Home > Indian History > Languages in India > North-East Indian Languages
North-East Indian Languages
North-east Indian languages owe their significant origination to societies from Burma, grouped under three families.

Share this Article:

North-east India is that bundle that is represented by the seven sister states of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland and Tripura. The distinct dissimilarity that is manifested through these border-line states is that each state has to unfold a legend of its own. Indeed, north-eastern India enshrouds within itself the vast unexplored and unknown tracts, some of which are perhaps still to witness the light of day. `India shining` can no more be better described than through these cluster of states, misty as they are always in environs. Though much smaller in total square feet area as opposed to their other Indian counterparts, north-eastern states predominate and override in its indigenous tribal population and culture, which comes forth in every style of living - beginning from cooking, approach to eating, dressing, singing, dancing, music, architecture, literature and of course, its ancientness in language. The terms: `wealth`, `richness`, or `luxury` or even `lush` flawlessly manifest themselves in these north eastern states, and which would not be an understatement if it is more stated that they have been doused with raw Himalayan splendour. Lapping up the outer Himalayan section, India`s north-east begins and ends in this denominated boundary line, wherein revolves the not-much publicised day-to-day transactions of tribal society, that has since modernisation taken a significant leap from quaintness to bustle. This has, as a result, made a deep and lasting impact upon north-east Indian languages and their fashion of accents.

Going by and following the 1971 census, there exist approximately 220 languages spoken in the north-east Indian states, belonging basically to three language families, specifically Indo-Aryan, Sino-Tibetan and Austric. The Indo-Aryan language family is represented primarily by Assamese and Bangla; Austro-Asiatic language family is represented chiefly by Khasi and the Sino-Tibetan family of languages is exemplified by the Tibeto-Burman and the Siamese-Chinese sub-families. Besides these, there also exist languages of the Tea-Tribes under the north-east Indian languages configuration. However, the bulk of languages spoken here belong to the former group of language families, while the latter (referring to the language of tea-tribes) is interpreted by a few Thai languages like Khamyang, Khamti, Aiton, Phakyal and Turung. In this context, it is meaningful to be acknowledged here that Ahom, a language belonging to the Thai group has over the years significantly merged with Assamese.

There exists an accepted conjecture that the Tibeto-Burman tribes had arrived by way of Burma and entered the hills and valleys of north-eastern India in approximately around 1000 B.C. From then onwards, they gradually intruded upon the Austric settlers, who have existed in these parts since 2000 to 2500 B.C., and drove most of them to seek shelter in the mountainous regions. That was precisely how the Khasis prospered in their mountain homes high on the hills of Meghalaya, forever resting an impact upon the evolvement of north-east Indian languages and their gradual amalgamation with other north-eastern sections.

However, the greatest density of Tibeto-Burman speakers is found in the north-eastern part of the country, as compared to other Indian regions and populace. As such, north-east Indian languages comprise Assamese, Nepali, Manipuri or Meiteilon, Kokborok or Tripuri, Nagamese, Mizo, Khasi, Garo, Bodo, Karbi, Dimasa, Mishing and Apatani, Bishnupriya Manipuri language and Rabha.


Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Languages in India


Development of Tamil Scripts
Development of Tamil scripts can be traced to the period just after the reign of Asoka. The Tamil script is believed to have developed from the Brahmi script.
History of Tamil Language
History of Tamil Language dates back to around the 2nd century BCE. Tamil language consists of the oldest non-Sanskrit Indian literature amongst all other Indian languages.
History of Maithili Language
History of Maithili Language can be dated back to the early fourteenth century. Maithili is now one of the national languages of India.
West Indian Languages
West Indian languages distinguish themselves with rurality and urbanity drawing the primary lines of speech.
Nagari Script
Nagari script today is classified as Devanagari, believed to have served as the ancestor of various modern-day writing.
Tamil Language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken primarily in India and other countries of South Asia. It is one of the official languages of Tamil Nadu. With a rich literary history spanning over 2,000 years, Tamil holds the distinction of being one of the oldest classical languages in the world.
Awadhi Language
Awadhi is one of the enriched languages of India, Hindi too originated from it. Awadhi, an Indo-Aryan language from the Indo-European family, originated from Ardhamagadhi Prakrit with ties to Sauraseni and Magadhi dialects.
Tamil Scripts
Tamil Scripts are used to write the Tamil language and other Dravidians languages. Tamil script varies from other Brahmi-derived scripts in numerous ways.
Bengali Language
Bengali Language evolved from Prakrit, Pali and Sanskrit and an Indo-Aryan language of the eastern India.
Gondi language
Gondi language is unusual in its formation that it contains no written versions, yet is enriched in concepts.
Pali Language
Pali Language owes its origination to Gautama Buddha and his disciples, who were chief to propagate it.
Origin of Prakrit Language
Origin of Prakrit language can be attributed to Sanskrit according to some historians. Some consider it as nature’s gift which is easily comprehensible.
Indian Language Families
Indian language families encompass diverse linguistic groups such as Indo-Aryan, Dravidian, Tibeto-Burman, Tai-Kadai, and Andamanese. Indo-Aryan languages dominate northern India, Dravidian languages in the south, Tibeto-Burman in the northeast, Tai-Kadai in the northeast, and Andamanese in the Andaman Islands, reflecting India`s rich linguistic heritage and cultural diversity.
Chakma Script
Chakma script is also called Ojhapath, Ojhopath, Aaojhapath. The forms of the letters have resemblances to that of the Burmese script.
Garhwali Language
Garhwali, widely spoken by the denizens of Garhwal and East Himalayan region.
Sikkimese Language
The Sikkimese language, also known as Bhutia or Drenjongke, is a Sino-Tibetan language spoken primarily in the Indian state of Sikkim. Rich in cultural significance, it features a unique script derived from the Tibetan alphabet. Sikkimese reflects the region's deep Buddhist heritage, preserving its traditions through oral and written forms.
Kharosthi Script
Kharosthi script had much to do with emperor Ashoka, who made use of this style in his Rock Edicts.
Siddham Script
Siddham script has evolved from two exceedingly respected lineage, thriving during the reign of Gupta Empire.
Indian Tribal Languages
Indian tribal languages have no legend of their own and spoken by people of ethnic groups from remote areas.
Assamese Script
Assamese script is a variation of the Eastern Nagari script. It belongs to the family to the Brahmic script family.