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Riasti, also known as Bhawalpuri or Cholistani, is a western dialect of the Punjabi language, classified within its Saraiki variety, spoken in parts of Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan districts, located on the eastern banks of the river Sutlej and along the Cholistan Desert of Punjab, Pakistan. Its name is derived from the riāsat ('state') of Bahawalpur.

The form of Riasti spoken in urban Bahawalpur is referred to as "Bhawalpuri". While, the forms spoken in the Cholistan Desert are referred to as "Cholistani".

Dialect speaking areas

These 3 districts speak this dialect cluster:

• Bahawalpur District
• Rahim Yar Khan District
• Lodhran District

See also

• Thali dialect
• Cholistan Desert
• Rahim Yar Khan District
• Lodhran District

References