Abstract
The present Arabic – Sindhi script was formed in July 1853 on the
recommendations of the “Board of Directors, East India Company”, London.
They directed Bombay Government, India, that “keeping in view the sociopolitical background submitted by Commissioner in Sindh, Arabic-Sindhi
script would be better for Sindh Region. However, the original script of region
“KHUDAWADI” should be considered carefully. In this connection a committee should be constituted consisting of European Linguists & scholars and a
few members from the region.
The, then Commissioner of Sindh Sir Bartal Frere sent recommendations to Mr. B.H. Ellis, Assistant Commissioner, incharge of the education in
Sindh.
It may be pointed out that the issue of script was initiated by Mr. Rath
Borne, Collector of Hyderabad in 1845. He wrote a letter to the Indian Government to provide him 3000 annual grant for the establishment of schools in
district premises. Subsequently he was asked how much teachers were available for teaching on modern lines, for which, he could not reply because such
teachers were not available in the region, who could teach the regional language, Sindhi.
It may be mentioned here that like other regions of the sub-continent,
Sindhi was made the official language of Sindh Province in early days. In this
regard Mr. George Clerk Governor, Bombay Presidency issued a notification
in April 1848 that: “We should introduce the language of the country (namely
Scendhee) as medium of official intercourse. I do not see in what way our revenue and judicial officers (however their offices and courts may be continue)
can work effectively through a foreign medium of communication such as Persian or English. A period of 18 months should therefore, be allowed to the officers on civil employment to equality themselves for an examination in Sendhee
language”.
Following the instructions of British Government, George Stack
started work on compilation of English-Sindhi Dictionary and composition of
“Sindhi grammar”. He submitted both books to the government for publication, which were published in the year 1849. Both the books were written in
Khudawadi/Devnagri script. This was the main cause that Mr. Pringle, the
Commissioner in 1850 proposed this script for official use in Sindh.
Aftab Abro. (2010) موجوده عربي-سنڌي ءَجو تنققيدي اڀياس, Kalachi, Volume 13, Issue 1.
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