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{{short description|History of a region in the Indian subcontinent}}
[[File:Mithila Region of India and Nepal.png|thumb|300x300px|Map of the Mithila region of India & Nepal]]
{{History of Bihar}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2019}}
[[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] ({{IAST3|mithilā}}, also known as '''Mithilanchal''', '''Tirhut''' and '''Tirabhukti''') is a geographical and cultural region located in the [[Indian subcontinent]]. The native language is known as [[Maithili language|Maithili]] and its speakers are referred to as [[Maithil]]s.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&q=mithila+region&pg=PA30 | title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective | access-date=11 January 2017 | pages=27| isbn=9788175330344 | last1=Jha | first1=Makhan | year=1997 }}</ref>
The majority of the Mithila region falls within modern-day [[India]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Mishra, V. |year=1979 |publisher=Mithila Prakasana|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8FBuAAAAMAAJ&q=area+of+mithila |title=Cultural Heritage of Mithila | access-date=28 December 2016 | pages=13}}</ref>
Mithila is bounded in the north by the [[Himalayas]], and in the south, west and east by the [[Ganges]], [[Gandaki River|Gandaki]] and [[Mahananda River|Mahananda]] respectively.<ref name=Jha1997>{{cite book |author=Jha, M. |year=1997 |chapter=Hindu Kingdoms at contextual level |title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&pg=PA27 |pages=27–42 |publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd |location=New Delhi|isbn=9788175330344 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Mishra, V. |year=1979 |publisher=Mithila Prakasana |location=Allahabad |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8FBuAAAAMAAJ&q=area+of+mithila |title=Cultural Heritage of Mithila | access-date=28 December 2016 | pages=13}}</ref> It extends into the southeastern [[Terai]] of [[Nepal]].<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ishii, H. |year=1993 |title=Seasons, Rituals and Society: the culture and society of Mithila, the Parbate Hindus and the Newars as seen through a comparison of their annual rites |journal=Senri Ethnological Studies 36 |pages=35–84 |url=https://minpaku.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=3055&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1}}</ref><ref name=Kumar2000>{{cite journal |author=Kumar, D. |year=2000 |title=Mithila after the Janakas |journal=The Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=60 |pages=51–59}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=C0f898HDLAYC&q=mithila&pg=PA1 | title=A Survey of Maithili Literature | access-date=22 December 2016 | author=Radhakrishna Choudhary| year=1976 | isbn=9789380538365 }}</ref>
This region was also called [[Tirabhukti]], the ancient name of [[Tirhut]].<ref>Yadav, Yogendra P. date missing. Reading Asia: New Research in Asian Studies; Frans Hüsken, Dick van der Meij; Chapter 12 – The [[Maithili language|Maithili]] Language at page 240</ref>

== Names ==
Historically, the region was called by multiple names. The name Mithila is believed to be derived from the legendary [[King Mithi]] who established Mithilapuri.<ref name="Singh">''Encyclopaedia of Hinduism''. Nagendra Kumar Singh, p. 3239.</ref>

Among the twelve{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} names of Mithila, including ''Tirhut'' and ''Tirabhukti'', [[Brihada Vishnu Purana]] mentions the name Tirabhukti, which later became known as ''Tirhut'' in common use.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Mishra |first=Vijayakanta |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.108245 |title=Cultural Heritage Of Mithila |date=1979 |pages=15}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Sinha |first=Chandreshwar Prasad Narayan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Os8BAAAAMAAJ |title=Mithila Under the Karnatas, C. 1097-1325 A.D |date=1979 |publisher=Janaki Prakashan |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Mishra |first=Yogendra |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_IceAAAAMAAJ |title=History of Videha: From the Earliest Times to the Foundation of the Gupta Empire, A.D. 319 |date=1981 |publisher=Janaki Prakashan |language=en}}</ref> ''Tirabhukti'' is a Sanskrit [[compound word]], a combination of ''tira'' ("shore") and ''bhukti'' (in the meaning of "limit").{{sfn|Monier-Williams|1872|p=376}} The name Tirhut is preserved in [[Tirhuta script]] of the [[Maithili language]] and [[Tirhut division]] in the Mithila region

