Kamarupi Prakrit: Difference between revisions
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{{infobox language |
{{infobox language |
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|name = Kamrupi |
|name = Kamrupi Prakrit |
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|speakers = |
|speakers = |
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|era = First millennium |
|era = First millennium |
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|region = [[Kamarupa |
|region = [[Kamarupa kingdom]] |
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|familycolor = Indo-European |
|familycolor = Indo-European |
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|fam2=[[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]] |
|fam2=[[Indo-Iranian languages|Indo-Iranian]] |
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'''Kamarupi Prakrit''' ([[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]]:कामारुपी प्राकृत) ([[Assamese language|Assamese]]:কামাৰূপী প্ৰাকৃত) was the spoken [[Prakrit]] language and [[Apabhramsa]] used in [[Kamarupa kingdom]]. The evidence of this Prakrit exist in and systematic errors in the Sankrit language used in the [[Kamarupa inscriptions]].<ref>"... (it shows) that in Ancient Assam there were three languages viz. (1) Sanskrit as the official language and the language of the learned few, (2) Non-Aryan tribal languages of the Austric and Tibeto-Burman families, and (3) a local variety of Prakrit (ie a MIA) wherefrom, in course of time, the modern Assamese language as a MIL, emerged." {{harv|Sharma|1978|pp=0.24-0.28}}</ref> The main characteristic of this Prakrit is the replacement of ''ś'' (শ) and ''ṣ'' (ষ) by ''s'' (স), which is contrary to the Vararuci's rule for Magadhi Prakrit which warrants that ''ṣ'' and ''s'' are replaced by ''ś''.<ref>The contrary rule was first pointed out by Dimbeswar Neog {{harv|Sharma|1978|p=0.25}}</ref> Linguists claim this apabhramsa gave rise to various eastern Indo-European languages like modern [[Assamese language|Assamese]] and felt its presence in the form of [[Kamrupi dialect|Kamrupi]] and [[Bengali language|North Bengali]].<ref>Mrinal Miri, ''Linguistic situation in North-East India '', 2003, Scholars have shown that it is rather through the western Assam dialects that the development of modern Assamese has to be traced.</ref> <ref>Sukhabilasa Barma, ''Bhawaiya, ethnomusicological study'',2004 Based on the materials of the Linguistic Survey of India, Suniti Kumar Chattopadhyay has divided Eastern Magadhi Prakrita and Apabhramsa into four dialect groups (1) Radha-the language of West Bengal and Orissa (2) Varendra-dialect of North Central Bengal (3) Kamrupi-dialect of Northern Bengal and Assam and (4) Vanga-dialect of East Bengal.</ref> |
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'''Kamarupi''' or present '''Kamrupi''' ([[Assamese language|Assamese]]: কামৰূপী, [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: কামরুপি) is the language that was spoken in the [[Kamarupa (History)|Kamarupa]] kingdom in the first millennium, which, some linguists claim, gave rise to or influenced various eastern Indo-European languages like [[Assamese language|Assamese]] and [[Bengali language|Bengali]]. |
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During [[British India]] at some point [[Kamrup]] was divided into two big districts for administrative reasons one added to [[Assam]] and other to [[Bengal]]. Slowly after this division, same Kamrupi gets dialect status of [[Assamese language|Assamese]] and [[Bengali language|Bengali]] although both [[Assamese language|Assamese]] and [[Bengali language|Bengali]] rooted out from mighty Kamrupi. |
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Kamrupi today is an [[endangered language]], and it will probably go to "dead" state like [[Latin]] and [[Sanskrit]]. |
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<!--Do we need a disambiguation??--> |
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==Dialects== |
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===Similarity with the Assamese language=== |
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'''Kamrupi''' today denotes a group of [[dialect]]s of [[Assamese language|Assamese]] [[language]] spoken in the undivided Kamrup district of [[Assam]]. The four main dialects that form this group are Kamrupi, Nalbariya, Barpetiya and South Kamrupi [Moral, 1992]. These dialects are spoken in the present districts of Kamrup, Nalbari, Barpeta, Darrang, Kokrajhar and Bongaigaon in Assam. The name is derived from the [[Kamarupa]] kingdom that existed from the fourth to the eleventh century, ruled by three major dynasties. The south Kamrupi dialect has been used with dramatic effect in the works of [[Mamoni Raisom Goswami| Indira Goswami]]. The modern [[Bengal]]i scholars like [[Suniti Kumar Chatterjee]] and Sukumar Sen [http://banglapedia.org/HT/B_0137.htm] have named the dialect of [[Bengali language|Bengali]] spoken in North Bengal as Kamrupi. |
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===Similarity with the Sylheti-Bengali language=== |
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The Assamese Kamrupi and Sylheti are very similar. The division possibly occurred due to political reasons. Today the two dialects form a [[Dialect#Dialect continuum|dialect continuum]]. This perhaps shows that there were perhaps political and social affiliations and bonds between people of Sylhet and Kamrup. A fact which even though it seems evident hasn't yet been thoroughly explored. |
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An example of this similarity (there are more) |
