Abahaṭṭha, Abahatta or Avahaṭṭha (Sanskrit apabhraṣṭa 'corrupted', related to apabhraṃśa) is a stage in the evolution of the Eastern group of the Indo-Aryan languages. This group consists of languages such as Assamese, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Magahi, Maithili, and Odia. Abahatta is considered to follow the Apabhraṃśa stage—i.e. those Apabhraṃśas derived from Magadhi Prakrit.
After different business and trading classes, including the Jains, rose in power and influence at the end of the ninth century CE, the widespread speaking of classical Sanskrit waned. Apabhransa and Abahatta thus became very popular, especially amongst common people, functioning as a lingua franca throughout the north of the Indian subcontinent.
