Comparing Sanskrit to the status of Latin in 17th CE is bit disingenuous and a sign of presentism.
Sanskrit enjoyed scholarship since 6th BCE and it was prevalent and commonly used for more than a millennia after that.
The various inscriptions found across the subcontinent, and meant for common people are in Sanskrit which disproves this idea that it was not widely used.
Sanskrit enjoyed scholarship since 6th BCE and it was prevalent and commonly used for more than a millennia after that.
The various inscriptions found across the subcontinent, and meant for common people are in Sanskrit which disproves this idea that it was not widely used.