Rajasthan ranks _______ in the country in terms of the number of Hindi speakers, making this desert state the 'heart' of the Hindi belt. 

The correct answer is Second.

Key Points

• Rajasthan ranks second in the country in terms of the number of Hindi speakers, based on the linguistic data from the Census of India.
• According to the 2011 Census, Rajasthan has a significant population of Hindi speakers, contributing to its cultural identity within the "Hindi Belt."
• The state is part of India’s Hindi-speaking heartland, which also includes Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Haryana.
• Hindi is the official language of Rajasthan, and it is widely spoken across urban and rural areas.
• The dominance of Hindi in Rajasthan reflects its strong historical and cultural roots in the region.

Additional Information

• Hindi Belt
  • The Hindi Belt refers to a group of states in northern, central, and eastern India where Hindi is the predominant language.
  • States in the Hindi belt include Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, and others.
  • These states play a significant role in shaping India's linguistic and cultural identity.
• Linguistic Data from the Census
  • The Census of India collects detailed data on languages spoken across the country.
  • According to the 2011 Census, Hindi is the most spoken language in India, with over 43% of the population identifying it as their mother tongue.
• Official Language of India
  • Hindi, in the Devanagari script, is one of the two official languages of the Government of India (the other being English).
  • It is also the official language of several Indian states, including Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar.
• Hindi Dialects in Rajasthan
  • Rajasthan has several Hindi dialects, such as Marwari, Mewari, Shekhawati, and Hadoti, which contribute to its linguistic diversity.
  • These dialects are primarily spoken in rural areas and reflect the rich cultural heritage of the state.