Mithila was a city in Ancient India, the capital of the Videha Kingdom. The name Mithila is also 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. The city of Mithila has been identified as modern day Janakpur in Dhanusa district of Nepal .
The Mithila region was situated on the north-eastern Indo-Gangetic Plain and parts of adjoining Nepal. The major cities in the present day are
- in Nepal, Janakpur, Sirha, Rajbiraj, Biratnagar, and
- in India, Bettiah, Sitamarhi, Darbhanga, Madhubani, Supaul, and Saharsaand some parts of purnia and muzaffarpur also
The climate is mainly dry and cool. In summer the temperature varies within the 35 to 45 degree Celsius range and in winter it is typically 5 to 15 degrees Celsius. The elevation is close to mean sea level. The soil is suited for agriculture, which is the main economic activity. Rainfall is sufficient for agriculture .
The Mithila area is flooded every year, causing massive disruption and losses of billions of rupees. Dams on rivers such as the Kosi and the Ganges might alleviate the floods, but they have not yet been built. Critics of dam projects fear that large dams in an earthquake-prone zone could prove more disastrous than annual floods.
The most important reference to Mithila is in the Hindu epic Ramayana, where Rama's wife Sita is said to have been the princess of Videha, born to King Janaka who ruled in Mithila. The Rāmāyana also mentions a sage who was a descendandant of Gotama Rahugana living near Ahilya-sthāna
Other famous kings of Mithila during ancient period were kings Bhanumath, Satghumanya, Suchi, Urjnama, Satdhwya, Kriti, Anjan, Arisnami, Srutayu, Supasyu, Suryasu, Srinjay, Sourmabi, Anena, Bhimrath, Satyarath, Upangu, Upgupt, Swagat, Snanand, Subrachya, Supraswa, Subhasn, Suchurut, Susurath, Jay, Vijay, Critu, Suny, Vith Habya, Dwati, Bahulaswa and Kriti Tirtiya. Vidyapati's Bhooparikraman indicates the palace of king Janak was on the bank of river Jamuna, now well known as Jamunia Dhar in Dijagal village 21 kilometres distant in south from Janakpur .
Both the great saints Gautama Buddha, founder of Buddhism, and Vardamana Mahavira, the 24th and final Tirthankara of the Jain religion, are said to have lived in Mithila. Mandana Mishra, the Hindu philosopher, who is considered to be an Avatar of Lord Shiva also lived in Mithila. The region was an important centre of Indian history during the first millennium .
Maithili language (मैथिली, মৈথিলী, Maithilī) is spoken in the eastern part of India, mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand and parts of West Bengal, with cultural and linguistic centers in the cities of Madhubani and Darbhanga. Maithili is also spoken in the Terai region ofNepal, in particular east of the Narayani Zone .
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