As a language expert with a deep understanding of linguistic history and evolution, I can provide a comprehensive analysis of the origins and development of Hindi and Urdu to answer your question about which language is older.
Hindi and Urdu are two distinct languages that share a common linguistic heritage. They both evolved from the Hindustani language, which is the native language of the Indo-Aryan people of the Indian subcontinent. The Hindustani language itself is a fusion of various regional languages and dialects that have been influenced by the historical and cultural interactions of the region.
The Hindi language has its roots in the Sanskrit language, which is one of the oldest and most significant languages of the Indian subcontinent. Sanskrit is the sacred language of Hinduism and has been used for religious and scholarly purposes for centuries. However, the modern Hindi language as we know it today did not emerge until the 19th century. The development of Hindi was influenced by the need for a standardized language that could be used for communication and administration across the diverse regions of India. The modern Hindi language incorporates elements from various regional languages, including Sanskrit, and is written in the Devanagari script.
On the other hand, Urdu is a language that developed in the Muslim courts of Delhi and has strong Persian and Arabic influences. The language was used as a lingua franca among the Muslim elite and was later adopted as the official language of the Mughal Empire. Urdu is written in the Perso-Arabic script and has a rich literary tradition that includes poetry, prose, and historical texts. While it is true that Urdu has been used for centuries, it is important to note that the modern Urdu language, like Hindi, also emerged in the 19th century as a distinct language from the Hindustani language.
The statement that "Hindi popped up in the 19th century, while Urdu was being used centuries before" is somewhat misleading. Both languages have a long history, but their modern forms were standardized and codified in the 19th century. The distinction between Hindi and Urdu has more to do with the script, vocabulary, and cultural associations than with the age of the language itself.
In conclusion, it is not accurate to say that one language is definitively older than the other based on the historical use of the Hindustani language from which they both evolved. Both Hindi and Urdu have a rich and complex history that reflects the diverse cultural heritage of the Indian subcontinent. The development of each language has been influenced by a multitude of factors, including religious, political, and social changes over time. Understanding the historical context and the linguistic evolution of both languages is essential to appreciate the unique contributions that Hindi and Urdu have made to the cultural tapestry of South Asia.

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But the language spoken by many South Asians, whether is be called Hindi or Urdu, is the same Hindustani. And when it was made official, it was called Urdu. Hindi 's words though they may have Sanskrit, doesn't make Hindi older, because Hindi popped up in the 19th century, while Urdu was being used centuries before.read more >>