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{| class="wikitable" |
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! Kamrupi !! Sylheti !! Assamese !! English(Translation) |
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| Xhi Ghorot gaesi || Xhe Ghoro gaese || Xhi Ghoroloi goise || He has gone home. |
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| Tai Ghorot gaesi || Tai Ghoro gaese || Tai Ghoroloi goise || She has gone home. |
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| Eta Kamot aisu || Ekta Kamo aaisi || Eta Kamot Ahilu || I have come for some work. |
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| Deksa na nai ? || Deksos ki na ? || Dekhisa na nai ? || Have you seen it? |
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| Zaba na tumi ? || Zaibay ni tumi ? || Zaba ne tumi ? || Will you leave ? |
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| Khuwam || Khawaimu || Khuwam || Feed(Someone) |
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| Kumra || Kumra || Komora || Gourd |
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| Mekur || Mekur || Mekuri || Cat |
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| Hosa || Hasa || Hosa || Truth |
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|} |
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==Apabhramsa== |
==Apabhramsa== |
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{{wide image|Charyapada.jpg|1800px|[[Charyapada]] |
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| ⚫ | Some linguists claim that there existed a Kamrupi [[apabhramsa]] as opposed to the [[Magadhi Prakrit|Magadhi]] apabhramsa from which the three cognate languages---[[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and [[Oriya language|Oriya]] and [[Maithili]]---sprouted. The initial motive comes from extra-linguistic considerations. Kamarupa was the most powerful and formidable kingdom in the region which provided the political and cultural influence for the development of the Kamrupi apabhramsa. [[Xuanzang]]'s mention that the language spoken in Kamarupa was a 'little different' from the one spoken in [[Pundravardhana]] is provided as evidence that this apabhramsa existed as early as the 5th century. That Kamarupa remained unconquered till the beginning of the |
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|alt=Sample of Apabhramsa }} |
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| ⚫ | Some linguists claim that there existed a Kamrupi [[apabhramsa]] as opposed to the [[Magadhi Prakrit|Magadhi]] apabhramsa from which the three cognate languages---[[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and [[Oriya language|Oriya]] and [[Maithili]]---sprouted. The initial motive comes from extra-linguistic considerations. Kamarupa was the most powerful and formidable kingdom in the region which provided the political and cultural influence for the development of the Kamrupi apabhramsa. [[Xuanzang]]'s mention that the language spoken in Kamarupa was a 'little different' from the one spoken in [[Pundravardhana]] is provided as evidence that this apabhramsa existed as early as the 5th century. That Kamarupa remained unconquered till the beginning of the Assamese literature in the 14th century points to the possibility that the apabhramsa of the Kamarupa kingdom must have flourished. |
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Archaic forms found in epigraphic records from the Kamarupa period give evidence of this apabhramsa, of which there are numerous examples. |
Archaic forms found in epigraphic records from the Kamarupa period give evidence of this apabhramsa, of which there are numerous examples. |
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The Buddhist [[Charyapada]]s from the 8th to 12th century are claimed by different languages: [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Oriya language|Oriya]] and [[maithili language|Maithili]] languages. But the geographical region of its composition was the Kamarupa pitha and many of the composers were Kamarupi siddhas. Therefore the language in the Charyapadas is the best example of this apabhramsa. H. P. Sastri, who discovered these poems, termed the language ''sandhya bhasha'' ([[twilight language]]) and this is nothing but the Kamarupi apabhramsa. |
The Buddhist [[Charyapada]]s from the 8th to 12th century are claimed by different languages: [[Assamese language|Assamese]], [[Bengali language|Bengali]], [[Oriya language|Oriya]] and [[maithili language|Maithili]] languages. But the geographical region of its composition was the Kamarupa pitha and many of the composers were Kamarupi siddhas. Therefore the language in the Charyapadas is the best example of this apabhramsa. H. P. Sastri, who discovered these poems, termed the language ''sandhya bhasha'' ([[twilight language]]) and this is nothing but the Kamarupi apabhramsa. |
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==Endangered language== |
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==Notes== |
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Kamrupi is an [[endangered language]]. The language is defined by uniquely identifiable Kamrupi grammar where Sanskritize pronunciation is used to compose present perfect form. This grammar is heavily used by Kamrupi speakers all over greater Kamrup now including in Assam and West Bengal. At least 95% of the "sloka" composed in yester year scriptures use this unique Kamrupi grammar. |
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{{reflist}} |
