mithila atrs

mithila atrs

Mithila Atrs

देवाग्रिहा

Introduction

Deoghar (देवाग्रिहा), or the abode of the Gods, is the headquarters of the Sub- division of the same name in the district of Santhal Parganas, and is located four miles to the south-east of Jasidih Junction on the main line of the Eastern Railway from Howrah to Delhi. There is a small branch line of the same railway from Jasidih to Deoghar.

The railway station at Deoghar is called Baidyanath Dham. Deogarh stands on an all-weather road connecting Calcutta with Delhi. Passenger buses run regularly from Bhagalpur, Dumka., Patna, Gaya, Monghyr, and other places in Bihar to Deogarh. Taxis and tangas are available at Deoghar. Tangas are available at Jaisidih railway station but not taxis.

Deoghar has a picturesque location. To the north of -the town there is a wood called Data Jungle after a fakir; to the north-west is a low wooded hill called Nandan Pahar; and to the east about 10 miles away there is a low range of hills known as Tiur or Trikutaparvata.

There are a number of small hills to the south-east, south and southwest. There are two rivulets Yamunajor and Dharua near the town. The countryside around Deoghar has an attractive set-up with undulations, water courses and small hills.

The climate is dry and congenial and Deoghar is still considered a health resort in spite of the great congestion particularly due to the, temple of Baidyanath and the location of the criminal and civil courts and a. very large number of Government establishments.

As a matter of fact, Deoghar is a far bigger and more important town than Dumka, the district headquarters. Deoghar or Devagriha has a large number of temples within the circumference of a few miles. The temple of Baidyanath or Shiva is the most important of all the temples and attracts a large number of pilgrims all the year round.

Three important fairs:

There are three important fairs, namely, Shri Panchmi mela held in January, Shivaratri mela held in March and the Bhadra Purnima mela held in September. Shivaratri mela is attended by about one- lakh visitors in the course of afortnight. A number of lodging houses is available for pilgrims. The Pandas or the priests have also a large number of rented houses of their own where the pilgrims stay usually for one day.

The legends about the Shiva (Baidyanath) temple:

The legends about the Shiva temple are various. One legend is that in the Treta Yuga the demon Ravana, king of Lanka (Ceylon), propitiated Lord Mahadeva and wanted him to come over to Lanka. Mahadeva did not agree to this prayer but told Ravana that one of the twelve emblems of His divinity, Jyotirlinga, would be quite as effective as His presence and that he might take it away on the condition that there should be no break in the journey and the lingam would not be deposited anywhere on the earth.

The condition was that if the lingam were put anywhere on the earth in the course of the journey, it would be fixed to that spot forever. The legend is that Ravana agreed to this condition and took the lingam and started his journey back to Lanka.

The gods dreaded the effect of the lingam being established at the seat of the demon king. A ruse was devised and Varuna, the god of the waters, entered the stomach of Ravana and the demon had to descend to earth to relieve him.

Later, Vishnu, in the garb of an old Brahmin, appeared before Ravana, after his descent to the earth, and began to converse with him. Ravana requested the Brahmin to kindly hold the Jyotirlinga for a few minutes so that he could relieve himself.

Lord Vishnu readily agreed to it and, as soon as Ravana turned his back to relieve himself, he left the Jyotirlinga on the spot and vanished. When Ravana came back, he found that the Jyotirlinga was firmly fixed to the earth and realized that a trick had been played on him lie even tried violence to remove the lingam and thereby broke a piece off the top of the lingam.

However, failing to remove the lingam, he made his obeisance to the lingam and daily he used to come from Lanka and worship the divinity. The spot where Ravana came down to the earth has been identified with Harlajuri, about four miles north of Deoghar and the place where the lingam was deposited is known as Deoghar.

The present nomenclature of the lingam is Baidyanath and there is a legend about it. According to the Padma Purana, a Brahmin in the garb of Lord Vishnu, after taking the lingam from Ravana, consecrated it in due form with water from a neighboring tank.

There was a Bhil present, who was instructed as to what should be done. The Bhil had informed Ravana as to the disappearance of the Brahmin. Ravana is supposed to have excavated a well with an arrow and brought into it the waters of all the sacred pools of the earth.

It is said that the lingam, after the death of Ravana, used to be worshipped by a hunter Baiju, and the lingam came to be known by Baiju's name as Baidyanath. The story of Baiju giving rise to the name of Baidyanath is more prevalent as a Santhal tradition.

There is another legend to the effect that when Sati, the consort of Shiva and daughter of Daksha, committed suicide because of the discourtesy shown towards her husband by Daksha in not inviting him to a Yajna, Lord Shiva stuck the corpse of his wife on the point of his trident androamed about in a frenzy of fury.

Lest Shiva's anger and frantic movements should destroy the world, Vishnu cut the dead body with his discus into fifty-two parts, which fell in different parts of India and became Mahapithasthans. According to the legend, the heart of Sati fell at Deoghar. It is, however, peculiar that there is no shrine at the other fifty-one places to commemorate this occurrence.

Another legend is that, in the first age of the world, Lord Shiva manifested himself as a lingam of light at twelve different places under different names, and Baidyanath was one of those twelve places. Sati worshipped the emblem in the form of a pandanus flower on the top of the lingam and dwelt for a long t1ime in a grove close by in order to worship it. This place is called Ketakivana.

The temple of Baidyanath faces the east and is a plain tone structure with a pyramidal tower, which rises from a square base to a height of 72 feet from the ground. To the east of the northern verandah of the temple there is a. large vat into which flows the water and milk offered as ablution.

The lingam is of a cylindrical forming about 5 inches in diameter and projects about 4 inches from the centre of a large slab of basalt. It is not possible to ascertain how much of the lingam is buried. The top is broken and has uneven surface and the fracture is attributed lo the Story already mentioned.

There are different porches in the temple. One porch leads to the cell where the lingam is fixed. The second porch is in front with a row of pillars spanned by blocks of basalt and on the right side there is a sandstone image of a bull. There are bells fixed in the ceiling and pilgrims are supposed to pull the bell-ropes to announce their approach to the divinity.

Eleven other temples:

The courtyard has eleven other temples. The following is the list of all the twelve temples and of their dedicators with the years, in which they were dedicated, is as certained by Dr. Rajendralal Mitra.

	Name	Dedicator	Year
1	Baidyanath	Puran Mal	1596
2	Lakshmi Narayan	Vamadeva	1630-40
3	Savitri (Tara)	Kshemakarna	1692
4	Parvati	Ratnapani	1701-10
5	Kali	Jayanarayana	1712
6	Ganesa	Tikarama	1780
7	Surya	Rama Datta	1782-93
8	Saraswati	Rama Datta	1782-93
9	Ramchandra	Rama Datta	1782-93
10	Vagala Devi	Rama Datta	1782-93
11	Annapurna	Rama Datta	1782
12	Ananda Bhairava	commenced by Ananda Datta, completed by Sarvananda.	1810-23

The persons mentioned in the list were Sardar Pandas (high-priests) of Baidyanath temple, with the exception of Puran Mal who was the ancestor of the Maharaja family of Gidhour in Monghry district.

Dr. Rajendralal Mitra held the view that there must have been a temple it the same place at a very early date. It appears that the original temple was very old and Puran Mal really built the lobby and claimed the credit for the whole.

There is an inscription, which mentions that Puran Mal built the temple at the request of Raghunath and tradition has it that the inscription was forcibly put up by Puran Mal after he had the temple repaired. This claim is not conceded by the high-priest and does not find any local support.

There is mother inscription over the entrance of the temple of Baidyanath, which mentions that Aditya Sena with his queen, who had come from the Chola country near Madura in southern India, had built a temple of Vishnu and one Bala- bhadra had built an image of the boar incarnation of Vishnu.

