7 Oldest Indian Languages That are Still Spoken Today
1. Tamil: Considered the oldest living language, Tamil boasts a rich literary heritage dating back to the 3rd century BC.
2. Sanskrit: A classical language of India, Sanskrit holds immense cultural and religious significance.
3. Kannada: Spoken by over 43 million people in Karnataka and neighboring states, Kannada has a rich literary tradition dating back to the 2nd century AD.
4. Telugu: A Dravidian language spoken by over 84 million people primarily in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, Telugu has a long literary history with inscriptions dating back to the 2nd century BC.
5. Malayalam: Spoken by over 42 million people in Kerala and Lakshadweep islands, Malayalam is a Dravidian language with a rich literary tradition dating back to the 9th century AD.
6. Marathi: The official language of Maharashtra, Marathi is spoken by over 83 million people. It has a vibrant literary tradition with roots in the 13th century AD.
7. Odia: Spoken by over 82 million people in Odisha and neighboring states, Odia is a classical language with a rich literary heritage dating back to the 10th century AD.