History of Bengali: From Roots to Now

 Early Forms of the Bengali Language History

Bengali language started from Magadhi Prakrit before becoming Apabhramsa until it evolved into Old Bengali..

Magadhi Prakrit (5th Century BCE – 10th Century CE)

• The earliest form spoken in Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha.
• Different from Sanskrit but retained some elements.

Apabhramsa (10th – 12th Century CE)

• A transitional stage between Prakrit and Bengali.
• More phonetic and closer to modern speech.

Old Bengali (10th – 14th Century)

• Found in Charyapada, Buddhist mystical poetry written in an early Bengali form.
• Strong Sanskrit influence but emerging distinct identity.

Middle Bengali (15th – 18th Century)

• Persian and Arabic words entered due to Islamic rule.
• Poets like Krittibas Ojha and Maladhar Basu contributed to literature.

Modern Bengali (19th Century – Present)

• Saw the Bengali Renaissance led by Rabindranath Tagore.
• Standardized spelling and grammar were introduced.
• The Bengali Language Movement (1952) in Bangladesh made it a symbol of identity.

How Old is the Bengali Language?

Bengali has evolved into its distinct linguistic form since 1200 years ago. During the 10th century Charyapada became the first available written record in history. The language took in linguistic aspects from Persian and Arabic alongside Turkish then English throughout history.

The History of Bengali Language: Evolution Through the Ages

 The History of Bengali Language: Evolution Through the Ages

• Old Bengali (10th – 14th Century)

Buddhist mystical songs called Charyapada became one of the first literary works in Bengali language. The language used vocabulary which derived from Sanskrit and Apabhramsa at this stage.

• Middle Bengali (15th – 18th Century)

Islamic influence during the period of history made Persian and Arabic words enter into the Bengali lexicon. Bengali literature expanded when poet Krittibas Ojha completed his successful Bengali version of the Ramayana.

Bhakti and Sufi devotional sects contributed to the expansion of Bengali literary tradition.

• Modern Bengali (19th Century – Present)

Literature in Bengal exploded during the Bengali Renaissance era (19th century) thanks to renowned Nobel Prize winner Rabindranath Tagore who won the literature award in 1913. Conventions for both spelling and grammar were established as standard.

The Bengali Language Movement that took place in 1952 resulted in Bangladesh recognizing Bengali as its official state language.

Festivals in Bengali Culture and its History

Bengali culture is vibrant, with numerous festivals celebrated throughout the year.