MAITHILI_SAHITYAK_ITIHAS_24 — A Survey of Maithili Literature (Chapter 1–15 Revision Quiz)
Chapter 1 — Introductory
Q1. According to the book, Mithila is bounded on the north by which natural feature?
Explanation: The opening description places the Himalayas on the north of Mithila.
Q2. Which rivers form the south, west and east boundaries in the introductory chapter?
Explanation: The chapter describes Mithila through the Ganges, Gandaka and Kaushiki along with the Himalayas.
Q3. The Mithilamahatmya identifies the holy land between the Himalayas and the Ganges as what?
Explanation: The quoted description calls the land Tirabhukti.
Q4. In the ancient account, the name Videha is connected with which figure?
Explanation: The origin of Videha is traced through the Shatapatha Brahmana story of Videgha Mathava.
Q5. Mithila and Videha ultimately became what, according to the introductory chapter?
Explanation: The book states that Mithila, originally the capital-name, and Videha ultimately became synonymous.
Q6. Which ruler-sage is presented as central to Mithila’s intellectual reputation?
Explanation: Janaka Videha is linked with philosophical discussion and the intellectual character of Mithila.
Q7. Which Smriti is described as the bedrock of the Mithila School of Hindu Law?
Explanation: The chapter treats the Yajnavalkya Smriti as central to the Mithila School of Hindu Law.
Q8. Which field is Mithila especially proud of through Gautama and Gangesha?
Explanation: The author highlights Mithila’s contribution to Nyaya, systematised by Gautama and newly oriented by Gangesha.
Q9. Which deity is called the most popular deity of Mithila?
Explanation: The chapter explicitly says Shiva is the most popular deity of Mithila.
Q10. The author divides Maithili literature broadly into how many main periods?
Explanation: The chapter lists Early, Middle and Modern Maithili Literature.
Chapter 2 — Evolution of the Language and Script
Q11. The antiquity of Maithili is traced in the book to which early compositions?
Explanation: The chapter begins by connecting Maithili with the early Charyapada tradition.
Q12. Colebrooke used which forms of the name in 1801 A.D.?
Explanation: The chapter notes Colebrooke’s early use of Mithilee/Mythili.
Q13. Which Mughal-period source recognises Tirhutiya as a distinct language?
Explanation: The chapter cites Ain-i-Akbari as an early non-Maithili source for Tirhutiya.
Q14. Vidyapati calls the language of Kirtilata by which expression?
Explanation: Desilabayana or Avahatta is used for the country language in Vidyapati’s context.
Q15. Maithili is accepted as belonging to which branch of Aryan language?
Explanation: The author says all accept Maithili belongs to the eastern branch of Aryan language.
Q16. Magadhi Prakrit is described as the parent of which eastern languages?
Explanation: The chapter explains Maithili’s descent from Magadhi with the other eastern languages.
Q17. About which period does the author take Maithili as distinguishable as an independent language?
Explanation: The chapter says Maithili became distinguishable as an independent language around 900 A.D.
Q18. The earliest available specimen of rimed prose in pure Maithili is which work?
Explanation: Jyotirishwar’s Varnanaratnakara is presented as the earliest and longest early Indo-Aryan prose specimen.
Q19. Which script is also called Mithilakshara?
Explanation: The Maithili script is popularly known as Mithilakshara or Tirhuta.
Q20. The Maithili script is said to derive from which broad script variety?
Explanation: The chapter traces Mithilakshara to an eastern variety of the Gupta script.
Chapter 3 — Forms of Early Maithili Poetry
Q21. The oldest available works in Maithili are described as songs of whom?
Explanation: The chapter identifies songs of Buddhist saints as the oldest available Maithili material.
Q22. Which language-stage is associated with the transitional form before Maithili emerged?
Explanation: The chapter says Hiuentsang probably heard a Magadhi-Prakrit Apabhramsa stage.
Q23. Which work is important for early Prakrit-Apabhramsa poetic forms?
Explanation: The chapter repeatedly uses Prakritpaingalam for early forms and metres.
Q24. Who is associated with early Maithili words in a commentary on Amarakosha?
Explanation: Sarvananda is noted for using Maithili words in his Amarakosha commentary.
Q25. Which folk-romantic story is mentioned as known even to Sufi thinkers through Chandayana?
Explanation: The Lorika story is treated as an early historical-romantic narrative known widely.
Q26. Which two figures are associated with agricultural sayings in Mithila?
