11 Classical Languages of India – Complete UPSC Guide

Introduction

• In 2004, the Indian government initiated the recognition of certain languages as “classical languages” to emphasize their historical significance. Tamil was the first language to receive this status that year. Following this, languages such as Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia were also granted classical status.
• In October 2024, the government expanded this recognition by conferring classical language status to five new languages: Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit.
• With this decision, the total number of classical languages of India now stands at 11. This initiative aims to preserve and promote these languages, acknowledging their significant historical, literary, and cultural importance. The five newly recognized languages met the key criteria established by the government for classical language status, ensuring their rich heritage and contributions are recognized and sustained.

Classical Languages of India

• India’s classical languages hold immense historical, cultural, and literary significance. These languages are renowned for their ancient texts and rich literary traditions. Presently, 11 languages have been accorded the status of classical languages:
  • • Tamil (2004)
    • Sanskrit (2005)
    • Telugu (2008)
    • Kannada (2008)
    • Malayalam (2013)
    • Odia (2014)
    • Marathi (2024)
    • Bengali (2024)
    • Assamese (2024)
    • Pali (2024)
    • Prakrit (2024)

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Criteria for Classical Language Status

• High Antiquity: A classical language must exhibit historical evidence spanning 1,500 to 2,000 years, indicating its long-standing influence over time.
• Ancient Literature: The language must possess a substantial collection of ancient texts. These works, regarded as part of the cultural heritage by generations, often span multiple fields such as philosophy, religion, and science.
• Original Literary Tradition: The literary tradition of the language must be original and not borrowed from any other speech community.
• Distinctive Form: There should be significant differences between the classical version of the language and its modern or later variants.

Refined Criteria (2024)

• The Linguistic Experts Committee revised the criteria for classical language recognition, giving more clarity to specific requirements:
• Antiquity of Texts: A language must show recorded texts or inscriptions spanning at least 1,500–2,000 years to qualify.
• Literary Heritage: Prose and epigraphic texts must be recognized as part of the cultural heritage by the speakers of the language.
• Knowledge Systems: Apart from poetry, the language’s body of work should include prose, inscriptions, and knowledge-based texts such as philosophical treatises.
• Continuity or Discontinuity: The classical language may either display a continuous connection with its modern form or show distinct evolution from its later versions.

Newly Declared Classical Languages of India (2024)

• Several languages were declared classical in 2024 based on their historical and literary legacy:

Marathi:

• • • Antiquity: Marathi traces its origins to Maharashtri Prakrit, a language spoken in western India during the Satavahana dynasty. Some of the earliest inscriptions in Prakrit date back to the 1st century BCE. A notable example highlighting Marathi’s early use is a 739 CE copper plate inscription found in Satara, providing substantial historical evidence of its antiquity.
    • Literary Tradition: Marathi has a rich literary history beginning in the 13th century. Significant ancient texts include the Dnyaneshwari and Tukaram Gatha, which continue to hold cultural importance. The medieval literary corpus of Marathi is regarded as cultural heritage by its speakers, passed down through generations.

Bengali and Assamese:

• • • Antiquity: Both Bengali and Assamese evolved from Magadhi Prakrit. The earliest inscriptions and texts in these languages date from the 6th to 12th centuries. They share linguistic roots with eastern Indian languages and with each other. Magadhi Prakrit also served as the official language of the Magadha court in ancient East India, underscoring its historical relevance.
    • Literary Tradition: Bengali boasts a rich classical literature, with early works such as Charyapada, a collection of Buddhist mystic songs from the 8th century CE. The literary corpus of both Bengali and Assamese flourished during the medieval and early modern periods, with notable contributions from figures like Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Rabindranath Tagore, cementing their cultural significance.
• Pali and Prakrit: The term “Prakrit” refers to a collection of related Indo-Aryan dialects, rather than a single language. These vernacular dialects became closely associated with the heterodox religious movements of Buddhism and Jainism, which emerged during the first millennium BCE.
• Prakrit: Jain religious texts, such as the Agamas and Gatha Saptashati, were written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, a dialect considered definitive by many scholars. Prakrit languages played a crucial role in the spread of religious and cultural ideas throughout the region.
• Pali: Pali, which emerged from Magadhi Prakrit with some Sanskrit influences, became the language of the Theravāda Buddhist Canon, known as the Tipitaka. It is traditionally believed that the Buddha himself spoke a version of this language. Pali continues to thrive in countries where Theravāda Buddhism—such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand—remains prevalent, playing a key role in religious practices and texts.

Constitutional Provisions on Languages

• Article 343: Hindi, in the Devanagari script, is designated as the official language of the Union. However, English continues to be used for official purposes unless otherwise decided by law. Parliament may pass legislation to extend the use of English for official functions.
• Article 345: State legislatures have the authority to adopt any language as the official language for their respective states.
• Eighth Schedule (Articles 344(1) and 351): The Eighth Schedule of the Constitution contains a list of officially recognized languages. It originally included 14 languages, but this number has since expanded to 22, featuring languages such as Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, and Urdu.
• Article 344(1): Empowers the President to constitute a Commission tasked with making recommendations for the progressive use of Hindi in official communication and limiting the use of English over time.
• Article 351: Directs the Union government to promote the spread of Hindi and develop it into a language that serves as a medium of communication for all citizens. It emphasizes the enrichment of Hindi by incorporating elements from other Indian languages to foster linguistic unity.

Benefits of Identifying Classical Languages

• Cultural Preservation: Classical languages have played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting India’s ancient knowledge systems, philosophies, and values over thousands of years. For instance, the recognition of Tamil as a classical language of India has spurred increased research and preservation efforts for its ancient texts.
• Recognition of Contributions: By designating these languages as classical, the government acknowledges their long-standing antiquity, extensive literary traditions, and significant contributions to the cultural fabric of the nation.
• Academic and Research Promotion: Scholars working in classical languages of India receive government support and awards that enhance the study and promotion of these languages. Two international awards are presented annually to scholars who have made noteworthy contributions to research, teaching, or the promotion classical languages of India. Additionally, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has been asked to establish Professional Chairs in central universities to support the study of these languages, along with the creation of a Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages to facilitate advanced research.
• Employment Opportunities: The preservation of ancient texts, archiving efforts, and translation initiatives create various employment opportunities. The recent inclusion of Bengali and Assamese as classical languages is expected to boost research and job prospects in their respective states.
• Sense of Pride: Recognizing these languages instills a sense of pride and ownership among their speakers, promoting national integration and aligning with the broader vision of a self-reliant, culturally rooted India.

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Challenges in Identifying Classical Languages

• Absence of Native Speakers: Some classical languages, such as Pali and Prakrit, no longer have native speakers, complicating preservation and revitalization efforts.
• Limited Digital Resources: A large portion of ancient texts remains undigitized, restricting access and slowing research efforts.
• Minimal Educational Integration: Classical languages are often excluded from school curricula, limiting opportunities for younger generations to engage with them.

Way Forward

• Incorporating Classical Languages into Education: These languages should be integrated into school and university curricula, especially in regions with historical ties to the language. For example, the inclusion of Prakrit and Pali in university syllabi could promote preservation.
• Digital Preservation Efforts: Governments should prioritize the digitization of ancient manuscripts. Tamil’s successful digitization projects offer a model to follow.
• Raising Public Awareness: Events, conferences, and collaborations with international universities can boost research efforts and engage the public in preserving these languages.