Total population | |
---|---|
c. 70 million (est.) | |
Languages | |
Maithili Hindi and Nepali[1] | |
Religion | |
Majority: Hinduism Minority: Islam · Buddhism · Others | |
Related ethnic groups | |
Bengalis · Magahi · Bhojpuris |
Maithils (Devanagari: मैथिल), also known as Maithili people, are an Indo-Aryan cultural and ethno-linguistic group from the Indian subcontinent, who speak the Maithili language as their native language.[2] They inhabit the Mithila region,[3] which comprises Northern and Eastern Bihar and Northeastern Jharkhand in India[4][5] & in Nepal constituting Madhesh Province in addition to some terai districts of Bagmati and Koshi Provinces.[6]
The Mithila region forms an important part of Hinduism as it is said to be the birthplace of Sita, the wife of Ram and incarnation of Lakshmi.[7]