Videha Kingdom
| Mithila | |
|---|---|
| Region in Asia | |
 |
|
| Continent | Asia |
| Countries | |
| Largest cities | |
| Population (2011) | |
| • Total | 40 million |
Mithila (IAST: mithilā, also known as Mithilanchal, Tirhut and Tirabhukti) is a geographical and cultural region located in the northern part of South Asia. The native language is known as Maithili and its speakers are referred to as Maithils. Mithila is bounded on the north by the Himalayas and on the south, west and east by the Ganges, Kaushiki and Gandaki respectively. The majority of the Mithila region falls within modern day India more specifically the state of Bihar.
The name is commonly used to refer to the Videha Kingdom itself, as well as to the modern-day territories that fall within the ancient boundaries of Videha (Mithila, India and Mithila, Nepal). The Mithila kingdom existed on the eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain, an area which today is spread over more than half of India's Bihar state and the eastern parts of the adjoining Madhesh region. Although Janakpur was the capital of Mithila during the ancient period, it was later shifted to Darbhanga during the rule of Raj Darbhanga.
The name Mithila is derived after mythical King 'Miti' which in Dhatki language means "Soil". He was supposed to have been created from the body of his father King Nimi. He established the capital of his kingdom at Mithilapuri and hence the region came to be called Mithila. Since he was born out of body of his father, he took the title Janaka. After this, the Kings of Mithila were called Janaka.
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