| Mahesha Thakura | |
| Maharaja | |
| Reign: | 1527 AD - 1558 AD |
| Successor: | Gopala Thakura |
| Death Date: | 1558 AD |
| Regnal Name: | Maharaja Mahesha Thakura |
| House: | Khandwala Dynasty |
| Father: | Chandrapati Thakura |
| Occupation: | Astronomer and Philosopher |
| Religion: | Hinduism |
| Successor2: | Hemangada Thakura |
| Successor3: | Parmananda Thakura |
| Dynasty: | Khandwala Dynasty |
| Mahesha Thakura | |
| Birth Place: | Madhubani district |
| Nationality: | Indian |
| Fields: | Astronomy, Indian philosophy |
| Alma Mater: | Ancient Mithila University |
| Notable Students: | Raghunandan Dasa |
| Known For: | Atīcārādinirṇayaḥ |
| Awards: | Mahamahopadhyay |
Mahesha Thakura was the ruler of Mithila in the 16th century. He made his capital in the northwest of Sarisab-Pahi and Rajgram. He was also wrote some treatises and commentaries on astronomy and Indian philosophy. He was gifted the Kingdom of Mithila for his scholarly wisdom by the Mughal emperor. He established the Khandwala dynasty in Mithila, later known as Raj Darbhanga, in 1527.[1]
Mahesha Thakura was the middle son of Rajpandita Chandrapati Thakura. His mother name was Dhira.[2] Chandrapati Thakura was Rajpandita (Royal Priest) in Akbar empire. He belonged to Shandilya Gotra in Maithil Brahmin. His mool was Kharaure Bhaur. Chandrapati Thakura was living in Garh Mandla which is presently in Madhya Pradesh.[3]
Mahesha Thakura was a priest at the court of Dalapatishah in Garha Mandla. He was a priest even during the time of Rani Durgavati. Since he was the scholar of philosophy as well as Karmakanda, he used to narrate the Puranas to the queen Rani Durgavati every day. It is said that during the reign of Rani Durgavati, Mahesha Thakura left Garha Mandla and went to Mithila to establish his kingdom in the region. This kingdom was later called as Darbhanga Raj.
It is said that the Mughal emperor Akbar was very influenced by the wisdom of Raghunandana Dasa and gifted him the throne of Mithila. Raghunandan Dasa, in turn, gifted the throne of Mithila to his teacher Mahesha Thakura as Gurudakshina.[4] [5]
Some scholars claim that Mahesha Thakura's father Chandrapati Thakura was the priest at the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar and the emperor asked Chandrapati Thakura to advise any name of his son for the caretaker of Mithila. Then Chandrapati Thakura advised Akbar his middle son Mahesha Thakura as the caretaker of Mithila.[6] It said that the Mughal emperor Akbar was also very influenced with the wisdom of Mahesha Thakura so he granted the throne of Mithila to Mahesha Thakura as the caretaker. Mahesha Thakura then became the ruler of Mithila and established Khadwala Dynasty in Mithila on the day of Ramnavami.[7] [8] [9]
Mahesha Thakura established the Khandwala Dynasty which continued for nearly 400 years (from 16th century CE to 20th century CE) in the Mithila region till the independence of India. He is well known for the institution of Dhaut Pariksha at his court to examine the scholarship of the scholars in his kingdom.[10]