Created by Al202xis0
Last edited September 30, 2025

Template:Distinguish Template:Infobox language Ardhamagadhi Prakrit was a Middle Indo-Aryan language and a Dramatic Prakrit thought to have been spoken in modern-day Bihar[1] and Uttar Pradesh and used in some early Buddhist and Jain dramas. It was likely a Central Indo-Aryan language, related to Pali and the later Shauraseni Prakrit.[2] The Eastern Hindi languages evolved from Ardhamagadhi Prakrit.[3]

Relationship with Pali

Theravada Buddhist tradition has long held that Pali was synonymous with Magadhi and there are many analogies between it and Template:IAST, literally 'half-Magadhi'. Template:IAST was prominently used by Jain scholars[4] and is preserved in the Jain Agamas. Both Gautama Buddha and the Tirthankara Mahavira preached in the region of Magadha.

Ardhamāgadhī differs from later Magadhi Prakrit on similar points as Pāli. For example, Ardhamāgadhī preserves historical [l], unlike later Magadhi, where [l] changed into [r]. Additionally, in the noun inflection, Ardhamagadhi shows the ending [-o] instead of Magadhi Prakrit [-e] in many metrical places.

Pali: Dhammapada 103:

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Ardhamagadhi: Saman Suttam 125: Template:Quote

References

  1. Prakrit.
  2. [{{{url}}} The Indo-Aryan Languages]. Routledge.
  3. Languages of South Asia: A guide{{#if:Zograph|, Zograph}. Taylor & Francis(8 March 2023). ISBN 9781000831658
  4. Encyclopedia of Hinduism{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Infobase Publishing(2006). ISBN 978-0-8160-7564-5