UPSC Maithili Syllabus 2020 For IAS Mains | PDF Download

Maithili Literature Syllabus For UPSC IAS Exam 2020

Maithili is one of the optional literature paper in IAS Mains Exam. It consists of two papers, i.e. (paper 1 and 2) carries 250 marks each, in a total of 500 marks. This paper is considered an easy one, for aspirants who are well versed with the Maithili language and are familiar with the grammatical aspects too! It is considered an easy ride for northeastern candidates who are native Maithili speakers and have a hold on the general aspects of the language. This article provides you with the latest Maithili literature optional syllabus for UPSC IAS Mains 2020. Download the complete syllabus PDF from here.

UPSC Maithili Literature Syllabus – Optional Paper I

History of Maithili Language and its Literature (Answer to be written in Maithili)

Part A – History of Maithili Language

1. Place of Maithili in Indo-European language family.
2. Origin and development of Maithili language. (Sanskrit, Prakrit, Avhatt, Maithili)
3. Periodic division of Maithili Language. (Beginning, Middle era, Modern era)
4. Maithili and its different dialects.
5. Relationship between Maithili and other Eastern languages (Bengali, Asamese, Oriya )
6. Origin and development of Tirhuta Script.
7. Pronouns and Verbs in Maithili Language.

Part B – History of Maithili Literature

1. Background of Maithili Literature (Religious, economic, social, and cultural).
2. Periodic division of Maithili literature.
3. Pre-Vidyapati Literature.
4. Vidyapati and his tradition.
5. Medieval Maithili Drama (Kirtaniya Natak, Ankia Nat, Maithili dramas written in Nepal .
6. Maithili Folk Literature (Folk Tales, Folk Drama, Folk Stories, Folk Songs).
7. Development of different literary forms in modern era
   (a) Prabandh-kavya
   (b) Muktak-kavya
   (c) Novel
   (d) Short Story
   (e) Drama
   (f) Essay
   (g) Criticism
   (h) Memoirs
   (i) Translation
8. Development of Maithili Magazines and Journals

IAS aspirants who are targeting UPSC Exam, may check the linked article

UPSC Maithili Literature Syllabus – Optional Paper II

Answers must be written in Maithili

The paper will require first-hand reading of the prescribed texts and will test the critical ability of the candidates.

Part A

1. Vidyapati Geet-Shati – Publisher : Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi (Lyrics – 1 to 50)
2. Govind Das Bhajanavali – Publisher : Maithili Acadamy, Patna (Lyrics – 1 to 25)
3. Krishnajanm – Manbodh
4. Mithilabhasha Ramayana – Chanda Jha (only Sunder-Kand)
5. Rameshwar Charit Mithila Ramayan – Lal Das (only Bal-kand)
6. Keechak-Vadh – Tantra Nath Jha.
7. Datta-Vati – Surendra Jha ‘Suman’ {only 1st and 2nd Cantos}.
8. Chitra-Yatri
9. Samakaleen Maithili Kavita – Publisher : Sahitaya Akademi, New Delhi .

Part B

1. Varna Ratnakar – Jyotirishwar (only 2nd Kallol)
2. Khattar Kakak Tarang – Hari Mohan Jha
3. Lorik–Vijaya-Manipadma
4. Prithvi Putra – Lalit
5. Bhaphait Chahak Jinagi – Sudhanshu ‘Shekhar’ Choudhary
6. Kriti Rajkamlak – Publisher : Maithili Acadamy, Patna (First Ten Stories only)
7. Katha–Sangrah – Publisher : Maithili Acadamy, Patna

Also, Check Other UPSC IAS Optional Subject’s Syllabus

Facts about the Maithili Language

Maithili is a spoken language, mainly covering the northeastern part of our subcontinent. It has the majority of speakers in Bihar and Jharkhand. Around 30 million people in the Indian population speak in Maithili. Maithili also shares a close and intimate connection with two other languages with a somewhat similar historical and empirical background, namely Bhojpuri and Magadhi.

Madhubani, which is a language spoken mainly in the Madhubani district of Bihar, is the best known dialect form of the language. There are several other dialects of the language, some which are recorded and found in mass populations, some do not have official standing status or recorded anywhere.

It is also known that the language is spoken in the southern parts of Nepal, where the language has similar dialects. These dialects that are spoken along the Nepal region are found to be quite different from their Indian counterparts in almost all forms.

Maithili also holds the recognition of being one of the earliest spoken languages in ancient India. In the prose form of literature, we can find significant work curated in the language of Mithila and hence the credit of one of the most prominent literary works in ancient India should be given to Mithila language.

Also, Read Other UPSC 2020 Articles