There is an inscription on Mandar Hill, which mentions that Konadevi, was the actual name of Aditya Sena’s queen and she had a tank excavated there, which is still in existence.

The lines referring to the boar statue are engraved in characters of the 7th century A.D.,which is also the date of Aditya Sena, according to the hill inscriptions. The origin of this inscription in the Baidyanath temple is, however, not clear.

Chandra Kupa:

In front of the main entrance to the courtyard there is a well called Chandra Kupa which is said to have been brought into being by Ravana and contains the holy waters of all the sacred pools on earth.

Shiva Ganga:

There is a large tank nearby known as Shiva Ganga. Dr. Rajendralal Mitra thinks the embankment to the tank was put up by Maharaja Man Sing, Akbar’s General. The tank is also known as Manasarovara.

The rituals followed here consist of pouring water on the lingam, smearing it with sandal paste and offering flowers and a few grains of rice. Offerings of money, in silver or gold or by way of other movable and immovable properties, have been showered from time immemorial.

Pilgrims bring water for offering even from the source of the Ganga near Badrinath or from Manasarovara Lake in Tibet. Hundreds of pilgrims worship the lingam and lie down on the bare pavement of the verandah till next morning for fulfillment of some desire or for the cure of some diseases. In the morning the pilgrims will arise, perform the worship, drink amouthful of water from the vat and lie down and this will continue for three days and three nights. It is said that usually, if the pilgrim is to be redeemed, there will be a dream.

Deoghar has many other names:

According to the tradition and legend, Deoghar has many other names such as Harda Pitha, Ravanavana, Ketakivana and Haritakivana. The sanctity of the place has been particularly referred to in thePuranas.

Pilgrimage to Baidyanath was well recognized in the Muslim period:

Pilgrimage to Baidyanath was well recognized in the Muslim period. There is an interesting account of pilgrimage to Baidyanath in the Khulasatu-i-twarikh, written between 1695 and 1699 A.D., which has been referred to by Dr.Jadunath Sarkar in his work on Aurangazeb. The account runs thus: -

"In the district of Monghyr on the skirts of the hill, there is a place named the Jharkhand of Baijnath (Baidyanath) sacred to Mahadeva. Here a miraculous manifestation puzzles those who look for the outside of things. That is to say, in this temple there is a pipal tree, of which nobody knows the origin. If any one of the attendants of the temple is in need of the money necessary for his expenses, he abstains from Nod and drink, sits under the tree, and offers prayers to Mahadeva for the fulfillment of his desire.

After two or three days the tree puts forth a leaf covered with lines in the Hindi character, written by an invisible pen, and containing an order on a certain inhabitant of any part of the world for the payment of a certain sum to the person who bad prayed for it. Although his residence may be 500 leagues from Baidyanath, the names of that man and his children, wife, father and grandfather,his quarter, country, home and other correct details about him are known from the writing on the leaf.

The high-priest, writing agreeably to it on a separate piece of paper gives it to that attendant of the temple. This is called the hundi (cheque) of Baijnath. The suppliant, having taken this cheque, goes to the place named on it according to the directions contained in it. The man upon whom the cheque has been drawn pays the money without attempting evasion or guile.

A brahman once brought a hundi of Baijnath to the very writer of this book, and he, knowing it to be a bringer of good fortune, paid the money and satisfied the brahman. More wonderful than this is a cave at this holy place. The high-priest enters into the cave once a year, on the day of the Siva-brata, and having brought some earth out of it, gives a little to each of the ministers of the temple. Through the power of the truly powerful, this earth becomes turned into gold, in proportion to the degree of merit of each man."

Management:

The management of the shrine is elitrusted to a head priest. The post of the head priest (Sardar Panda) is held to be hereditary but he has to be over forty years of age. There had been some important litigation’s involving tile high-priest and the other Pandas regarding the control of the temple.

In civil suit No. 18, of 1897, the Additional Judge of Burdwan (the district was in Bengal at that time and under the jurisdiction of the Burdwan. court) had dismissed the existing head Panda as unfit and disqualified him from holding the post of Sardar Panda and trustee of the temple at Baidyanath.

The Additional Judge decreed that three persons be to be appointed to look after the temple and its properties and for the proper administration of the same and the scheme also set forth the duty of the Sardar Panda, who was to be a descen- dant, of Ram Dutt Jha. This scheme in a broad sense is still functioning and the administration of the temple is vested in a Council of Trustees, which includes the high-priest and other Pandas as well as laymen.

Pandas:

There are more than 300 families of Pandas who all belong to a branch of the Maithil Brahmans. They help the pilgrims in performing the -various ceremonies connected with the worship of God. One of the Pandas of Deoghar had taken a considerable part in the Non-co-operation movement and had become the Chief Minister of Bihar under the Congress regime from 1961 to 1963.

Some of the sons of the Panda families have also become lawyers, doctors, teachers etc. Deoghar has also a few other recent Hindu religious institutions, which may be briefly mentioned. A Yogic Sadhu of Maharashtrian origin, Sri Balanand Brahmachari, hailing from Ujjain, had established an ashram at Tapoban, a hillock at the outskirts of Deoghar.

Later, he transferred his activities to the Karnibad portion of Deoghar town itself. He passed away in June, 1937, leaving thousands of disciples. A number of religious, educational and charitable institutions are run by a Trust. There are two temples in the campus, which draw a crowd of pilgrims all round the year. The Rani Krishna Vidyapith at Deoghar, sponsored in 1922, has now become quite a big institution.

There is a Dev Sangh Math, established in Deoghar town by Shri Baba Narendra Brahmachari, which has also a number of disciples. The main deity in the temple at this Math is called Haimabati. There are also images of Sri Krishna, Sri Annapurna and Sri Maheshwara.

छत पूजा

Chhath Puja

Almost all civilizations have worshipped the ?sun god?..But it has a unique form in Bihar. Chhath Puja is the only occasion where the setting sun is worshipped.

The Chhath festival, celebrated by the people of this ancient capital of the Mithila region, has been a cultural convergence of both the Maithili-speaking people and the people migrated here from hill areas. Janakpur is believed to be the capital of the legendary king Janak, the foster father of Sita, who was married to Lord Ramchandra from Ayodhya in India. People of the Mithila region are of the opinion that the Chhath festival, also known as Surya Pooja (worshipping the sun) has been described in the Rig Veda, which is believed to be the oldest text available in the world.

Chhath emerged as a traditional festival after Draupadi, wife of the Pandavas, began worshipping the sun during their one-year disguise in the palace of king Birat. People believe that worshipping the sun would help cure the disease like leprosy and bring about prosperity and longevity to their family members. Local people say that the festival has become more important after migrants from the hills also adopted it as their own cultural asset. Women of the Mithila region were busy in purchasing varieties of articles to offer to the sun god.

Women fast for the good of their family and the society. Regardless of the social status, to celebrate this festival only the faith counts. They took a dip in lakes. During the four-day-festival, the devotees worship the rising and setting sun.Though it is a festival of the Hindus, some of the Muslims also participate actively in the puja.

कविता

बीत रहल अच्छी एहो साल.

सिनिओर के बात ने पुछू

जुनिओरो के भेले बल गोपाल

हमर हिम्मत तुइती रहल छल

कुनू रास्ता नही सूझी रहल छल.

एक दिन आयल ओ सुबह घरी.

जाकर छल हमरो धर्फारी.

चाट दा बात फिनल भेल.

फट दा हमर विवाह भेल.

कनिया भेटली बहुत आती सुंदर.

मून खुशी भेल अंदर अन्दर.

