Khandeshi language

Khandeshi, also spelt Qhandeshi^[4] is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Khandesh region of north-west Maharashtra, and also in Gujarat.^[5] It consists of Khandeshi proper, and the Dangri and Ahirani dialects.^[6] Kunbi and Rangari are dialects. The Ahirani dialect of this language is mostly spoken. Devanagari script is used to write Khandeshi language.^[7] The words "Ahirani" and "Khandeshi" are sometimes used interchangeably: Ahirani as the caste-based name (after Ahirs), and Khandesh as the region-based name. The Census of 1911, 1921 and 1931 counted the Ahirani speaking people as Gujaratis^[8] but in later decades they have been recognized as a different language.

NativetoMaharashtra, India

RegionKhandesh

EthnicityKhandeshi

Native speakers

1.86 million (2011 census)^[1]

Quick facts Native to, Region ...

Khandeshi
Ahirani, Qhandeshi
खान्देशी, अहिराणी
Native to	Maharashtra, India
Region	Khandesh
Ethnicity	Khandeshi
Native speakers	1.86 million (2011 census)[1]
Language family	Indo-European Indo-Iranian Indo-Aryan Western[2] Khandeshi
Dialects	Khandeshi Dangri Ahirani
Writing system	Devanagari[3]
Language codes
ISO 639-3	Either: khn – Khandeshi ahr – Ahirani (dialect)
Glottolog	khan1272  Khandesi ahir1243  Ahirani (deprecated)
Distribution of Khandeshi speakers (2011)

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