Nanyadeva

Nanyadeva (IAST: ) was the founder of the Karnat dynasty of Mithila. He established his capital in Simraungadh and ruled the greater Mithila region for 50 years. He is known for his patronage of scholars. He began to rule Mithila from the citadel of Simraungadh, situated on the modern India-Nepal border, in 1097. Various inscriptions and land grants belonging to Nanyadeva have been found within the region to testify to his reign.

In his writings, Nanyadeva referred to himself as Mithileśwara which translates to ruler of Mithila.

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.

Early life Little is known about Nanyadeva's early life although it is believed that Nanyadeva arrived in Mithila as part of the Chalukaya invasions of North India during the second half of the 11th century. The Chalukyas would likely have been accompanied by many military adventurers who carved out small principalities of their own in Northern India and Nanyadeva would have been among them in capturing land in the Mithila region of North Bihar. He was succeeded by his two sons, Gangadeva and Malladeva.

Literary works He cultivated several melodies and recorded his knowledge in two Sanskrit musicological treatises called the Sarasvati Hridayalankara and the Bharatabhasya. These works are an in-depth assessment of different musical notes and how they can lead to certain feelings and sentiments ranging from heroism to anger. He completed these works following his ascendance to power in Mithila. Nanyadeva's knowledge of musicology was well-regarded and he is cited as an authority on the subject by the 13th-century Indian musicologist, Śārṅgadeva.

Descendants After the fall of the Karnat dynasty in 1324 and the power vacuum that followed, the Maithil Brahmins with the patronage and protection of the Tughlaqs came to power and formed the Oiniwar dynasty. The Karnats mainly split into two branches with Nanyadeva's descendant, Harisimhadeva fleeing to Nepal and marrying into the reigning Malla dynasty.

Works Two musicological-related treatises written in the Sanskrit language have been attributed to Nanyadeva: Sarasvati Hridayalankara Bharatabhasya