कनिया संग भेतली टिन त सैर.

तिनु के तिनु कुमैर.

आब देखु हमर दिन.

तिनु सेवा मी रही लीं.

ई सुख के हम केना बखान करी.

मून होइया ससुरे मी रही.

लेकिन की कहू म के आबई हमर याद.

लोक सब सा भेजी संबाद.

बहुत दिन भेलाह ससुर मी .

बुआ जाहक अपन गाम.

पेंट पहिर के शर्ट पहिर के.

गमक लेल हम करी प्रस्थान.

प्रकाश मिश्रा

मिथिलिला संस्कार (जनम से वीवा)

Chhatihar:

On the sixth day of birth. Shashthika (Sathi) Bhagwati is worshiped in the evening on a special alpana. The mother and child wear new yellow clothes.Things required are: Purhar Patil, Deep, Earthen pot, Fan made of bamboo (beeain), Kajrauta, Shahi Kant, Knife, Chura, lava, paper, red ink.

Namkaran:

On the 11th or 12th day of the birth of the child or any auspicious day. Pooja of Panch Devata, Vishnu, Navagraha and Parthiv Shivaling is performed. A suitable name often determined by Rashi of the child is then given to the child. The mother, child and the person performing the pooja and rites wear new clothes. At times, the name is written on the lips of the child with durba stem dipped in madhu. This rite is less prevalent.

Annaprasan:

In the 6/8 month for male and 7/9 month for female child. On an auspicious day and time (Shubha Muhurta). After performing puja, the child, in new clothes, is fed payas, sweets by an elderly lady.

Mundan /Karnvedha:

In 1/3/5 year. Auspicious day and time (see calendar). The hair of the child is cut with scissors and are collected in the anchar of an elderly lady who sits behind the child. This is disposed off in the evening in the roots of bamboo tree or in a river. Durbakshat and chumaon are performed. Feast is held or sweets distributed among the guests.

If Karnvedha (optional) is performed, then ears of the child are pierced with gold earrings (Kundal). This rite can also be performed in Upnayan, where this is an essential rite.

Akshararambh:
In 3rd or 5th year (generally on Mundan Day). In the morning hour, (after Mundan Ceremony) the acharya performs puja of Panch Devata, Kul Devata, Ganesh, Lakshmi, Saraswati, Vishnu, Mahadeva and Brahma. On a whole banana leaf ,placed over an alpana,5 kg of rice is spread. Acharya takes the child in his lap and holding a chalk in the child's hand writes "OM NAMAH SHIDHDHAM" on rice. It is, then, covered with an yellow cloth. The rice is removed in the evening and used. Nowadays, Akshararambh is also performed on Basant Panchmi day.

Upnayan:
consists of the following rites: Udyog, Mati-Mangal, Marab-Thathi, Charakh-katti, Kumram, Matrika Puja, Abhyudayik Shraddha, Churakaran, Upnayan, Vedarambh, Samabartan, Ratim. The celebration ends with Satyanarayan Pooja.

Vivah:
Laying stress on purity of blood, the marriage rights of Maithils are very elaborate. Based on the direct experiences, they have been framed by sages to be conductive to the welfare of the people for the attainment of highest aim of peace, happiness in life and ultimate salvation. Marriage is not a contract between two innocent youths at the moment of transient excitement that can be broken at will, making the whole social fabric thoroughly unstable. In fact Maithils believe that marriages are settled and performed in heaven. In the ritual the marriage is held between Mahadeva and Parvatee. That is why the Bridegroom is raised to the status of Lord Vishnu and the girl is supposed to be the Godesses Gouree. The girl comes and belongs to the family and not to the individual.

Ultimately she has to play the superior role of a mother of a mother, the mother who is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of the family.

Mithila vedas to modern Time

In the BrihadVishnu Puran under the heading of the Mithila Mahatmya in the Second Chapter, Shloka 20-21 it has been said:

“मिथिला तैर्भुहिस्चा वैदेही नैमिकनान्म

ज्नान्खेस्त्र क्रिपपिथा स्वर्ण लंगल पद्धतिः.

जेअनकी जन्म्भुमिस्चा नित्पेक्षा विकल्माषा

रामानान्द्कारी विश्वभाविनी नित्यामंगाला.”

Meaning thereby Mithila. Tirbhukti, Vaidehi, Naimikanan, Jnanshila, Kripapeetha, Swarn Langal Paddhati, Janaki Janmbhumi, Vikalmasha, Ramanandkari, Vishvabhavini and Nityamangala are 12 names of Mithila.

Mithila’s meaning:

“अन्तार्वह्यास्चा सर्वत्र मध्यनते रिपवः सदा

मिथिलानाम सज्नेया जनाकस्च क्रितामाही.

मकरो विश्वकर्ता च थाकर्स्थितिपलाकाह

लकारो लाय्कर्ता वाई त्रिमारा शक्त्योभावन.”

(Inside and outside, who churn out enemies always

Mithila be understood that where Janaks were ruling the land.

‘Mi’s Makar signifies Founder of the world and ‘Thi’s Thakar signifies Who looks after

‘La’s Lakar signifies the Destroyer and Trimatra is for the Power.”

After 71 Chatryugi one Indra comes to throne who reins 36720000 Human years. He is called Manu and Manwatar is the time frame. Such 14 Indras are coming to throne.

Those live very long are called CHIRANJIVI. At the present moment there are 8 CHIRANJIVIS-(Ashwatthama,Bali,Vyasa, Hanuman,Bibhishan,Kripacharya, Parshuram and Markandeya).

uring the 24th Chaturyugi Brahma asked Vashstha to go to Mrityubhuvan for becoming priest of Suryavanshi Kings. Vashishtha protested that Purohiti is prohibited profession.

Then Brahma said that Lord Vishnu Himself would take birth at that Suryavanshi kings in Tretayug. Vashistha then said that he would go but wanted one correction.

Brahma asked what correction?

Vashishtha said,”You say Ramavatar will be in Treta. Now Satyayug is going on, then Dwapar will come and then Treta will come. I cannot live for so long in Mrtyubhuvan as:

Satyayuga is of 172800 years

Dwapar is of 12,96,000 years

Treta is of 8,64,000 years, and

Kaliya is of 4,32,000 years.

If you make treat after satyayug,I may go.”

Brahma accepted that and since then Treta is coming after Satyayuga.

Before that 24 times Satyayuga was follwed by Dwapar and then Treta.

On the acceptance by Brahma, Vashishtha came to Mrityubhuvan and became priest of Suryavanshis.

Who were Suryavansis?

The son of Sun was Manu who had four sons- 1. Ang, 2. Bang, 3. Nimiya and 4. Awadh on whose names were named Angdesh. Bangdesh, Nepaldesh and Awadh.

After Satyayug, came Tretayug when Ram was born but how he could marry Sita of his own Gotra and Dynasty and hence, Brahma had to make a way.

One day Brahma distracted mind of Nimiya who requested Vashishtha to have a Yajna so that he could reach Swarag with the body as Kaliyag’s time cycle had been only 5087 years.

Vashistha replied,”OK”, and he went his home. Nimaya started arrangements for Yajna. Seers were invited. All except Vashshtha was present on due time. A messanger was sent for him.

Vashishtha became angry and said he had committed Indra before him for the Yajna and hence he was going to Indra.

Knowing that Nimaya was in deep grief and proclaimed for the cancellation of Yajna.

But all seers said that in the absence of Vashishtha, the yajna be held with appointing Gautam as Acharya.

Gautam started yajna. That time kings had the Gotra of Gurus and so now Nimiya;s Gotra was changed to Gautam from Vshistha and yajna sankalpa was for 500 years.