Explanation: The chapter links Daka and Ghagha with the earliest stage of Maithili and agricultural wisdom.
Q27. The Charya songs represent mystic practices mainly of which tradition?
Explanation: The chapter treats Charyapadas as mystical Buddhist/Tantric songs with wider yogic elements.
Q28. Which cults in Mithila also followed Tantricism according to the chapter?
Explanation: The text says Tantricism was followed not only by Buddhists but also by Vaishnavas and Shaivas.
Q29. What is the chapter’s main focus?
Explanation: The title and opening discuss forms of early Maithili poetry and linguistic evidence.
Q30. The chapter treats early folk and religious poetry as evidence for what?
Explanation: The early songs show how Maithili emerged from Apabhramsa-Avahatta and folk traditions.
Chapter 4 — Triumph of Maithili Speech
Q31. The emergence of Mithila as a distinct political unit is dated to which period?
Explanation: The chapter begins by linking the cultural renaissance with the late eleventh-century political emergence.
Q32. Which dynasties frame the long medieval cultural renaissance?
Explanation: The chapter names the Karnatas and Oinwaras as the dynastic frame of literary growth.
Q33. Which author’s Varnanaratnakara is central to Maithili prose triumph?
Explanation: Jyotirishwar’s Varnanaratnakara is the landmark of early Maithili prose.
Q34. Which dramatist-poet is associated with Parijataharana?
Explanation: Umapati’s Parijataharana is cited as a major early Maithili dramatic achievement.
Q35. After the Muslim conquest of Tirhut in 1324 A.D., where did many scholars take refuge?
Explanation: The chapter says Nepal became a main resort of Mithila and Bengal scholars.
Q36. Which literary language, nourished by Jyotirishwar and Umapati, crossed Tirhut’s frontier?
Explanation: The chapter emphasises Maithili speech crossing the frontier after its literary triumph.
Q37. What is the broad achievement described in this chapter?
Explanation: The chapter’s title is Triumph of Maithili Speech and treats its literary assertion.
Q38. Which period is called a panorama of growth in all departments of life and literature?
Explanation: The text sees this medieval span as a cultural renaissance.
Q39. What feature distinguished early Maithili literary production?
Explanation: The chapter shows Maithili becoming a vehicle for several literary forms while Sanskrit remained strong.
Q40. Which statement best describes the chapter’s argument?
Explanation: The author links the political rise of Mithila with Maithili’s literary triumph.
Chapter 5 — Age of Efflorescence
Q41. Which poet dominates the chapter titled Age of Efflorescence?
Explanation: The chapter opens with Vidyapati’s ancestry and literary role.
Q42. Vidyapati belonged to which gotra according to the chapter?
Explanation: The chapter states Vidyapati was from a Maithil Brahmana family of Kasyapa Gotra.
Q43. Garh Bishaphi is connected with whom?
Explanation: The ancestry section places Vidyapati’s family at Garh Bishaphi.
Q44. Which literary personality is treated as the summit of Maithili lyricism?
Explanation: The age of efflorescence is mainly centred on Vidyapati’s poetic genius.
Q45. Which language-form helped Vidyapati’s songs influence neighbouring regions?
Explanation: Vidyapati’s lyric diction crossed frontiers and shaped Brajabuli and neighbouring literatures.
Q46. Vidyapati wrote in which two broad cultural streams?
Explanation: The book presents him as a great Sanskrit scholar and Maithili poet.
Q47. What is a recurring theme in Vidyapati’s lyrics?
Explanation: The chapter treats Vidyapati’s lyric world as rich in devotional and erotic sentiment.
Q48. Which deity tradition is strongly connected with Vidyapati’s songs?
Explanation: Vidyapati is known for Krishna love lyrics as well as Shaiva compositions like Nachari/Maheshvani traditions.
Q49. The chapter’s term “efflorescence” suggests what?
Explanation: The chapter marks the fullest medieval flowering of Maithili poetic genius.
Q50. Which statement best captures Vidyapati’s importance?
Explanation: The book presents Vidyapati as the greatest formative lyric voice of Maithili.
Chapter 6 — The Mongrel Language
Q51. The “mongrel language” discussed in the chapter is mainly what?
Explanation: The chapter explains Brajabuli as a hybrid language sprung from Maithili.
Q52. According to B. K. Barua as cited, Brajabuli sprung from which language?
Explanation: The chapter says it has been rightly held that Brajabuli sprung from Maithili.
Q53. Which regions helped spread the hybrid literary language?
