Gujarati Sahityano Itihas Part 01

This is a comprehensive summary of the provided pages from "Gujarati Sahityano Itihas Part 01" (History of Gujarati Literature, Volume 01), authored by Umashankar Joshi & Others and published by Gujarati Sahitya Parishad.

Book Title: Gujarati Sahityano Itihas Part 01 (History of Gujarati Literature, Volume 01) Time Period Covered: c. 1150 CE - 1450 CE Authors: Umashankar Joshi & Others Publisher: Gujarati Sahitya Parishad, Ahmedabad

Overall Purpose: This volume is the first in a multi-volume series aiming to provide a comprehensive history of Gujarati literature. It focuses on the medieval period, specifically from 1150 CE to 1450 CE. The revised edition (2001) builds upon the first edition (1973) by incorporating updated research and details, particularly from the "Gujarati Sahitya Kosh" (Gujarati Literary Encyclopedia) project.

Key Contents and Structure:

The book is divided into two main sections, with several chapters dedicated to establishing the historical and linguistic context before delving into the literary analysis of the period.

Section 1: Contextual Foundation

• Chapter 1: Gujarat nu Ghadtar (The Making of Gujarat) - Historical Overview (By Hariprasad Shastri):

  • Geology and Geography: Details the geological formation of Gujarat, its diverse geographical features (Kutch, Saurashtra, mainland Gujarat), coastal advantages, rivers, and their impact on the region's people.
  • Name and Territory: Traces the evolution of the name "Gujarat" and its territorial boundaries throughout various historical periods, from ancient times to the formation of the modern state.
  • Prehistoric and Protohistoric Cultures: Discusses early human settlements, the Indus Valley Civilization's presence in Gujarat (Lothal, Dholavira), the Chalcolithic and early Iron Age periods, and archaeological findings.
  • Early Historical Dynasties: Covers the Sharyatos, Bhrigus, and Yadavas mentioned in Puranic literature, followed by the Mauryan, Western Satraps, Gupta, and Maitraka periods. It highlights the administrative divisions and political influence of these empires on Gujarat.
  • Post-Maitraka Period and Solanki Era: Details the political landscape after the Maitrakas, the rise of the Gurjara-Pratiharas, Rashtrakutas, Chalukyas (Solankis), and the eventual establishment of the Delhi Sultanate. It emphasizes the Solanki period (c. 942-1304 CE) as a "golden age" of Gujarat, marked by significant political, cultural, and artistic achievements, with rulers like Siddharaja Jayasinh and Kumarapala, and the prolific scholar Hemchandracharya. It also touches upon the Vaghela dynasty and the end of the Solanki rule.

• Chapter 2: Gujarati Bhashano Kulakram (The Genealogy of the Gujarati Language) (By Harivallabh Bhayani):

  • Linguistic Principles: Explains the dynamic nature of language and the factors influencing its evolution (time, geography, social structure). It discusses language families (Indo-European, Indo-Aryan) and the classification of Indian languages.
  • Developmental Stages of Indo-Aryan: Outlines the three major stages: Old Indo-Aryan (Vedic Sanskrit), Middle Indo-Aryan (Pali, Prakrits, Apabhramsa), and New Indo-Aryan (modern regional languages like Gujarati).
  • Factors Influencing Language Development: Discusses the challenges in tracing precise linguistic evolution due to the limited nature of preserved materials (often literary rather than spoken), the influence of neighboring languages, Sanskrit's dominant role, and the impact of various foreign invasions and migrations.
  • Gujarati's Place in Indo-Aryan: Analyzes the linguistic features that distinguish Gujarati, particularly the preservation of original 'r' clusters (like in madhyakaal vs. madhyakal) and the development of specific phonetic and grammatical characteristics that trace its lineage from Apabhramsa.
  • Early Linguistic Evidence: Mentions the significance of Ashoka's Girnar edicts for understanding early Western Indian dialects and the Pueriplus of the Erythraean Sea for insights into early Gujarati vocabulary.
  • Apabhramsa's Role: Discusses the emergence and significance of Apabhramsa as a literary language and its direct influence on the development of modern Indo-Aryan languages, including Gujarati.
  • Gujarati's Origin: Places the beginning of distinct Gujarati language features around the 11th-12th century CE, acknowledging the gradual evolution and the role of centers like Patan and Ahmedabad in its standardization.
  • Dialectal Variations: Touches upon the existence of regional and social dialects within Gujarati, acknowledging the ongoing need for comprehensive dialectal surveys.

