Nanyadeva

Nanyadeva (IAST: Nānyadev) was the founder of Tirhut Kingdom and the first king of Karnata dynasty. 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 Kayastha 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 (July 10, 1097 AD).

Etymology and names

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

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 (which is part of the Mithila region), especially in Saharsa district claim Nanyadeva to be their ancestor.