With reference to cultural history in India, which one of the followi...
Option c is the correct answer.
- Statement a is correct: Apabhramsa is an umbrella term which means dialects other than Sanskrit. It represents a transition from Middle to Modern Indo-Aryan Group of languages The word, ‘Apabhramsa’ implies deviation from standard Sanskrit.
- Statement b is correct: Apabhramsha became a literary language and was used to write several texts, legends, etc. The development of ‘Apabhramsa’ (corrupt or non-grammatical) took place by 6th-7th century AD. Apabhramsa developed its own identity by the 7th century AD. This can be highlighted by the fact that Bhamaha, a renowned poet of Kashmir from the 6th or 7th century AD, divided poetry into Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa.
- Statement c is incorrect: By the middle of the second millennium, Apabhramsa and to a lesser degree Prakrit had come to be used almost exclusively by the Jains, whereas brahmanas monopolized Sanskrit. Literary texts in Apabhramsa were produced largely in western India. Dandin defines Apabhramsa as, “What is called ‘Apabhramsa’ is the language of the Abhiras and others when used in literary works. Statement d is correct: In the course of time many spoken forms called “Apabhramsa” developed in different part of the country. These Apabhramsa’s developed into regional languages. Among the Dravidian languages Tamil is the oldest. Medieval period also saw the development of Hindi from the ancient Apabhramsa language. Major texts in Apabhramsa language and writers are: Pushpadanta’s Mahapurana (Digambara Jain text), Dhanapala’s Bhavisayattakaha, etc.
With reference to cultural history in India, which one of the followi...
Introduction:
Apabhramsa is an important term in the cultural history of India. It refers to a group of dialects that emerged from the corruption and modification of the classical Sanskrit language. This language played a significant role in the development of various regional languages in India, including Hindi.
Explanation:
The incorrect statement regarding Apabhramsa is option 'C', which states that it was exclusively used by the Brahmanas. This statement is incorrect because Apabhramsa was not limited to the usage of a specific social or religious group.
Apabhramsa as an umbrella term:
- Apabhramsa is an umbrella term that includes various dialects and languages that evolved from Sanskrit. It encompassed multiple regional languages such as Braj Bhasha, Avadhi, Maithili, and Rajasthani, among others.
- These languages were spoken and used in different regions of India, and they had their own unique characteristics and literature.
Apabhramsa as a literary language:
- Apabhramsa was not only a spoken language but also a literary language. It was extensively used to write various texts, including poetry, songs, and narratives.
- The most famous example of Apabhramsa literature is the 'Katha literature' which consists of stories and fables written in Apabhramsa.
Hindi's roots in ancient Apabhramsa:
- Hindi, one of the major languages of India, traces its roots to ancient Apabhramsa. As Apabhramsa evolved over time, it gave rise to various regional languages, including Hindi.
- The development of Hindi as a separate language can be attributed to the influence of Apabhramsa and its subsequent transformation into a distinct language.
Conclusion:
Apabhramsa is an important linguistic and cultural aspect of India's history. It was an umbrella term that included various dialects and languages, which were not limited to the usage of specific social or religious groups. Apabhramsa also served as a literary language and played a significant role in the development of Hindi and other regional languages.