Maithils (Tirhuta: মৈথিল, Devanagari: मैथिल), also known as Maithili people, are an Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group from the Indian subcontinent, who speak the Maithili language as their native language. They inhabit the Mithila (ancient), Mithila region, which comprises Tirhut division, Tirhut, Darbhanga division, Darbhanga, Kosi division, Kosi, Purnia division, Purnia, Munger division, Munger, Bhagalpur division, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divisions of India and some adjoining districts of Nepal. The Maithil region forms an important part of Hinduism as it is said to be the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Rama, Ram and incarnation of Lakshmi.

History

Vedic period

Mithila first gained prominence after being settled by Indo-Aryan peoples, Indo-Aryan speaking peoples who established the Videha kingdom. During the late Vedic period (c. 1100–500 BCE), Videha became one of the major political and cultural centers of South Asia, along with Kuru and Pañcāla. The kings of the Videha Kingdom were called Janakas. The Videha Kingdom later became incorporated into the Vajjika League which was based in Mithila.

Medieval period

From the 11th century to the 20th century, Mithila was ruled by various indigenous dynasties. The first of these were the Karnatas of Mithila, Karnatas, who were of Maithil Kshatriya origin, the Oiniwar dynasty, who were Maithil Brahmins, and the Khandavalas of Raj Darbhanga, who were also Maithil Brahmins. It was during this period that the capital of Mithila was shifted to Darbhanga.

Maithili-speaking dynasties and kingdoms

*Karnat dynasty, 1097 CE–1324 CE *Oiniwar dynasty, 1325 CE–1526 CE *Raj Darbhanga, 1557 CE −1947 CE *Malla (Kathmandu Valley), Malla dynasty, 1201 CE-1779 CE *Banaili

Region

India

Majority of Maithils normally reside north of the Ganges; based around Darbhanga and the rest of North Bihar. Native Maithili speakers also reside in Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi and Mumbai. Indian Mithila comprises Tirhut division, Tirhut, Darbhanga division, Darbhanga, Kosi division, Kosi, Purnia division, Purnia, Munger division, Munger, Bhagalpur division, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divisions. Darbhanga in particular played an important role in the history of Mithila and is considered one of its "core centers". It was the center of Raj Darbhanga who ruled most of the region. Madhubani was also where Madhubani paintings originated from which is a major part of Maithil culture. Sitamarhi is claimed by many to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita with Sita Kund being a major pilgrimage site. Baliraajgadh, situated in present-day Madhubani district, is thought to be the capital of ancient Mithila Kingdom. Maithils played a major role in building the Baidyanath Temple which is an important pilgrimage site for them. There is an ongoing movement in the Maithili speaking region of Bihar and Jharkhand for a separate Indian state of Mithila.

Nepal

The adjoining districts of the eastern Terai form Nepalese Mithila. This area was part of the kingdom of Videha. The kingdom appears in the ''Ramayana''. Many people claim Janakpur to be the birthplace of Goddess Sita but this is disputed as many consider Sitamarhi as Her birthplace. Maithils in Nepal have been working towards a "Free Maithil state". There is a movement in the Maithili speaking areas of Nepal for a separate province. Province No. 2 was established under the 2015 Constitution, which transformed Nepal into a Federal Democratic Republic, with a total of 7 provinces. Province No. 2 has a Maithili speaking majority and consists most of the Maithili speaking areas of Nepal. It has been demanded by some Mithila activists that Province No. 2 be named 'Mithila Province'. Province no. 2 was given the name Madhesh Province on 17 January 2022.

Ethnicities and castes

Many ethnic groups and castes inhabit the Mithila region, these include Maithil Brahmins, Gandhavariya, Maithil Rajputs, Maithil Bhumihars, Maithil Kayasthas, Maithil Ahirs, Maithil Kurmis, Maithil Koeris, Maithil Baniyas, Maithil Muslims and many more. Maithil Brahmins are the Hindu societies, Hindu Brahmin community of the Mithila region. They are one of the five Pancha-Gauda Brahmin communities. They are also noted for ''panjis'', the extensive genealogical records maintained for the last twenty-four generations. Maithil Rajputs are scattered throughout the region and are divided into various sub-clans with the most prominent being the Gandhawaria Rajput, Gandhawarias who ruled estates mainly in Saharsa and Madhepura. The Hindus of Mithila maintain social and marital relations with Hindus of other regions.

