In Arabic, monsoon is also called Mausam or Mawsim, which means season or season.
The heavy rain in Delhi-NCR has given relief to the people. Even though late, monsoon has arrived. However, the Meteorological Department is worried about the rain this year. A warning has also been issued. Due to the effect of El Nino, there is a possibility of excessive rain at some places and severe drought at some places. Let us know in the name of monsoon, where did the popular word monsoon come from? What is its connection with Arabia? Why is it so popular in India?
Monsoon is a well-known word. This word is related to rain and season. Monsoon has special importance in India. This word is used the most in conversations around the world. The word Monsoon has been recognized as a standard for that special rainy season in the meteorological department, news and books. The arrival of monsoon in India has always been a sign of prosperity.
This word is so famous that if you say the word monsoon, the person in front of you immediately understands that you are talking about the season and the rain system. It may have its roots in Arabic and Portuguese, but today the whole world knows and uses it only through its English name Monsoon. Such is the popularity of this word that if a staunch supporter of Hindi is told that monsoon is an English word, he might not agree. It is embedded in the culture of India.
Where is the origin of the word from?
It is also called monsoon in English. This is the popular form. Its source is also found in European languages. It comes from the Portuguese word monsa or monsao. The word Monsaon was used by Portuguese sailors. He has been writing monsoons describing the seasons of the Indian Ocean. There are many examples of this. It also has a deep relation with Arabic language. In Arabic, monsoon is also called Mausam or Mawsim, which means season or season. This word is also found in Persian. This word is related to Semitic and Middle Eastern languages. Maritime traders and sailors spoke Arabic and Persian. European sailors took the word from the same language.
monsoon Comes from the Portuguese word monsa or monsao. Photo: PTI
This is how the journey to Europe happened
Medieval and modern trade spread the word monsoon across the world. The Portuguese came to India and the Indian Ocean in the 15th-16th century. They noted local weather and business cycles. He took these words from Arabic and Persian sailors. The Portuguese made the weather or seasons their own by changing them into monsoons. Then the British and other European languages adopted the word monsoon as their own.
word form in indian languages
The form Monsoon or Monsoon is prevalent in Hindi. This is the Hindi version of the English language monsoon. In many areas, instead of monsoon, the local words colloquially use the words Barsaat, Rain, Rain or Mausam. But from the 19th-20th century the monsoon expanded and there was no looking back.
Monsoon became an everyday word even through news. Photo: PTI
Many reasons for popularity in India
India’s weather depends on monsoon. The south-west monsoon comes every year from June to September. It brings life-giving rain for farming. Agricultural production, reservoirs and water levels are linked to the monsoon. Therefore, monsoon has a big impact on the life of common people in India. Local news, radio, TV and meteorological department give news of monsoon. In this way this word became a part of everyday language.
- Monsoon and India’s Economy: Monsoon affects agricultural production. Good monsoon increases the income of farmers. Bad monsoon creates many problems for the country. Government policies and budget also take monsoon into consideration. Insurance, credit and market expectations rest on monsoon. Business and industry also keep an eye on monsoon data.
- Cultural and literary impact is also no less: Monsoon is deeply visible in literature and art. Monsoon is depicted extensively in poems, songs and films. Festivals and local customs are related to rain. Monsoon is used symbolically in dramas and folk stories. Due to this, the beauty and recognition of the word increased day by day.
The word monsoon is the result of international word travel.
- Urban life, monsoons and at times devastation: The effect of monsoon is different in cities. Rain affects roads, traffic and life. Sometimes the crisis seems more than enough. Roads become canals. Traffic is affected. Metro, bus and rail services are affected during monsoon. Discussions about monsoon increase in media and social media. This made the term broader.
- Scientific and administrative aspects are also no less: Meteorology studied monsoon. Monsoon predictions have now started becoming accurate. Meteorological departments around the world including India are alert about the monsoon. These days, this vigilance is being seen a lot more. Monsoon information reaches farmers and the public through these. It popularized the term monsoon both technically and among the general public.
- Deeply connected to folk beliefs and lifestyle: Many folk beliefs are related to rain. Rain is considered auspicious in some villages. New crops, songs and celebrations come with the monsoon. Monsoon is especially important in rural India. This is the reason why the word is present in emotional and daily life.
In short, the word monsoon is the result of international word-travel. Its origin is related to Arabic and Persian. The Portuguese and then the British brought this word to Europe. In Hindi it became monsoon. This word became popular in India because monsoon is associated with life and economy here. Culture, literature and media also spread it further. Therefore today monsoon is not just a season, it is also a symbol of many meanings and emotions.
Also read: No clouds, no monsoon, it used to rain heavily on the tune of Mughal Navratna Tansen, how much truth is there in this?