When Vashishtha returned from Indra’s place,his son Shaktiji informed him the matter.

Vashishtha reached Nimiy’s place and both had hot talks. Vashishtha taking water in his hands gave curse,

“ Sadyah Videho Bhava.”

Nimiya also cursed him.

With the curse of Vashishtha Nimiya died.

With the curse of Nimiya Vashishtha reached Varun’s place seeking life by “Parkaya Pravesh.”

Varun listening to his prayer gave place to Vashishtha’s soul in his heart and since then was known as Mitravarun.

Once, Mitravarun had sperm fall seing the numph Urvashi.

That sperm was kept in a Ghat. Agastya was born to that and hece he is called Ghat-Yoni utpanna.

Some sperm fell on the Lotus leaf from which Vashishtha was born who is called a Veshyaputra.

After the death of Nimiya, after death he was asked to remain as hair above the eyes (Eye-brows- the NIMI) seers churned out a son (Mathi Kaya) of his dead body who was hence, called MITHI.

Mithi established a good capital, which was named on him as MITHILAPURI.

Being born of the body of father he took title of JANAK.

Since that day whoever be the king was called JANAK.

Father of Sita was 21st JANAK. He was named Kushadhwaj.

In that Nimi’s yajna 19 seers came from the different parts of the country who settled down in Mithila whose sons are called from that Gotra.

Due to change of Gotra and body Ram’s marriage could be held with Sita.

According to Panini, where enemies were eradicated out that country was called Mithila. The people there had been with valor.

Siradhwaj Janak under whose time Jagdamba Janki took reincarnation had defeated the King of Sakanshya.

There had been 57 kings in the dynasty of Videh Janak. People use to long-lived in those days. By the time of DWAPAR that kingdom was weakened and was divided in the East and West Mithila. Hence, Western Mithila (Tirhut) accepted the ascend of Hastinapur and had sided with Kauravas during Mahabharata but Eastern Mithila (MATSYA JANPADA)’s King Virat had sided with the Pandavas. Viratnagar was his capital where Pandavas spent secretly their period of their AJNATVAS.

The last King of Janak Dynasty was of bad character, hence, the public under the leadership of Acharyas dethroned him and Mithila remained Kingless for hundreds of years for want of a suitable person. In fact, Mithila was the first democracy of the world, which worked on the basis of a Panchayati system under the guidance of Acharyas. People were disciplined afraid of Dharmadand. It was said:

“न रजा न च राज्यसित, न दंद्यो न च दंदिका

धर्म नैव प्रजा सैविः रक्शंतिम परस्परं.”

Meaning thereby there was neither king, nor punishment nor punishment giver- the subjects were disciplined by the fear of Dharmdanda and were safe.

Including Vaishali in whole of the Mithila such state continued for long. Then outsiders started attacking. It was not difficult to defeat the simpletons of Mithila and Vajjisangh, Lichhavis, Shaishunag, Nand Dynasty, Shung Dynasty, Kant Dynasty, Gupta Dynasty, Vardhan Dynasty etc. ruled there from time to time.

In the same time period (5th-6th century) - Jaywardhan Raja Salhesh became who made his capital at Mahisautha-Sirha (presently in Nepal which was then limited to the Kathmandu valley and nearby hilly terrains).

Tibetans had attacked on Mithila several times which was successfully defended by King Salhesh. Hence, he was called Shailesh (king of Mountains) from Jaywardhan which in local dialect was called Salhesh. His valor could make whole north-eastern India safe.

Around 6th Century to 9th century-

But after him Mithila was ruled under Pal Dynasty for three centuries. Pals were Buddhists, the last king of Pal Dynasty was Madanpal. Present Balirajgarh (Babubarhi-Madhubani district) was probably their capital, which needs excavation for details. Madanpal was a weak king, as he could not face Adishur Samant Sen’s army.

Around 9th Century to 11th century- Sen Dynasty-

Samant Sen was Sanatani (Vedic follower) and hence was helped by the people of Mithila being orthodox Sanatanis.

Eminent scholar Vachaspati Mishra (from Thardhi in Madhubani district, who named his famous treatise on Brahmsutra on the name of his wife, BHAMATI) was from this period, who had written in the drishant of his Nyaykanika-

“Nij bhuj viryamasthay Shuran Adi Shurojayati,” meaning Adishur (Samant Sen) is winning for his own valor.

Sen Dynasty has five kings- Samant Sen, Hemant Sen, Vijay Sen, Vallal Sen and Laxman Sen (till 11th century).

Karnat Dyanasty’s Nanya Deva defeated the last King, Laxman Sen. Nanya Deva had come from west and had his first settlement at Simraun Garh (Birganj) and later on conquering whole of Mithila he made his capital at Kamaladitya Sthan (Kamladan), the proof of which has been materials of the excavation. Balirajgarh is also not far from there.

For the generations of Nanya Dev had been said-

“Shasta Nanyapatir bhva tadanu Shri Gangdevo nripah,

tatsunur Narsingh Dev nripatiah Shri Ramsinghas tatah,

Tatsunu khalu Shakti Singhah nripatih bhupalbastijatah,

Shri Hari Singh Dev nripati, Karnat churamani.”

i.e. After Nanya Dev, Gang Dev,Narshingh Sev, Shakrasingh dev and Hari Singh Dev had been king who was most famous as he initiated PANJI VYAVASTHA of Maithil Brahmins and Maithil Kayasthas(Karn Kayasthas). His Prime Minister was Pt. Chandeshwar Thakkur(Mahakavi Vidyapati’s Grandfather’s brother). He wrote several books and was such a hero that he annexed Nepal’s big mountainous territory (Tarai was then itself Mithila).

In the court of Hari Singh Dev the Royal Priest was Kameshwar Thakur (of OINWAR DYNASTY) and the author of VARNA RATNAKAR, the first prose, an encyclopedia in any north Indian language, Kavishekharacharya Jyotirishwar Thakur was the Kavishekhar.

Brahmin Rule from 1326AD to 1526-

n 1326 when Firoz Shah Tughlak attacked fiercely on Mithila then handing over the kingdom to Pt. Kameshwar Thakkur, Maharaja Harisingh Dev fled away to Nepal with Pt. Chandeshwar Thakur where his descendants ruled for many centuries.

According to historian Dr. Upendra Thakur after fleeing away of Harisingh Dev for 27 years anarchy prevailed in Mithila. Later on in 1353 Firoz Shah Tughlak himself appointed Pt. Kameshwar Thakur as KARAD RAJA. When Kameshwar Thakkur was unable to collect and pay tax to Firoz Shah then he was compelled to dethrone him and making his velour son, Bhogishwar Thakkur as a friend gave him kingdom. They were from the Oini village (Muzaffarpur), and hence, were called OINWAR KINGS and hence from 1326/1353 Brahmins started ruling Mithila.

After some time Bhogishwar Thakur’s younger brother Bhavesh Thakur fell in conspiracy and he started revolt asking for his share in kingdom. Pandits did mediation and Bhavesh Thakur (Bhavsingh) became master of Sugauna (Rajnagar) state but he was not satisfied with that and continued conspiracy.

After the death of Bhogishwar Thakur, his son, Ganeshwar Singh became king but a Muslim feudal Aslan conspiratorially stabbed him with a dagger in 1361 AD. He wanted to kill his two sons-Vir Singh and Kirti Singh too but they were safely hided somewhere.

After some time both princes went secretly Jaunpur and appealed to Emperor Tughlak who sent a platoon of army with them with the help of them both princes fought with Aslan. Aslan and Vir Singh both were killed in the war.

