Oiniwar dynasty

Oiniwar dynasty
Oiṇīvāra
1325–1526 [1]
Approximate location of the Sugauna/Oiniwar dynasty in the 15th century as per A Historical Atlas of South Asia[2]
StatusTributary state under the Jaunpur Sultanate (1460-1475)[2]
Partially subjugated by the Lodi dynasty (1496-1513)[2]
CapitalSugauna
Common languagesMaithii, Sanskrit
Religion
Hinduism
Historical eraMedieval India
• Established
1325
• Disestablished
1526 [1]
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Karnat dynasty
Bengal Sultanate

The Oiniwar dynasty, or Oiṇīvāra dynasty also known as the Sugauna dynasty,[a] was a Maithil ruling dynasty of territories that form part of the Mithila region of the Indian subcontinent.[3] They governed the area between 1325 and 1526, being preceded by the Karnat dynasty.[b] Following the demise of the dynasty, emerged the dynasty of the Raj Darbhanga. One of the Oiniwar Dynasty's most notable rulers was Shivasimha who was known for his patronisation of the art as well as leading military campaigns against neighbouring polities.[4][5]

History

[edit]

The rulers of the Oiniwar dynasty governed Mithila between 1325 and 1526[6] however their rule has not been well-documented. They were Srotriya Maithil Brahmins whose first significant figure was Jayapati Thakur. His grandson, Nath Thakur, served the local kings of the Karnat dynasty and was rewarded with a grant of the village of Oini in modern-day Madhubani district in recognition of his scholarship. As was then customary, he took the name of the granted place as his own and the dynasty that followed from him became known as the Oiniwar.[7]

There is an alternative theory that the family were generally considered to be significant scholars and that this reputation and the influence that flowed from it resulted in them being awarded the village of Sodapura, which later caused them also to be known as the Srotiyas or Soit.[8]

In 1325, following the collapse of the Karnat dynasty in 1324,[7] Nath Thakur became the first Oiniwar ruler. The dynasty that followed him comprised a further 20 rulers.[9] The recent studies and appearance of Aurangzeb dictat from 1685 AD suggest that this family continued to be treated as King of Mithila and the Khandwalas were subordinate to them.[10] It was not until the early 18th century that the Khandwalas became prominent and were recognised as King by AliVardi Khan.[11]

Demise

[edit]

The last of the Oiniwar rulers was Laxminath Singh Deva.[8][clarification needed]. He had been trying to assert himself as an independent ruler and in the process was killed by Nusrat Shah of Bengal.[12] Following Laxminath Singh Deva's death there was a period of lawlessness in the region lasting around 30 years where various Rajput clans were battling for power.[13] After this emerged the dynasty of the Raj Darbhanga.[14]

Capitals

[edit]

Unlike the Karnats who preceded them, who kept the large citadel of Simraungadh as their capital, the Oiniwars mainly operated out of various villages in Mithila.[4]

The dynastic capitals were also frequently relocated. At some unknown time, it was moved from Oini in present-day Muzaffarpur district to the village of Sugauna in modern-day Madhubani district, thus giving rise to the rulers also being known as the Sugauna Dynasty. It was moved again, to Devakuli, during the reign of Devasimha, and then to Gajarathpura (also known as Shiva Singhpura) during the early years of the reign of his son, Shivasimha.[15] When the latter died in 1416, his queen, Lakshima, governed for 12 years and then was succeeded by his brother, Padmasimha, who moved the capital once more. Named Padma, after its founder, this was near to Rajnagar and a long way from the previous seat. Padmasimha, who ruled for three years, was succeeded by his wife, Vivasa Devi, and she, too, founded a new capital which is today the village of Vishual.[9]

Military

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Main article: Bengal-Jaunpur confrontation

The military of the Oiniwar dynasty was considered to be the main pillar of the King's power. The army was under the command of a senapati or the commander-in-chief who had direct control of the military.[16] The military had a four-fold structure with infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots. The poet, Vidyapati who worked in the court of the Oiniwars, noted that the core of the army consisted of Kshatriyas and Brahmins the vanguard consisted of mercenaries from Kurukshetra, Matsya, Surasena and Panchala.[16]

In a battle with a Muslim Sultan during the reign of King Sivasimha, many different warriors were mentioned including Commander Suraja, Śri Śakho Sanehi Jha, Pundamalla who was an expert in archery and Rajadeva (Raut) who was considered to be a matchless warrior.[16]

