Mithila (region)
Mithila (IAST: Mithilā), 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 | |
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Cultural region | |
Continent | Asia |
Countries | India and Nepal |
States or Provinces | Bihar and Jharkhand (India) and Madhesh Province, Koshi and Bagmati Province (Nepal) |
Demonym(s) | Maithils Tirhutiya Mithilabasi |
Regional Language(s) and/or dialect(s) | Maithili Bajjika Angika and several other dialects of Maithili |
The name Mithila is commonly used to refer to the Videha Kingdom, as well as to the modern-day territories that fall within the ancient boundaries of Videha. Till the 20th century, Mithila was still ruled in part by the Raj Darbhanga.