-
This paper explores the historical and linguistic evolution of the Urdu spoken by the Bihari community in Bangladesh. Originating from Urdu-speaking Muslims of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh, the Biharis migrated to East Pakistan during the 1947 Partition, where their language and cultural identity became politically and socially contested. Following the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War, many Biharis were left stateless and confined to refugee-style camps, leading to prolonged linguistic isolation. Within these camps, Urdu survived as the primary language, evolving into a unique dialect influenced by Bangla and shaped by the community’s resilience and marginalization. This study highlights how migration, political history, and social isolation can drive language transformation, while also serving as a marker of identity and cultural continuity for marginalized communities.
