Maithil Brahmins are the Indo-Aryan Hindu Brahmin community originating from the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent that comprises Madhesh Province of Nepal and the Tirhut, Darbhanga, Kosi, Purnia, Munger, Bhagalpur and Santhal Pargana divisions of India.[1] They are one of the five Pancha-Gauda Brahmin communities.[2] [3] The main language spoken by Maithil Brahmins is Maithili .
Some of the dynastic families of the Mithila region, such as the Oiniwar Dynasty and Khandwal Dynasty (Raj Darbhanga),[4] were Maithil Brahmins and were noted for their patronage of Maithil culture.[5]
In the 1960s and 1970s, the Maithil Brahmins became politically significant in Bihar. Binodanand Jha and Lalit Narayan Mishra emerged as prominent political leaders of the community. Under the Chief Ministry of Jagannath Mishra many Maithil Brahmins assumed important political positions in Bihar.[6]
According to the Vedic Samhita, Maithil Brahmins are divided into the Vajasaneyi (Yajurvedic) and the Chandogya(Samavedic) and each group is strictly exogamous. They are also further classified by four main categories, the Srotriyas (Soit), the Yogyas (Bhalmanush), the Painjas and the Jaiwars. They are all expected to be morganatic (anuloma) however these days this is no longer enforced strictly. They are also divided into various Mools or Clan's name. And every mool is further divided into upamool or sub clans.
They are mainly practitioners of Shaktism in various forms, however there are also Vaishnavites and Shaivites.[7] [8]
Panjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins similar to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.[9] While marriage they obtain the “Aswajan”(Non-relative) certificate from the panjikars,this system was started by Harisinghdeva.[10]