Kirti Singh became king. He could not rule for a long. All three brothers were issueless as well hence, after the death of Kirti Singh, brother of grandfather old man Bhav Singh became king of united Mithila and Bhogishwar’s line was ended.

After Bhavsingh his eldest son Dev Singh became king who made his new capital Devkuli(Dekuli Dham) and several temples and ponds were made in his tenure.

After his death his eldest son boy Shiv Singh became king who whose friend was Mahakavi Vidyapati who was called KHELAN KAVI. Shiv Singh made his new capital at Gajarathgrah. He was so influential king that declaring an independent kingdom he stopped paying tax to Emperor. In 1412 AD he gave Bisfi to Vidyapati as Danpatra and honoured him as a Zamindar.

Emperor Ibrahim Shah Tughlak was angry to know all these and in 1416 he attacked Mithila with a mighty army. People of Mithila fought with heroism. There was a fierce battle- both sides lost much. It was unfortunate for Mithila that Maharaja Shiv Singh was killed and his dead body too was hidden somewhere by the enemies. People thought that Maharaja Shiv Singh has fled somewhere in Himalayas and hence, Lakhima Rani waited for 12 years living at the place of Dronwar king Puraditya (Garh Banaili) and Emperor was being paid tax. After completion of time she jumped to be sati on the lit-pyre of Maharaja.

Maharaja Shiv Singh was issueless and hence, after his death, his younger brother, Padma Singh became tax-payee King(Karad Raja)in 1428 but he too could not live long. After his death in 1431,his queen, Bishwas Devi took over the reins. That queen was also issueless and hence, after her death Shiv Singh’s younger brother (Shiv Singh’s grandfather’s brother) Hari Singh ascended to throne and after his death Hari Singh became King, and after his death Nar Singh became King who died in 1461.

Mahakavi Vidyapati in his long life (1350-1450) could see ten King and Queen of Mithila (from Bhogishwar Thakkur to Hari Singh).

During 1460, one year before the death of King Nar Singh, his son Dhir Singh had taken over the kingdom. After Dhir Singh’s death, his younger brother Bhairav Singh became king. He was a very popular king among the subjects. In his tenure apart from the development of literature, Mithila’s total integral development has been with many ponds, wells,temples,roads, etc. Ruling around 35 years, he died in 1515.

Then his son Rambhadra Singh Dev became King. Due to his handsome personality he was called Rupnarayan as Maharaja Shiv Singh. In his time Mithila was extended from the border of Bengal to UP. Unfortunately his son, Laxminath Singh Dev was not as hero as him who became king after his death and was the last King of OINWAR dynasty.

After 1526 AD—Due to jealousy among clan and Sikandar Lodhi’s attack on Mithila Laxminath was killed in 1526. After the victory Sikandar Lodhi made his son-in-law, Alauddin, the ruler of this area. By that time at Delhi Mogul Empire too was established.

Now for 50 years Muslim rule and exploitation continued in Mithila due to which an anarchy and jungle raj prevailed there. At that time a large number of Maithils were converted to Islam. Many important books were burnt. Vidyapati’s dih Bisfi was made Hinduless and his descendents came to Saurath. Due to fear many scholars and litterateurs from Mithila fled away with the books to Nepal, Bengal, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Assam or went for Kashivas.

When Akbar came on the throne of Delhi after 50 years, then he tried for the peace in Mithila. He came to the conclusion that only after a Maithil Brahmin was made King, peace can prevail and rent can be collected in Mithila. Hence, he called Rajpandit Chandrapati Thakkur (A Shrotiya) to Delhi from Garh Mangala (MP) and asked for a son. Chandrapati Thakkur asked his middle son Pt. Mahesh Thakkur for ruling Mithila. Emperor Akbar declared Pt. Mahesh Thakkur as the ruler of Mithila. At that time some poet has written in Garh Mandala-

“ Ati pavitra mangal karan, ramjanm ke din.

Akbar Tushit Maheshko Tirhut Raja kaun?”

“Navgrah Ved Vasundhara, Shakme Akbar Shah,

Pandit subudh Maheshko, kinho Mithila Raj.”

(On Ramnawami in 1499 San i.e. in 1577 AD, Pt. Mahesh Thakkur became King of Mithila).

But due to prevailing anarchy in Mithila for many years, he could not collect rent and send that Delhi which made Akbar angry to take his kingdom. Then Pt. Mahesh Thakkur’s beloved disciple and talented scholar Pt. Raghunandan went to Delhi and satisfied Emperor, returning kingdom again to him.

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.

After the death of Mahesh Thakkur, his eldest son, Gopal Thakur, became King. He being short-lived, his younger brother Parmanand Thakkur became King. When he too died then Mahesh Thakkur’s fifth son Shubhankar Thakkur became King who died in 1617 AD. Then his son Purushottam Thakkur became King but in 1623 he was killed in a conspiracy. Then his stepbrother, Narayan Thakkur became King who died in 1645 and then his son Sundar Thakkur became King. After his death Mahinath Thakkur became King by which time Aurangjeb had became Emperor.

After Mahinath Thakkur his son Narpati Thakkur became king who transferred his capital from Rajgram to Darbhanga and made a fort there, still called Rambag Palace. When Narpati became old, he went to Kashi, handing over the kingdom to his velour son like himself, Raghav Singh.

Raghav Singh was a great warrior and an able administrator. Winning several wars, he added to the glory of Mithila. In 1739,after his death, his eldest son, Vishnu Singh became King who could rule only four years because the Zamindar of Makwanpur (Nepal) called him to Janakpurdham and killed him in a fraud.

In the circumstances, his younger brother, Narendra Singh was made King at Darbhanga. Narendra Singh was also called Warrior Yuvaraj and he soon took revenge of his elder brother’s murder.

In 1760,after his death, his cousin Pratap Singh was made King, after whose death Madhav Singh became King by which time British had hold their feet in India.

British did not like any powerful ruler in Mithila and hence, they made several savants/small kings at many places. People of Mithila were so simpleton that they could not understand that conspiracy.

Eastern Mithila was given separate administration.

Darbhanga’s Maharaj Madhav Singh died in 1807. Then his son Chhatra Singh became king, after whose death Rudra Singh became king and after his death Maheshwar Singh came to throne.

Maheshwar Singh died in 1860 AD. By that time his son Laxmishwar Singh was a minor, hence, the British Govt. put Darbhanga Raj under the’ Court of Wards’.

As a victim to the British conspiracy, western Mithila adopted Urdu-Persian and English as its court and administrative language in place of the mother-tongue,Maithili.

When Laxmishwar Singh became 21 year-old then on written claim his estate was returned to him but after the division of Bengal in 1912, Mithila could not become a state and was kept under Bihar-the misfortune of Mithila starts from there.

After the death of Maharaja Laxmishwar Singh, Rameshwar Singh became Maharaja and after his death Kameshwar Singh who was the last Maharaja.

In 1947, with the Independence of India their rule too ended.

After some years, zamindari too was abolished and separate Mithila State continued since thousands of years was merged in Bihar due to the British Conspiracy while separate Bihar state was never in the history.

In 1912,Bihar and Orissa were carved out of Bengal and in 1936,Orissa too was carved out as a separate State.

In 2000AS, Jharkhand too was carved out of Bihar but still Mithila is under the State of Bihar.

It is surprising how the people of Mithila became Paurushheen?

