Middle Indo-Aryan refers to a group of languages that evolved from the earlier Old Indo-Aryan languages around the 3rd century BCE to the 3rd century CE. This period saw the emergence of several dialects, including Prakrits, which were used in various regions of the Indian subcontinent. These languages were often spoken by the common people and were distinct from the more formal Sanskrit. The Middle Indo-Aryan languages played a crucial role in the development of modern Indo-Aryan languages, such as Hindi, Bengali, and Marathi. They were characterized by simpler grammar and vocabulary compared to their predecessors, making them more accessible to the general population.