Panjis

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

The Panjis have enormous value in during fixing marriages, as they ensure that incestuous relationships do not occur, delineating the last 14 or so generations of the prospective bride and groom.

The Maithali Brahmins from Nepal with a special delegants assembled in a conference to deliberate upon new marriage alliances duly checked with the respective panjikars at a place near Madhubani of India called as Saurath. the conference itself was called Saurath Sabha [1].

Due to progressive loss of Panjis, Panjikars taking up modern professions and increasing cosmopolitan behaviour, the practice of fixation of marriage by consulting Panjis is dying. There have been cases reported of sale of Panjis to foreign agencies[2]. The recent Saurath sabhas are all but deserted[3]. Increasingly, people are looking forward to more modern methods of match making like internet, rather than centuries old palm leaves.

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