Explanation: The chapter places Brajabuli in the context of eastern Indian cultural contact.
Q54. Brajabuli is described as a mixture involving Maithili and which other speech?
Explanation: The chapter says a mixture of Brajabhasha and Maithili produced the hybrid language.
Q55. Why did scholars from eastern India flock to Mithila?
Explanation: The chapter begins by calling medieval Mithila an important centre of learning.
Q56. What did scholars carry from Mithila to other regions?
Explanation: The text says scholars carried Maithili songs and literary heritage.
Q57. Which literary tendency helped Brajabuli develop?
Explanation: The chapter relates the mongrel language to the spread of Vaishnava songs and Maithili lyric diction.
Q58. How does the chapter view Brajabuli in relation to Maithili?
Explanation: The author treats Brajabuli as substantially grounded in Maithili.
Q59. What is the chapter’s central concern?
Explanation: The title and discussion explain how a mixed language emerged from Maithili’s prestige.
Q60. Which statement best summarises the chapter?
Explanation: The chapter shows Maithili influence beyond its homeland through Brajabuli.
Chapter 7 — Crossing the Frontier
Q61. Which event helped scholars and poets move toward Nepal?
Explanation: The chapter links political decline with migration to Nepal.
Q62. Which regions were in close contact with Mithila in this chapter?
Explanation: The chapter stresses close contact between Mithila, Nepal, Assam and Bengal.
Q63. Maithili drama influenced which regional dramatic tradition especially?
Explanation: The chapter discusses Maithili use in Assamese dramas.
Q64. Which Assamese saint-dramatist used Maithili in plays?
Explanation: The chapter names Samkaradeva’s Maithili dramas.
Q65. Which of the following is listed among Samkaradeva’s extant Maithili dramas?
Explanation: Kaliyadamana is one of the six extant dramas listed.
Q66. Why did Maithili add sanctity to Assamese drama?
Explanation: The chapter says Maithili gave sanctity and spectacular appeal to the dramas.
Q67. What does “crossing the frontier” mean in literary terms?
Explanation: The chapter tracks Maithili across Nepal, Assam and Bengal.
Q68. Which literary form carried Maithili most strongly outside Mithila?
Explanation: The chapter repeatedly connects frontier-crossing with songs and dramatic compositions.
Q69. The dramas mentioned were mostly based on which sources?
Explanation: The chapter says Assamese dramas with Maithili were based on epics and Puranas.
Q70. Which broad effect is claimed for Maithili outside Mithila?
Explanation: The chapter presents Maithili as a transregional literary vehicle.
Chapter 8 — Heritage without Glamour: Medieval Maithili Poetry
Q71. Which work is used as evidence of post-Vidyapati poetic development?
Explanation: The chapter opens by citing Lochana’s RT as evidence.
Q72. What two features marked Maithili literature up to the mid-eighteenth century?
Explanation: The chapter states these two remarkable features.
Q73. Which poet is described as a great devotee of Krishna in this chapter?
Explanation: The chapter’s section on Sahebramadasa highlights his Krishna devotion.
Q74. Sahebramadasa is especially important for what type of songs?
Explanation: The text praises his picturesque descriptions of Krishna’s sports in Rasa songs.
Q75. What is the tone of “heritage without glamour”?
Explanation: The title and treatment suggest a meaningful but less glamorous medieval inheritance.
Q76. Which element remained central in medieval Maithili poetry?
Explanation: The chapter foregrounds music, metre and lyricism.
Q77. Which religious theme repeatedly appears in medieval songs?
Explanation: The chapter discusses Vishnu/Krishna devotional songs, especially Sahebramadasa.
Q78. What does Lochana’s Ragatarangini help document?
Explanation: The work is used for the song and musical structure of Maithili poetry.
Q79. Which later poet was influenced by Sahebramadasa?
Explanation: The text notes Chanda Jha was influenced by and imitated Sahebramadasa.
Q80. The chapter studies medieval Maithili poetry mainly after whose age?
Explanation: It describes development after Vidyapati through Lochana and later poets.
Chapter 9 — A Comfort to the Grieved: Medieval Stage and Drama
Q81. The chapter title derives from a definition of drama by whom?
Explanation: The chapter opens with Bharata’s idea that drama comforts the grieved.
Q82. According to Kalidasa as cited, drama is what?
Explanation: The chapter quotes Kalidasa on drama’s broad appeal.
Q83. Which two devotional themes produced medieval Maithili drama varieties?
Explanation: The chapter says two varieties existed, one in praise of Krishna and one of Shiva.
