Marathi, a derivative of Maharashtri Prakrit language, is probably first attested in a 739 CE copper-plate inscription found in Satara. A committee appointed by the Maharashtra State Government to get the Classical status for Marathi has claimed that Marathi existed at least 1,500 - 2,000 years ago alongside Sanskrit as a sister language. The earliest example of Maharashtri as a separate language dates to approximately 1st century BCE: a stone inscription found in a cave at Naneghat, Junnar in Pune district had been written in Maharashtri using Brahmi script. However, this is challenged by Bloch (1970), who states that Apabhraṃśa was formed after Marathi had already separated from the Middle Indian dialect. Further changes led to the formation of Jain Apabhraṃśa followed by Old Marathi. Marathi is one of several languages that further descend from Maharashtri Prakrit. Indian languages, including Marathi, that belong to the Indo-Aryan language family are derived from early forms of Prakrit. Marathi inscription at the foot of Bahubali statue at Jain temple in Shravanabelagola is the earliest known Marathi inscription found. In its phonology, it contrasts apico-alveolar with alveopalatal affricates and alveolar with retroflex laterals ( and (Marathi letters ल and ळ respectively). Marathi distinguishes inclusive and exclusive forms of 'we' and possesses a three-way gender system, that features the neuter in addition to the masculine and the feminine. The major dialects of Marathi are Standard Marathi and the Varhadi dialect.

The language has some of the oldest literature of all modern Indian languages.

Marathi has the third largest number of native speakers in India, after Hindi and Bengali. Marathi ranks 13th in the list of languages with most native speakers in the world. It is one of the 22 scheduled languages of India, with 83 million speakers as of 2011. It is the official language of Maharashtra, and additional official language in the state of Goa. Marathi ( English: / m ə ˈ r ɑː t i/ Marāṭhī, मराठी Marathi: ( listen)) is an Indo-Aryan language predominantly spoken by Marathi people in the Indian state of Maharashtra. List of languages by number of native speakers in India Darker shades imply a greater percentage of native speakers of Marathi in each district.Ĭonstitutionally recognised languages of IndiaĢ2 Official Languages of the Indian RepublicĮighth Schedule to the Constitution of India Map of Marathi language in India (district-wise).

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