Language

The common language of Maithil people is Maithili language, Maithili, which is one of the recognised regional languages of India and the second national language of Nepal listed in the Eighth Schedule of the India, Indian Constitution and the Nepal, Interim Constitution of Nepal. The Tirhuta script, also known as the Mithilakshar script, was used as the original script of the language. However, during the 20th century most Maithili writers gradually adopted Devanagari script for Maithili. Some traditional pandits still use Tirhuta script for ''pātā'' (ceremonial letters related to important functions, such as marriage).

Culture

The most striking aspects of their environment are the decorated rice containers, colorfully painted verandahs and outer walls of their homes using only available materials like clay, mud, dung and grass. Much of the rich design is rooted in devotional activities and passed on from one generation to the next, occasionally introducing contemporary elements such as a bus or an airplane.

Household structure

Traditionally Maithils lived in ''Badaghars'' called longhouses with big families of many generations, sometimes 40–50 people. All household members pool their labor force, contribute their income, share the expenditure and use one kitchen.

Religion

The religious practices of the Maithils is based on orthodox Hinduism as Mithila has historically been a principal seat of Hindu learning.

Politics

Maithils hold significant influence in the politics of both India and Nepal. They dominate the polity of Bihar, India's third most populous state, by virtue of their majority in 144 of the 243 constituencies of the Bihar Legislative Assembly. Maithils are the largest ethnolinguistic group in the Nepalese Madhesh Province and the second largest ethnolinguistic group in Province No. 1.

Cross-border regionalism

Mithila regionalism unites Maithils of India and Maithils of Nepal from both sides of international border. Since they share a common history, language, culture, and ethnicity, they feel part of one Mithila. Positive events on one side of the international border are celebrated on the other side, and negative events are mourned on both sides.

Notable people

*Ramdhari Singh Dinkar- Great Hindi poet ,freedom fighter , essayist, ''Rashtrakavi'' *N. K. Singh, Nand Kishore Singh- Chairman, 15th Finance Commission & Former IAS *Sushant Singh Rajput- India, Indian actor * Dr. (Hon) Aditya Jha - Global Entrepreneur & Philanthropist * Harisimhadeva – King of Mithila during the Karnata dynasty. * King Janaka – king of the Videha kingdom * Sita – wife of the Hindu figure Rama, Ram * Vidyapati – Maithili poet and a Sanskrit writer * Anand Mohan Singh- former Member of Parliament * Kirti Azad – former Indian cricketer and politician from Darbhanga * Bindhyabasini Devi – folk singer * Kranti Prakash Jha – Bollywood actor and model * Narendra Jha – Bollywood actor * Sriti Jha – Bollywood actor *Bhawana Kanth, Bhavna Kanth – One of the first female pilots of India *Kanhaiya Kumar, Indian politician * Udit Narayan – Bollywood playback singer * Pravesh Mallick – Bollywood music director * Sanjay Mishra (actor), Sanjay Mishra – Bollywood actor * Kameshwar Singh Bahadur – the last zamindar of Raj Darbhanga in India * Sharda Sinha – Maithili folk singer * Jyotirishwar Thakur – Maithili poet and writer * Gangesha Upadhyaya – 12th-century Indian mathematician and philosopher * Bimalendra Nidhi – former Deputy Prime Minister of Nepal * Ram Baran Yadav – former President of Nepal * Tarkishore Prasad – Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar

References

Notes

Bibliography

* {{Bihar Mithila, * Social groups of Bihar Madhesi people Ethnic groups in India Hindu ethnic groups Ethnic groups in Nepal Ethnic groups divided by international borders Indo-Aryan peoples Linguistic groups of the constitutionally recognised official languages of India Madhesh Province