India is known for its diverse cultural identity. An important component of this diversity is the many different languages and dialects spoken there. A large part of Indian history and literature is stored in its regional dialects. ‘Braj bhasha’ is one such major dialect prevalent in North India in which the melodious literary treasure of medieval Krishna poetry is preserved. Braj Bhasha is considered to be the sweetest dialect spoken in India. Due to its specific grammatical system and vast literature, it has been very popular in the academic world also. It would be very interesting to examine the medieval literature present in Braj Bhasha in this broader perspective.
Braj Bhasha, also known as Braj Bhakha, was the primary language of the Braj Mandal region, corresponding To the contemporary Mathura district. It was spoken in the southern region of Mathura, including the Agra District; much of the Bharatpur State; the Dholpur and Karauli States; the western region of Gwalior; and the Eastern region of Jaipur. To the north, it extended into the eastern region of Gurgaon, and to the northeast, it Covered the Doab region, including Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Mainpuri, and Etah, as well as areas across the Ganges, Such as Bareilly, Budaun, and the Tarai parganas. This irregularly shaped tract spanned from the southwest to The northeast, with an average width of 90 miles and a length of 300 miles, encompassing approximately 27,000 square miles.
Still, now more than 2.5 billion people are practising Braj Bhasha as their native language. Before the 20th century, Khari Boli (Modern Hindi) was not recognised as a language of poetic expression, and There was no significant effort to establish it as such until the latter part of the 19th century. Instead, Braj Bhasha was the preferred language for poetry in the Hindi region, Largely due to the Krishna-centric religious Practices prevalent in the Braj area(Braj Mandal). The Krishna cult played a crucial role in the development of Braj Bhasha As a poetic language.
According to Grierson, towards the end of the 15th century, Vallabhacharya, a Tailang Brahman, propagated the Radha-Krishna cult, which gained widespread popularity. This religious tradition Was centered around Mathura, known for the youthful Krishna’s pastimes. Vallabhacharya’s eight prominent Disciples, known as the Ashta Chhap, including Vitthalnath and Surdas, established themselves in the region And laid the foundation for the esteemed community of Gokulastha Gosains. Their musical compositions Resonated throughout the Doab region, and they used Braj Bhasha as the medium of their poetic expression. Consequently, Braj Bhasha has persisted as the sole appropriate language for venerating Krishna and his divine Consort.
However, this long-standing dominance came under scrutiny in the late nineteenth century, particularly with The rise of linguistic nationalism—often intertwined with communal anxieties—and the search for a modern,(standardised) Hindi. Braj Bhasha has their own grammar, own identity, and great literature. In this context, I can easily say that it’s not a just dialect but a proper language. It’s a language of sweetness,lt is a language of love, and most of all, it’s the language of medieval Indian poetry.

Speaker: Dr. Gyan Prakash

Moderator: Sung Yong Kang, Director of the Center for South Asian Studies
Discussion: All participants

Venue: Room 303, Seoul National University Asia Center

Date and Time: Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 14:00–15:30