Before the evolution of the Gujarati language, Sanskrit was the medium of learning and literature in the early periods. Rock edicts at Junagadh were inscribed in Sanskrit. Renowned poets like Bhatti and Magh also wrote in Sanskrit. The great scholar and saint Hemchandracharya wrote a number of books in Sanskrit.

Like other languages of the Indo-Aryan family, Gujarati is derived from Sanskrit through Prakrit and Apabhramsha. The Gujarati language that is widely used today evolved much later. 

The language originally spoken in Gujarat and West Rajasthan was known as old western Rajasthani and then as Maru Gujar. Apabhramsha or ancient Gujarati was spoken in this region between the 11th and the 14th century. 

Old Gujarati then evolved after the establishment of the Sultanate of Gujarat in the 15th century. But it was in the 17th century that the foundations of modern Gujarat were laid. This was assiduously cultivated and ultimately developed into a powerful vehicle of expression by a number of writers, scholars and poets from Narsinh Mehta to Mahatma Gandhi.

Literary activities in modern Gujarat took firm roots in the 19th century under the influence of English literature. The contribution made by Alexander Kinloch Forbes, a great scholar in Gujarati language and literature, was noteworthy. 

In 1848 he started Gujarat Vernacular Society at Ahmedabad, which heralded the literary renaissance in Gujarat. His Ras Mala in two volumes on the history and folk literature of Gujarat is a monumental work. Gandhiji also influenced the literary life in Gujarat. 

Great authors and poets like Kanaiyalal Munshi, Umashankar Joshi, Sundaram, R.V. Desai, Pannalal Patel and Dhumketu had great impact on social culture of Gujarat. The greatest contribution to Gujarati literature, however, comes from its folklore, the literature of people, its folk dances, ras, garbi, garba, bhajan and kirtan, which reveal their way of life, religion and deeds of bravery.