• Chapter 3: Gujarati Bhasha-na Vidhayak Paribalo (Factors Influencing Gujarati Language) (By Prabodh Pandit):

  • Gujarati's Place in Indian Languages: Categorizes Gujarati within the Indo-Aryan language family and traces its development from ancient to modern stages.
  • Linguistic Evolution: Details phonetic shifts and grammatical changes that led to the formation of distinct language groups, particularly the North-Western group (Punjabi, Sindhi, Kacchi, Dardic languages) and the Eastern group (Bengali, Assamese, Odia, Bihari languages), and how Gujarati belongs to the Western group alongside Rajasthani and Marathi.
  • Sociolinguistic Factors: Analyzes how social structures, class, caste (e.g., Nagars), residential patterns (urban vs. rural), and historical events have influenced linguistic variations and the adoption of certain phonetic features (like the pronunciation of nasalized vowels). It provides statistical data from studies in Ahmedabad and Surendranagar to illustrate these correlations.

• Chapter 4: Sahityik Purvaparampa (Literary Precursors) (By Harivallabh Bhayani):

  • Emergence of Regional Literature: Discusses the shift from pan-Indian literary languages (Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa) to the rise of regional languages and literatures around 1000 CE. It explains the socio-historical reasons for this transition, including reduced pan-Indian contact and the need to reach a wider audience.
  • Legacy of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa: Highlights the rich heritage of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa literature that provided the foundation and influence for early Gujarati literary works. It mentions prominent centers of learning like Valabhi and Dharanagari.
  • Key Apabhramsa Literary Forms: Describes the characteristics of Apabhramsa literature, including its unique compositional structures (Sandhibandha, Rasabandha), meters, and thematic content (mythological stories, biographies of influential figures). It points out how these forms and themes were adopted and adapted by early Gujarati writers.

Section 2: Literary History (1150-1450 CE)

• Chapter 5: Sahitya: Prachin Kal (Literature: Ancient Period) (By Keshavram K. Shastri):

  • Historical and Cultural Context: Briefly revisits the political and cultural milieu of Gujarat during the Solanki and Vaghela periods, emphasizing periods of peace, prosperity, religious tolerance, and patronage of arts and literature.
  • Key Literary Trends: Discusses the prevalent literary trends, the influence of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa, and the emergence of new forms and themes. It highlights the significant contributions of Jain scholars and poets.
  • Major Literary Figures and Works: Details the contributions of prominent writers like Hemchandracharya, Vastupala, Tejapala, Someshvara, Amarachandra Suri, and others, and their works in Sanskrit, Prakrit, and early Gujarati. It discusses the prevalent genres like epic poetry, prose narratives, drama, and philosophical treatises.

• Chapter 6: Ras ane Phagu Sahitya (Ras and Phagu Literature) (By Keshavram K. Shastri):

