Earliest Evidence:
* Earliest Inscriptions: The earliest known inscriptions in a form of Sanskrit date back to the 2nd millennium BCE, specifically around 1500-1000 BCE. These are found in the Indus Valley Civilization, though the script is undeciphered.
* Rigveda: The Rigveda, a collection of ancient hymns, is considered the oldest surviving text in a form of Sanskrit, dating back to around 1500-1200 BCE. However, it's believed to be a record of an oral tradition that existed even earlier.
Evolution and Standardization:
* Vedic Sanskrit: The language of the Vedas is known as Vedic Sanskrit, and it differed significantly from later forms of Sanskrit.
* Classical Sanskrit: Around the 5th century BCE, a more standardized form of Sanskrit, known as Classical Sanskrit, developed. This is the language we see in epic poems like the Mahabharata and Ramayana, as well as in philosophical and religious texts.
Conclusion:
* Origins: While the exact origins are unclear, it's likely that a form of Sanskrit existed even before the earliest inscriptions, potentially as an oral language.
* Recorded History: The earliest written records in Sanskrit date back to around 1500-1000 BCE.
* Standardization: The development of Classical Sanskrit can be traced to around the 5th century BCE.
Therefore, it's more accurate to say that Sanskrit has a long and evolving history, with the earliest known forms dating back thousands of years.