''Vijayakanta Mishra'', an Indian scholar, in his book "''Cultural Heritage of Mithila''" stated that the word ''Tirabhukti'' which is mentioned in the text of Brihada Vishnu Purana became popular during the period of 4th- th centuries AD in the Indian subcontinent to denote the [[Mithila (region)|Mithila region]]. Later, the word Tirhut became common designation of the Mithila region for the administrative purposes.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{cite web|last=Thakur |first=Ripunjay Kumar |date=1 March 2022|title=Historical Geography of Early Medieval Mithila: From Videha to Tirhut.|url=https://www.academia.edu/72670545|publisher=New Archaeological & Genological Society, Kanpur, India|issn=2348-8301|access-date=21 August 2025}}</ref>

==In Jainism==
{{Main|Mithilapuri Jain Teerth}}
Mithilā is one of the most significant pilgrimage sites in [[Jainism]]. Apart from its association with ''[[Mahavira]]'', the 24th [[Tirthankara]], it is also known for its association with ''[[Mallinatha]]'', the 19th Tirthankara, and ''[[Naminatha]]'', the 21st Tirthankara. As per the [[Jain literature#The Śvētāmbara Siddhāntha|''Śvetāmbara'' canon]], the first four of the [[Panch Kalyanaka|five significant events]] of the life of ''Mallinātha'' and ''Naminātha'' happened at Mithilā. The fifth one, which is the attainment of [[Nirvana|''nirvana'']], happened at [[Shikharji|''Sammet Shikharji'']].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maharaj |first=Triputi |title=Jain Paramparano Itihaas |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/001076/65}}</ref>

''[[Mahavira]]'' spent 6 ''varshās'' (monsoon seasons) at Mithilā.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Publication |first=Jain Bhawan |title=Jain Journal 1967 04 |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/520006/33}}</ref> ''Akampita Swāmi'', one of his 11 [[Ganadhara|ganadharas]], was born in Mithilā.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rao |first=M Subba |title=Sachitra Shraman Bhagwan Mahavir |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/006789/132}}</ref> Additionally, as per ancient ''[[Śvetāmbara]]'' texts, a branch of ancient Jaina ascetics was known as ''"Maithiliya"'' after Mithilā, signifying its historical importance as a center of Jaina scholarship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Porwal |first=Renuka |title=Jaina Stupa At Mathura Art And Icons |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/007031/179}}</ref>

''[[Vividha Tirtha Kalpa]]'', a 14th century CE [[Śvetāmbara]] Jaina text by ''Ācārya'' ''Jinaprabhasūrī'', describes Mithilā as a major Jaina pilgrimage center. The scripture locates Mithilā in the [[Tirhut division|Tirhuta]] region near the confluence of the ''Bāna Gangā'' and ''[[Gandaki River|Gandaki]]'' rivers. It also mentions a village called ''"Jagai"'', where temples dedicated to ''[[Mallinatha|Mallinātha]]'' and ''[[Naminatha|Naminātha]]'' existed. The site is also connected to [[Sita|Sita's]] marriage, ''"Sakulla Kunda"''. Some researchers suggest that ''"Jagai"'' may be an abbreviation of [[Jagadishpur]], near present-day [[Sitamarhi]]. In their pilgrimage parties of 17th century CE and 18th century CE respectively, ''Panyās Saubhāgyavijaya'' and ''Panyās Vijayasāgara'' mention the location of the Jaina pilgrimage of Mithilā near present-day Sitamarhi in [[Bihar]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jinaprabhasuri |first=Acharya |title=Vividha Tirtha Kalpa |url=https://jainqq.org/explore/009519/64}}</ref>

