Eastern Hindi languages

The Eastern Hindi languages, also called East Central languages, are a branch of the Indo-Aryan language family spoken chiefly in Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh, Baghelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh, in Northern and Central India. Eastern Hindi languages evolved from Ardhamagadhi Prakrit.

Geographical extent
Eastern Hindi languages are chiefly spoken in India, but also have significant minorities in the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius and South Africa due to immigration. In India, they are chiefly spoken in Awadh region in eastern Uttar Pradesh, in Baghelkhand region in northeastern Madhya Pradesh and in Chhattisgarh State.

Languages and dialects

 * Awadhi (38.5 m),   spoken in north and north-central Uttar Pradesh as well as the Caribbean, Fiji, Mauritius and South Africa
 * Caribbean Hindustani (300 k) (mostly based on Bhojpuri but has major Awadhi influence)
 * Fiji Hindi (460 k) (mostly based on Awadhi with Bhojpuri influence)
 * Bagheli (8 m), spoken in north-central Madhya Pradesh and south-eastern Uttar Pradesh.
 * Chhattisgarhi (18 m), spoken in southeast Madhya Pradesh and northern and central Chhattisgarh.
 * Surgujia (1.7 m), spoken in Chhattisgarh