India, frequently hailed as a support of development, is an embroidery of rich social variety and a mosaic of dialects that have smoothly advanced over thousands of years. With a set of experiences traversing centuries, India gladly remains the home to a portion of the world’s most old languages.
These linguistic treasures not only mirror the profound heritage of the nation but also serve as windows into its ancient civilizations, philosophies, and traditions.
Top 10 Oldest languages in India:
Tamil (5000 years):
_image source: zinglanguages
Tamil language, achieved classical language status in 2004 marking it as the language to gain this recognition. With a global speaker base of 78 million people, Tamil is not the language of Tamil Nadu but also serves as an official language, in Sri Lanka and Singapore.
Belonging to the language family, which encompasses native languages of southern and eastern India, Tamil boasts a rich history with numerous ancient inscriptions dating back to 300 BC that have been discovered. It is one of the oldest languages in India.
Sanskrit (3000 years):
_image source: britannica
Sanskrit, a language originating in India holds a position as a common language among various Indian languages. It is also the language of India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Dating back to around 1500 BCE Sanskrit stands as one of the world’s known languages.
Initially written in the Brahmi script, Sanskrit transitioned to the Devanagari script around 500 CE. The oldest existing manuscript in Sanskrit dates back to 1000 CE. Is believed to have originated during the Gupta period (4th 6th century CE).
Kannada(2000 years):
_image source: lawbeat
The Dravidian language family encompasses Kannada within its southern branch. The earliest recorded use of Kannada in writing can be traced back to the Badami Rock Edicts, believed to have been authored by Ashoka around 1000 B.C., marking its earliest known usage.
Kannada holds a distinguished status as one of the classical languages of ancient India, alongside Sanskrit and Pali. These languages were initially employed as court languages by ancient kings and later gained popularity among poets and artists. Eventually, Kannada evolved into a self-sustaining literary language, playing a significant role in Hinduism.
Telugu(1500 – 2000 years):
_image source: .wikipedia
The use of Telugu as both an official language and a cultural symbol highlights its pivotal role in regional identity. Its evolution and adaptation in various scripts showcase its resilience and adaptability.
Telugu‘s linguistic legacy continues to shape the heritage of South India, making it a language of enduring importance and cultural heritage. It is one of the oldest languages in India.
Malayalam (2000 years):
_image source : ritiriwaz
Malayalam occupies a position, as the language in the state of Kerala, India. It is not the language for native Malayalis but is also used by communities outside of Kerala reaching different regions, within India and even parts of the Middle East.
The earliest written records of Malayalam can be traced back to the Vazhappally inscription, which dates to approximately 830 AD. In the early thirteenth century, the Malayalam script, derived from the vattezhuthu script (known as round writing) and related to the Brahmi script, came into existence. It comes in the list of the Oldest languages in India.
Odia (2000 years):
_image source : oneindia.com
Odia is the official language of the Indian state of Odisha. It belongs to the Austroasiatic language family and falls under the Eastern or Dravidian group. Odia finds its main usage in Odisha, a state surrounded by Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
The script for Odia, developed by King Bhoja in the 14th century AD, has remained in continuous use since its inception. It consists of 36 letters, comprising 17 vowels and 21 consonants. Notably, certain consonants are combined to form different syllables, adding to the language’s unique character.
Marathi (1500 – 2000 years):
_image source: navarashtra.
Marathi, belonging to the southern branch of the Indo-Aryan language family, has held the status of the official language of Maharashtra since 1966. It predominantly thrives among the inhabitants of this western region in India. Historical variants of Marathi include Maharashtra, Marhatti, and Mahratti, among others.
Marathi is one of India’s 22 official languages, imparting this differentiation to dialects like Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, and Tamil. The state government recognizes Marathi as a language of fundamental significance inside the territory of Maharashtra.
Bengali (1500 years):
_image source: hindustanitongue.
Bengali, commonly referred to as Bangla, holds the official language status in Bangladesh and is one of India’s six official languages. It shares linguistic ties with languages like Sinhalese and Assamese.
Bengali exhibits linguistic similarities with languages such as Hindi and Marathi. In spite of the fact that its abstract history reaches out north of a few centuries, the earliest enduring texts date back no farther than the twelfth hundred years.
The foundation of the Bengal Sultanate in the fourteenth century was affected essentially by Muslim attacks. It comes in the list of the Oldest languages in India.
Gujarati (1000 years):
_image source : ritiriwaz.
Gujarati is the oldest Indo-Aryan language and the native tongue of the Gujaratis. It falls inside the Indo-European language family. Past Gujarat, it is spoken in locales including Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Nagar Haveli, Dadra, and Daman.
Gujarati’s rich history and widespread usage make it a language of cultural significance. Its influence extends beyond state borders, shaping communication in various regions of India. Today, it remains a vital part of India’s linguistic diversity.
Hindi (800 years):
_image source: Facebook
Hindi, a language near the hearts of millions in India, resounds across states like Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Bihar. As India’s antiquated etymological legacy, it shapes the structure blocks for North Indian dialects like Punjabi, Gujarati, and Marathi.
With a great 422 million speakers, Hindi isn’t simply a method for correspondence; a social extension that ties together the dynamic mosaic of India’s different customs and characters. It is one of the oldest languages in India.
Conclusion:
In this insightful exploration, we embark on a journey to uncover the top 10 oldest languages in India, languages that have not only withstood the test of time but also continue to thrive, vibrant and relevant, in the modern day.
These languages, each with its unique charm, contribute to the intricate fabric of India’s identity.
see also: Top 10 Oldest Languages in the World
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