References:

1. Salhesh Mahagatha(oral traditions)
2. Kirtilata- Vidyapati
3. Mithila Tattwa-Vimarsh- Mahamahopadhyay Pt. Parmeshwar Jha
4. Mithilak Itihas- Dr.Upendra Thakur
5. Pt. Mahesh Thakur,Maharaj,Darbhanga-Dr.Kirtinath Thakur
6. Pt. Sahdev Jha,Andhra-Thadhi
7. Pt. Yugeshwar Jha, Haripur, Majrahi Tol

mithila our sweet land

The Castes of Mithila

The various hereditary,endogamous castes, called jati, are ranked on a scale of superior to inferior, marked by traditional rules of interaction and sanctions against certain kinds of interactions, especially intermarriage and interdining. The principal castes of Mithila are as follows:

Bhumihars
अग्रतश्चतुरो वेदाः पृष्ठतः सशरं धनुः।
इदं ब्राह्ममिदं क्षात्रं शापादपि शरादपि॥

Literal English Translation:

Four vedas in front, bow with arrows on the back.Here is the knowledge of supreme spirit, here is the knowlege of warcraft. From curse also from arrow also.

Bhumihar Brahmin & Orthodox Brahmin
1. Bhumihar Brahmins are addicted to agriculture, a pursuit considered to be beneath the diginity of pure or orthodox Brahmins.
2. They have accepted and adopted in their cheif families the secular title of Raja, Maharaja and so forth distinctions which high brahmins eschew.
3. The Bhumihar Brahmin only perform one half of the prescribed Brahmanical duties. They give alms, but do not receive them; they offer sacrifices to their idols, but do not perform the duties and offices of the priesthood; they read the scared writings, but do not teach them.

Maithil Brahmans are the second ranking caste and also, in political terms, the dominant caste is BHUMIHAR BRAHMAN.But the bhumihar bramans give respect to Maithil Brahmins as the follow the rules of A brahman(chanting mantras) thousands of villages were in BHUMIHAR Brahman control, and they are still the largest landowners in Mithila. The other castes are described in rank order according to their traditional occupations as expressed by Brahman informants:


Kayasthas are record-keepers for landowners and village surveyors and accountants.

Rajputs The 100,000 Rajputs in Mithila are not native to the area, but came during the Mughal era and became zamindars. This is why Brahmans count them as lower than Kayasthas, even though Kayasthas are technically a superior type of Shudra.The next few castes are the middle agricltural castes, "clean castes" in ritual terms, upwardly mobile in political and economic terms, now pushing against Brahman dominance and getting power in local and state government.

Yadavas are by far the largest caste in the region at one-eighth of the total population. They are herdsmen and cultivators and consider themselves kinsmen to the god Krishna, who was also a cowherd. The Chief Minister of Bihar, Laloo Prasad, is a Yadava.

Dhanuk is another large agricultural caste, though originally they were archers; they are considered a "clean" caste from whom Brahmans can take water, and therefore they often are employed as servants by Brahmans.

Koiri are considered industrious cultivators and among the best tenants in the area, but Brahmans will not take water from them, and therefore their status is lower than the Dhanuk.

Mallah are boatmen and fishermen, and thus are considered lower than the chief agricultural castes, although there is a slight anomaly here, for Brahmans will take water from them, but not from Koiri.

Dusadhs are among the most stigmatized of the large castes, but are also economically very important as agricultural laborers and are gaining real political power in North Bihar because they form a large voting bloc with increasingly powerful leaders. The British knew them as a "caste of thieves" and in some of the larger villages posted special police stations to keep a curfew over them at night.

Chamars carry away the carcasses of dead animals and make sandals, drums, soccer balls, and bicycle seats out of the leather. Musahars are negatively stereotyped by upper castes as "eaters of rats, snakes, and lizards," who are "expert at getting hidden crops from rat holes." Mali make garlands for temple worship, and have a special relationship to the smallpox goddess, Sitala.

Dom are basket-makers and assistants at cremation grounds. There are also many other important but smaller castes, such as:

* Nai, barbers whose wives function as midwives;
* Dhobi, washermen;
* Kumhar, potters.

mithila our sweet land

The Brief History of Mithila
In the BrihadVishnu Puran under the heading of the Mithila Mahatmya in the Second Chapter, Shloka 20-21 it has been said:

“Mithila Tairbhuhischa Vaidehi Naimikananm

Jnankhestra Kripapitha Swarn Langal Paddhatiah.

Janaki Janmbhumischa Nitpeksha Vikalmasha

Ramanandkari Vishvabhavini Nityamangala.”

Meaning thereby Mithila. Tirbhukti, Vaidehi, Naimikanan, Jnanshila, Kripapeetha, Swarn Langal Paddhati, Janaki Janmbhumi, Vikalmasha, Ramanandkari, Vishvabhavini and Nityamangala are 12 names of Mithila.

Mithila’s meaning:

“Antarvahyascha Sarvatra madhyante Ripavah sada

Mithilanam Sajneya Janakasch kritamahi.

Makaro Vishwakarta cha Thakarsthitipalakah

Lakaro laykarta vai trimara Shaktyobhavan.”

(Inside and outside, who churn out enemies always

Mithila be understood that where Janaks were ruling the land.

‘Mi’s Makar signifies Founder of the world and ‘Thi’s Thakar signifies Who looks after

‘La’s Lakar signifies the Destroyer and Trimatra is for the Power.”

After 71 Chatryugi one Indra comes to throne who reins 36720000 Human years. He is called Manu and Manwatar is the time frame. Such 14 Indras are coming to throne.

Those live very long are called CHIRANJIVI. At the present moment there are 8 CHIRANJIVIS-(Ashwatthama,Bali,Vyasa, Hanuman,Bibhishan,Kripacharya, Parshuram and Markandeya).

uring the 24th Chaturyugi Brahma asked Vashstha to go to Mrityubhuvan for becoming priest of Suryavanshi Kings. Vashishtha protested that Purohiti is prohibited profession.

Then Brahma said that Lord Vishnu Himself would take birth at that Suryavanshi kings in Tretayug. Vashistha then said that he would go but wanted one correction.

Brahma asked what correction?

Vashishtha said,”You say Ramavatar will be in Treta. Now Satyayug is going on, then Dwapar will come and then Treta will come. I cannot live for so long in Mrtyubhuvan as:

Satyayuga is of 172800 years

Dwapar is of 12,96,000 years

Treta is of 8,64,000 years, and

Kaliya is of 4,32,000 years.

If you make treat after satyayug,I may go.”

Brahma accepted that and since then Treta is coming after Satyayuga.

Before that 24 times Satyayuga was follwed by Dwapar and then Treta.

On the acceptance by Brahma, Vashishtha came to Mrityubhuvan and became priest of Suryavanshis.

Who were Suryavansis?

The son of Sun was Manu who had four sons- 1. Ang, 2. Bang, 3. Nimiya and 4. Awadh on whose names were named Angdesh. Bangdesh, Nepaldesh and Awadh.

After Satyayug, came Tretayug when Ram was born but how he could marry Sita of his own Gotra and Dynasty and hence, Brahma had to make a way.

One day Brahma distracted mind of Nimiya who requested Vashishtha to have a Yajna so that he could reach Swarag with the body as Kaliyag’s time cycle had been only 5087 years.

Vashistha replied,”OK”, and he went his home. Nimaya started arrangements for Yajna. Seers were invited. All except Vashshtha was present on due time. A messanger was sent for him.

Vashishtha became angry and said he had committed Indra before him for the Yajna and hence he was going to Indra.

Knowing that Nimaya was in deep grief and proclaimed for the cancellation of Yajna.

But all seers said that in the absence of Vashishtha, the yajna be held with appointing Gautam as Acharya.

Gautam started yajna. That time kings had the Gotra of Gurus and so now Nimiya;s Gotra was changed to Gautam from Vshistha and yajna sankalpa was for 500 years.

When Vashishtha returned from Indra’s place,his son Shaktiji informed him the matter.

