Hindi is a language that is spoken by millions of people all around the world. It is the official language of India and is also spoken in many other countries like Nepal, Mauritius, Fiji, and Trinidad and Tobago. The language is known for its rich culture, literature, and history. But how old is the Hindi language? Let’s find out.
Hindi is a descendant of the ancient language Sanskrit, which is considered to be one of the oldest languages in the world. Sanskrit was spoken in the Indian subcontinent around 2000-1000 BC. Over time, different dialects and variations of Sanskrit emerged, including Prakrit, Apabhramsha, and eventually, what we now call Hindi.
The earliest form of Hindi was known as Hindvi or Dehlvi, which was spoken in the Delhi region during the 10th century AD. It was a mixture of Sanskrit, Persian, and Arabic, and was commonly used as a lingua franca in the North Indian region. The language continued to evolve over time, and by the 17th century, it had developed into its modern form.
During the British Raj, Hindi was heavily influenced by English, and many English words became a part of the Hindi vocabulary. The Devanagari script, which is used to write Hindi today, was also standardized during this time.
In 1947, when India gained independence from British rule, Hindi was declared as the official language of the country. Since then, the language has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing times, but its rich cultural heritage and history remain an integral part of the language.
So, to answer the question, how old is the Hindi language? It is difficult to give an exact age, as it has evolved over time from its ancient roots in Sanskrit. However, the earliest form of Hindi can be traced back to the 10th century AD, making it over a thousand years old. Today, Hindi continues to be a vibrant and important language, spoken by millions of people around the world.