Women, Reform, and Modernity in the Landscape of Hindi Literature
Introduction Hindi literature stands as one of the richest and most diverse literary traditions in South Asia. Its origins trace back to the 7th and 8th centuries, when oral poetry began to flourish across northern India in various dialects. Today, Modern Standard Hindi based on Khari Boli and written in the Devanagari script serves as the official language of India. Yet Hindi literature extends far beyond Khari Boli. It embraces a wide spectrum of dialects such as Brajbhasa, Bundeli, Awadhi, Marwari, Maithili, and Bhojpuri, each contributing uniquely to the cultural and literary heritage of the region. The earliest works of Hindi literature were oral compositions designed for recitation or singing. Passed down through generations, these poems and songs formed the foundation of the tradition. Poetry dominated the early landscape, while prose emerged much later. A landmark in Hindi prose was Chandrakanta, a fantasy novel by Devaki Nandan Khatri, which marked a turning point in the l...