Republics in Ancient India, c. 1500 B.C.–500 B.C. c10.s3.38

c10.s3.38

There is a late Purāṇic tradition about Mithilā, the capital of the Videhans. The *Viṣṇu Purāṇa*⁴ informs us that it was founded by king Nimi's son, Mithi or Mithila, who was churned from the dead body (*Videha*) of Nimi after he had been cursed by Vasiṣṭha. The existence of a prince Mithila is attested by other sources also.⁵ This story suggests that the city was founded and named after the region had been colonized by the followers of Videgha Māthava. The city was named after one of his descendants, Mithila. The city was also called Janakapura from the fact that king Janaka ruled there.¹ However, Dr. Subhadra Jha suggests another interpretation. "It is not unreasonable to think," he says, "that Mithilā has some connection with Sanskrit Mitha-together".² He takes this to include "Vaiśāli, Videha and Aṅga," but this does not explain the name. Mithilā is never used in the sense of a confederation of these peoples.