Q84. What dominated medieval poetic drama in Mithila?
Explanation: The text states Krishna theme dominated poetical dramas and compositions.
Q85. Which other religious stream stood alongside Vaishnavism?
Explanation: The chapter notes Vaishnavism took place alongside Saivism.
Q86. What compensated for the deficiency of prose in medieval Mithila?
Explanation: The chapter says drama and poetry made up for prose deficiency.
Q87. The themes of medieval drama were generally based on what?
Explanation: Rukmini, Parijata, Usha, Gouri, Shiva and Krishna are named as bases.
Q88. Which figure is among the dramatists connected with this tradition?
Explanation: The chapter names Umapati among important dramatists.
Q89. Which form is described as a class by itself in the introduction to Maithili drama?
Explanation: The book earlier notes the Kirtaniya drama of Maithili as a distinctive class.
Q90. What is the chapter’s central claim about drama in Mithila?
Explanation: The chapter presents drama as a major medieval Maithili form.
Chapter 10 — Era of Decadent Documentary Prose
Q91. After the golden age, Maithili prose is described as what?
Explanation: The chapter opens by calling the tradition almost mechanical repetition.
Q92. Mithila lost independence after which date according to the chapter?
Explanation: The chapter states Mithila lost independence after 1530 A.D.
Q93. After 1556 A.D., Mithila came under whose governors?
Explanation: The chapter says after 1556 A.D. it was ruled by Mughal governors.
Q94. What kind of prose dominates this era?
Explanation: The title itself calls it an era of documentary prose.
Q95. Why is the prose called decadent?
Explanation: The author sees it as repetitive and artistically weak.
Q96. Which historical change affected literary vitality?
Explanation: The chapter links decline with loss of independence and Mughal administration.
Q97. What was the relation of documentary prose to common readers?
Explanation: The book elsewhere says documentary prose was verbose and beyond common comprehension.
Q98. Which genre was stronger than prose during the middle period?
Explanation: The book notes middle Maithili was dominated mainly by lyrics and drama.
Q99. What does this chapter mark in literary history?
Explanation: It follows Vidyapati’s golden age and describes weakened prose.
Q100. Which statement best fits the author’s judgement?
Explanation: The chapter recognises documentary prose but judges it aesthetically poor.
Chapter 11 — Throbbing Human Heart: Folk Literature
Q101. What branch of Maithili does this chapter study?
Explanation: The subtitle calls it a study of folk literature.
Q102. According to the chapter, folktales exist primarily where?
Explanation: The chapter quotes Thompson: folktales exist in people’s memory.
Q103. Folk literature is available in what forms?
Explanation: The chapter says folk tales/literature are available in both poetry and prose.
Q104. Which popular ballad-story is part of Maithili folk literature?
Explanation: Lorika is repeatedly cited as a major folk-romantic narrative.
Q105. Which folk stories are named in the introductory chapter as finest specimens?
Explanation: These are listed as important Maithili folk literature specimens.
Q106. Which ritual songs were collected and published by Rajeshwar Jha?
Explanation: The chapter notes Jata-Jatina songs were collected and published by Rajeshwar Jha.
Q107. What are Vratakathas important for?
Explanation: The chapter states Vratakathas are important from literary and religious points of view.
Q108. What marks the beauty of Vratakathas?
Explanation: The chapter says alliterations and rhymes mark their beauty.
Q109. Which feature is absent in the Vratakathas as noted?
Explanation: The chapter notes these Kathas are marked by absence of honorific forms.
Q110. Why is folk literature called the throbbing human heart?
Explanation: The chapter treats folk literature as the living emotional and communal core of Maithili.
Chapter 12 — The New Awakening
Q111. What major political event triggered new thought in the chapter?
Explanation: The chapter begins by linking British rule with a revolution in thought.
Q112. The western impact affected which spheres?
Explanation: The chapter says the impact spread across many spheres of life.
Q113. Which century’s latter half was especially significant for literary change?
Explanation: The chapter refers to the latter half of the 19th century and beginning of the 20th.
Q114. What society helped bring hidden Maithili literary treasures to light?
Explanation: The chapter credits the Bihar Research Society with research and cataloguing.
Q115. What did the catalogues of Mithila manuscripts provide?
Explanation: The author calls the catalogue a mine of information.
Q116. Who helped through the Maithila Mahasabha / Prabasi Maithilas context?
Explanation: The chapter mentions Prabasi Maithilas and their publications as part of awakening.
