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 Proto-language of the Pahari languages, which includes Nepali language, Kumaoni language, Jaunsari, Mandeali, Kangri language and Garhwali languages. It was commonly referred to as खश (Khaśa), खष (Khaṣa), and खशीर (khaśīra) in the Sanskrit.
Indian linguist Suniti Kumar Chatterji suggests that Nepali language developed from Khasa Prakrit. Khas Prakrit is named after the speakers of language, Khas people, who live in the Himalayas.
+ Language Comparison ! style="background:#000000;" | ! colspan="2" style="background:#ffdeae;" | Nepali ! colspan="2" style="background:#ffdeae;" | Kumauni ! colspan="2" style="background:#ffdeae;" | 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 |
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