Why in news?
On April 17, 2026, a "BHASHINI Sanchalan/Seva Workshop" was held at SGTB Khalsa College, Delhi, focused on creating large datasets for Gurmukhi to integrate the script into digital platforms and AI ecosystems.
Origin and History
- Founder: While basic forms existed earlier, the second Sikh Guru, Guru Angad Dev Ji, refined and standardized the current 35-letter version in the 16th century.
- Etymology: The word "Gurmukhi" literally means "from the mouth of the Guru," as it was used to record the hymns (Gurbani) of the Sikh Gurus.
- Purpose: It was designed to be simple and phonetic so that common people—regardless of caste—could read and write religious texts, breaking the monopoly of Sanskrit.
Linguistic Features
- Alphabet Structure: Traditionally known as Painti Akhri (35 letters). Modern Gurmukhi has 41 letters (including 6 with a dot below for Persian/Arabic sounds).
- Writing System: It is an abugida, written from left to right.
- Phonetic Nature: It is a phonetic script, meaning words are written exactly as they are spoken.
- Standardization: It is the official script for the Punjabi language in India (whereas in Pakistan, Punjabi is primarily written in the Shahmukhi script).
Official Status & Usage
- State Language: Gurmukhi is the official script of the State of Punjab, India.
- Sacred Text: The Guru Granth Sahib, the holy scripture of Sikhs, is written entirely in this script.
- Signage Mandate: The Punjab government has made it mandatory for all signboards and milestones in the state to display Punjabi in Gurmukhi script at the top.
Digital & Global Recognition
- Unicode Support: Gurmukhi has full support in Unicode, allowing its use in emails, websites, and social media.
- UNESCO Connection: UNESCO has previously supported the translation of Guru Nanak's writings into international languages, often citing the literary richness of the Gurmukhi script.
- Global Diaspora: It is the 14th most used script in the world, largely due to the vast Punjabi diaspora in Canada, the UK, and Australia.
Download Pdf