Society

[edit]
Inscription of King Narasimha of the Oinwar dynasty in the Tirhuta script at the Kandaha Sun Temple in Saharsa district, (c. 1435 A.D.)[17]

The frequent moving of capitals and also the founding of new villages resulted in a range of new infrastructure financed by the dynasty, taking such forms as roads, temples, ponds and forts. In addition, the rulers were significant patrons of Maithili culture.[18] Their era has been called the epitome of the Maithili language.[19][18][20][page needed][need quotation to verify] The contributions of the poet and scholar Vidyapati, who flourished during the reign of Shiva Simha Singh, are particularly notable. This was a significant change from the Karnat era, whose rulers were not native to the area and which had been culturally stagnant.[7]

Slavery

[edit]

Multiple deeds of sale for the purchase of slaves have been found dating back to the fifteenth and sixteenth century in Mithila, during the rule of the Oiniwar dynasty which indicates that slavery was practiced during this period.[21] These deeds were written on palm leaves and are in the Maithili language. A number of these deeds date back to the reign of Bhairavasimha and his name is indicated in the writing. One deed has also been found dating to the rule of Bhairavasimha's son, Ramabhadra.[21]

Several intermediaries were generally used in the selling of slaves who helped to fix the price and witnesses were used to confirm the sale. Conditions were attached to the deed including that the slave was not allowed to flee and the owner had authorisation to bring the slave back even if they were to flee under the royal throne (rajasimhasanatalagatapi).[21] The deeds for sale in Mithila would also indicate the tasks expected of the slave. Many of the deeds that have been recovered also indicate that individuals would have offered themselves up to be enslaved for a price.[21]

Historiography

[edit]
Statue of Vidyapati who was a poet in the Oiniwar court

The chief source of information regarding the Oiniwars is the writings of the poet, Vidyapati who served in the courts of seven kings and two queens belonging to the dynasty. The Kīrtilatā for example was a prose poem by Vidyapati which was commissioned by the Oiniwar king, Kirtisimha.[22] Other sources of information regarding the Oiniwars include inscriptions and mentions in local texts.[22] One notable inscription is the Bhagirathpur inscription which was discovered in the village of Bhagirath in Darbhanga district on the stone frame of a temple. This inscription was left by Oiniwar king, Kansanarayana who is considered to be the last King of the Oiniwars. The inscription is useful as it provides a breakdown of his genaology.[23]

Coinage

[edit]

So far, coins of two rulers belonging to the Oiniwar dynasty have been discovered; Sivasimha and Bhairavasimha. Several gold coin specimens were recovered from the reign of Sivasimha in 1913. These gold coins bore the legend, Sri Sivasya and due to their limited number, it was likely that the coins were meant for limited circulation rather than for general use.[24]

Bhairavasimha also issued silver coins in his name which were recovered from the village of Bairmo in Darbhanga district. These coins were examined by the historian and numismatist, Dineshchandra Sircar who deciphered the text as: mahārajā-śrī-Darppanārāyan-ātmaja-Tirabhukti-rāja-śri-Bhairavasimhasya. This translates to; "Bhairavasimha, Lord of Tirabhukti and son of Lord Darppanārāyana". These coins were likely issued in the fifteenth year of his reign roughly corresponding to 1489-1490.[25]

Rulers

[edit]

A geneaology of the Oiniwars can be reconstructed as follows:[22]

Ruling order Name of the rulers
1 Kamesvara Thakkura
2 Bhogisvara Thakkura
3 Ganesvara Thakkura
4 Kirtisimha
5 Bhavesvara Thakkura
6 Devasimha
7 Shivasimha
8 Lakhimadevi (Queen)[26]
9 Padmasimha
10 Visvasadevi (Queen)[27]
11 Harisimha
12 Narasimha
13 Dhirasimha
14 Bhairavasimha
15 Rupanarayana Ramabhadrasimha
16 Kamsanarayana Laksminathasimha

See also

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References

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Notes

  1. ^ Other spellings include Oinwar and Sugona.
  2. ^ The Karnat dynasty is also known by other names, including the Karnataka, Simroun, Simraun and the Dev dynasty.

