Mahasu Pahari language

Mahasu Pahari is a Western Pahari language spoken in Himachal Pradesh.It is also known as Mahasui or Mahasuvi.Speaking population is about 1,000,000 (2001).It is more commonly spoken in Himachal Pradesh, Shimla (Simla) and Solan districts. It is to be known that Shimla and Solan were parts of old Mahasu district. Himachal Pradesh State on Ist September, 1972 reoganized the districts dissolving Mahasu district.The Solan district was carved out of Solan and Arki tehsils of the then Mahasu district and tehsils of Kandaghat and Nalagarh of the then Shimla District.

It is classified as- Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Northern zone, Western Pahari. According to different locations, the language has developed several dialects. Lower Mahasu Pahari (Baghati, Baghliani, Kiunthali), Upper Mahasu Pahari (Rampuri, Rohruri, Shimla Siraji, Sodochi). The Kiunthali variety appears to be understood by others, and their attitude toward it is favorable. Rampuri is also called Kochi; Rohruri is also called Soracholi and Sodochi spoken in Kotgarh. Intelligibility among dialects above 85%. Lexical similarity: 74%–82% with upper dialects, 74%–95% with lower dialects.The language is used in home and for religious purpose It is understood and spoken from people af vital age group. The educated are more proficient in Hindi and English. It is considered to be highly endangered as the number of people speaking is constantly going down. It is also to be noted that "Sirmauri" spoken in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh and in neighboring jaunsar-bawar of Uttrakhand more or less share the same roots down to Mahasu/mahasui language.

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