Tamil is considered to be one of the oldest living classical languages in the world, with its origins dating back to at least 2,500 years.
Sanskrit, while also an ancient language, emerged later, around 1,500 years ago.
Evidence for the age of Tamil:
* Ancient Tamil literature: The earliest Tamil literary works, such as the Sangam poems, date back to the 3rd century BCE.
* Inscriptions: Tamil inscriptions from the 3rd century BCE have been found in South India.
* Linguistic evidence: Tamil has a rich and complex grammar, with a distinctive phonological system and vocabulary, suggesting a long history of development.
Evidence for the age of Sanskrit:
* The Vedas: The earliest Sanskrit texts, the Vedas, are believed to have been composed between 1500 BCE and 500 BCE.
* Inscriptions: Sanskrit inscriptions from the 3rd century BCE are also found in India.
Therefore, based on available evidence, Tamil is considered older than Sanskrit.