Vashishtha reached Nimiy’s place and both had hot talks. Vashishtha taking water in his hands gave curse,

“ Sadyah Videho Bhava.”

Nimiya also cursed him.

With the curse of Vashishtha Nimiya died.

With the curse of Nimiya Vashishtha reached Varun’s place seeking life by “Parkaya Pravesh.”

Varun listening to his prayer gave place to Vashishtha’s soul in his heart and since then was known as Mitravarun.

Once, Mitravarun had sperm fall seing the numph Urvashi.

That sperm was kept in a Ghat. Agastya was born to that and hece he is called Ghat-Yoni utpanna.

Some sperm fell on the Lotus leaf from which Vashishtha was born who is called a Veshyaputra.

After the death of Nimiya, after death he was asked to remain as hair above the eyes (Eye-brows- the NIMI) seers churned out a son (Mathi Kaya) of his dead body who was hence, called MITHI.

Mithi established a good capital, which was named on him as MITHILAPURI.

Being born of the body of father he took title of JANAK.

Since that day whoever be the king was called JANAK.

Father of Sita was 21st JANAK. He was named Kushadhwaj.

In that Nimi’s yajna 19 seers came from the different parts of the country who settled down in Mithila whose sons are called from that Gotra.

Due to change of Gotra and body Ram’s marriage could be held with Sita.

According to Panini, where enemies were eradicated out that country was called Mithila. The people there had been with valor.

Siradhwaj Janak under whose time Jagdamba Janki took reincarnation had defeated the King of Sakanshya.

There had been 57 kings in the dynasty of Videh Janak. People use to long-lived in those days. By the time of DWAPAR that kingdom was weakened and was divided in the East and West Mithila. Hence, Western Mithila (Tirhut) accepted the ascend of Hastinapur and had sided with Kauravas during Mahabharata but Eastern Mithila (MATSYA JANPADA)’s King Virat had sided with the Pandavas. Viratnagar was his capital where Pandavas spent secretly their period of their AJNATVAS.

The last King of Janak Dynasty was of bad character, hence, the public under the leadership of Acharyas dethroned him and Mithila remained Kingless for hundreds of years for want of a suitable person. In fact, Mithila was the first democracy of the world, which worked on the basis of a Panchayati system under the guidance of Acharyas. People were disciplined afraid of Dharmadand. It was said:

“Na Raja Na Cha Rajyasit, Na Dandyo Na Cha Dandika

Dharme naiv praja saevaih Rakshantim parasparam.”

Meaning thereby there was neither king, nor punishment nor punishment giver- the subjects were disciplined by the fear of Dharmdanda and were safe.

Including Vaishali in whole of the Mithila such state continued for long. Then outsiders started attacking. It was not difficult to defeat the simpletons of Mithila and Vajjisangh, Lichhavis, Shaishunag, Nand Dynasty, Shung Dynasty, Kant Dynasty, Gupta Dynasty, Vardhan Dynasty etc. ruled there from time to time.

In the same time period (5th-6th century) - Jaywardhan Raja Salhesh became who made his capital at Mahisautha-Sirha (presently in Nepal which was then limited to the Kathmandu valley and nearby hilly terrains).

Tibetans had attacked on Mithila several times which was successfully defended by King Salhesh. Hence, he was called Shailesh (king of Mountains) from Jaywardhan which in local dialect was called Salhesh. His valor could make whole north-eastern India safe.

Around 6th Century to 9th century-

But after him Mithila was ruled under Pal Dynasty for three centuries. Pals were Buddhists, the last king of Pal Dynasty was Madanpal. Present Balirajgarh (Babubarhi-Madhubani district) was probably their capital, which needs excavation for details. Madanpal was a weak king, as he could not face Adishur Samant Sen’s army.

Around 9th Century to 11th century- Sen Dynasty-

Samant Sen was Sanatani (Vedic follower) and hence was helped by the people of Mithila being orthodox Sanatanis.

Eminent scholar Vachaspati Mishra (from Thardhi in Madhubani district, who named his famous treatise on Brahmsutra on the name of his wife, BHAMATI) was from this period, who had written in the drishant of his Nyaykanika-

“Nij bhuj viryamasthay Shuran Adi Shurojayati,” meaning Adishur (Samant Sen) is winning for his own valor.

Sen Dynasty has five kings- Samant Sen, Hemant Sen, Vijay Sen, Vallal Sen and Laxman Sen (till 11th century).

Karnat Dyanasty’s Nanya Deva defeated the last King, Laxman Sen. Nanya Deva had come from west and had his first settlement at Simraun Garh (Birganj) and later on conquering whole of Mithila he made his capital at Kamaladitya Sthan (Kamladan), the proof of which has been materials of the excavation. Balirajgarh is also not far from there.

For the generations of Nanya Dev had been said-

“Shasta Nanyapatir bhva tadanu Shri Gangdevo nripah,

tatsunur Narsingh Dev nripatiah Shri Ramsinghas tatah,

Tatsunu khalu Shakti Singhah nripatih bhupalbastijatah,

Shri Hari Singh Dev nripati, Karnat churamani.”

i.e. After Nanya Dev, Gang Dev,Narshingh Sev, Shakrasingh dev and Hari Singh Dev had been king who was most famous as he initiated PANJI VYAVASTHA of Maithil Brahmins and Maithil Kayasthas(Karn Kayasthas). His Prime Minister was Pt. Chandeshwar Thakkur(Mahakavi Vidyapati’s Grandfather’s brother). He wrote several books and was such a hero that he annexed Nepal’s big mountainous territory (Tarai was then itself Mithila).

In the court of Hari Singh Dev the Royal Priest was Kameshwar Thakur (of OINWAR DYNASTY) and the author of VARNA RATNAKAR, the first prose, an encyclopedia in any north Indian language, Kavishekharacharya Jyotirishwar Thakur was the Kavishekhar.

Brahmin Rule from 1326AD to 1526-

n 1326 when Firoz Shah Tughlak attacked fiercely on Mithila then handing over the kingdom to Pt. Kameshwar Thakkur, Maharaja Harisingh Dev fled away to Nepal with Pt. Chandeshwar Thakur where his descendants ruled for many centuries.

According to historian Dr. Upendra Thakur after fleeing away of Harisingh Dev for 27 years anarchy prevailed in Mithila. Later on in 1353 Firoz Shah Tughlak himself appointed Pt. Kameshwar Thakur as KARAD RAJA. When Kameshwar Thakkur was unable to collect and pay tax to Firoz Shah then he was compelled to dethrone him and making his velour son, Bhogishwar Thakkur as a friend gave him kingdom. They were from the Oini village (Muzaffarpur), and hence, were called OINWAR KINGS and hence from 1326/1353 Brahmins started ruling Mithila.

After some time Bhogishwar Thakur’s younger brother Bhavesh Thakur fell in conspiracy and he started revolt asking for his share in kingdom. Pandits did mediation and Bhavesh Thakur (Bhavsingh) became master of Sugauna (Rajnagar) state but he was not satisfied with that and continued conspiracy.

After the death of Bhogishwar Thakur, his son, Ganeshwar Singh became king but a Muslim feudal Aslan conspiratorially stabbed him with a dagger in 1361 AD. He wanted to kill his two sons-Vir Singh and Kirti Singh too but they were safely hided somewhere.

After some time both princes went secretly Jaunpur and appealed to Emperor Tughlak who sent a platoon of army with them with the help of them both princes fought with Aslan. Aslan and Vir Singh both were killed in the war.

Kirti Singh became king. He could not rule for a long. All three brothers were issueless as well hence, after the death of Kirti Singh, brother of grandfather old man Bhav Singh became king of united Mithila and Bhogishwar’s line was ended.

