Lost Languages of India: Brahmi, Kharosthi & Sharada

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India’s linguistic journey is as old and fascinating as its civilization itself — a land where words, scripts, and symbols shaped empires, beliefs, and knowledge. Long before modern Indian languages like Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, or Kannada evolved, ancient India communicated through remarkable writing systems such as Brahmi, Kharosthi, and Sharada.

These lost languages of India carried the wisdom of kings and monks, the teachings of faith, and the trade records that connected India to the world. From the Ashokan edicts written in Brahmi to the Buddhist manuscripts in Kharosthi and the Sanskrit texts in Sharada, each script reflects India’s deep cultural evolution.

In this article, we explore the origins, features, and legacies of these ancient Indian scripts — uncovering how they became the foundation of modern Indian languages and why they continue to hold timeless historical and cultural value.

1. The Brahmi Script – The Mother of Indian Writing Systems

1.1 Origin and Historical Background

The Brahmi script is considered the oldest known writing system of India, dating back to around the 3rd century BCE. Its earliest known examples appear on the Edicts of Emperor Ashoka, carved on rocks and pillars to spread messages of peace, morality, and dharma after his conversion to Buddhism.

While its true origin remains debated, many scholars believe Brahmi evolved from the Indus Valley symbols, while others suggest it was inspired by Aramaic scripts introduced by Persian rulers.

1.2 Structure and Characteristics

  • Type: Abugida (each consonant has an inherent vowel)

  • Direction: Written from left to right

  • Characters: Around 46 symbols including vowels and consonants

  • Phonetic system: Precisely represented sounds of Prakrit and Sanskrit, making it ideal for inscriptions and literature

1.3 Usage and Inscriptions

Brahmi inscriptions have been discovered across India and Sri Lanka. They were mainly used for:

  • Royal and government edicts (Ashokan inscriptions)

  • Religious writings (Buddhist and Jain texts)

  • Trade and administrative records

1.4 Importance and Legacy

The legacy of Brahmi is immense:

  • It is the ancestor of most modern Indian scripts, including Devanagari, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Odia.

  • Its decipherment by James Prinsep in 1837 unlocked centuries of lost Indian history.

  • It provided the linguistic key to understanding the Mauryan Empire, Ashoka’s governance, and Buddhist expansion.

In short, Brahmi laid the foundation for India’s written culture and continues to influence languages across South and Southeast Asia.

2. The Kharosthi Script – The Language of the Northwest and the Silk Road

2.1 Origin and Regional Use

While Brahmi dominated most of India, the northwestern region developed its own writing system — the Kharosthi script.
Originating around the 4th century BCE in the Gandhara region (modern-day Pakistan and Afghanistan), it thrived until about the 3rd century CE.

Kharosthi was developed under Persian influence, derived from the Aramaic script used by Achaemenid administrators, blending Indian sounds with foreign writing forms.

2.2 Structure and Characteristics

  • Direction: Written right to left, similar to Arabic or Hebrew

  • Derived from: Aramaic script

  • Languages used: Prakrit and Gandhari

  • Mediums: Found on coins, pottery, manuscripts, and stone inscriptions

2.3 Cultural and Historical Significance

Kharosthi played a central role in Gandharan culture, a region known for its Buddhist art and scholarship.
Many early Buddhist texts, known as the Gandhari Scrolls, were written in Kharosthi — making them among the oldest surviving Buddhist manuscripts.

Through trade and religious missions along the Silk Road, Kharosthi helped spread Buddhism to Central Asia and China, becoming a bridge between India and the wider world.

2.4 Decline and Disappearance

By the 4th century CE, Kharosthi declined as Brahmi-based scripts spread across the subcontinent.
It gradually disappeared but left behind a significant cultural mark that continues to aid historians in studying India’s interactions with the ancient world.

3. The Sharada Script – The Script of Kashmir’s Golden Age

3.1 Historical Background

The Sharada script emerged around the 8th century CE in Kashmir, during the region’s cultural and intellectual peak.
It evolved from the Gupta script, itself a descendant of Brahmi. The name “Sharada” comes from Goddess Sharada (Saraswati), the Hindu deity of wisdom and learning — deeply revered in Kashmir.

Sharada became the primary writing system of Kashmir and nearby regions, used for Sanskrit, Kashmiri, and Dogri languages.

3.2 Structure and Features

  • Type: Abugida (like Brahmi-based scripts)

  • Direction: Written left to right

  • Appearance: Sharp, angular, and geometric

  • Languages Used: Sanskrit, Kashmiri, Dogri

3.3 Usage and Contributions

Sharada was used in:

  • Religious manuscripts and sacred texts

  • Royal charters and documents

  • Philosophical works like the Kashmir Shaiva texts

It preserved Kashmir’s rich intellectual traditions and became a medium of spiritual and scholarly expression.

3.4 Decline and Preservation

During the Muslim rule, Persian and Perso-Arabic scripts replaced Sharada in everyday use, while Devanagari became dominant in northern India.
By the 14th century, Sharada faded as a living script, though it remained in ceremonial use by Kashmiri Pandits.

Today, thanks to digital efforts, Sharada has been added to the Unicode system, helping preserve and revive this ancient writing system.

4. Comparative Overview of Ancient Indian Scripts

FeatureBrahmiKharosthiSharada
Time Period3rd century BCE – 5th century CE4th century BCE – 3rd century CE8th – 14th century CE
RegionAcross IndiaNorthwest India (Gandhara)Kashmir, Northern India
DirectionLeft to RightRight to LeftLeft to Right
OriginIndigenous / Aramaic InfluenceAramaic ScriptGupta Script (from Brahmi)
Languages UsedPrakrit, SanskritPrakrit, GandhariSanskrit, Kashmiri
LegacyFoundation of modern Indian scriptsSpread Buddhism across AsiaCultural script of Kashmir

5. Importance of Preserving Lost Indian Scripts

Though Brahmi, Kharosthi, and Sharada are no longer in daily use, their historical, cultural, and linguistic importance is immeasurable. They:

  • Reveal ancient trade routes, royal orders, and social systems.

  • Bridge the gap between the Indus Valley Civilization and modern India.

  • Show how Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism spread across Asia.

  • Reflect India’s unity in diversity through language and culture.

Studying and preserving these scripts helps future generations appreciate the depth of India’s knowledge systems and the creativity of its ancient people.

Conclusion

The lost languages and scripts of India — Brahmi, Kharosthi, and Sharada — are silent witnesses to one of the world’s richest civilizations. They carried messages of wisdom, faith, and progress, connecting India to Asia and beyond.

From Brahmi, the mother of Indian scripts, to Kharosthi, which linked India with the Silk Road, and Sharada, the voice of Kashmir’s golden age — each script tells a story of innovation and cultural brilliance.

Even though these scripts vanished over time, their influence still lives on in today’s languages and literature. By studying and preserving them, we not only protect India’s heritage but also rediscover the ancient creativity that continues to shape our identity today.

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