Nanyadeva


Nanyadeva was the founder of the Karnata dynasty of Mithila. He was the ancestor of Harisimhadeva. He established his capital in Simraungadh and ruled the greater Mithila region for 50 years.
He is known for his generosity, courage, and patronage of scholars. He was from Karna Kshatriya Kula and began to rule Mithila from Simraungadh in 1097 CE. The stone inscription found at Simraongarh and Nepālavaṃśāvalī clearly states that he made an erection in a Singha Lagna of a Saturday in a Sravana, the tithi being Sukla seven and the Naksatara Svati in the year 1019 Shaka.

Etymology and names

Nanya is a word of Karnatic origin and Sanskritised form of Nanniya. Nanyadeva means "the dearest of god". The Andhratharhi inscription of his minister, Shridhardas refers Nanyadeva as Mahasamantadhipati, Dharmamavaloka and Sriman Nanyapati.

Early life

It is believed that Nanyadeva arrived in the region as part of the Chalukaya invasions of the North during the second half of the 11th century. The Chalukyas would likely have been accompanied by many military adventurers who carved out small principalities of their own in North Bihar and Nanyadeva would have been among them. His original stronghold was Nanapura in Champaran district of Bihar however he later shifted his capital to Simraungadh.

Rule of Mithila

In Vidyapati's Purush Pariksa, Nanyadeva is confirmed to have gained control of Mithila by 1097 CE. During his rule, Mithila came into conflict with the Pala dynasty of Bengal.

Legacy

Many modern scholars, as well as the people of the region, view Nanyadeva as a "son of Mithila" who liberated the region following the fall of the Videhan monarchy. The Karnata rule is not viewed as foreign as they established their power in Mithila itself, unlike others who ruled from outside.

Literary works

He cultivated several melodies and recorded his knowledge in the Sanskrit work, Sarasvati Hridayalankara and Grantha-Maharnava. He completed this work after he had become the ruler of Mithila.

Descendants

Many Rajput zamindars in North Bihar, especially in Saharsa district claim Nanyadeva to be their ancestor.
Pratap Malla of the Malla dynasty of Kathmandu also declared Nanyadeva to be his Pradhan Purva Purasha.