Sanskrit Language Practice in Ancient Bengal and its Causes of Decline

Scholars of ancient Bengal contributed significantly to enriching Sanskrit literature. Among them, the importance of Viśākhadaṭṭa, Śrīharṣa, Bhaṭṭa Nārāyaṇa, Sandhyākara Nandīn and Murārī are illustrious. This paper outlines the enrichment of the Sanskrit language through their contribution in detail. Every language follows a different path of evolution and challenges, and Sanskrit is no exception. In spite of its enriched history, it comes to a point of less active scenario over time due to several reasons. This paper also detailed multiple reasons for its decline, especially signifying other important causes, than the most popular opinion of the Brahmin’s hostile attitude. The ruling of foreign invaders, religious evolution, and economic uncertainty of Sanskrit authors are some of the major causes of decline.