The Languages of India

First Online: September 21, 2003
Page Last Updated: November 16, 2024

Introduction to the Linguistic Diversity of India

Depending on whom you ask, the number of languages in India vary from fifteen to two thousand. In other words, there is no definitive count of the languages in practice. The problem of counting and classifying the languages is compounded by the myriad of dialects, and mixed languages.

For what it is worth, I am compiling below a list of Indian languages that I have culled from several sources (references are at the bottom of the page). Where available, I have tried to provide a brief description, the parts of India they are spoken from, and links to potential content elsewhere on Kamat's Potpourri about the community speaking the language.

The official languages (meaning those on Indian currency, or sanctioned as an official language by the Indian Government) is shown in bold letters. Please bear in mind that some languages are are only spoken languages, and some are extinct today.

If I have missed a language, please suggest addition by writing to me at

-Vikas Kamat

List of Languages of India

Abor -- A tribal language spoken in north-eastern parts of India, especially in Assam
Abujmaria -- A tribal language spoken in Bastar district and neighboring areas. See: Village of Abujamara -- Kamat ventures into a deep tribal village of Abujamara and documents the experience.
Agaria -- Language spoken by a central Indian tribe by the same name. The Agaria are skilled blacksmiths and artisans. See related topic The Tribes of Madhya Pradesh
Ahirani -- An Indo-Aryan language spoken in parts of Maharashtra and Gujarat states.
Aimol -- An Indo-Tibetan language found in Indias' north-eastern parts.
Aiton
Anal
Andamanese
Angani
Angika
Apatani -- Language spoken by a North-Eastern tribe with the same name.
Arabic -- Remnants of Arabic can be seen among descendants of Arabs who've settled in India.
Ashing
Assamese -- Language spoken in the state of Assam
Asuri -- Language found in Bihar, Gumla and Lohardaga districts of Chotanagpur plateau.
Awadhi -- An ancient Indo-Aryan language with considerable literature.
Badaga
Baghelkhandi
Bagri
Baigani
Bajania
Balti
Bangni
Banjari
Basturia
Bauria
Bawm
Bazigar Boli
Bengali -- An important language belonging to the Shouraseni Prakrit family of Indian languages, spoken in West Bengal, and neighboring Orissa, and Bangladesh. Bengali literature is very rich, Bengali being the mother tongue of many great thinkers and writers who were responsible for Indian renaissance in the late 19th century.
Bhanja
Bantu
Bharmauri
Bhairi
Bhili
Bhojpuri
Bhotia
Bhuiya
Bhumij
Bhunjia
Biate
Bilaspuri
Birhor
Birjia
Bishnupriya
Bodo
Bokar
Bondo
Bori
Braj Bhasha
Brijlal
Bugun
Bundelkhandi
Burmese
Bushari
Byari
Chakhesang
Chakma
Chambilai
Chameli
Chang
Changpa
Chattisgarhi
Chikari
Chinali
Chiru
Chote
Churasi
Dalu
Dakhani
Deori
Dhanki
Dhimal
Dhodia
Dhundhari
Didayi
Dimasa
Dingal
Dogri
Dommari
Droskhat/Dokpa
Duhlian-Twang
English -- Although not a native language, spoken widely in India to be regarded as an Indian language.
French -- Spoken in former French colonies like Pondychery
Gadaba
Gadiali
Gallong
Gameti
Gamit
Gangte
Garasia
Garhwali
Garo
Giarahi
Gondi
Gujarati -- Spoken by the people with roots in the state of Gujarat. Gujaratis are spread all over the world, and it is not uncommon to learn this language in a school far away from India.
Gujjari
Gurumukhi
Gurung
Gutob
Hajong
Halam
Halbi
Harauti
Haryanavi -- A distinct dialect used in the state of Haryana and Kashmir Valley
Hebrew -- Language used by Jews of India.
Himachali
Hindi -- The language spoken and understood by most number of Indians (about 30%). The effort to make Hindi the only official language of India was met with stiff resistance and has led to fragmentation of Indian languages, and separatist turmoil. Prominently spoken in northern parts of India, known as the Hindi-belt.
