Maithils

This article is about an ethnic group. For the region, see Mithila (region). For other uses, see Maithili.

Maithils (Tirhuta: মৈথিল, Devanagari: मैथिल), also known as Maithili people, are an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group from the Indian subcontinent, who speak the Maithili language as their native language. They inhabit the Mithila region,^[5] which comprises Northern and Eastern Bihar and Northeastern Jharkhand in India^[6][7] and some adjoining districts of Nepal constituting Madhesh Province in addition to some terai districts of Bagmati and Koshi Provinces.^[8] The Maithil region forms an important part of Hinduism as it is said to be the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Ram and incarnation of Lakshmi.^[9]

Maithil
मैथिल

Total population
c. 73 million
Regions with significant populations
India	70 million (2011 Census)^[1]^[2]
Nepal	3.1 million (2011 Census)^[3]
Languages
Maithili Hindi and Nepali^[4]
Religion
Majority: Hinduism Minority: Islam · Buddhism · Others
Related ethnic groups
Magahi · Bhojpuris · Awadhis

History

Main article: History of Mithila Region

See also: Videha and Vajjika League

Vedic period

Mithila first gained prominence after being settled by 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.^[10]

The Videha Kingdom later became incorporated into the Vajjika League which was based in Mithila.^[11]

Medieval period

From the 11th century to the 20th century, Mithila was ruled by various indigenous dynasties. The first of these were the 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.^[12] It was during this period that the capital of Mithila was shifted to Darbhanga.^[13][14]

Maithili-speaking dynasties and kingdoms

• Karnat dynasty, 1097 CE–1324 CE^[15]
• Oiniwar dynasty, 1325 CE–1526 CE^[16]
• Raj Darbhanga, 1557 CE −1947 CE^[17]
• Malla dynasty, 1201 CE-1779 CE^[18]
• Senas of Makwanpur, 1518 CE –1762 CE^[19]

Region

Main articles: Mithila (region); Mithila, India; and Mithila, Nepal

India

Majority of Maithils normally reside north of the Ganges; based around Darbhanga and the rest of North Bihar.^[20] Native Maithili speakers also reside in Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi and Mumbai.^[21]

Indian Mithila comprises Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divisions.^[6]

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.^[22] Madhubani was also where Madhubani paintings originated from which is a major part of Maithil culture.^[23] 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.^[24] Maithils played a major role in building the Baidyanath Temple which is an important pilgrimage site for them.^[25] There is an ongoing movement in the Maithili-speaking region of Bihar and Jharkhand for a separate Indian state of Mithila.^[26]

Nepal

The adjoining districts of the eastern Terai form Nepalese Mithila.^[27] This area was part of the kingdom of Videha.^[28] 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".^[29]

There is a movement in the Maithili-speaking areas of Nepal for a separate province.^[30] 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 of most of the Maithili speaking areas of Nepal. It has been demanded by some Mithila activists that Province No. 2 be named 'Mithila Province'.^[31] Province no. 2 was given the name Madhesh Province on 17 January 2022.^[32]

Ethnicities and castes

Many ethnic groups and castes inhabit the Mithila region including Maithil Brahmins, Rajputs, Bhumihars, Kayasthas, Ahirs, Kurmis, Koeris, Baniyas and Muslims.^[33]

Maithil Brahmins are the 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.^{[citation needed]}

Maithil Rajputs are scattered throughout the region and are divided into various sub-clans with the most prominent being the Gandhawarias who ruled estates mainly in Saharsa and Madhepura.^[34] The Hindus of Mithila maintain social and marital relations with Hindus of other regions.^{[citation needed]}

Language

 

Tirhuta script

The common language of the Maithil people is 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 Indian Constitution and the 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.^[35] Some traditional pandits still use Tirhuta script for pātā (ceremonial letters related to important functions, such as marriage).

