The Government of India has added five more languages — Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, and Bengali — to the list of Classical Languages, taking the total number of recognised Classical languages in the country to eleven.
The decision, approved by the Union Cabinet on October 3, 2024, expands the list that earlier included Tamil, Sanskrit, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. The recognition highlights the historical, literary, and cultural depth of India’s linguistic heritage.
Languages are designated as Classical when they meet specific criteria, including a recorded history spanning at least 1,500 to 2,000 years, a substantial body of ancient literature, and distinct evolution from their modern forms. The status also recognises their contribution to philosophy, art, and knowledge systems that have shaped Indian civilisation.
Marathi, spoken primarily in Maharashtra, has a literary tradition that dates back over two millennia. Early inscriptions such as the Naneghata inscription and works like Gathasaptasati reflect its long history. Later writers such as Sant Dnyaneshwar and Tukaram helped establish Marathi as a major literary language.
Pali, closely associated with Buddhist teachings, was the medium of many of the Buddha’s discourses. Its canonical texts, including the Tripitaka, form the foundation of Buddhist philosophy and ethics. Pali continues to be studied across South and Southeast Asia.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Subscribe to EastMojo
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
Prakrit, representing a group of Middle Indo-Aryan languages, served as a link between Sanskrit and many modern Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi. It was used in inscriptions, poetry, and plays and was the language of communication for Buddhist and Jain teachers.
Assamese, which developed from Magadhi Apabhramsa, emerged as a distinct language by the 8th century CE. Its early form appears in the Charyapadas, ancient Buddhist verses that show the evolution of the eastern Indo-Aryan languages. Assamese later flourished through literary figures such as Srimanta Sankardeva and Madhavdeva.
Bengali, sharing roots with Assamese and Oriya, evolved from Magadhi Apabhramsa. The earliest examples of Bengali literature are found in the Charyapadas. Over time, it became one of India’s most influential languages, producing major writers including Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, and Kazi Nazrul Islam.
The Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL) under the Ministry of Education coordinates efforts to preserve and promote Classical languages. Centres of Excellence have been established for each recognised language, including Tamil, Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam, and Odia. These centres undertake research, publish manuscripts, digitise archives, and promote academic exchange.
Institutions such as the Central Sanskrit University, the National Sanskrit University, and the Central Institute of Classical Tamil are also engaged in translation, documentation, and comparative linguistic studies.
Officials said that recognising more Classical languages reinforces India’s commitment to protecting its cultural and linguistic diversity. The move aims to preserve ancient literature, encourage scholarly research, and strengthen national integration by connecting modern India with its historical roots.
Also read | Nagaland Uni study links land use to water pollution in Loktak Lake
Related
Latest Stories