Hinduri
Hindustani
Hmar
Ho
Hrusso
Hualngo
Irula
Jabalpuri
Jangali
Jarawa
Jaunsari
Juang
Kabui
Kachanga
Kachari
Kachchi
Kadar
Kagati
Kakbarak
Kanashi
Kangri
Kannada -- A prominent Dravidian language spoken in the province of Karnataka. Read about the origins, history, and about some famous works in Kannada language in History of Kannada Literature.
Karbi
Karen
Karko
Kashmiri
Kathiawari
Khadiboli
Khaka
Khamba
Khampa
Khampti
Khampti-shan
Kharia
Khasi
Khaskura
Khatri
Kherwari
Khiangan
Khorusti
Khotta
Kinnauri
Kiradi
Kisan
Koch
Kodava -- A spoken language spoken by Coorgis, a warrior community of Kodagu distrrict in Karnataka state.
Koi
Koireng
Kokni -- A dialect of Konkani language distinct enough to be regarded as an independent language.
Kolami
Kom
Komkar
Konda
Konicha
Konkani -- A spoken language practiced in the Konkan belt covering parts of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. Till recently, Konkani was considered as a dialect of Marathi, but new research has indicated that it is older than Marathi and is a different language. Read Kamat's article Origins and Development of Konkani. Dialects of the language include Kad-kokni, Daldi, Nawayati, Kharvi, and Khande-kharvi.
Konyak
Koracha
Koraga
Korava
Korku -- The language spoken by a native tribe of the same name in Madhya Pradesh.
Korwa
Kota
Kotwalia
Kudmali
Kui
Kuki
Kulvi
Kumaoni
Kunbi
Kurukh
Kutchi -- A language spoken in the Kutch region of Gujarat.
Kuvi
Ladakhi
Lahauli
Laihawlh
Lakher (Mara)
Lalung
Lambani
Lamgang
Laotian
Laria
Lepcha
Limbu
Lisu
Lodha
Lotha
Lushai -- A language spoken by aboriginals of Assam
Mag
Magahi
Magarkura
Mahal
Maithili -- Spoken in parts of Bihar state
Majhi
Makrani
Malankudi
Malayalam -- a prominent south Indian language spoken in the state of Kerala.
Malhar
Malto
Malvani
Malvi
Manchat
Mandiali
Mangari
Manipuri -- Language spoken in the province of Manipur in Northeast India.
Mao
Maram
Marathi -- Language spoken in the state of Maharashtra and some neighboring states.
Maria
Maring
Marwari
Mavchi
Meitei
Memba
Mewari
Mewati
Milang
Minyong
Miri
Mishing
Mishmi
Mizo
Monpa
Monsang
Moyon
Muduga
Multani
Mundari
Nagari
Nagpuri
Naikadi
Naiki
Nati
Nepali
Nicobarese
Nimari
Nishi
Nocte
Odki
Onge
Oriya -- Predominantly spoken in the state of Orissa
Padam
Pahari
Paharia
Pali -- Now extinct, a lot of ancient Buddhist literature is found in this language. Some derivatives are still spoken in parts of Sri Lanka and Burma.
Palilibo
Paite
Panchpargania
Pang
Panja
Pangwali
Parimu
Parji
Paschima
Pasi
Pashto
Pawri
Pengo
Persian
Phom
Pochury
Pothohari
Punchi
Punjabi -- Spoken in the state of Punjab
Raikhura
Rajasthani
Ralte
Ramo
Rathi
Rengma
Riang
Sadri
Sajalong
Sambalpuri
Sanketi
Sangtam
Sanskrit -- The ancient Indian language in which most of Hindu scriptures are based. It is said to be mother of all
Sansi
Santali
Sadra
Saraji
Sarhodi
Saurashtri
Sema
Sentinelese
Shekhawati
Sherdukpen
Sherpa
Shimong
Shina
Shompen
Sikligar
Sindhi
Singpo
Siraji
Sirmauri
Soliga
Sulung
Surajpuri
Tagin
Tai
Tamang
Tamil -- An ancient language of South India, closely tied to the Dravidian culture.
Tangam
Tangkhul
Tangsa
Tataotrong
Telugu -- A prominent South Indian language spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh and parts of Karnataka and Orissa.
Thado
Thar
Tharu
Tibetan
Toda -- Language spoken by a aborginal community by the same name (see: Todas)
Toto
Tulu -- A spoken language prominently spoken in Dakshina Kannada and Udupidistricts on the west-coast.
Urdu -- Indo-Iranian language spoken by significant number of Muslims all over India.
Vaiphei
Varli
Wagri
Wancho
Yereva
Yerukula
Yimchungre
Zakring
Zeliang
Zemi

References for Further Study

Ethnologue Report on India -- Page lists the languages and their geographic location, the number of speaking the language, based on prior census.
Languages of India -- Monthly online journal devoted to the study of the languages spoken in the Indian sub-continent.