Gujarati literature

The history of Gujarati literature (ગુજરાતી સાહિત્ય) may be traced to 1000 AD, and this literature has flourished since then to the present. It is unique in having almost no patronage from a ruling dynasty, other than its composers. Gujarat Vidhya Sabha, Gujarat Sahitya Sabha, Gujarat Sahitya Akademi and Gujarati Sahitya Parishad are Gujarat-based literary institutions promoting the Gujarati literature. Such factors as the policies of the rulers, the living style of the people, and the worldwide influence on society are important for any literature to flourish. In Gujarat, due to the development of trade and commerce, the religious influence of Jainism as well as Hinduism, and also due to the safety and encouragement of rulers like Chaulukya (Solanki) and Vaghela Rajputs, literary activities were in full force from the 11th century. Gujarati literature Early literature (up to 1450 AD) Prāg-Narsinh Yug (1000 AD to 1450 AD) Rāsa Yug Medieval literature (1450 AD – 1850 AD) Narsinh Yug (1450 AD to 1850 AD) Bhakti Yug Saguṇ Bhakti Yug Nirguṇ Bhakti Yug Modern literature (1850 AD to date) Sudhārak Yug or Narmad Yug (1850–1885 AD) Paṇḍit Yug or Govardhan Yug (1885–1915 AD) Gandhi Yug (1915–1945 AD) Anu-Ghandhi Yug (1940–1955 AD) Ādhunik Yug (1955–1985 AD) Anu-Ādhunik Yug (1985 – to date) Literature in Gujarati is sometimes also classified into two broad categories, namely poetry and prose, the former savouring and basking in its long lineage, dating back to the 6th century. Poetry as a perception was a medium for expressing religious beliefs and judgements, a stronghold of medieval Indian times. In this context of gradual evolution, the history of Gujarati literature is generally classed into three broad periods, consisting of the Early period (up to c. 1450 AD), the Middle period (1450 to 1850 AD) and the Modern period (1850 AD. onwards). However, Gujarati literature and its tremendous maturation and proficiency in contributing to culture is retraced back to Gujarat Sultanate days (referring to the Muzaffarid dynasty, which had provided the sultans of Gujarat in western India from 1391 to 1583).