Ancient Indian (Bharata) cities and

places (titles and location names

are in English.)
Mithila (ancient)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mithila (Sanskrit: , mithil) was a city in Ancient India, the
capital of the Videha Kingdom. The name Mithila is also 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 city of Mithila has been identified as
modern day Janakpur in Dhanusa district of Nepal. The Mithila kingdom
existed in the eastern Gangetic plains in areas which is today spread
over more than half of Bihar state of India, and parts of adjoining Nepal
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 center 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'. 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 most famous Janaka
was Kushadhwaja, 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.
Contents
1 Ancient history and myths
2 Ruling dynasties of Mithila
2.1 Around 6th century to 9th century (Pal Dynasty)
2.2 Around 9th century to 11th century (Sen Dynasty)
2.3 Around 11th century to 14th century (Deva Dynasty)
2.4 Kings from 1326AD to 1526 (Oinwar Dynasty)
2.5 15261577 - Period of Anarchy
2.6 15771947 Khandavala Dynasty
3 References
4 External links
Ancient history and myths
The most important reference to Mithila is in the Hindu epic, Ramayana where Lord Rama's wife Sita is said
to have been the princess of the land, born to King Janaka, who ruled Mithila from Janakpur,Nepal. Other
famous kings of Mithila during ancient period are King 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, Kriti Tirtiya.
It is said that the last king of Janak Dynasty was of bad character. He was dethroned by public under
leadership of Acharyas (Learned Men). Thereafter, Mithila remained without king for hundreds of years.
Instead of king, a democratic system was followed were the ruler was elected by the people and the
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decisions were taken in a collective manner. In fact, Mithila in Nepal may be referred as the first democracy
of the world. This continued for several centuries till the region was attacked and conquered by Magadh
empire.
Thereafter several dynasties such as Vajjisangh, Lichhavi, Shaishunaga, Nanda, Maurya, Sunga, Kant, Gupta,
Vardhan etc. ruled there from time to time. There was no significant ruler in Mithila after Janaks till 5th6th
century when Jaywardhan Raja Salhesh became the king. He made his capital at Mahisautha-Sirha
(presently in Nepal). He defended the region against attacks by Tibetans several times. Hence, he was called
Shailesh (king of Mountains) from Jaywardhan which in local dialect was called Salhesh.
Ruling dynasties of Mithila
In the Medieval & Modern History of India, Mithila has never been ruled as a separate state. Till the 14th
century, Mithila being a part of erstwhile Bengal, was ruled by Bengal Kings. Later on, after 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/Jamindars despite the fact that several of them were granted the Titles of
Raja/ Maharaja/Maharajadiraj by Muslim/English Rulers.
Around 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.
Around 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).
Around 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 presently in Samastipur District.
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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:
Kameshwar Jha
Bhogishwar Thakur
Ganeshwar Singh
Kirti Singh
Bhavesh Thakur (also known as Bhav Singh) He was younger son of Kameshwar Thakur. Since Kirti
Singh died issueless, the kingdom passed over to Bhavesh Thakur.
Dev Singh
Shiv Singh He declared himself to be independent King and stopped paying taxes to Tughlak empire.
Due to his decision to challenge authority of Tughlaks empire, Ibrahim Shah Tughlak attacked Mithila.
In the battle, Shiv Singh was killed.
Padma Singh He was younger brother of Shiv Singh.
Queen Bishwas Devi Padma Singh died issueless at an early age. After his death, his wife Queen
Bishwas Devi ruled Mithila region, but she too died soon after taking over reign of Mithila.
Hari Singh He was cousin of Padma Singh. Since Padma Singh died issueless, the throne passed to
Hari Singh.
Nar Singh
Dhir Singh (ruled 14591480)
Bhairav Singh (ruled 14801515) - He was a very popular king and initiated several development
works like digging of ponds construction of roads, wells, temples, etc. He was a great patron of art and
culture as well.
Rambhadra Singh Dev
Laxminath Singh Dev He was the last King of OINWAR dynasty. Sikandar Lodhi attacked Mithila
region in 1526 and Maharaja Laxminath Singh Dev was killed in the ensuing battle.
15261577 - 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.
15771947 Khandavala Dynasty
Raja Mahesh Thakur (expired 1558).
Raja Gopal Thakur He was eldest Son of Raja Mahesh Thakur. He died suddenly and was king for a
very small period only.
Raja Parmanand Thakur He was second son of Raja Mahesh Thakur. He too ruled for a brief period
before his death.
Raja Subhankar Thakur (expired 1607) - He was fifth son of Raja Mahesh Thakur.
Raja Purushottam Thakur (ruled - 16071623) (expired 1623). He was son of Raja Shubhankar
Thakur. He was killed in 1623.
Raja Narayan Thakur (ruled 16231642)
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Raja Sundar Thakur (ruled 16421662) (expired 1662).
Raja Mahinath Thakur (ruled 16621684) (expired 1684).
Raja Nirpat Thakur (ruled 16841700) (expired 1700).
Raja Raghu Singh (ruled 17001736) (expired 1736) - Raja Raghu Singh obtained lease of whole of
Sarkar Tirhut including Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur at an annual rent of Rs.100,000, which was a
huge amount at that time. The annual revenue of Sarkar Tirhut in 1685 AD was officially returned at
Rs.7,69,287. At one time, during reign of Raja Raghu Singh, Nawab Mahabat Jung, Nawab Subahdar
of Behar, got jealous of the wealth of Raja Raghu Singh and imprisoned his family at Patna. Raghu
Singh escaped capture and later succeeded in getting the estate back along with large grant with
Mughal Governor on the condition that "Do Justice, Relieve Distress, And Put The Country In
Flourishing Condition. This condition was fulfilled by Raja Raghu Singh and subsequent Maharajas
of Darbhanga. He built a mud fort at Bhawara near Madhubani.
