Reviving Ancient Voices: Bihar's Bold Move to Preserve Prakrit and Pali

The Bihar government has initiated the formation of new academies for Prakrit and Pali languages to promote and preserve these ancient dialects. These academies will function under the newly formed Higher Education department, reflecting Bihar's cultural and educational commitment.

The Bihar government is making strides in cultural preservation by forming new academies for the Prakrit and Pali languages. This strategic initiative aims to restore, preserve, and promote these ancient dialects, which have significant historical and cultural importance.

According to a notification from the Cabinet Secretariat department, these academies will operate under the administrative control of the state's newly created Department of Higher Education. The state cabinet has also sanctioned the formation of three new departments—Youth, Employment and Skill Development, Higher Education, and Civil Aviation.

Experts highlight that Prakrit languages, predating modern Sanskrit derivatives, were the vernacular dialects of ancient India, essential to both Brahmanical/Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Pali continues to hold a canonical role in Buddhistic traditions across Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. This move is seen as pivotal for Bihar's educational and cultural landscape, underscoring the region's historical ties to Buddha's teachings.