Maithili

Maithili is an Indo-Aryan language spoken in the Mithila region of northern Bihar, India, and the eastern Terai of Nepal. It belongs to the Bihari subgroup of the Eastern Indo-Aryan languages and has a long literary tradition. Maithili is written in Tirhuta, its traditional script, and in Devanagari, which is widely used in education and media. It is one of the official languages of India, listed in the Eighth Schedule since 2003, and is also recognized in Nepal.

Maithili evolved from Magadhi Prakrit in the Mithila area. The earliest extensive Maithili literature is associated with the medieval poet Vidyapati (14th–15th centuries). Modern Maithili saw standardization efforts during the colonial and post-independence periods, along with continued literary and linguistic development.

Maithili has several dialects; standard Maithili is based on eastern Mithila varieties. It is a subject–object–verb language with postpositions; its phonology includes retroflex and aspirated consonants, and its grammar features gender and honorifics that mark formality in verbs and pronouns. Vocabulary shows Sanskritic influence, along with Prakritic and vernacular elements.

Geographically, Maithili is spoken primarily in Bihar and parts of Jharkhand in India, and throughout the Mithila region and the Terai in Nepal. Estimates place millions of speakers. The language is widely used in literature, media, education, and daily communication, often in bilingual contexts with Hindi.

Culturally, Maithili is associated with a rich body of literature and visual arts such as Madhubani (Mithila) painting. Traditional Mithila festivals, including Chhath Puja, are closely linked to Maithili-speaking communities. The language continues to evolve through contemporary poetry, journalism, and online media.