The language that had split into the modern languages of Hindi and Urdu. Until Pakistan separated from India in 1947, the two languages were the same. Though they are now considered separate languages, they are mutually-intelligible, meaning that a Pakistani can speak to an Indian in Urdu, and an Indian to a Pakistani in Hindi, and can comprehend what they say to each other. The main difference is in their writing systems. Urdu is written in the Arabic alphabet, while Hindi is written in the Sanskrit alphabet.
by Gaijin-san January 11, 2013