Maithil Brahmin

Last updated

Maithil Brahmin
Languages
Maithili
Religion
Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
Other Brahmin groups

Maithil Brahmins are the Indo-Aryan Hindu Brahmin community originating from the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent that comprises Madhesh Province of Nepal and the Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divisions [lower-alpha 1] of India. [1] They are one of the five Pancha-Gauda Brahmin communities. [2] [3] The main language spoken by Maithil Brahmins is Maithili .

Contents

Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh, a Maithil Brahmin King of Raj Darbhanga Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh statue - Kolkata.JPG
Maharaja Lakshmeshwar Singh, a Maithil Brahmin King of Raj Darbhanga

History

Some of the dynastic families of the Mithila region, such as the Oiniwar Dynasty and Khandwal Dynasty (Raj Darbhanga), [4] were Maithil Brahmins and were noted for their patronage of Maithil culture. [5]

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Maithil Brahmins became politically significant in Bihar. Binodanand Jha and Lalit Narayan Mishra emerged as prominent political leaders of the community. Under the Chief Ministry of Jagannath Mishra many Maithil Brahmins assumed important political positions in Bihar. [6]

Divisions

According to the Vedic Samhita, Maithil Brahmins are divided into the Vajasaneyi (Yajurvedic) and the Chandogya(Samavedic) and each group is strictly exogamous. They are also further classified by four main categories, the Srotriyas (Soit), the Yogyas (Bhalmanush), the Painjas and the Jaiwars. They are all expected to be morganatic (anuloma) however these days this is no longer enforced strictly. They are also divided into various Mools or Clan's name. And every mool is further divided into upamool or sub clans.

BRAJSTHA MAITHIL BRAHMIN

Migration to Agra Akbar always had a deep respect towards the talents & knowledge of Phalit Jyotish,so he had invited, in his Darbar, the most talented & well-versed Maithil pandits from Bihar.These pandits lived happily & respectfully in the regime of Akbar, which continued and gradually decreased in Jahangir's and then Shahjahan's rule.In the meantime, these pandits were cut off from their basic origin, i.e., Bihar.[citation needed]Then afterwards in the reign of Aurangzeb these once respectful pandits were treated unrespectfully and were tortured.They were forced to accept Islam by Aurangzeb.[citation needed] Among them who dared to oppose this were brutally killed while all the others had to fled away to distant villages to save their lives.Since then they are living in Agra, Aligarh, Mathura & distant villages and started calling themselves "BRAJASTHA MAITHIL BRAHMAN" as a new identity.Even after so many years the fear of Aurangzeb is still there in the un-conscious mind of them.[citation needed]Due to this fear some of the Maithils have even changed their surname to "SHARMA," a local Brahmin surname.Brajastha Maithil Brahmans have little connections with their own origin Bihar's Maithil Brahmins.Even after changing their surname to "SHARMA" local brahmins too had little affinity with them. This migration information is also depicted in Akbar's autobiography "EIN-E-AKBARI". [7] [8]

Religious practices

They are mainly practitioners of Shaktism in various forms, however there are also Vaishnavites and Shaivites. [9] [10]

Panjis

Panjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins similar to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar. [11] While marriage they obtain the “Aswajan”(Non-relative) certificate from the panjikars,this system was started by Harisinghdeva. [12]

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Santhal Pargana division is headquartered at Dumka and the cited source mentions the division as "Dumka division"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Janaka</span> King of Videha and father of Sita in epic Ramayana

Janaka is the King of Videha who ruled from Mithila, in the Hindu epic Ramayana. Janaka was married to Sunayana. He is the father of Sita and Urmila in the epic. The term Janaka was also the title adopted by all the kings of Videha, who were the descendants of the King Nimi and his son King Mithi. The King Mithi is considered as the first King of Videha who was titled with the term Janaka.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Maithils</span> Maithili speaking ethno-linguistic group

Maithils, 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, which comprises Northern and Eastern Bihar and Northeastern Jharkhand in India and some adjoining districts of Nepal constituting Madhesh Province in addition to some terai districts of Bagmati and Koshi Provinces.

The Darbhanga Raj, also known as Raj Darbhanga and the Khandwala dynasty, was a Maithil Brahmin dynasty and the rulers of territories, not all contiguous, that were part of the Mithila region, now divided between India and Nepal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Panjis</span> Genealogical records in Mithila

Panjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among the Maithili Kayasthas and Maithili Brahmins of the Mithila region similar to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saurath Sabha</span> Village in Bihar, India

Saurath Sabha is a historical village situated approximately 6 km northeast of Madhubani in the Madhubani district of Bihar, India. It is famous for its annual gathering of thousands of Maithil Brahman to match couples during the Hindu months of Jyestha-Aasadh. The gathering is organised in an orchard covering 22 acres (bighas) of land, which are said to have been donated by the Maharaja of Darbhanga. It is an important social event in India that is focused on arranged marriages between Maithil men and women according to a reading of their lineage history by the registrars (Panjikars).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mithila (region)</span> Cultural region in India and Nepal, Asia

Mithila, also known as Tirhut, Tirabhukti and Mithilanchal, is a geographical and cultural region of the Indian subcontinent bounded by the Mahananda River in the east, the Ganges in the south, the Gandaki River in the west and by the foothills of the Himalayas in the north. It comprises certain parts of Bihar and Jharkhand of India and adjoining districts of the Koshi Province, Bagmati Pradesh and Madhesh Province of Nepal. The native language in Mithila is Maithili, and its speakers are referred to as Maithils.