Q117. What was modern Maithili literature struggling for?
Explanation: The awakening concerns modern recognition, reform and literary revival.
Q118. Which force encouraged nationalism and reformist thinking?
Explanation: The chapter frames the awakening through western impact and modern public life.
Q119. The new awakening prepared the ground for which chapter’s figures?
Explanation: Chapter XIII follows with Chanda Jha, Raghunandan Das and Lal Das as literary leaders.
Q120. What is the chapter’s central theme?
Explanation: The chapter explains how modern ideas reshaped Maithili literature.
Chapter 13 — The Golden Trio
Q121. Who are the Golden Trio named in the chapter subtitle?
Explanation: The subtitle identifies the trio.
Q122. What did the trio help stabilise?
Explanation: The chapter says the trio helped stabilise literary forms in modern Maithili.
Q123. Which poet brought stark reality by saying people were busy with bread?
Explanation: The chapter attributes this social realism to Chanda Jha.
Q124. Who said foreigners had looted the riches of the country?
Explanation: The chapter cites Raghunandana Das making this nationalist statement.
Q125. The trio challenged what kind of order?
Explanation: The chapter says they challenged the old order in subtle ways.
Q126. Through what language did they bring realities before their people?
Explanation: The chapter stresses the use of Maithili for modern realities.
Q127. Which factor prepared their emergence?
Explanation: The chapter connects them with the awakening described earlier.
Q128. What broad literary movement do they represent?
Explanation: The trio are presented as major figures of the modern literary revival.
Q129. Which of the trio is also associated with Ramayana in Maithili literary history?
Explanation: Chanda Jha is known in the book’s broader survey for reviving metres and composing modern epic literature.
Q130. What is the author’s assessment of the trio?
Explanation: The chapter praises their role in modernising and strengthening Maithili.
Chapter 14 — The Lotus Blossoms: Modern Maithili Poetry
Q131. Which literary form dominated modern Maithili poetry at the beginning of this chapter?
Explanation: The chapter says epics dominated the scene of modern Maithili poetry.
Q132. The chapter title uses which image?
Explanation: The opening quotation speaks of a fully blossomed lotus beautifying a tank.
Q133. What does the lotus metaphor suggest?
Explanation: The image symbolises modern poetic flowering.
Q134. Which poet asks in “Ganga” whether there is any God?
Explanation: The chapter quotes Mantreshwar Jha’s agnostic questioning in Ganga.
Q135. Modern Maithili lyrical poetry includes which newer form?
Explanation: The chapter lists modern poets writing generally in free verse.
Q136. Who is named as a renowned modern Maithili poet with Kaladhvani?
Explanation: The chapter names Somadeva and his publication Kaladhvani.
Q137. Which group represents the new school in modern Maithili lyrical poetry?
Explanation: The chapter lists these modern poets as representatives of the new school.
Q138. What major shift occurs in modern poetry?
Explanation: The chapter shows new poets broadening style and thought.
Q139. What is the subject of Chapter XIV?
Explanation: The subtitle calls it a study in modern Maithili poetry.
Q140. How does the chapter view the modern poetic field?
Explanation: The title and survey present a widened poetic landscape.
Chapter 15 — The New Dimensions: Maithili Prose
Q141. Chapter XV is a survey of what?
Explanation: The subtitle calls it a survey of Maithili prose.
Q142. Which early prose monument is repeatedly important in the book?
Explanation: The book treats Varnanaratnakara as the earliest major Maithili prose specimen.
Q143. Modern prose differs from medieval documentary prose because it is marked by what?
Explanation: The introductory survey says modern prose took up modern problems and perspectives.
Q144. Which form became the most important achievement of the modern period?
Explanation: The book states literary prose is the most important achievement of the modern period.
Q145. What did English influence introduce into modern Maithili prose?
Explanation: The book notes modern idioms and styles influenced by English thought patterns.
Q146. The modern prose writer is able to take what kind of view of life?
Explanation: The introductory chapter says prose writers of today take a synthetic view of life.
Q147. What was a weakness of middle documentary prose?
Explanation: The book contrasts documentary prose with modern prose.
Q148. What broad genres does modern Maithili prose include?
Explanation: The new dimensions survey covers a wider modern prose field.
Q149. Why is the chapter called “New Dimensions”?
Explanation: The chapter surveys the enlargement of prose in modern Maithili.
Q150. What is the final movement of the book from Chapter I to XV?
Explanation: The book covers the whole arc from origins and early literature to modern prose.
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