Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 27, 2026

Khasa language

Khasa Prakrit is a Prakrit language of medieval South Asia and a common ancestor language of the Pahari languages, which includes Nepali, Kumaoni, Doteli, Jumli Khas, Jaunsari, Mandeali, Garhwali, and Mahasuvi languages. It was commonly referred to as खश (Khaśa), खष (Khaṣa), and खशीर (Khaśīra) in the Sanskrit texts. It is known to have originated in Sinja Valley, Nepal.

Last revised
Jun 27, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
321 w
Citations
5
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Khasa Prakrit
खश, खष, खशीर
Copper Inscription by Baise King of Doti, Raika Mandhata Shahi at Saka Era 1612 (शाके १६१२) or 1747 Bikram Samvat, (AD 1690 or 1691) in old Khas language using Devanagari script.
Native toKhasa Kingdom
RegionWestern Himalayas
EthnicityKhas & Nepalese
Language codes
ISO 639-3–
GlottologNone

Khasa Prakrit (also known as Khas Prakrit, Sanskrit Khasa, Himalayan Prakrit, Northern Prakrit, Khas Kura) is a Prakrit language of medieval South Asia and a common ancestor language of the Pahari languages, which includes Nepali, Kumaoni, Doteli, Jumli Khas, Jaunsari, Mandeali, Garhwali, and Mahasuvi languages.12 It was commonly referred to as खश (Khaśa), खष (Khaṣa), and खशीर (Khaśīra) in the Sanskrit texts. It is known to have originated in Sinja Valley, Nepal.

Many linguists suggest that Nepali language developed from Khasa Prakrit.3 Khas Prakrit is named after the speakers of language, Khas people, who majorly live in the Himalayas of Nepal.4

History

Origin and development

Khasa belongs to the Indo-European family of languages. Like other Indo-Aryan languages, Khasa is a direct descendant of an early form of Vedic Sanskrit, through Shauraseni Prakrit and Śauraseni Apabhraṃśa (from Sanskrit apabhraṃśa "corrupt").5

Language comparison

Language Comparison
  Nepali Kumauni Kashmiri
  Masc Fem Masc Fem Masc Fem
I am chu chu chic chu thus ches
You are chas ches chai chi chukh chekh
He is cha che ch chi chuh cheh
See also

See also

References

References

  1. Pradhan, Kumar (1991). The Gorkha Conquests: The Process and Consequences of the Unification of Nepal, with Particular Reference to Eastern Nepal. Oxford University Press. pp. 30–40. ISBN 978-0-19-562723-7.
  2. Schmidt, Ruth Laila (1993). व्यावहारिक नेपाली-अङ्ग्रेजी शब्दकोश. Ratna Sagar. pp. ix. ISBN 978-81-7070-172-9.
  3. Subba, Tanka Bahadur (2009). Indian Nepalis: Issues and Perspectives. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 325–337. ISBN 978-81-8069-446-2.
  4. Ray, Dinesh Chandra; Chowdhury, Srikanta Roy (2022-12-22). Darjeeling: In Search of People's History of the Hills. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-82880-1.
  5. "नेपाली भाषाको उत्पत्ति र विकास" (PDF). Uttarakhand Open University (in Nepali). Retrieved 19 February 2024.