Culture

Main article: Mithila culture

Men and women in Mithila are very religious and dress for festivals as well. The costumes of Mithila stem from the rich traditional culture of Mithila. Panjabi Kurta and Dhoti with a Mithila Painting bordered Maroon coloured Gamchha which is the Symbol of Passion, Love, Bravery and Courage are common clothing items for men. Men wear a Gold ring on their nose which symbolizes prosperity, happiness and wealth inspired by Lord Vishnu. Also, wear a Balla on their wrist and Mithila Paag on their Head. In ancient times there was no colour option in Mithila, so the Maithil women wore white or yellow Saree with a red Border but now they have a lot of variety and colour options and wear Laal-Paara (the traditional red-boarded white or yellow Saree)^[36] on some special occasions, and also wear Shakha-Pola^[37] with a lanthi in their hand which is Mandatory to wear after marriage in Mithila. In Mithila culture, this represents new beginnings, passion and prosperity. Red also represents the Hindu goddess Durga, a symbol of new beginnings and feminine power. During Chhaith, the women of Mithila wear pure cotton dhoti without stitching which reflects the pure, traditional Culture of Mithila. Usually crafted from pure cotton for daily use and from pure silk for more glamorous occasions, traditional attire for the women of Mithila includes Jamdani, Banarisi, Bhagalpuri and many more. Many festivals are celebrated throughout the year in Mithila. Chhaith, Durga Puja and Kali puja is celebrated as perhaps the most important of all the celebrations of Mithila.

 

The Paag is the traditional headgear of the Maithil people

Household structure

Traditionally Maithils lived in Badaghars called longhouses with big families of many generations, sometimes 40–50 people. All household members pool their labour force, contribute their income, share the expenditure and use one kitchen.^[38]

Religion

The religious practices of the Maithils is based on orthodox Hinduism as Mithila has historically been a principal seat of Hindu learning.^[39]

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.^{[citation needed]} Maithils are the largest ethnolinguistic group in the Nepalese Madhesh Province and the second largest ethnolinguistic group in Province No. 1.^[40]

Cross-border regionalism

Mithila regionalism unites Maithils of India and Maithils of Nepal from both sides of the 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.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• History of Mithila Region
• Culture of Mithila Region
• Maithili language
• Mithila
• Maithil cuisine

