Khandeshi

Khandeshi
Ahirani
ख़ानदेशी / अहिरणी
Native to	Maharashtra, India
Region	Khandesh
Native speakers	1.9 million (2001 census)
Language family	Indo-European Indo-Iranian Indo-Aryan Western Khandeshi
Language codes
ISO 639-3	Either: khn – Khandeshi ahr – Ahirani (duplicate code)
Glottolog	khan1272
Location of the Khandesh region in India
Location of the Khandesh region within Maharashtra

Khandeshi is an Indo-Aryan language in the Maharashtra state of India. It is spoken in the Khandesh region, wedged between the territory of Bhili and that of Marathi. It consists of Khandeshi proper, and the Dangri and Ahirani dialects. The words "Ahirani" and "Khandeshi" are sometimes used interchangeably: Ahirani as the caste-based name (after Ahirs), and Khandesh as the region-based name.

Khandeshi is named after the Khandesh region. There are various theories about the origin of the word Khanesh. One theory states that the name derives from the words "Khan" (a title used by the Mughal deputies in the region) and "desh" (country). Another theory suggests the name derives from the words "Kanha" and "desh"; "Kanha" is a name for Krishna, the primary deity worshipped by the Ahir people of the region. Other theories suggests the varying origins of the word "Khan", including "Kanbai" (a regional female deity), "Kahan" (hay or grass) and "Khaan" ("basin", as in basin of the Waghur river). A detailed study of the various etymologies of the word Khandesh appears in the book Ahirani Boli by Dr. Ramesh Suryawanshi.

Ahirani is a major dialect of Khandeshi. It was originally spoken by the Ahirs (cattle herders) living in the Khandesh region. It is further divided into region-based sub-dialects such as Chalisgaon, Dhule, Malegaon and Dhule group. Ahirani is spoken in the Jalgaon (except Bhusaval, Jamner, Bodwad and Muktainagar) and Nandurbar, Dhule. Outside Khandesh, it is spoken in some parts of Nashik (Baglan, Malegaon and Kalwan tehsils) and Aurangabad. People in the tehsils of Chopda, Amalner, Sakri, Dondaiche, Shirpur, Taloda, Shahada, Dhadgaon, Akkalkuwa, Parola, Erandol, Satana, Malegaon, Baglan also speak Ahirani. In the neighboring state of Gujarat, it is spoken in Surat and Vyara, and in Madhya Pradesh, Ahirani is spoken in and around Amba-Varla. Research by Dr. Ramesh Suryawashi suggests that the Ahirani dialect is also spoken in Dharni tehsil of Amravati district, around the Melghat Tiger Reserve forest area. But it is known as Gavali Boli there. Around 30-35 thousand people speak Gavai boli in 40 villages.