The answer to this question depends on what you mean by "before Mughals." The Mughal Empire ruled India from the 16th to the 19th century. Before that, India was a diverse land with numerous kingdoms and languages.
Languages Spoken in Ancient and Medieval India:
- Sanskrit: Considered the sacred language of Hinduism, Sanskrit was widely used in ancient India for religious texts, literature, and scholarship.
- Prakrit Languages: These were the vernacular languages of the common people during the ancient and medieval periods. They evolved from Sanskrit and were used in literature, drama, and daily life. Examples include Pali, Apabhramsha, and Magadhi.
- Dravidian Languages: These languages are indigenous to South India and are unrelated to Sanskrit. Examples include Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
- Other Languages: Various other languages, including Persian, Arabic, and Turkish, were introduced to India through trade and conquest.
Languages Spoken in India Before the Mughal Empire:
The Mughal Empire’s arrival in India saw the spread of Persian as the language of administration and court. However, various languages continued to be spoken across different regions. Some examples include:
- Hindi: A language derived from Sanskrit and Prakrit, Hindi was spoken in the northern and central parts of India.
- Bengali: Spoken in the eastern region of India, Bengali developed from Prakrit languages.
- Marathi: Spoken in the western region of India, Marathi also evolved from Prakrit languages.
It's important to remember that India has always been a multilingual country. The languages spoken before the Mughals were just as diverse as they are today.
