 Inscriptional evidence indicates that Burmese became the lingua franca of the kingdom only in the early 12th century, and perhaps the late 12th century when the use of Pyu and Mon in official usage declined.Mon continued to flourish in Lower Burma but Pyu as a language had died out by the early 13th century.Another important development in Burmese history and Burmese language was the rise of Pali, the liturgical language of Theravada Buddhism.