Mithila (ancient)

Mithila (Nepali: मिथिला, mithilā) located in Janakpur in the Dhanusa district of Nepal was the capital city of the Videha Kingdom ruled by King Janak. With its name commonly used to refer to the Videha Kingdom itself, as well as to the modern-day territories that fall within the ancient boundaries of Videha (Mithila (India) and Mithila (Nepal)), The Mithila kingdom existed on the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain, an area which today is spread over more than half of India's Bihar state and parts of adjoining Nepalese Mithila province.

Janakpurdham, Mithilanchal, Nepal

Janaki Mandir, the holy temple and a religious place of Mithila.

The legend of Mithila extends over many centuries. Both Gautama Buddha and Vardamana Mahavira are said to have lived in Mithila. It also formed the centre of Indian history during the first millennium, and has contributed to various literary and scriptural works.

The name Mithila is derived after Mythical King 'Miti' which in Dhatki language means "Soil". He was supposed to have been created from the body of his father King Nimi. He established the capital of his kingdom at Mithilapuri and hence the region came to be called Mithila. Since he was born out of body of his father, he took the title Janaka. After this, the Kings of Mithila were called Janaka. The best known Janaka was Seeradhwaja, father of Sita. He was 21st Janaka of Mithila. This Dynasty was also called Videha Janaka. There were 57 kings in the dynasty of Videha Janaka.

Ancient history and myths

The most important reference to Mithila is in the Hindu epic Ramayana, whereby Lord Rama's wife Sita is said to have been the princess of the land, born to King Janaka, who ruled Mithila. Other kings of Mithila during the ancient period were Bhanumath, Satghumanya, Suchi, Urjnama, Satdhwya, Kriti, Anjan, Arisnami, Srutayu, Supasyu, Suryasu, Srinjay, Sourmabi, Anena, Bhimrath, Satyarath, Upangu, Upgupt, Swagat, Snanand, Subrachya, Supraswa, Subhasn, Suchurut, Susurath, Jay, Vijay, Critu, Suny, Vith Habya, Dwati, Bahulaswa and Kriti Tirtiya.

It is said that the last king of the Janakas was of bad character. He was deposed by the public under the leadership of acharyas or learned men. Thereafter, Mithila remained without a king for hundreds of years. During this period, instead of a monarchy, a democratic system was followed under which the ruler was elected by the people and decisions taken in a collective manner.[1] This continued for several centuries until the region was attacked and conquered by the Magadh kingdom. Thereafter, it came to be included under some of the janapadas (oligarchies ruled by guilds such as Vajji sangha, Licchavi) until after the conquest by successive Magadha dynasties (Shishunaga, Nanda, Maurya, Shunga, Gupta, and Vardhan), who ruled the area at various times.

Ruling dynasties

In the medieval and modern history of India, Mithila has never been ruled as a separate state. Until the 14th century, Mithila was part of erstwhile Bengal and ruled by Bengal Kings. Later on, after the fall of Bengal to Muslim rulers, Mithila became a part of Ghulam/Tuglaq/Mughal Kingdoms. Starting with the Oinwara dynasty, all the rulers of Mithila listed hereunder were not independent kings. Their status was more or less of rent paying Rajas, Subedars or Jamindars, despite the fact that several of them were granted the titles of Raja, Maharaja or Maharajadiraj by Muslim and English rulers.

6th century to 9th century (Pal Dynasty)

Mithila, being part of erstwhile Bengal, was ruled by Pal Dynasty for three centuries. Pal Dynasty were followers of Buddhism.The last king of Pal Dynasty was Madanpal. Madanpal proved to be a weak king and was defeated by Adishur Samant Sen's army.

