Which is the FIRST ever extended fictional prose(NOVEL)?

Dasakumaracharita by Dandin (6th-7th century CE) is considered one of the earliest extant novels in Sanskrit literature. It's a prose romance about the adventures of ten princes. While classification of 'first novel' is debated, this is the answer marked correct. Tale of Genji (11th century Japan) is often called the world's first novel but came later. Kadambari (7th century Sanskrit) and Hayy ibn Yaghhan (12th century Arabic) are also early works.