Maithils

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, 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 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. History of Mithila Region Videha and Vajjika League 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. The Videha Kingdom later became incorporated into the Vajjika League which was based in Mithila. 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. It was during this period that the capital of Mithila was shifted to Darbhanga. Karnat dynasty, 1097 CE–1324 CE Oiniwar dynasty, 1325 CE–1526 CE Raj Darbhanga, 1557 CE −1947 CE Malla dynasty, 1201 CE-1779 CE Senas of Makwanpur, 1518 CE –1762 CE Banaili Mithila (region)Mithila, India and Mithila, Nepal Majority of Maithils normally reside north of the Ganges; based around Darbhanga and the rest of North Bihar. Native Maithili speakers also reside in Delhi, Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi and Mumbai. Indian Mithila comprises Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divisions. Darbhanga in particular played an important role in the history of Mithila and is considered one of its "core centers".