9th century to 11th century (sen Dynasty)

Sen Dynasty were followers of Hinduism and hence people of Mithila, being followers of Hinduism, helped Samant Sen in defeating Madanpal. Mithila thus came under the rule of Sen Dynasty. Eminent scholar Vachaspati Mishra (from Village Thardhi in Madhubani district) was from this period, Sen Dynasty had five kings - Samant Sen, Hemant Sen, Vijay Sen, Vallal Sen and Laxman Sen (until the 11th century).

11th century to 14th century (Deva Dynasty)

Nanya Deva defeated the last King of Sen Dynasty, Laxman Sen and became King of Bengal and thereby Mithila which till bifurcation of Bihar from Bengal was a part of that State. Nanya Devad come from west and had his first capital at Simraun Garh (Birganj).

Krnat Dynasty also had five kings namely Nanya Dev, Gang Dev, Narshingh Dev, Shakrasingh Dev and Hari Singh Dev. Of these Hari Singh Dev became the most famous. He was instrumental in initiating and implementing PANJI Prabandha system in Maithil Brahmins and Maithil Kayasthas (Karn Kayasthas).There capital was Kamaldalan(kamladityastahn)present andhra tharhi. He was also great patron of art and literature. In the court of Hari Singh Dev the Royal Priest was Pt. Kameshwar Thakur the author of 'VARNA RATNAKAR', which is considered to be the first prose, an encyclopedia in any north Indian language. Pt. Kameshwar Thakur later became founder of Oinwar Dynasty.

Kings from 1326AD to 1526 (Oinwar Dynasty)

In 1326, Firoz Shah Tughlak attacked and conquered Mithila region. The last king of Karnat Dynasty Harisingh Dev fled to Nepal. According to historian Dr. Upendra Thakur anarchy prevailed in Mithila region for next 27 years. In 1353 Firoz Shah Tughlak appointed Pt. Kameshwar Thakur as KARAD RAJA (rent paying king). Kameshwar Thakur belonged to village named Oini, which is now in Samastipur District. The dynasty was named after the village Oini as Oinwar Dynasty. Kameshwar Thakur, being of scholarly nature, was unable to collect and pay tax to Firoz Shah Tughlak. Thus, Kameshwar Jha was dethroned and his son, Bhogishwar Thakur was made next King of Mithila region. This dynasty was one of the few ruling dynasties of India who were Brahmins. Thereafter, the Mithila region had Kings from Brahmin caste only.

The list of kings of Oinwar Dynasty is as under:

1526–1577 - Period of anarchy

Sikandar Lodhi made his son-in-law, Alauddin, the ruler of this area. During this period, Mogul Empire was beginning to take its root in Delhi. Alauddin was not a successful ruler and for next 50 years, anarchy prevailed in Mithila region.

When Akbar became emperor, he tried to bring normalcy to Mithila region. He came to the conclusion that only after a Maithil Brahmin was made King, peace can prevail and rent can be collected in Mithila. In 1577, Emperor Akbar declared Pt. Mahesh Thakur as the ruler of Mithila. Pt. Mahesh Thakkur was of the mool 'Kharaure Bhaur' and hence that dynasty was called 'Khandwala Kul' and the capital was made in the northwest of Sarisab-Pahi and Rajgram.

1577–1947 – Khandavala Dynasty

Maharaja Rameshwar Singh Bahadur

Jainism

According to Jain Agamas, 21st Tirthankara Naminatha was born in Mithila[4] to King Vijaya and Queen Vapra.[5] Mithila was ruled by King Vijaya of Ikshvaku dynasty and after him, by Lord Naminatha.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Minahan, James B. (2012). Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 215. ISBN 978-1-59884-660-7.
  2. ↑ http://bprd.nic.in/writereaddata/mainlinkfile/File688.pdf
  3. ↑ Courage and Benevolence: Maharajadhiraj Kameshwar Singh; published by Maharajadhiraj Kameshwar Singh Kalyani Foundation
  4. ↑ Tukol 1980, p. 31.
  5. ↑ Jain 2009, p. 87-88.
  6. ↑ Shah 1987, p. 163-164.

Bibliography

External links

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