References

Notes

1. "Kirti Azad demands a separate Mithila state". m.indiatoday.in. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
2. Dr. Arun C. Mehta. . Educationforallinindia.com. Archived from the original on 17 September 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
3. Dr. Arun C. Mehta. . Educationforallnepal.com. Archived from the original on 17 September 2009. Retrieved 18 July 2013.
4. "Demographics of Maithil population of Nepal".
5. Burman, B.K.R.; Chakrabarti, S.B. (1988). Social Science and Social Concern: Felicitation Volume in Honour of Professor B.K. Roy Burman. Mittal Publications. p. 411. ISBN 9788170990628. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
6. Jha, Pankaj Kumar (2010). Sushasan Ke Aaine Mein Naya Bihar. Bihar (India): Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN 9789380186283.
7. Brass, Paul R. (8 September 1994). The Politics of India Since Independence. Cambridge University Press. p. 184. ISBN 9780521459709. Retrieved 15 February 2017.
8. Gellner, D.; Pfaff-Czarnecka, J.; Whelpton, J. (2012). Nationalism and Ethnicity in a Hindu Kingdom: The Politics and Culture of Contemporary Nepal. Taylor & Francis. p. 251. ISBN 9781136649561. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
9. Minahan, J.B. (2012). Ethnic Groups of South Asia and the Pacific: An Encyclopedia: An Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598846607. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
10. Michael Witzel (1989), Tracing the Vedic dialects in Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes ed. Caillat, Paris, pages 13, 141–143
11. Raychaudhuri Hemchandra (1972), Political History of Ancient India, Calcutta: University of Calcutta, pp. 85–86
12. Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. ISBN 9788175330344. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
13. Mandal, R. B. (2010). Wetlands management in North Bihar. Concept Publishing Company. ISBN 9788180697074. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
14. Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. ISBN 9788175330344. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
15. Sinha, CPN (1969). "Origin of the Karnatas of Mithila – A Fresh Appraisal". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 31: 66–72. JSTOR 44138330.
16. Pankaj Jha (20 November 2018). A Political History of Literature: Vidyapati and the Fifteenth Century. OUP India. ISBN 978-0-19-909535-3.
17. Tahir Hussain Ansari (20 June 2019). Mughal Administration and the Zamindars of Bihar. Taylor & Francis. pp. 200–223. ISBN 978-1-00-065152-2.
18. Brinkhaus, Horst (1991). "The Descent of the Nepalese Malla Dynasty as Reflected by Local Chroniclers". Journal of the American Oriental Society. 111 (1): 118–122. doi:10.2307/603754. JSTOR 603754.
19. Das, Basudevlal (2013). "Maithili in Medieval Nepal : A Historical Apprisal". Academic Voices. 3: 1–3. doi:10.3126/av.v3i1.9704.
20. (India), Bihar; Choudhury, Pranab Chandra Roy (1957). "Bihar district gazetteers, Volume 17". p. 16. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
21. Maithils at Ethnologue (16th ed., 2009)  
22. Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. p. 62. ISBN 9788175330344. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
23. Madhubani paintings. Abhinav Publications. 2003. ISBN 9788170171560. Retrieved 10 December 2016.
24. . NewsOfBihar.com. 16 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 October 2017. Retrieved 26 October 2017.
25. Narayan, Sachindra (1 June 1983). "Sacred Complexes of Deoghar and Rajgir". Concept Publishing Company – via Google Books.
26. Kumāra, Braja Bihārī (1998). Small States Syndrome in India. Concept Publishing Company. p. 146. ISBN 9788170226918. from the original on 17 February 2017. Retrieved 16 February 2017.
27. Bolduc, Benjamin; Hodgkins, Suzanne B.; Varner, Ruth K.; Crill, Patrick M.; McCalley, Carmody K.; Chanton, Jeffrey P.; Tyson, Gene W.; Riley, William J.; Palace, Michael; Duhaime, Melissa B.; Hough, Moira A.; Saleska, Scott R.; Sullivan, Matthew B.; Rich, Virginia I. (13 August 2020). "Supplemental Information 3: An excerpt from Data Downloads page, where users can download original datasets". PeerJ. 8: e9467. doi:10.7717/peerj.9467/supp-3.
28. Michael Witzel (1989), Tracing the Vedic dialects in Dialectes dans les litteratures Indo-Aryennes ed. Caillat, Paris, pages 13, 17 116–124, 141–143
29. Gellner, D.; Pfaff-Czarnecka, J.; Whelpton, J. (6 December 2012). Nationalism and Ethnicity in a Hindu Kingdom. Routledge. ISBN 9781136649561. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
30. Burkert, C. (2012). "Defining Maithil Identity". In Gellner, D.; Pfaff-Czarnecka, J.; Whelpton, J. (eds.). Nationalism and Ethnicity in a Hindu Kingdom: The Politics and Culture of Contemporary Nepal. London, New York: Routledge. pp. 241–273. ISBN 9781136649561. from the original on 20 August 2017.
31. "Samiti vows to protest for Mithila Province".
32. "Province 2 endorses Madhes as its name, Janakpurdham as provincial capital". kathmandupost.com. Retrieved 2022-04-28.
33. Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. pp. 32–35. ISBN 9788175330344. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
34. Parishad, Bihar Purāvid (1983). "The Journal of the Bihar Purāvid Parishad, Volumes 7–8". pp. 412–415. Retrieved 6 February 2017.
35. Chaudhary, Pranava (May 22, 2011). . The Times of India. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
36. Maithil women wore Red Boarded Yellow or White Saree during Jhijhiya Naach. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
37. "Mithila as well as Bengal wearing शाखा पोला" www.jhajistore.com". Retrieved 12 August 2019.
38. Lam, L. M. (2009). (PDF). University of Adelaide. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-09-28.
39. Vidyabhusana, Satis Chandra (1988). A History of Indian Logic: Ancient, Mediaeval and Modern Schools. Motilal Banarsidass Publishers. ISBN 9788120805651. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
40. "Official status sought for Maithili in Province 2". 26 December 2017.

Bibliography

• Alan R. Beals & John Thayer Hitchcock (1960). "Field Guide to India". India: National Academies.