Classical Languages of India – Explained, Pointwise

In 2004, the Indian government began recognizing certain languages as “classical languages” of India to highlight their historical importance. Tamil was the first language to receive this status in 2004. Over time, other languages such as Sanskrit, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Odia were also recognized. In October 2024, the government conferred the classical language status to 5 new languages Marathi, Bengali, Assamese, Pali, and Prakrit.

This decision brings the total number of classical languages in India to 11. The move aims to preserve and promote these languages, which have significant historical, literary, and cultural importance​.

The five languages were granted classical language status based on their fulfillment of the key criteria set by the Government.

Classical languages of India

India’s classical languages are those that hold great historical significance, possessing a rich corpus of ancient literature. Currently, the eleven classical languages are:

1. Tamil (2004)
2. Sanskrit (2005)
3. Telugu (2008)
4. Kannada (2008)
5. Malayalam (2013)
6. Odia (2014)
7. Marathi (2024)
8. Bengali (2024)
9. Assamese (2024)
10. Pali (2024)
11. Prakrit (2024)

What is the criterion for qualification for classical language status?

The decision to declare a language as a “classical language” in India is based on a well-defined set of criteria established by the government. These criteria were first introduced in 2004 and have been periodically revised, most recently in 2024. Here’s a detailed look at the basis for granting classical language status:

1. High Antiquity: The language must have ancient texts or recorded history that dates back at least 1500 to 2000 years. This antiquity demonstrates the long-standing existence of the language and its influence over time.
2. Ancient Literature: The language must possess a body of ancient literature or texts that are regarded as valuable heritage by generations of speakers. These texts typically span various fields such as philosophy, religion, literature, and science.
3. Originality in Literary Tradition: The literary tradition of the language must be original, meaning it is not borrowed from another speech community.
4. Distinctiveness: The classical language should exhibit a significant distinction from its modern form or its linguistic offshoots. This means that the even though the language has undergone notable changes over time, it has a preserved ancient form, distinct from contemporary usage.

In 2024, Linguistic Experts Committee (LEC) further refined the criterion as follows.

1. High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500–2000 years.
2. A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a heritage by generations of speakers.
3. Knowledge texts, especially prose texts in addition to poetry, epigraphical and inscriptional evidence.
4. The Classical Languages and literature could be distinct from its current form, or could be discontinuous with later forms of its offshoots.

On what basis new languages were declared classical languages?

Here’s how each language qualified for this prestigious recognition:

Marathi

• Antiquity: Marathi traces its roots to Maharashtri Prakrit, a language spoken in western India during the Satvahana dynasty. The earliest inscriptions in Prakrit date back to the 1st century BCE. A significant example is a 739 CE copper plate found in Satara, which provides historical evidence of Marathi’s antiquity.
• Literary Tradition: Marathi has a long and rich literary history from 13th century, with notable ancient texts like the Dnyaneshwari and Tukaram Gatha. Its medieval literary corpus is considered valuable heritage by generations of speakers​.

Bengali and Assamese

• Antiquity: Both Bengali and Assamese have evolved from Magadhi Prakrit, with historical texts and inscriptions dating back to the timeline from the 6th to the 12th centuries. Both have a deep connection to early eastern Indian languages and shares roots with Assamese. It was also the official language of the Magadha court in East India.
• Literary Tradition: Bengali boasts a rich classical literature, including early texts such as Charyapada (Buddhist mystic songs from the 8th century CE). The language’s medieval and early modern literary corpus, including works by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and Rabindranath Tagore, has made significant cultural contributions​.

Pali and Prakrit

The term “Prakrit” doesn’t refer to just one language but rather a collection of closely related Indo-Aryan dialects.

These vernacular languages became associated with heterodox religious movements, such as Buddhism and Jainism, which emerged during the first millennium BCE. For example, Jain religious texts, like the Agamas and Gatha Saptashati, were written in Ardhamagadhi Prakrit, a dialect considered definitive by some scholars.

Similarly, Pali, a language derived from Magadhi Prakrit with some Sanskrit influences, was used in the Theravada Buddhist Canon, known as the Tipitaka. It is believed to have been the language spoken by the Buddha himself and remains in use in countries where Theravada Buddhism, such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand, thrived.

What are the constitutional provisions related to Languages in India?

Article 343: Hindi in Devanagari script is the official language of the Union. However, English continues to be used for official purposes until otherwise decided by law. Parliament may authorize the continued use of English for official purposes by enacting legislation.

Article 345: state legislatures are allowed to adopt any official language for the state.

8th Schedule (Articles 344(1) and 351)

• The Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists the official languages recognized by the government. Initially, it included 14 languages, but as of now, 22 languages are recognized, including Hindi, Tamil, Bengali, Marathi, and Urdu.
• Article 344(1) provides for the constitution of a Commission by the President to make recommendations on the progressive use of Hindi for official purposes and the restriction of English use.
• Article 351 directs the Union to promote the spread of Hindi and develop it so it becomes a medium of communication for all Indians, drawing upon other Indian languages to enrich it.

What are the Benefits of Identification of Classical Languages of India?

Cultural Preservation: These languages have been essential in preserving and transmitting India’s ancient knowledge systems, philosophies, and values across generations for thousands of years. For example, Tamil’s recognition as a classical language has led to an increase in research and preservation efforts for its ancient texts​.

Recognition to the contribution of language: By recognizing these languages as classical, the government acknowledges their deep-rooted antiquity, vast literary traditions, and their invaluable contribution to the cultural fabric of the nation.

Academic and Research Promotion: Scholars working in these languages receive government support and awards, enhancing the study and promotion of the language​.

• Two international awards are given annually to scholars who have made notable contributions to the research, teaching, or promotion of classical Indian languages.
• The University Grants Commission (UGC) is requested to create Professional Chairs in central universities to support the study of these classical languages.
• A Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Languages is established to support advanced research.

Employment and Opportunities: The preservation of ancient texts, archiving, and translation efforts create employment opportunities. For instance, the recent addition of Bengali and Assamese as classical languages will boost research and employment in their respective states​.

Sense of Pride: it instills a sense of pride and ownership among the speakers of these languages, promoting national integration and aligning with the broader vision of a self-reliant and culturally rooted India.

What are the Challenges Associated with identification of Classical Languages in India?

1. Diminished Native Speakers: Many classical languages, such as Pali and Prakrit, no longer have active native speakers, which makes preservation efforts difficult. Languages like Pali have been out of everyday use for centuries​.
2. Lack of Digital Resources: The process of digitizing ancient manuscripts and making them accessible is slow and costly. There is a significant gap in bringing classical language texts into the digital era.
3. Limited Educational Integration: Despite being classical, these languages are often not integrated into mainstream education systems. Many of these languages are not taught in schools, leading to a loss of knowledge among younger generations​

What Should Be Done?

1. Expand Educational Outreach: Classical languages should be integrated into school curricula, particularly in regions where these languages were historically spoken. For example, integrating Prakrit and Pali into university studies will help preserve these languages​
2. Digital Preservation: Governments should prioritize digitizing ancient texts to make them widely available. Tamil, which has benefitted from extensive digitization efforts, serves as a good example of how this can be done​
3. Promote Public Awareness: Cultural events, academic conferences, and community outreach programs should be organized to raise awareness about the importance of preserving classical languages. Collaboration with international universities can further expand research efforts​

By addressing these challenges and implementing targeted initiatives, India can ensure the long-term preservation and flourishing of its classical languages, safeguarding its rich linguistic heritage for future generations.