Consider the following statements about the literary language Apabhramsha :

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation:

Apabhramsha emerged around the 6th century CE as a transitional literary language between the Prakrits and the early forms of modern Indo-Aryan languages. It was not a standardized language but a blend of regional dialects, incorporating elements of both Prakrit and Sanskrit, and was often regarded as a “corrupt” or non-grammatical form of classical languages.

Statement 1: Correct
Evidence indicates that Apabhramsha appeared in recognizable literary forms by the 6th century, serving as a precursor to modern Indo-Aryan languages such as Hindi, Gujarati, and Bengali. It represents an important phase in the linguistic evolution of North India.

Statement 2: Correct
Apabhramsha evolved from mixtures of regional vernaculars, blending local dialects with Prakrit and Sanskrit elements. Its flexible and non-standardized nature made it a popular medium for literary and devotional works, particularly in Jain and early Bhakti literature.

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2