Some of the dynastic families of the Mithila region, such as theOiniwar dynasty andKhandwal dynasty (Raj Darbhanga),[5] were Maithil Brahmins and were noted for their patronage of Maithil culture.[6]
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Maithil Brahmins became politically significant in Bihar.Binodanand Jha andLalit Narayan Mishra emerged as prominent political leaders of the community. Under the Chief Ministry ofJagannath Mishra, many Maithil Brahmins assumed important political positions inBihar.[7]
Divisions
Gautama Rishi (Symbolic image) - The founder of ChhandogStatue ofYajnavalkya (At Uchchaith village) - Founder of Vajasaneyi
According to the VedicSamhita, Maithil Brahmins are divided into theVajasaneyi (Yajurvedic) and theChandogya(Samavedic) and each group is strictlyexogamous. Among the total number of Maithil Brahmins, around twenty five percent Brahmins belong toChhandog and remaining belong toVajasaneyi.[8] They are also further classified by four main categories, theShrotriyas (Soit), theYogyas (Bhalmanush), the Painjas and theJaiwars.[9] They are also divided into variousMools or Clan's name. On the basis of mools, they are categorised into three classes. They areAtyant Shrestha,Dwitiya Shreni andMadhyammul.[10] And every mool is further divided into upamool or sub clans called asMoolgram.[11]
Religious practices
They are mainly practitioners ofShaktism in various forms, however there are alsoVaishnavites andShaivites.[12][13] A male child of Maithil Brahmin family gets the status of a Brahmin only after completion of the sacred ceremonyMaithil Upanayan.[14]
Panjis
Panjis or Panji Prabandh are extensivegenealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins similar to theHindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.[15] While marriage they obtain the “Aswajan”(Non-relative) certificate from the panjikars,this system was started by Harisinghdeva.[16]
^Santhal Pargana division is headquartered atDumka and the cited source mentions the division as "Dumka division"
References
^Sarkar, Prabhat Ranjan (2020). "Bihar". In Avadhúta, Vijayánanda; Brahmacarii, Párthasárathi; Avadhúta, Acyutánanda; Avadhúta, Vimalánanda (eds.).Prout in a Nutshell. Vol. 4 (2nd ed.). Ananda Nagar, Purulia: Ananda Marga Publications. p. 363.ISBN978-81-941215-3-4.In the Mithila area of Bihar, Maethil Brahmins, Kayasthas and Dogamayas speak Maethili, and the rest of the population, including the Bhuhimars speak Angika. ... The Maethil Brahmans speak Maethili at home but Angika outside the home.
Pratyush Kumar, Homo Connubialis Brahmanicus: Marriage Relations Among Brahmins, Baden-Baden: Nomos (Ergon), Germany, 2025, ISBN 978-3-98740-189-3 (Print).