After Bhavsingh his eldest son Dev Singh became king who made his new capital Devkuli(Dekuli Dham) and several temples and ponds were made in his tenure.

After his death his eldest son boy Shiv Singh became king who whose friend was Mahakavi Vidyapati who was called KHELAN KAVI. Shiv Singh made his new capital at Gajarathgrah. He was so influential king that declaring an independent kingdom he stopped paying tax to Emperor. In 1412 AD he gave Bisfi to Vidyapati as Danpatra and honoured him as a Zamindar.

Emperor Ibrahim Shah Tughlak was angry to know all these and in 1416 he attacked Mithila with a mighty army. People of Mithila fought with heroism. There was a fierce battle- both sides lost much. It was unfortunate for Mithila that Maharaja Shiv Singh was killed and his dead body too was hidden somewhere by the enemies. People thought that Maharaja Shiv Singh has fled somewhere in Himalayas and hence, Lakhima Rani waited for 12 years living at the place of Dronwar king Puraditya (Garh Banaili) and Emperor was being paid tax. After completion of time she jumped to be sati on the lit-pyre of Maharaja.

Maharaja Shiv Singh was issueless and hence, after his death, his younger brother, Padma Singh became tax-payee King(Karad Raja)in 1428 but he too could not live long. After his death in 1431,his queen, Bishwas Devi took over the reins. That queen was also issueless and hence, after her death Shiv Singh’s younger brother (Shiv Singh’s grandfather’s brother) Hari Singh ascended to throne and after his death Hari Singh became King, and after his death Nar Singh became King who died in 1461.

Mahakavi Vidyapati in his long life (1350-1450) could see ten King and Queen of Mithila (from Bhogishwar Thakkur to Hari Singh).

During 1460, one year before the death of King Nar Singh, his son Dhir Singh had taken over the kingdom. After Dhir Singh’s death, his younger brother Bhairav Singh became king. He was a very popular king among the subjects. In his tenure apart from the development of literature, Mithila’s total integral development has been with many ponds, wells,temples,roads, etc. Ruling around 35 years, he died in 1515.

Then his son Rambhadra Singh Dev became King. Due to his handsome personality he was called Rupnarayan as Maharaja Shiv Singh. In his time Mithila was extended from the border of Bengal to UP. Unfortunately his son, Laxminath Singh Dev was not as hero as him who became king after his death and was the last King of OINWAR dynasty.

After 1526 AD—Due to jealousy among clan and Sikandar Lodhi’s attack on Mithila Laxminath was killed in 1526. After the victory Sikandar Lodhi made his son-in-law, Alauddin, the ruler of this area. By that time at Delhi Mogul Empire too was established.

Now for 50 years Muslim rule and exploitation continued in Mithila due to which an anarchy and jungle raj prevailed there. At that time a large number of Maithils were converted to Islam. Many important books were burnt. Vidyapati’s dih Bisfi was made Hinduless and his descendents came to Saurath. Due to fear many scholars and litterateurs from Mithila fled away with the books to Nepal, Bengal, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Assam or went for Kashivas.

When Akbar came on the throne of Delhi after 50 years, then he tried for the peace in Mithila. He came to the conclusion that only after a Maithil Brahmin was made King, peace can prevail and rent can be collected in Mithila. Hence, he called Rajpandit Chandrapati Thakkur (A Shrotiya) to Delhi from Garh Mangala (MP) and asked for a son. Chandrapati Thakkur asked his middle son Pt. Mahesh Thakkur for ruling Mithila. Emperor Akbar declared Pt. Mahesh Thakkur as the ruler of Mithila. At that time some poet has written in Garh Mandala-

“ Ati pavitra mangal karan, ramjanm ke din.

Akbar Tushit Maheshko Tirhut Raja kaun?”

“Navgrah Ved Vasundhara, Shakme Akbar Shah,

Pandit subudh Maheshko, kinho Mithila Raj.”

(On Ramnawami in 1499 San i.e. in 1577 AD, Pt. Mahesh Thakkur became King of Mithila).

But due to prevailing anarchy in Mithila for many years, he could not collect rent and send that Delhi which made Akbar angry to take his kingdom. Then Pt. Mahesh Thakkur’s beloved disciple and talented scholar Pt. Raghunandan went to Delhi and satisfied Emperor, returning kingdom again to him.

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.

After the death of Mahesh Thakkur, his eldest son, Gopal Thakur, became King. He being short-lived, his younger brother Parmanand Thakkur became King. When he too died then Mahesh Thakkur’s fifth son Shubhankar Thakkur became King who died in 1617 AD. Then his son Purushottam Thakkur became King but in 1623 he was killed in a conspiracy. Then his stepbrother, Narayan Thakkur became King who died in 1645 and then his son Sundar Thakkur became King. After his death Mahinath Thakkur became King by which time Aurangjeb had became Emperor.

After Mahinath Thakkur his son Narpati Thakkur became king who transferred his capital from Rajgram to Darbhanga and made a fort there, still called Rambag Palace. When Narpati became old, he went to Kashi, handing over the kingdom to his velour son like himself, Raghav Singh.

Raghav Singh was a great warrior and an able administrator. Winning several wars, he added to the glory of Mithila. In 1739,after his death, his eldest son, Vishnu Singh became King who could rule only four years because the Zamindar of Makwanpur (Nepal) called him to Janakpurdham and killed him in a fraud.

In the circumstances, his younger brother, Narendra Singh was made King at Darbhanga. Narendra Singh was also called Warrior Yuvaraj and he soon took revenge of his elder brother’s murder.

In 1760,after his death, his cousin Pratap Singh was made King, after whose death Madhav Singh became King by which time British had hold their feet in India.

British did not like any powerful ruler in Mithila and hence, they made several savants/small kings at many places. People of Mithila were so simpleton that they could not understand that conspiracy.

Eastern Mithila was given separate administration.

Darbhanga’s Maharaj Madhav Singh died in 1807. Then his son Chhatra Singh became king, after whose death Rudra Singh became king and after his death Maheshwar Singh came to throne.

Maheshwar Singh died in 1860 AD. By that time his son Laxmishwar Singh was a minor, hence, the British Govt. put Darbhanga Raj under the’ Court of Wards’.

As a victim to the British conspiracy, western Mithila adopted Urdu-Persian and English as its court and administrative language in place of the mother-tongue,Maithili.

When Laxmishwar Singh became 21 year-old then on written claim his estate was returned to him but after the division of Bengal in 1912, Mithila could not become a state and was kept under Bihar-the misfortune of Mithila starts from there.

After the death of Maharaja Laxmishwar Singh, Rameshwar Singh became Maharaja and after his death Kameshwar Singh who was the last Maharaja.

In 1947, with the Independence of India their rule too ended.

After some years, zamindari too was abolished and separate Mithila State continued since thousands of years was merged in Bihar due to the British Conspiracy while separate Bihar state was never in the history.

In 1912,Bihar and Orissa were carved out of Bengal and in 1936,Orissa too was carved out as a separate State.

In 2000AS, Jharkhand too was carved out of Bihar but still Mithila is under the State of Bihar.

It is surprising how the people of Mithila became Paurushheen?

References:

1. Salhesh Mahagatha(oral traditions)
2. Kirtilata- Vidyapati
3. Mithila Tattwa-Vimarsh- Mahamahopadhyay Pt. Parmeshwar Jha
4. Mithilak Itihas- Dr.Upendra Thakur
5. Pt. Mahesh Thakur,Maharaj,Darbhanga-Dr.Kirtinath Thakur
6. Pt. Sahdev Jha,Andhra-Thadhi
7. Pt. Yugeshwar Jha, Haripur, Majrahi Tol