Maithili Karna Kayasthak Panjik Sarvekshan
Encyclopedia
Maithil Karna Kayasthak Panjik Sarvekshan (A Survey of the Panji of the Karan Kayasthas of Mithila) is a book written by Binod Bihari Verma
in Maithili
. It is a research study on the available ancient manuscripts in the Mithila
region, called as Panjis
, which are genealogical charts of Maithil Brahmin
and Kayastha
s castes. This study deals with the manuscripts available in respect of Karna Kayasthas.
obtained from various panjikars of Darbhanga
, Bihar
. The Panjis
concerned deals with the genealogy
of the Karna Kayasthas. The manuscript is written in Tirhuta script (Maithili script) on palm leaves and old paper called as 'Basaha' made out of indigenous material. The work deals with Mulgrams (original village homes) and the transmigration of the Karna Kayasthas to subsequent places of living. The book is important for the geographical and social study of North Bihar
of the concerned period. The work also deals with personalities of eminence among the Karna Kayasthas since 12th century.
has remarked that the book is of "immense sociological value" and "should be recognised by the scholars of Mithila".
Binod Bihari Verma
Binod Bihari Verma was a Maithili littérateur by soul, medical doctor by profession and a defence officer by career. He is most noted for his pioneering work on Panjis, which are ancient genealogical charts, Maithili Karna Kayasthak Panjik Sarvekshan. He is also known for his depiction of rural...
in Maithili
Maithili language
Maithili language is spoken in the eastern region of India and South-eastern region of Nepal. The native speakers of Maithili reside in Bihar, Jharkhand,parts of West Bengal and South-east Nepal...
. It is a research study on the available ancient manuscripts in the Mithila
Mithila
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...
region, called as Panjis
Panjis
Panjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins, Karna Kayasthas of Mithila region of north Bihar, India, similat to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.-History:...
, which are genealogical charts of Maithil Brahmin
Maithil Brahmin
Maithil Brahmins form part of ancient Vedic Brahmins. Maithil s are a part of Panch-gauda , a group of highest-ranking castes among Brahmin, who still strive to follow rites and rituals according to ancient Hindu canons. Maithil Brahmin is a community of highly cohesive, and traditional Brahmins...
and Kayastha
Kayastha
Kayastha or Kayasth or Kayeth is a caste or community of Hindus originating in India. Kayastha means "scribe" in Sanskrit, and has traditionally denoted members of the writer caste....
s castes. This study deals with the manuscripts available in respect of Karna Kayasthas.
Overview
The work is based on several manuscripts of PanjisPanjis
Panjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins, Karna Kayasthas of Mithila region of north Bihar, India, similat to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.-History:...
obtained from various panjikars of Darbhanga
Darbhanga
Darbhangā is a twin city and a municipal corporation and the capital city of the Darbhanga district and Darbhanga Division in the state of Bihar, India. It is one of the most important districts of North Bihar situated in the very heart of Mithilanchal. According to the latest 2011 census, the...
, Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
. The Panjis
Panjis
Panjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins, Karna Kayasthas of Mithila region of north Bihar, India, similat to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.-History:...
concerned deals with the genealogy
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
of the Karna Kayasthas. The manuscript is written in Tirhuta script (Maithili script) on palm leaves and old paper called as 'Basaha' made out of indigenous material. The work deals with Mulgrams (original village homes) and the transmigration of the Karna Kayasthas to subsequent places of living. The book is important for the geographical and social study of North Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
of the concerned period. The work also deals with personalities of eminence among the Karna Kayasthas since 12th century.
Critical reception
Noted historian Suniti Kumar ChatterjiSuniti Kumar Chatterji
Suniti Kumar Chatterji was an Indian linguist, educationist and litterateur. He was born on 26 November 1890 at Shibpur in Howrah...
has remarked that the book is of "immense sociological value" and "should be recognised by the scholars of Mithila".
Chapters
- Pustak parichay evam lekhak parichay(Introduction to the book and its writer)
- Prakkathhan(Foreword)
- Nivedan O srot pandulipi (Introduction and the sources of the manuscript)
- Panjik purv aitehaasik prishthbhumi(Historical background before the usage of PanjisPanjisPanjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins, Karna Kayasthas of Mithila region of north Bihar, India, similat to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.-History:...
) - Karan', 'karnik' o 'kayasth (Introduction to the terminologies of 'Karan', 'Karnik' and 'Kayasth')
- Upadhik spashtikaran (Explanatory notes on the surnames)
- Panji prakaran (A perspective of PanjisPanjisPanjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins, Karna Kayasthas of Mithila region of north Bihar, India, similat to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.-History:...
)- Panjik uddeshya tatha pratifal (Usage of PanjisPanjisPanjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins, Karna Kayasthas of Mithila region of north Bihar, India, similat to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.-History:...
and their significance) - Panjik parampara (Tradition of PanjisPanjisPanjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins, Karna Kayasthas of Mithila region of north Bihar, India, similat to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.-History:...
) - Panjik adhyayan evam lekhan vidhi (Study of Panjis and the methodology of transcribing them)
- Panjikarak parampara (Traditions of PanjisPanjisPanjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins, Karna Kayasthas of Mithila region of north Bihar, India, similat to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.-History:...
writers) - Panjik kaal (Age of panjis)
- Maithil brahminak panji sa tulna (Comparison with Panjis of Maithil BrahminMaithil BrahminMaithil Brahmins form part of ancient Vedic Brahmins. Maithil s are a part of Panch-gauda , a group of highest-ranking castes among Brahmin, who still strive to follow rites and rituals according to ancient Hindu canons. Maithil Brahmin is a community of highly cohesive, and traditional Brahmins...
s)
- Panjik uddeshya tatha pratifal (Usage of Panjis
- Prathamagaman o prasthan (Initial arrivals and departures)
- Purvabhas(Concept)
- Mul gram (Original residences or villages in the migration)
- Dera o baas sthaan (Subsequent residences or dwellings in the migration)
- Mulgram o deraak aitehaasikta (Historical importance of the Mulgram and Dera)
- Derak parichit sthaan (Identification of the deras)
- Patra parichay (Introduction to protagonists)
- Vyaktitiva o purush (Personalities and persons)
- Biji purushak pashchaat vanshavali (Genealogical charts of the seed persons)
- Vibhinn mul gramak panjik aarambhik purush gan (Panjis of the original people of various mul grams)
- Kichu biji purush sa adyaparyant vanshaavali (Genealogical charts of certain seed persons)
- Prakkathan (Afterword)
External links
- Washington library entry
- Maithil Karna Kayasthak Panjik Sarvekshan
- Google Books entry
- Genealogists of Mithila
- Bihar government site about Mithila including Panjikars
- A history of Panji system in North India
- Times Of India article on Brahmins Panjis
- JSTOR article on the usage of Panjis on Mithila and Bengal
- A detailed look at the panji system
- Times of India article on Saurath Sabha in Madhubani
- Kinship ritual and visual imagery in Mithila