  • Ras Literature:
    • Definition and Origin: Traces the origin of "Ras" from dance forms and religious performances, linking it to the concept of "Ras Leela" and its presence in ancient texts like Harivamsa and the Natyashastra.
    • Characteristics: Explains the evolution of Ras as a literary genre, its compositional structure (Sandhibandha, Kadvada, Thavan), meter variations, and thematic content (often religious, but also historical and didactic).
    • Key Works and Authors: Discusses significant Ras works like "Bharateshwar Bahubali Ras" (Shalibhadra Suri), "Sandeshak Rasak" (Abdur Rahman), "Revantgiri Ras" (Vijayashan Suri), and "Buddhiras" (Shalibhadra Suri), analyzing their language, themes, and literary merit.
  • Phagu Literature:
    • Etymology and Meaning: Discusses the origin of the word "Phagu," linking it to the spring festival (Phalguna month) and its celebratory nature.
    • Thematic Content: Explains that Phagu literature primarily focuses on the description of spring, the festivities associated with it, and often uses the theme of love and separation (Viraha) or devotional themes (Bhakti).
    • Key Works and Authors: Mentions prominent Phagu works like "Jinchandrasuri Phagu," "Sathulibhadra Phagu," "Nemnath Phagu," and "Vasantvilas Phagu," analyzing their language, meters, and literary contributions. It highlights "Vasantvilas" for its poetic quality and descriptive verses.
  • Other Literary Forms: Briefly mentions other minor literary forms like "Baramasi" (twelve-month descriptions), "Chhappay" (a six-line stanza), "Vivahalau" (wedding songs), and "Chhand" (meters).

• Chapter 7: Loukik Katha Adi (Folk Tales and Other Genres) (By Bhogilal Sandesara):

  • Folk Tales and Their Influence: Discusses the deep connection between folk literature and classical literature, with folk tales often forming the basis of classical narratives. It highlights the "Brihatkatha" of Gunadhya as a major source and its influence on subsequent Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa literature.
  • Gujarati Folk Narratives: Explains how these traditions continued into Gujarati literature, with the emergence of genres like "Vartak," "Bolli," and "Ukti."
  • Key Works and Authors:
    • Balavbodh: Describes the purpose and style of Balavbodh literature, which served as simplified commentaries and introductions to religious and philosophical texts for a wider audience. Mentions examples like "Aradhana," "Nishkath," and commentaries on "Shatapadarthi."
    • Varnak: Discusses Varnak as a descriptive prose genre, often featuring alliteration and ornate language, used for entertainment and religious discourse. Mentions "Prithvichandra Charit" as a notable example.
    • Ukti: Explains Ukti as a genre focused on language learning, grammar, and vocabulary, often presented through dialogues or collections of words and their meanings. Mentions examples like "Balashiksha" and "Uktikosh."
  • Prose Literature: Notes the development of prose, particularly in religious commentaries and narrative works, which laid the foundation for later prose styles in Gujarati.

• Concluding Remarks (By Harivallabh Bhayani):

  • Reiterates the importance of the historical, geographical, political, and religious context in understanding the evolution of Gujarati literature.
  • Highlights the significant impact of Jainism on the literature of this period, particularly in the development of genres like Ras and Phagu.
  • Emphasizes the crucial role of patronage from rulers and ministers like Siddharaja Jayasinh, Kumarapala, and ministers Vastupala and Tejapala in fostering literary creativity.
  • Acknowledges the ongoing influence of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa traditions on early Gujarati literature while noting the gradual emergence of distinctly Gujarati literary characteristics.

Key Takeaways:

• Medieval Gujarati Literature's Roots: This volume establishes the foundational literary traditions from Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa that influenced early Gujarati literature.
• Rise of Regional Literature: It marks the period as the beginning of distinct regional Gujarati literature, moving away from pan-Indian literary languages.
• Jain Influence: The significant contribution of Jain scholars and poets to the development of Ras and Phagu genres is highlighted.
• Key Genres: Ras and Phagu literature emerged as important narrative and lyrical forms, often focusing on religious themes, heroic tales, and descriptions of spring and love.
• Linguistic Development: It traces the evolution of the Gujarati language from its Apabhramsa roots, noting key phonetic and grammatical changes.
• Patronage: Royal and ministerial patronage played a crucial role in the flourishing of arts and literature during the Solanki and Vaghela periods.
• The "Ras Yug": This period is characterized as the "Ras Yug" due to the prominence of Ras compositions.
• Folk Influence: The analysis of Ras and Phagu also points to the underlying influence of folk traditions and oral literature.

This summary provides a detailed overview of the content of the provided text, focusing on the historical, linguistic, and literary aspects covered in the first volume of the History of Gujarati Literature.