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⚔️ Medieval History Chapter 1: Karnata Dynasty of Mithila (मिथिला के कर्णाट शासक)

Module 4: Harisimhadeva, Social Reforms & The Panji-Prabandha

📖 Chapter 1 of 6 🧩 Module 4 of 6 ⏱️ ~2 min read 💡 10 MCQs
Topic Part 1 of 2

Concept

Subtopic 4.1: Harisimhadeva - The Great Reformer & The Genealogical Registration System

King Harisimhadeva was the most illustrious social reformer of the Karnata dynasty, immortalized by institutional social reforms:

  • The Great Social Reformer King: Among all Karnata rulers, Harisimhadeva is celebrated as a magnificent social reformer who restructured the social hierarchy of Mithila.
  • Development of the Panji-Prabandha: During the reign of Harisimhadeva (initiated around 1313–1326 CE), the unique institutionalized system of Panji-Prabandha (genealogical record-keeping) was introduced across the Mithila region.
  • Purpose & Organization of Panji:
    • Designed to maintain genealogical purity, track ancestral lineages, and prevent prohibited consanguineous marriages (Sapinda / Sagotra relations).
    • Preserved by professional genealogists designated as Panjikaras, who recorded family trees on palm leaves (Talapatra).
    • Stratified society into distinct sub-orders (Shrotriyas, Yogyas, and Jaibars) based on moral conduct and scholastic learning.
  • Scholarship of Chandeshvara Thakura: Harisimhadeva's prime minister and minister of peace and war (Mahasandhivigrahika), Chandeshvara Thakura, was an erudite jurist who composed the classic legal and political digest Rajanitiratnakara and Krityaratnakara.
⭐ Key Points
  • Harisimhadeva was the great social reformer among the Karnata rulers.
  • Panji-Prabandha was instituted and developed in Mithila during the reign of Harisimhadeva.
  • The system aimed to regulate marriages and preserve ancestral genealogical records.
  • Minister Chandeshvara Thakura authored the political treatise 'Rajanitiratnakara'.
📌 One-line Q&A
  • Question: Which Karnata ruler was a great social reformer? Answer: Harisimhadeva.
  • Question: During whose reign was the Panji-Prabandha developed in Mithila? Answer: Harisimhadeva.
  • Question: Under which dynasty did the Panji system originate in Bihar? Answer: The Karnata Dynasty.
Topic
Questions

MCQs

Answer this question, then use Next.

Question 1: Who among the Karnata rulers is celebrated as a great social reformer?

Harisimhadeva is revered as a monumental social reformer in the history of Mithila.

Question 2: The Panji-Prabandha system in the Mithila region was developed primarily during the reign of which king?

The Panji-Prabandha was codified under King Harisimhadeva in the early 14th century.

Question 3: In Bihar, during the period of which rulers did the 'Panji-Prabandha' develop?

The genealogical registry (Panji-Prabandha) originated under the Karnatas of Mithila.

Question 4: What was the primary social objective of the Panji-Prabandha system introduced by Harisimhadeva?

The system recorded lineages to ensure that marriages were solemnized outside prohibited degrees of consanguinity.

Question 5: Who was the celebrated jurist and author of 'Rajanitiratnakara' serving as prime minister to Harisimhadeva?

Chandeshvara Thakura, a great scholar of law and statecraft, served as Mahasandhivigrahika under Harisimhadeva.

Question 6: What are the professional custodians of genealogical records in Mithila called?

Panjikaras are the designated traditional scholars entrusted with updating family genealogies in Mithila.

Question 7: On what traditional material were the ancient Panji records inscribed?

Genealogical trees were documented on palm leaves (Talapatra) using indigenous organic ink.

Question 8: In which categories did Harisimhadeva classify the Maithil Brahmins under his social reform?

The Maithil community was structured into ranks like Shrotriya, Yogya, Panjibaddha, and Jaibar.

Question 9: Approximately in which decade of the 14th century was the Panji-Prabandha formally initiated?

The formal implementation of the Panji-Prabandha occurred around 1313 to 1324 CE under Harisimhadeva.

Question 10: Which other community in Mithila, besides Maithil Brahmins, adopted the Panji-Prabandha system?

Both the Maithil Brahmins and the Karna Kayasthas maintained detailed Panji genealogical registries.
Question 1 of 10

One-liners

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Which Karnata ruler was a great social reformer?

Harisimhadeva.

During whose reign was the Panji-Prabandha developed in Mithila?

Harisimhadeva.

Under which dynasty did the Panji system originate in Bihar?

The Karnata Dynasty.
Question 1 of 3