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Kamrupi came to [[endangered language]] during [[British India]] when for administrative reasons [[Kamrup]] was divided into two big districts one added to [[Bengal]] and the other to [[Assam]]. Thus, Kamrupi since then has never been written but only spoken and do not have a [[State Language]] status in [[India]]. |
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It also claims that the standard languages, [[Bengali language|Bengali]] and [[Assamese language|Assamese]], as well as the different dialects belonging to these language groups like Radhi, Virendari etc. have branched out of Kamrupi though Bengali and other languages have had independent developments since the 14th century. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{refbegin}} |
{{refbegin}} |
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* Hazarika, Parikshit ''The Kamarupi Apabhramsa'' Journal of the Assam Research Society, Vol 18, 1968 |
* Hazarika, Parikshit ''The Kamarupi Apabhramsa'' Journal of the Assam Research Society, Vol 18, 1968 |
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* {{cite book |
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|last= Sharma |
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|first=Mukunda Madhava |
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|title=Inscriptions of Ancient Assam |
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|publisher=[[Gauhati University]] |
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|year=1978 |
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|location=Guwahati, Assam}} |
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{{refend}} |
{{refend}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.iitg.ernet.in/rcilts/asamiya.htm Assamese] from [http://www.iitg.ernet.in/rcilts/ Resource Center for Indian Language Technology Solutions], [http://www.iitg.ernet.in/ IIT, Guwahati] |
* [http://www.iitg.ernet.in/rcilts/asamiya.htm Assamese] from [http://www.iitg.ernet.in/rcilts/ Resource Center for Indian Language Technology Solutions], [http://www.iitg.ernet.in/ IIT, Guwahati] |
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[[Category:Assamese language]] |
[[Category:Assamese language]] |
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Revision as of 13:16, 26 July 2012
| Kamrupi Prakrit | |
|---|---|
| Region | Kamarupa kingdom |
| Era | First millennium |
Indo-European
| |
| Language codes | |
| ISO 639-3 | – |
Kamarupi Prakrit (Sanskrit:कामारुपी प्राकृत) (Assamese:কামাৰূপী প্ৰাকৃত) was the spoken Prakrit language and Apabhramsa used in Kamarupa kingdom. The evidence of this Prakrit exist in and systematic errors in the Sankrit language used in the Kamarupa inscriptions.[1] The main characteristic of this Prakrit is the replacement of ś (শ) and ṣ (ষ) by s (স), which is contrary to the Vararuci's rule for Magadhi Prakrit which warrants that ṣ and s are replaced by ś.[2] Linguists claim this apabhramsa gave rise to various eastern Indo-European languages like modern Assamese and felt its presence in the form of Kamrupi and North Bengali.[3] [4]
Apabhramsa
Some linguists claim that there existed a Kamrupi apabhramsa as opposed to the Magadhi apabhramsa from which the three cognate languages---Assamese, Bengali and Oriya and Maithili---sprouted. The initial motive comes from extra-linguistic considerations. Kamarupa was the most powerful and formidable kingdom in the region which provided the political and cultural influence for the development of the Kamrupi apabhramsa. Xuanzang's mention that the language spoken in Kamarupa was a 'little different' from the one spoken in Pundravardhana is provided as evidence that this apabhramsa existed as early as the 5th century. That Kamarupa remained unconquered till the beginning of the Assamese literature in the 14th century points to the possibility that the apabhramsa of the Kamarupa kingdom must have flourished.
Archaic forms found in epigraphic records from the Kamarupa period give evidence of this apabhramsa, of which there are numerous examples.
The Buddhist Charyapadas from the 8th to 12th century are claimed by different languages: Assamese, Bengali, Oriya and Maithili languages. But the geographical region of its composition was the Kamarupa pitha and many of the composers were Kamarupi siddhas. Therefore the language in the Charyapadas is the best example of this apabhramsa. H. P. Sastri, who discovered these poems, termed the language sandhya bhasha (twilight language) and this is nothing but the Kamarupi apabhramsa.
Notes
- ^ "... (it shows) that in Ancient Assam there were three languages viz. (1) Sanskrit as the official language and the language of the learned few, (2) Non-Aryan tribal languages of the Austric and Tibeto-Burman families, and (3) a local variety of Prakrit (ie a MIA) wherefrom, in course of time, the modern Assamese language as a MIL, emerged." (Sharma 1978, pp. 0.24–0.28)
- ^ The contrary rule was first pointed out by Dimbeswar Neog (Sharma 1978, p. 0.25)
- ^ Mrinal Miri, Linguistic situation in North-East India , 2003, Scholars have shown that it is rather through the western Assam dialects that the development of modern Assamese has to be traced.
- ^ Sukhabilasa Barma, Bhawaiya, ethnomusicological study,2004 Based on the materials of the Linguistic Survey of India, Suniti Kumar Chattopadhyay has divided Eastern Magadhi Prakrita and Apabhramsa into four dialect groups (1) Radha-the language of West Bengal and Orissa (2) Varendra-dialect of North Central Bengal (3) Kamrupi-dialect of Northern Bengal and Assam and (4) Vanga-dialect of East Bengal.
References
- Hazarika, Parikshit The Kamarupi Apabhramsa Journal of the Assam Research Society, Vol 18, 1968
- Sharma, Mukunda Madhava (1978). Inscriptions of Ancient Assam. Guwahati, Assam: Gauhati University.