List of Kings of Mithila - Around 11th Century To 14th Century - Karnat Dynasty

Karnat Dynasty

Nanya Deva defeated the last King of Sen Dynasty, Laxman Sen and became King of Mithila. Nanya Deva had come from west and had his first capital at Simraun Garh (Birganj). After conquering entire Mithila, he shifted his capital to Kamaladitya Sthan (Kamladan). Another village named Andharatharhi village in Madhubani district is also mentioned to be capital of Karnats. In the said village, there are six dozen ponds of which 27 ponds constitute the beads of a picturesque garland. The ponds are interconnected amongst themselves and also with the Sugarwe river for smooth recharging with the flood water. These ponds constructed by Karnat Kings constitute a unique irrigation system and is proving its relevance even today, spanning over eight centuries. Karnat Dynasty rulers were Karn Kayasthas,as the name formed Karnat.

Karnat Dynasty also had five kings namely:

• Nanya Dev - Nanya Dev apart from being a great warrior, also had a keen interest in music.He classified and analyzed the Ragas and opines Madhya laya is chosen for Hasya (humorous) and sringar (libido) rasa, Bilambit is chosen for karun (compassion) rasa and Drut is chosen for veer (brave), Rodra (anger), Adbhut (marvelous) and Bhayanak (fearful) rasas. He wrote a treaty on music'Saraswati Hridayalankar' which is preserved in the Bhandarkar Research Institute of Pune. Nanya Dev is also considered to be the "forgotten King of Maithila".
• Gang Dev
• Narsinh Dev
• Shakrasinh Dev
• Hari Sinha Dev - King Hari Sinha Dev is the most famous. He was instrumental in initiating and implementing PANJI VYAVASTHA in Maithil Brahmins and Maithil Kayasthas (Karn Kayasthas). He was also great patron of art and literature.

In the court of Hari Sinha Dev the Royal Priest was Pt. Kameshwar Thakur the author of VARNA RATNAKAR, which is considered to be the first prose, an encyclopedia in any north Indian language. Pt. Kameshwar Thakur later became founder of OINWAR DYNASTY)