The temples fell into disrepair, possibly due to a lack of Jaina population. The only remnant was the footprints of ''[[Mallinatha|Mallinātha]]'' and ''[[Naminatha|Naminātha]]''. These footprints were later preserved in [[Bhagalpur|''Bhāgalpur'']].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Thakur |first=Vijay Kumar |date=2003 |title=The Jaina Antiquities of Mithila: An Analysis |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/44145472 |journal=Proceedings of the Indian History Congress |volume=64 |pages=295–299 |jstor=44145472 |issn=2249-1937}}</ref> Based on historical evidence and research, initiatives to restore Mithilā’s lost [[Mithilapuri Jain Teerth|Jaina heritage]] were launched. A two-storey temple along the Sitamarhi-Dumra road was constructed. In 2015, the foundation was laid by ''Ācārya'' ''Mahendrasāgarasūrī'' of [[Kharatara Gaccha]]. In 2020, the ritualistic installation of idols was conducted by ''Ācārya'' ''Piyushsāgarasūrī'' of Kharatara Gaccha and ''Ācārya'' ''Vinayasāgarasūrī'' of [[Tapa Gaccha]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-09-19 |title=बिहार में यहां है जैन धर्म के 19वें और 21वें तीर्थंकर का जन्मस्थली, 14 साल तक रिसर्च के बाद इस शख्स ने लगाया था पता |url=https://hindi.news18.com/news/bihar/sitamarhi-the-birthplace-of-the-19th-and-21st-tirthankar-of-jainism-this-person-found-out-after-14-years-of-research-7605823.html |access-date=2025-04-17 |website=News18 हिंदी |language=hi}}</ref>

==Ancient history==
{{See also|Mithila (region)}}
[[File:Cave 1 painting, Ajanta, Maharashtra, a close up.jpg|thumb|King Janaka of Videha announcing to his wife that he intends to renounce his worldly life. Scene depicted in [[Ajanta Caves|Cave 1, Ajanta]].]]
[[King Mithi]] established Mithilapuri.<ref name="Singh"/> Since he was born out of the body of his father,{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} he was called Janaka.

After this, the later kings of Mithila adopted the title ''Janaka''. The most famous ''Janaka'' was Seeradhwaja Janaka, father of [[Sita]]. There were 52 kings in the dynasty of ''Janaka''.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Dr. Kamal Kant Jha, Pt. Sri Ganeshrai Vidyabhushan, Dr Dhanakar Thakur|title=A Brief History of Mithila State {{!}} Bihar Articles|url=http://www.bihar.ws/info/Cultural-regions-of-Bihar/A-Brief-History-of-Mithila-State.html|access-date=10 January 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301094238/http://www.bihar.ws/info/Cultural-regions-of-Bihar/A-Brief-History-of-Mithila-State.html|archive-date=1 March 2012|language=en|url-status=live}}</ref>

The region was also known as Videha. The kingdom of Videha is mentioned for the first time in ''[[Yajurveda#Samhitas|Yajurveda Samhita]]''. Mithila, is mentioned in [[Buddhist]] ''[[Jatakas]]'', the ''[[Brahamanas]]'', the ''[[Puranas]]'' (described in detail in ''[[Vishnu Purana|Brhadvisnu Purana]]'') and various epics such as the ''[[Ramayana]]'' and the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.

However, before that, according to the ''[[Shatapatha Brahmana]]'', a chieftain named ''[[Videgha Mathava]]'' migrated from the [[Saraswati river|Saraswati]] Valley to Mithila during the [[Vedic period]] and established the Videha kingdom and the [[Maithil Brahmin]] community.<ref>{{Citation|last=Verma|first=Harsh|title=Leadership and Dharma: The Indian Epics Ramayana and Mahabharata and Their Significance for Leadership Today|date=2013|work=Fictional Leaders|pages=182–201|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK|doi=10.1057/9781137272751_13|isbn=978-1-349-44498-4}}</ref>

A list of kings is mentioned in Mahabharata and Jatakas. All the kings either adopted the title ''Videha'' or ''Janaka''.<ref name="Singh" />

==Vedic period, Videha Kingdom==
{{Main|Videha}}
During the [[Vedic]] period, Mithila was known as the [[Videha]] kingdom.<ref>[[Michael Witzel]] (1989), ''Tracing the Vedic dialects'' in ''Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes'' ed. [[Colette Caillat|Caillat]], Paris, pages 13, 17 116-124, 141-143</ref>

==c. 600 BCE–c. 300 BCE, Vajji Mahajanapada==
{{Main|Vajjika League}}
Following the fall of the [[Videha]]s, Mithila came under the control of the [[Vajjika League]] which was a confederacy of clans the most famous of which was the [[Licchavi (tribe)|Licchavi]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sOYwDAAAQBAJ&q=vaishali+vajji&pg=PA49 | title=Milestones Social Science – 6 (History, Geography, Social and Political Life) | access-date=26 January 2017 | pages=80| isbn=9789325982666 }}</ref> Mithila being one the part of Vajji which was eventually conquered by the king of [[Magadha (Mahajanapada)|Magadha]], [[Ajatashatru]].

