Sanskrit's decline in prominence can be attributed to
several factors:
Vernacular Languages: With the passage of time, vernacular
languages emerged and gained prominence in various regions. These languages,
such as Prakrits in ancient India and later languages like Hindi, Bengali,
Tamil, and others, were spoken by the common people in their daily lives.
Vernacular languages were more accessible and practical for everyday
communication, leading to a gradual decline in the use of Sanskrit for spoken
communication.
Social Changes: The societal structure shifted, and with it,
the linguistic landscape changed. As feudal systems gave way to more
decentralized governance structures, local languages gained importance as tools
for governance, trade, and cultural expression. Sanskrit, once the language of
the elite and the learned, began to lose its status as the primary means of
communication.
Religious Context: Sanskrit retained its importance in
religious contexts, particularly in rituals, ceremonies, and religious texts.
It continued to be the language of Hindu scriptures, philosophical treatises,
and ritualistic literature. However, its usage became confined to these
specific domains, limiting its role in everyday interactions.
Literary Tradition: Despite its decline as a spoken
language, Sanskrit maintained its significance in literature and scholarship.
It remained the language of choice for composing literary works, academic
treatises, and poetry. The vast corpus of Sanskrit literature continued to be
studied and revered, ensuring the preservation of the language's cultural and
intellectual heritage.
Political Shifts: With the decline of ancient empires that
patronized Sanskrit as the language of administration and culture, there was a
loss of institutional support for its widespread usage.
Colonialism: The colonial period saw the imposition of
European languages as administrative and educational mediums, marginalizing
indigenous languages including Sanskrit. British policies favored English over
Sanskrit, which further contributed to its decline.
Cultural Changes: As cultures change, so do language
preferences. Sanskrit's association with Hinduism and Brahminical culture made
it less appealing to communities outside these circles. This association
sometimes led to deliberate efforts to promote vernacular languages at the
expense of Sanskrit.
Technological Advancements: With the advent of printing
presses and later digital technologies, languages with larger speaker bases
gained more prominence. Sanskrit, being less spoken and written, lost ground to
languages with wider usage.
Education System: Modern education systems often prioritize
practical skills and modern languages over classical languages like Sanskrit.
This has contributed to a decline in the number of people proficient in
Sanskrit and reduced its overall influence.
Despite these factors, Sanskrit continues to be revered for its rich literary tradition and its influence on various languages across South Asia. It remains an important language for religious texts, philosophical discourse, and academic study.