Mod 6: The Karnata Dynasty of Mithila (1097โ1324) โ Nanyadeva and Simraongarh, Harisimhadeva, the Panji System, Varna Ratnakara and the โGolden Ageโ of Mithila
Concept
14.11 The Karnatas of Mithila
๐ซ School level ยท NCERT Class 6โ12 History (the base for UPSC, BPSC, BSSC and other PSC exams)
Nanyadeva to Harisimhadeva
While the Palas were declining, a new dynasty rose in Mithila (north Bihar). In 1097 CE Nanyadeva, a chief of Karnataka origin who probably came north with the armies of the Chalukya king Vikramaditya VI, founded the Karnata dynasty. His capital was Simraongarh (now in Bara district of Nepalโs Terai); Darbhanga region was the heart of the kingdom.
| King | Known for |
|---|---|
| Nanyadeva (1097โ1147) | Founder; capital Simraongarh; fought the Senas and Gahadavalas; patron of music (Sarasvatihridayalankara on music is attributed to him) |
| Gangadeva | Improved revenue administration (units like pargana are traced to him by tradition) |
| Narasimhadeva | Ruled around the time of Bakhtiyar Khaljiโs raids |
| Ramasimhadeva, Shaktisimhadeva | Continued the line; Shaktisimha had a council of ministers |
| Harisimhadeva (1304โ1324) | Last Karnata; started the Panji genealogical records; fled to Nepal in 1324 when Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq invaded |
- Nanyadeva founded the Karnata dynasty in 1097; capital Simraongarh (Nepal Terai).
- Narasimhadeva at Bakhtiyarโs time; Harisimhadeva fled to Nepal 1324 (Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq).
- Question: Who founded the Karnata dynasty? Answer: Nanyadeva (1097).
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
Question 4: Who was the founder of the Karnata Dynasty of Mithila in 1097 CE?
Question 5: Who was the ruling monarch of the Karnata Dynasty when Bakhtiyar Khalji invaded Bihar and demolished Nalanda and Vikramashila?
[BPSC level] The capital of Nanyadevaโs Karnata kingdom was:
[UPSC level] Nanyadeva probably came north with the armies of the:
[BSSC pattern] The Karnata dynasty ruled which region of Bihar?
[BPSC level] The last Karnata king Harisimhadeva fled to Nepal in:
[UPSC level] Which Delhi Sultanโs invasion ended Karnata rule in Mithila?
[School] The Karnata dynasty was founded in:
One-liners
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Who founded the Karnata dynasty?
Nanyadeva (1097).Concept
14.12 The Golden Age of Mithila
๐ซ School level ยท NCERT Class 6โ12 History (the base for UPSC, BPSC, BSSC and other PSC exams)
Panji, Maithili and learning
The Karnata age is remembered as the โGolden Age of Mithilaโ for its learning, literature and social organisation.
- Panji system: Harisimhadeva organised genealogical registers (panjis) of Maithil Brahmana and Karna Kayastha families, kept by panjikars, to regulate marriages.
- Varna Ratnakara by Jyotirishwar Thakur (court of Harisimhadeva) โ the earliest known prose work in Maithili, a kind of encyclopaedia of descriptions.
- Mithila became a famous centre of Nyaya philosophy and Smriti law; this tradition later produced scholars like Gangesha (Navya-Nyaya).
- After 1324 the Oinwar (Kameshwar Thakur) dynasty ruled Mithila; the poet Vidyapati flourished at their court.
- Maithili was added to the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution by the 92nd Amendment (2003).
- Mithila Makhana received a GI tag in 2022, and the Union Budget 2025โ26 announced a Makhana Board for Bihar.
- Madhubani (Mithila) painting has had a GI tag since 2007.
- Golden Age of Mithila: Panji (Harisimhadeva), Varna Ratnakara (Jyotirishwar), Nyaya.
- Then Oinwars (Vidyapati); Maithili in 8th Schedule (2003); Makhana Board (2025).
- Question: What is the Panji system? Answer: Genealogical registers for marriages in Mithila.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
[BPSC level] The Panji system of genealogical records was organised by:
[UPSC level] Varna Ratnakara is significant as the:
[BSSC pattern] The Karnata period is remembered as the:
[BPSC level] After the Karnatas, Mithila was ruled by the:
[UPSC level] Maithili was included in the Eighth Schedule by the:
[Current affairs 2025] The Union Budget 2025โ26 announced for Bihar a:
[BPSC level] The poet Vidyapati flourished under the:
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
What is the Panji system?
Genealogical registers for marriages in Mithila.Concept
๐ฏ UPSC ยท BPSC ยท BSSC ยท State PSC level: PYQs and traps
| Exam | What it asks from this module |
|---|---|
| UPSC | Regional kingdoms; Maithili; Navya-Nyaya |
| BPSC | Nanyadeva 1097; Simraongarh; Harisimhadeva; Panji; Varna Ratnakara |
| BSSC / SSC | Founder of the Karnata dynasty |
Who wrote โVarna Ratnakaraโ, the earliest prose work in Maithili? (a) Vidyapati (b) Jyotirishwar Thakur (c) Chandesvara (d) Gangesha
- Jyotirishwar Thakur wrote it at the court of the Karnata king Harisimhadeva (early 14th century). Vidyapati came later, under the Oinwars.
- Karnata founder = Nanyadeva (1097); last = Harisimhadeva (fled 1324).
- Simraongarh is now in Nepal (Bara district), not in Darbhanga town.
- Vidyapati belongs to the Oinwar period, not the Karnatas.
- Karnata 1097โ1324; Vidyapati is Oinwar-period.
- Question: Where did Harisimhadeva flee in 1324? Answer: Nepal.
MCQs
Answer this question, then use Next.
[BPSC level] Who wrote Varna Ratnakara?
[UPSC level] Which pair about the Karnata kings is correct?
[BSSC pattern] Madhubani painting received its GI tag in:
[BPSC level] Mithila became famous in later centuries for which school of philosophy?
[School] Simraongarh, the Karnata capital, is now in:
[UPSC level] Mithila Makhana received its GI tag in:
One-liners
Write your answer, then submit to see the correct answer.
Where did Harisimhadeva flee in 1324?
Nepal.