Raja Bishnu Singh (ruled 17361740) (expired 1740).
Raja Narendra Singh (ruled 17401760) (expired 1760). Raja Narendra Singh died issueless. He
adopted Raja Pratap Singh, great great grandson of Narayan Thakur, son of Raja Shubhankar Thakur,
younger brother of Raja Sundar Thakur as his successor. NARENDRA VIJAYI KALI MANDIR,
HARINA, JHANJHARPUR www.facebook.com/HARINARANDHARINI1753mithila
Raja Pratap Singh (ruled 17601776) (expired 1776). Raja Pratap Singh built Rajbari at Darbhanga
and shifted the capital to Darbhanga from Bhawara.
Raja Madho Singh (ruled - 17761808) (expired 1808). He was younger brother of Raja Pratap
Singh and succeeded Raja Pratap Singh upon his death. In 1776, Raja Madho Singh received grant of
Dharampur in District of Purnea, Bihar from Shah Alam, Mughal Emperor of Delhi. Raja Madho
Singh had a long dispute with British Government over revenue payment and extent of his right over
the land.
Maharaja Chhatra Singh Bahadur (ruled 18081839) (expired 1839). He was second son of Raja
Madho Singh. He was first in the family to hold the title of Maharaja Bahadur. Maharaja Chhatra
Singh made over his estate and title to his eldest son Maharaja Rudra Singh Bahadur on ground of old
age in 1839. He died a few days later after coronation of Maharaja Rudra Singh Bahadur.
Maharaja Rudra Singh Bahadur (ruled 18391850) (expired 1850). After death of Maharaja
Chhatra Singh Bahadur, younger brothers of Maharaja Rudra Singh Bahadur were involved in a long
litigation for succession to the estate. It was ultimately held by High Court of Calcutta that ordinary
Hindu Law of Succession can not apply in this case and the Raj Darbhanga family would have to
follow the family custom or Kulachar. Accordingly, Maharaja Rudra Singh Bahadur being the eldest
son of Maharaja Chhatra Singh Bahadur was declared to be Maharaja of Darbhanga. This permanently
settled the issue of succession and thereafter the succession was based upon primogeniture..
Maharaja Maheshwar Singh Bahadur (ruled 18501860) (expired 1860). Maharaja Maheshwar
Singh Bahadur ruled for ten years. He expired in the month of October 1860 leaving behind two sons -
Lakshmeshwar Singh and Rameshwar Singh, both of whom became Maharajas of Darbhanga later.
Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh Bahadur (ruled 18601898) (born - September 25, 1858 died
December 17, 1898). Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh was a known philanthropist. His statue was
installed in Calcutta in 1904 at Dalhousie Square as a tribute to him. Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh
Bahadur was a minor at time of death of his father and thus Raj Darbhanga was placed under Court of
Ward. He was the first Maharaja of Darbhanga who received western education. He was taught by a
British tutor - Mr. Chester Mcnaughton. After attaining majority, Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh
Bahadur took over the reins of Raj Darbhanga. He entirely devoted himself to public work and was
recognized as one of the greatest nobles and philanthropists of India at that time.
Maharaja Rameshwar Singh Bahadur (ruled 18981929) (born - January 16, 1860 died July 3,
1929). Maharaja Rameshwar Singh Bahadur became Maharaja of Darbhanga after death of his elder
brother Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh Bahadur, who died issueless. He was appointed to the Indian
Civil Service in 1878, serving as assistant magistrate successively at Darbhanga, Chhapra and
Bhagalpur. He was exempted from attendance at the Civil Courts. He was appointed a Member of the
Legislative Council of Bengal (MLC of Bengal) in 1885. He was also a Member of Council of
Governor General of India in 1899 and 1904, President of Bihar Landholder's Association, President
of All India Landholder's Association, President of Bharat Dharma Mahamandal, Member of Council
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Maharaja Rameshwar Singh
Bahadur
of State, Trustee of Victoria Memorial, Calcutta, President of
Hindu University Society, M.E.C. of Bihar and Orissa, Member of
Indian Police Commission (190203). He was awarded the
Kaiser-i-Hind medal in 1900. He was the only member of India
Police Commission who dissented with the report and suggested
that the recruitment to the Indian Police Services should be
through a single exam only to be conducted in India and Britain
simultaneously. Further as per his suggestion the recruitment
should be without any basis colour or nationality. This suggestion
was rejected by the India Police Commission.
[1]
Maharaja Kameshwar Singh Bahadur (ruled 19291947 i.e. till
independence of India on 15 August 1947 when all the kingdoms
merged with Union of India). (born - November 28, 1907 died
November 8, 1962). He was member of the Council of State
19331946, Member of the Constituent Assembly 19471952 and
the Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) 19521958 and
19601962.He was the first person in India to get a bust of
Mahatma Gandhi made by celebrated artist and niece of Winston
ChurchillClare Sheridan.
[2]
The bust was presented to the then
viceroy of India Lord Linlithgow to be displayed in Government House (now Rashtrapati Bhawan).
This was acknowledged by Mahatma Gandhi in a letter to Lord Linlithgow in 1940.
[3]
References
^ http://bprd.nic.in/writereaddata/mainlinkfile/File688.pdf 1.
^ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clare_Frewen_Sheridan 2.
^ Courage and Benevolence: Maharajadhiraj Kameshwar Singh; published by Maharajadhiraj Kameshwar Singh
Kalyani Foundation
3.
External links
The Maithil Brahmans - an online ethnography (http://www.csuchico.edu/anth/mithila/index.htm)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mithila_(ancient)&oldid=597959381"
Categories: History of Bihar Mithila History of Nepal Ancient Indian cities History of India by region
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