Citations

  1. ^ Jha, Hetukar (1969). "The Oinwaras In The Mughal Period". Journal of the Bihar Research Society. LV: 133–144.
  2. ^ a b c Schwartzberg, Joseph (1992). A Historical Atlas of South Asia. University of Chicago Press. p. 40. ISBN 9780195068696.
  3. ^ Kumar Jha, Arun (2005). Some Aspects of the Cultural History of Mithila: The Janaka Dynasty, the Karnātas & the Oinwāras. K. P. Jayaswal Research Institute. p. 22.
  4. ^ a b Jha, Pankaj (2019). A Political History of Literature: Vidyapati and the Fifteenth Century. Oxford University Press. p. 43-46. doi:10.1093/oso/9780199489558.001.0001. ISBN 9780199489558.
  5. ^ Jha, Hetukar (1969). Journal of Bihar Research Society Vol 55: The Oiniwaras In Mughal Period. Bihar. pp. 145–53.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  6. ^ Jha, Hetukar (1969). Journal of Bihar Research Society Vol 55: The Oiniwaras In Mughal Period. Bihar. pp. 145–53.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  7. ^ a b c Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 52–53. ISBN 9788175330344.
  8. ^ a b Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 155–157. ISBN 9788175330344.
  9. ^ a b Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 55–57. ISBN 9788175330344.
  10. ^ Jha, Hetukar (1969). Journal of Bihar Research Society Vol 55: The Oiniwaras In Mughal Period. Bihar. pp. 145–53.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  11. ^ Jha, Bishwambhar (2007). "Epigraphic evidence for early Mithila". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 67: 1015–1019. JSTOR 44148018.
  12. ^ The Wonder That Was India , S A A Rizvi , Picador India page 60
  13. ^ Mishra, Vijaykanta (1953). "Chronology of the Oiniwara Dynasty of Mithila". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 16: 200–210. JSTOR 44303873.
  14. ^ Rorabacher, J. Albert (2016). Bihar and Mithila: The Historical Roots of Backwardness. Taylor & Francis. p. 262. ISBN 9781351997584.
  15. ^ Sarkar, Bihani (2012). "The Rite of Durgā in Medieval Bengal: An Introductory Study of Raghunandana's Durgāpūjātattva with Text and Translation of the Principal Rites". Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society. 22 (2): 325–390. doi:10.1017/S1356186312000181. JSTOR 41490102. S2CID 162186490.
  16. ^ a b c Radhakrishna Chaudhary (1976). Mithila in the Age of Vidyapati. Chaukhambha Orientalia. pp. 74–80.
  17. ^ Patil, D. R. Patil (1963). Antiqurian Remains in Bihar. KP Jayaswal Research Institute, Patna. pp. 192–193.
  18. ^ a b Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. pp. 57–59. ISBN 9788175330344.
  19. ^ Deo, Kamal (2006). "Society in the Kirtilata of Vidyapati". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 67: 286–291. JSTOR 44147948.
  20. ^ A History Of Maithili Literature Vol.1, Mishra Jayakanta, 1949, Tirubhakti Publishers, Allahabad
  21. ^ a b c d Raj Pant, Mahes (1997). "Six 15th- and 16th-century Deeds from Tirhut Recording the Purchase of Slaves". "Six 15th and 16th-century Deeds from Tirhut Recording the Purchase of Slaves in The State, the Law, and Administration in Classical India, edited by Bernhard Kölver. De Gruyter. pp. 159–194. doi:10.1524/9783486594355-012 (inactive 1 November 2024). ISBN 978-3-486-59435-5.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2024 (link)
  22. ^ a b c Jha, Pankaj (2019). A Political History of Literature: Vidyapati and the Fifteenth Century. Oxford University Press. p. 25-26. doi:10.1093/oso/9780199489558.001.0001. ISBN 9780199489558.
  23. ^ Choudhary, Radhakrishna (1955). "The Bhagirathpur Inscription of Kansanarayana dated L.S. 403 (or 394)". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 18: 161–164. JSTOR 44137374.
  24. ^ Jha, Avinash Kumar (2018–2019). "THE CONSTRUCTION OF FEUDALISM IN MEDIEVAL MITHILA: A STUDY OF MAITHILI LITERATURE LEKHANAWALI". Proceedings of the Indian History Congress. 79: 185–191. JSTOR 26906245.
  25. ^ Sircar, Dineshchandra (2005). Studies In Indian Coins. Motilal Banarsidass. pp. 259–270. ISBN 9788120829732.
  26. ^ Upendra Thakur (1956). History of Mithila. Mithila Institute. pp. 320–322.
  27. ^ Jha, Makhan (1997). Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective. M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd. p. 57. ISBN 978-81-7533-034-4.
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