Prakrit refers to a group of Middle Indo-Aryan languages spoken roughly between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D. The term prākṛta means “derived,” in contrast to saṃskṛta (Sanskrit), meaning “refined” or “perfected,” reflecting Prakrit’s lower social prestige compared to Sanskrit.The earliest evidence of Prakrit appears in Emperor Ashoka’s inscriptions (3rd century B.C.) and in early Pāli texts of Theravāda Buddhism. One of the most important Prakrits is Ardhamāgadhī, associated with Magadha (modern Bihar) and used in early Jain scriptures, as Mahāvīra, the founder of Jainism, lived in this region.Other major Prakrits include Māhārāṣṭrī, Śaurasenī, Māgadhī, Avantī, and Gāndhārī, which were used in drama, poetry, and Buddhist literature. The later stage of Middle Indo-Aryan is represented by Apabhraṃśa, used as a literary language from about the 8th century A.D.Although some Prakrits became classical literary languages, they originated as spoken dialects. These vernacular forms later evolved into the modern Indo-Aryan languages spoken across South Asia today.