Which two languages flourished alongside Sanskrit in Vedic ancient India?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
In ancient India, Pali and Prakrit were the most flourishing languages, along with Sanskrit.
Pali: This language is primarily associated with Buddhism. Lord Buddha delivered his teachings in Pali, the language of the common people. The famous Buddhist text, the Tripitaka, is written in Pali.
Prakrit: This was the language of the common people and had many regional variants. Most of the early Jain texts are written in Ardhamagadi Prakrit. Most of Emperor Ashoka's inscriptions are also found in Prakrit and the Brahmi script.
Relationship with Sanskrit: While Sanskrit was the language of scholars, philosophy, and rituals (elite), Pali and Prakrit were the spoken languages of the common people.