Mithila is a geographical and cultural region located in the Indian subcontinent. The native language is known as Maithili and its speakers are referred to as Maithils. The majority of the Mithila region falls within modern-day India, more specifically in the state of Bihar. Mithila is bounded in the north by the Himalayas, and in the south, west and east by the Ganges, Gandaki and Mahananda respectively. It extends into the southeastern Terai of Nepal. This region was also called Tirabhukti, the ancient name of Tirhut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mithila culture</span> Overview of the Mithila culture

Mithila culture or Maithil culture refers to the culture which originated in the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent. Mithila comprises Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divisions of India and adjoining provinces of Province No. 1, Bagmati Pradesh, and Madhesh Province of Nepal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nargona Palace</span>

Nargona Palace is situated at Darbhanga in State of Bihar, India. This Palace was the last royal Brahmin palace to be built in Raj Darbhanga.

Brihadbala is a king mentioned in Hinduism, including the Hindu epic Mahabharata. He is also known by the name Srutayu according to the Linga Purana. He is described to be the last king of the Kosala Kingdom. In the Kurukshetra War, Brihadbala fought for the Kauravas and was killed by Abhimanyu.

Simraungadh, Simraongarh or Simroungarh is a municipality situated in Bara district of Nepal.

Harisimhadeva was a King of the Karnat dynasty who ruled the Mithila region of modern-day parts of North Bihar in India and South Nepal.

The Oiniwar dynasty, or Oiṇīvāra dynasty also known as the Sugauna dynasty, was a Maithil ruling dynasty of territories that form part of the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent. They governed the area between 1325 and 1526, being preceded by the Karnat dynasty. Following the demise of the dynasty, emerged the dynasty of the Raj Darbhanga. One of the Oiniwar Dynasty's most notable rulers was Shivasimha who was known for his patronisation of the art as well as leading military campaigns against neighbouring polities.

Ugna or Ugna Mahadev is believed to be an incarnation of Shiva as the servant of his devotee, the Maithili poet Vidyapati around the 14th century in Mithila. According to legend, the people of Mithila generally remember and worship Shiva by the name of Ugna, which is among the deity's thousand names.

Mithila Madhya Parikrama is an annual periodic journey of the central part of the ancient Mithila. It is held every year between the months of Kartik (October–November), Falgun (February–March) and Baishakh (April–May). But nowadays only Falgun (February–March) journey is famous. It is a circular journey of the central part of the Ancient Mithila. It covers a distance of 128 km circular path. It is mentioned in the epic Mithila Mahatmya which was composed in the 18th century.

Yadavs in Bihar refers to the people of Yadav community of the Indian state of Bihar. They are also known as Ahir, Gope, etc. The Yadavs form nearly 14.26 % of the state's population and are included in the Other Backward Class category in the Bihar state of India.

Shiva Simha Singh was the King of Oiniwar dynasty in Mithila. He is also known as Sivasimha. He was also referred to as Rūpanārāyana. He was the King of Mithila. He declared himself independent and stopped paying taxes to Jaunpur Sultanate. Due to his decision to challenge the authority of the Sharqi empire, Ibrahim Shah Sharqi attacked Mithila but was defeated.

Mahesha Thakura was the ruler of Mithila in the 16th century. He made his capital in the northwest of Sarisab-Pahi and Rajgram. He was also wrote some treatises and commentaries on astronomy and Indian philosophy. He was gifted the Kingdom of Mithila for his scholarly wisdom by the Mughal emperor. He established the Khandwala dynasty in Mithila, later known as Raj Darbhanga, in 1527.

Dhruva Kund is an ancient site in the Mithila region of Nepal related to the Vedic sage Dhruva. It is located near Kanchan Van in Mahottari district of Madhesh Pradesh in the present Nepal. Dhruva Kund is also the part of Mithila Madhya Parikrama.

References

  1. ↑ Jha, Pankaj Kumar (2010). Sushasan Ke Aaine Mein Naya Bihar. Bihar (India): Prabhat Prakashan. ISBN   9789380186283.
  2. ↑ James G. Lochtefeld (2002). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Hinduism: N-Z . Rosen. pp.  490–491. ISBN   9780823931804.
  3. ↑ D. Shyam Babu and Ravindra S. Khare, ed. (2011). Caste in Life: Experiencing Inequalities. Pearson Education India. p. 168. ISBN   9788131754399.
  4. ↑ Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 60–61. ISBN   9788175330344.
  5. ↑ Jha, Makhan (1982). "Civilizational Regions of Mithila & Mahakoshal". p. 64.
  6. ↑ Verma, Ravindra Kumar (May 1991). "Caste and Bihar Politics". Economic and Political Weekly. 26 (18). Sameeksha Trust: 1142–4. JSTOR   41498247.
  7. ↑ Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. पपृ॰ 38–. आई॰ऍस॰बी॰ऍन॰ 978-81-7533-034-4. मूल से 22 मई 2016 को पुरालेखित
  8. ↑ Hamare Pravaas Ka Itihas By Pt. Phool Bihari Sharma
  9. ↑ Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 38–. ISBN   978-81-7533-034-4.
  10. ↑ Maitra, Asim (1986). Religious Life of the Brahman: A Case Study of Maithil Brahmans. Inter-India Publications. p. 54. ISBN   9788121001717.
  11. ↑ "Culture of the Mithila region". Archived from the original on 17 July 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2007.
  12. ↑ Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 118. ISBN   978-81-7533-034-4.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.