Yes.
Here is my version.
I prefer to classify, Sanskrit into three. The Sanskrit spoken colloquelly is called “1.Laukita” and Sanskrit used in Vedas are “2.Vaidika”. Now both are rare, the “most influenced by sanskrit” language is “3.Marathi”
In order to understand “laukita” better, I am reproducing below the origin and decline of Sanskrit:
1.Natives: Sanskrit was the mother tongue of North West Part of the Indian Subcontinent in the distant past. We can conveniently say, in Aryavardha country (the region of Sindhu river), and/or Kashmir and adjacent regions.
2.Grammer: The grammer was written by Panini in 5th century BCE.
3.Loka and Vedic: The Sanskrit spoken colloquelly is called “Laukita” and Sanskrit used in Vedas are “Vaidika”
4.Too Strict: It is expected that one should learn Grammer First to learn Vedas. These are not followed as many argue, that if I can speak in the world (loka) and can read vedas, what is the need for learning Grammer.
5.Rituals: With the spread of Sanskrit south of himalayas and north of vindhyas, Brahmins adopted the strict grammarian version for rituals. Sanskrit then become the second langauge for Brahmins in the East and the Western regions, leading to dialects with regional accents. Various regional scripts including the Grandha were in use in various geographic regions. Use of Devanagiri is generally used fairly in recent times.
6.New Religions: Budhdhism and Jainism, developed in the East, stressed the use of Pali, Magadh and Ardhmagadh (collectively we mention as Prakrit). With the dominance of Maurya Empire, these religions put Kshatriyas dominance over Brahmins, Came up with eight classifications of Aryans (like by birth, by clan, by langauge, by profession…etc). Ardhmagadh is considered as the superior langauge.
7.Revolt: The spread of the new religions, set the revolt through out the country in 3rd century. The endownments to temples were stopped and the Brahmins were excuted. Prakrit was made compulsary as Court language. The literary work in classic languages Tamil and Sanskrit come standstill. Especailly in South, people were clueless who were the rulers and from where they come.
8.Resurrection Efforts: With the efforts of 76 Nayanmars and Azhvars, the spread of Saivism and the new found Vaisnavism took deep roots in 7th century. They converted a Pallava ruler and made Sanskrit and Tamil as court languages of Kanchi.
9.Replication: Similar efforts were made and Sanskrit become again the Court language of kingdoms in North. Prakrit is considered as low commoner language by the Brahmins. Not withstanding, Ardhmadh gave birth to languages like (now Second widely spoken) Bengali in the eastern region. Many are aware, on the lighter note, that even Lord Brahma wishes, he cannot straighten the Bengali accent with the grace of Saraswathi. (We have not included Niyogis for the time being)
10.Actual Decline: But the actual decline of Sanskrit started with the fall of Kashmir around the 13th-century, a premier center of Sanskrit literary creativity, Sanskrit literature there disappeared. This coincides with the beginning of Islamic invasions of the Indian subcontinent to create, thereafter expand the Muslim rule in the form of Sultanates and later the Mughal Empire.
11.Refugee: During the same time, Hinduism has reached its peak in Tamil Country. With the new Temples built, Old Temples expanded using Dravidian Architect during 300 year rule of Hindu Vijayanagara and Naicker Empires in Tamil Country (13th to 17th Century). Conservative Hindus found it as a safe place. Sanskrit teaching of hymns and verses found a place in Towering Temples and their pronounciation lead to another peculiar dialect with tamil (still confusing with Ka, Kha, Ga, Gha…)or telugu accent. The migration of Tamil Iyers lead to Palakkad dialect and Habbar Iyengars migration to Karnataka lead to another dialect.
12.Cultural Bond: Whether one accept it or not, Sanskrit created a cultural bond across the subcontinent even with never bothered various laukita dialects and in future also it will continue to do so.
However it connected scholars, particularly its elite scholors, from distant parts of the Indian subcontinent, from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu to LOC in Kashmir and beyond- Gilgit Baltistan?
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