Harisimhadeva

The reign of Harisimhadeva was considered a landmark point in the history of Mithila with many events taking place during his four-decade rule. He introduced many social changes such as the four-class system for Maithil Brahmins and developed the Panji system. The four-classes are Shrotriya, Yogya, Panjibaddha and Jaiwar. The scholars that thronged his courts left a permanent imprint on Mithila. Inscriptions detail that the Karnats of Mithila under Harisimhadeva had several battles with invading Muslim kings and were victorious in many instances but were eventually defeated. ==Retreat to Nepal==

Mithila/Tirhut was stormed by the forces of Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq with Caṇḍeśvara Ṭhakkura describing the event as "the earth being flooded by mlecchas rescued by Caṇḍeśvara " despite the Karnatas army under Caṇḍeśvara scoring some victories previously. After his victory, Tughlaq handed over charge of the administration to the native people. Before this event, the Karnatas had already claimed sovereignty over certain parts of Nepal but were now forced to retreat deeper into the country in Kathmandu. Nepalese sources identify the introduction of the Goddess Taleju to Harisimhadeva. Historians disagree as to the exact date when he entered Nepal but all sources agree that he ended up retiring to the hills. He was succeeded by his son, Jagatsimha who was a member of the "highest nobility of the land". A branch of the Karnatas is also theorised to have stayed in Mithila and they eventually became the Gandhavariya Rajputs of North Bihar. Evidence also shows that other descendants of Harisimhadeva including a King Prithvisimhadeva were continuing to rule in Champaran district of Bihar into the 15th century. == References ==