ABSTRACT
The origin and rise of the Darbhanga Raj is quite different from the histories of the other chieftaincies of Bihar. Darbhanga was one of the mahals in the sarkar of Tirhut during the reign of Akbar. Mahesh Thakur, a Maithili Brahman and the founder of the Darbhanga Raj, was one of the most learned scholars of the time. Thereupon, Raja Birbal, a popular noble of Akbar’s court, suggested the name of Mahesh Thakur and requested the emperor to invite him. The Darbhanga Raj came into prominence during the rule of Mahinath and Narapati, the sons of Sundar Thakur. Mahesh Thakur, the first chief of the Darbhanga Raj was the son of Chan Thakur, a resident of the village of Bhaur, which was an important seat of learning. Subhankar Thakur spent his early life in Varanasi where he obtained shastric knowledge. He soon became a scholar of repute by his hard work, and wrote two books, Tithinirnaya and Shrihasta-muktaral.