==6th century to 11th century: Pala==

Mithila was a tributary state of the [[Pala Empire]] until the empire disintegrated in the 12th century.

==11th century to 14th century: Karnata Dynasty==
{{main|Karnats of Mithila}}
[[File:Map of the Karnats of Mithila.png|thumb|350x350px|Map of the [[Karnats of Mithila]] based on combined total land area ever conquered by the rulers of '''Karnata Dynasty''' (1097–1324-1393 AD).]]
The Karnata dynasty was founded by Nanyadeva with the capital being in [[Simraungadh (medieval city)|Simraungadh]] & [[Darbhanga]] in Mithila.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n6nXAAAAMAAJ&q=karnataka+dynasty+mithila | title=Complex Societies and Other Anthropological Essays | access-date=27 January 2017 | pages=14| isbn=9788170130703 | last1=Jha | first1=Makhan | year=1991 }}</ref>

Karnats carried out raids into Nepal with the army under the leadership of the prominent general and minister [[Caṇḍeśvara Ṭhakkura]] and defeated the [[Tughlaq]] army in the Battle of Makwanpur

[[Caṇḍeśvara Ṭhakkura]] as leading a successful military expedition to Nepal where he is said to have distributed gold equal in weight to himself on the banks of the Bagmati River in 1314

In the court of Harisimhadeva, the Royal Minister was Jyotirishwar, the author of ''Varna Ratnakar''. Upon [[Ghiyasuddin Tughlak]]'s invasion of [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] ([[Tirhut]]), King [[Harisimhadeva]], along with many [[Maithil]]s, came to Nepal and founded a new dynasty in Nepal.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/16641/7/07_chapter%203.pdf|title=Mithila, Maithili and Maithil: the Field in Historical Context|website=ShodhGanga|publisher=INFLIBNET|pages=88–89, 101–102}}</ref>

The dynasty had six kings of note:<ref name="google">{{cite book|title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective|author=Jha, M.|date=1997|publisher=M.D. Publications|isbn=9788175330344|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&pg=PA153|page=153|access-date=3 February 2017}}</ref>

* [[Nanyadeva]] apart from being a great warrior, also had a keen interest in music. He classified and analyzed the Ragas and opines ''Madhya Laya'' is chosen for ''Hasya'' (humorous) and ''Sringar'' (libido) ''rasa'', ''Bilambit'' is chosen for ''Karun'' (compassion) ''rasa'' and ''Drut'' is chosen for ''Veer'' (brave), ''Rodra'' (anger), ''Adbhut'' (marvellous) and ''Bhayanak'' (fearful) ''rasas''. He wrote a treaty on music 'Saraswati Hridayalankar' which is preserved in the Bhandarkar Research Institute of Pune.<ref>http://www.mithilaonline.com/music.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127035842/http://www.mithilaonline.com/music.html |date=27 November 2006 }} accessed on 25 January 2008</ref> Nanya Dev is also considered to be the "forgotten King of Mithila".
* [[Gangadeva]]
* [[Narsimhadeva|Narasimhadeva]]
* [[Ramasimhadeva]]
* [[Shaktisimhadeva]]
* [[Harisimhadeva]] was instrumental in initiating and implementing [[Panjis|''Panji'']] ''Vyavastha'' or ''Panji Prabandha'' in Mithila. He was also a great patron of Maithili art and literature.

