Correct option is D
The correct answer is (d) Tamil.
Tamil is the oldest spoken and literary language among South Indian languages.
It has a continuous literary tradition dating back over 2,000 years.
Tamil literature, including Sangam poetry, is some of the oldest surviving classical literature in the world.
Information Booster:
Tamil is recognized as a classical language by the Government of India.
The Sangam period (circa 300 BCE – 300 CE) marks the height of ancient Tamil literature.
Tamil inscriptions are found dating back to 500 BCE.
It has influenced other South Indian languages like Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam.
Tamil is still widely spoken and used in literature, media, and education.
It has a rich tradition of poetry, philosophy, and religious texts.
Tamil language and culture have significantly contributed to Indian heritage.
Additional Information:
Kannada: Old but younger than Tamil, literary records from 5th century CE.
Malayalam: Developed later around 9th-13th century CE from Tamil.
Telugu: Literary tradition dates from 11th century CE onwards.