhi, developed specifically for Sikh scriptural use and associated historically with the second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad, in the sixteenth century, used predominantly by Sikhs and in Indian Punjab, and Shahmukhi, a Perso-Arabic-based script used by Punjabi Muslims in Pakistani Punjab, a script divide that mirrors the wider Hindi-Urdu split and reflects how religious community rather than spoken dialect has often determined which writing system a South Asian language community adopts.

Punjabi's Gurmukhi script and its associated literary tradition developed specifically to record and transmit Sikh scripture in a form distinct from the Sanskrit-based Devanagari used for Hindu religious texts. Gurmukhi literally means from the mouth of the Guru, a name reflecting the script's foundational association with the Sikh Gurus themselves rather than a neutral technical label, reinforcing its status within Sikhism as considerably more than a mere writing system.

Punjabi and the Guru Granth Sahib's Multilingual Scripture

Punjabi is the principal though not exclusive language of the Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhism's central scripture and living Guru, compiled by Guru Arjan in 1604 and given its final form under Guru Gobind Singh, whose hymns draw on Punjabi alongside significant portions composed in Braj Bhasha, Sanskrit and Persian, reflecting the diverse linguistic environment of medieval North India from which the Sikh Gurus and the wider bhakti devotional movement drew inspiration and vocabulary.

The Gurmukhi script, in which the Guru Granth Sahib is written and in which it must be read for formal liturgical purposes regardless of a reader's spoken dialect, carries deep religious significance within Sikhism beyond its purely linguistic function, since the script itself is closely tied to the scripture's status as Guru, a living spiritual authority rather than merely a historical text. Punjabi remains the primary spoken and devotional language of Sikh communities in Punjab and the global Sikh diaspora, used in daily prayer, gurdwara services, and religious education, since Punjabi language classes are a standard feature of diaspora Sikh community life specifically to maintain access to the Guru Granth Sahib in its original language and script.

Connections

Associated With

Sikhism

The Guru Granth Sahib is written in the Gurmukhi script, and Punjabi in Gurmukhi is its primary script and the everyday liturgical medium, though its verses draw on Sant Bhasha and several regional languages.

Source The Encyclopaedia of SikhismHarbans Singh (editor-in-chief)

Attested in Region

Indian Subcontinent

Punjabi is documented in use as a written language in Indian Subcontinent. Punjabi in Gurmukhi script is the language of the Guru Granth Sahib. The claim is where the language is documented in use as a written, literary or liturgical language. It is not a claim about the full extent of its speakers, and it is not a claim about where the language originated.

Source The World's Writing SystemsPeter T. Daniels and William Bright (eds.)

Language Of

Ahankar (Ego)

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Ardas Opening

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Daya (Compassion)

Guru Granth Sahib

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Ik Onkar

Janam-sakhis

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Japji Sahib Closing Salok

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Kam (Lust)

Kirtan Sohila Opening

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Santokh (Contentment)

Sarbat da Bhala

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Sat (Truth)

The Petition of the Ardas

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Waheguru

Liturgical Language Of

Khalsa

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Nirmala

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Udasi

Entity-backed identity for the language enum value this record already carries, resolved to the live divinity language entity that value names, per the phase 3 entity-backed browse bucket conversion (docs\design_entity_backed_browse_buckets_20260928.md, owner decisions 2026-09-28, w-bucketconv-divlang2-0929, mapping corrected). The language fact itself, with its own citation, stays on the record unchanged; this relationship only adds the durable entity identity the value already names.

Named or Composed in This Language

Anand Sahib

Source Divinity Atlas Entity Records, First Edition

Ardas

Source Divinity Atlas Entity Records, First Edition

Ardas Opening

The prayer is transmitted in Punjabi.

Asa

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Asa di Var

Source Divinity Atlas Entity Records, First Edition

Bairari

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Basant

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Bhairo

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Bihagra

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Bilaval

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Devgandhari

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Dhanasri

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Gagan Mai Thaal

Source Divinity Atlas Entity Records, First Edition

Gauri

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Gond

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Gujri

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Ik Onkar

The mantra is transmitted in Punjabi.

Jaijawanti

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Jaitsri

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Japji Sahib

Source Divinity Atlas Entity Records, First Edition

Japji Sahib Closing Salok

The prayer is transmitted in Punjabi.

Kalyan

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Kanra

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Kedara

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Kirtan Sohila

Source Divinity Atlas Entity Records, First Edition

Kirtan Sohila Opening

The prayer is transmitted in Punjabi.

Majh

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Malar

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Mali Gaura

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Maru

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Mool Mantar

The prayer is transmitted in Punjabi.

Mul Mantar

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Nat Narayan

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Prabhati

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Ramkali

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Rehras Sahib

Source Divinity Atlas Entity Records, First Edition

Sach Khand

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Sarang

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Sarbat da Bhala

The prayer is transmitted in Punjabi.

Sikh Rehat Maryada

Siri Rag

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Sorath

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Suhi

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Sukhmani Sahib

Source Divinity Atlas Entity Records, First Edition

Tilang

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Todi

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Tukhari

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Wadhans

The Granth's register is composite. Punjabi is the base and the script is Gurmukhi, but Braj, Sanskritic, Persian and Arabic vocabulary run through it.

Source SikhismW. H. McLeod

Waheguru

The mantra is transmitted in Punjabi.

Uses This Script

Arabic

Source The World's Writing SystemsPeter T. Daniels and William Bright (eds.)

Gurmukhi

Source The World's Writing SystemsPeter T. Daniels and William Bright (eds.)

In the Other Atlases

Also in Language Atlas: Indo-Aryan, in branch there.
Also in Language Atlas: Indo-European, in branch there.

Sources

1. The World's Writing Systems

Peter T. Daniels and William Bright (eds.), Oxford University Press, 1996View the Source

2. Ethnologue: Languages of the World

David M. Eberhard, Gary F. Simons and Charles D. Fennig (eds.), SIL International, 2024on the liturgical and scriptural role of PunjabiView the Source

3. The Indo-Aryan Languages

George Cardona and Dhanesh Jain (eds.), Routledge, 2003View the Source

4. Guru Granth Sahib

Compiled by Guru Arjan, 1604; final recension attributed to Guru Gobind Singh, 1706, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, 1604the holders' own accountView the Source

Sikhism

W. H. McLeod, Penguin Books, 1997Named or Composed in This Language: Sach Khand, Stored language property on this entity, cited to this source: punjabiView the Source

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Punjabi

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Uses This Script

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