==14th to 16th century: Oiniwar Dynasty==
{{Main|Oiniwar Dynasty}}
[[File:Oiniwar Dynasty Extent & Capitals Map.jpg|thumb|350x350px|Map of the [[Oiniwar dynasty]] based on combined total land area ever conquered by the rulers of '''Oiṇīvāra dynasty''' (1325–1526 AD).]]
In 1325, following the collapse of the Karnat dynasty in 1324,<ref name="jha52-53">{{cite book|title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&pg=PA55|first=Makhan |last=Jha|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd|pages=52–53|year=1997|isbn = 9788175330344}}</ref> Nath Thakur became the [[Maithil Brahamin]] ruler. The dynasty that followed him was called [[Oiniwar dynasty|Oiniwar Dynasty]], a [[Maithil Brahmin]] dynasty which comprised a further 20 rulers.<ref name="jha55-57">{{cite book|title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&pg=PA55|first=Makhan |last=Jha|publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd|pages=55–57|year=1997|isbn = 9788175330344}}</ref>

Unlike the [[Karnats of Mithila|Karnats]] who preceded them, who kept the large citadel of [[Simraungadh (medieval city)|Simraungadh]] as their capital, the Oiniwars mainly operated out of various villages in Mithila.<ref name="Jha2019">{{cite book |last1=Jha |first1=Pankaj |url=https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/9780199489558.001.0001/oso-9780199489558 |title=A Political History of Literature: Vidyapati and the Fifteenth Century |date=2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780199489558 |pages=43–46 |doi=10.1093/oso/9780199489558.001.0001}}</ref>

The dynastic capitals were also frequently relocated. At some unknown time, it was moved from [[Oini]] to the village of [[Sugauna]] in modern-day [[Madhubani district]], thus giving rise to the rulers also being known as the Sugauna Dynasty. It was moved again, to Devakuli, during the reign of Devasimha, and then to [[Gajarathapur|Gajarathpura]] (also known as Shiva Singhpura) during the early years of the reign of his son, Shivasimha.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sarkar |first1=Bihani |date=2012 |title=The Rite of Durgā in Medieval Bengal: An Introductory Study of Raghunandana's Durgāpūjātattva with Text and Translation of the Principal Rites |journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society |volume=22 |issue=2 |pages=325–390 |doi=10.1017/S1356186312000181 |jstor=41490102 |s2cid=162186490}}</ref> When the latter died in 1416, his queen, [[Lakhimadevi]], governed for 12 years and then was succeeded by his brother, Padmasimha, who moved the capital once more to [[Padma Village|Padma]], named after its founder, this was near to [[Rajnagar, Bihar|Rajnagar]] and a long way from the previous seat. Padmasimha, who ruled for three years, was succeeded by his wife, [[Vishwasa Devi]], and she, too, founded a new capital which is today the village of [[Bisaul|Vishual]].<ref name="jha55-572">{{cite book |last=Jha |first=Makhan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&pg=PA55 |title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective |publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd |year=1997 |isbn=9788175330344 |pages=55–57}}</ref>

==16th century to 20th century : Raj Darbhanga==
{{Main|Raj Darbhanga}}
Another [[Maithil Brahmin]] dynasty. The Khandwala dynasty ruled as the [[Raj Darbhanga]], beginning with [[Mahesha Thakura|Mahesh Thakur]], who died in 1558. The last ruler was [[Kameshwar Singh]], whose reign from 1929 came to an end in 1947 with the [[independence of India]], when all the [[princely state]]s got merged with the Union of India.{{citation needed|date=October 2023}}

==See also==
* [[Ancient Mithila University]]
* [[Mithila State Movement]]
* [[Industrial ruins in Mithila region]]
* [[Raj Banauli]]
* [[Mithila Vishwavidyalaya Panchang]]

== References ==
'''Notes'''
{{notelist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}

== Sources ==
* {{cite book|last=Monier-Williams|first=M.|title=A Sanskṛit-English Dictionary Etymologically and Philologically Arranged: With Special Reference to Greek, Latin, Gothic, German, Anglo-Saxon, and Other Cognate Indo-European Languages|publisher=Clarendon Press|year=1872|chapter=tira|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=FzRDAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA376|access-date=2024-12-14}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080118130804/http://www.csuchico.edu/anth/mithila/index.htm The Maithil Brahmans - an online ethnography]

{{Historical regions of North India}}
{{Nepal topics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:History of Mithila Region}}
[[Category:History of the Mithila region| ]]
[[Category:History of Bihar|Mithila Region, History]]
[[Category:Madhesh Province]]

History of the Mithila region - Revision history

Priya.Miahram at 06:34, 11 April 2026