Mithila (region)

Mithila, also known as Tirhut, Tirabhukti and Mithilanchal, is a geographical and cultural region of the Indian subcontinent. It is bounded by the Mahananda River in the east, the Ganges in the south, the Gandaki River in the west and the Himalayan foothills in the north. It takes in parts of the Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand and neighbouring districts of Nepal, in Koshi Province, Bagmati Province and Madhesh Province. Its native language is Maithili and its speakers are called Maithils. The name is often used for the ancient Videha Kingdom and the lands within its old boundaries, and part of Mithila was still ruled by the Raj Darbhanga into the twentieth century. It is also a significant pilgrimage place in Jainism and features in Buddhist records.