Panjis

Panjis or Panji Prabandh are extensive genealogical records maintained among Maithil Brahmins, Karna Kayasthas of Mithila region of north Bihar, India, similat to the Hindu genealogy registers at Haridwar.

History

The first Panjis were written during the reign of Maharaja Harisingh Dev in 1310 AD [http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/maithili_culture.htm] .

Mythology

It is said that during the reign of Maharaja Harisingh Dev, last of the Rajas of Mithila in the 14th century, an interesting case was brought to his court. A married female was held up for un-chastity and at first held to be guilty. She appealed for reconsideration of her case. The case was re-examined and she was found innocent. This case compelled the king to call a meeting of the Maithil Brahmins of his kingdom. When the Brahmans assembled in the king's court, the king considered each and every Brahman's ethical bent and in this way created the Panji system according to which a systematic genealogical table of every Maithil Brahmin family and of the Maithil Karan Kayasthas was recorded. [ [http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/maithili_culture.htm Maithili Culture ] ]

Principle

The principle of Panjis is "Vij Purush" or seed person, who is the first in a particular lineage. The Vij Purush are classified according to "Gotras" (Clan) "Mul" (Lineage) which is the original residing place, called "Mulgrams", of the Vij Purush. The keeper of the Panjis are called as "Panjikars" There are allotted Panjikars for various gotras and Muls of Brahmins and Karna Kayasthas. They are responsible for the accurate record keeping and maintenance of the genealogies [http://cc.1asphost.com/mithila/genealogies.asp] .

torage and Media

Panjis were traditionally written on palm leaves measuring 16" x 3" and threaded by a central perforation. They were also written on old indigenously made paper called 'Basaha'. However, in the last century they are being increasingly written on paper. The astute panjikars were not only expected to diligently copy the old records but also memorize them by heart [http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/charcoal/49/panjik_sarvekshan.htm] .

Utility

The Panjis have enormous value in during fixing marriages, as they ensure that incestuous relationships do not occur, delineating the last 14 or so generations of the prospective bride and groom.

aurath Sabha

The Maithil Brahmins assembled in a conference to deliberate upon new marriage alliances duly checked with the respective panjikars at a place near Madhubani called as Saurath. the conference itself was called Saurath Sabha [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/574951.cms] .

Current Status

Due to progressive loss of Panjis, Panjikars taking up modern professions and increasing cosmopolitan behaviour,the practice of fixation of marriage by consulting Panjis is dying. There have been cases reported of sale of Panjis to foreign agencies [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1848092.cms] . The recent Saurath sabhas are all but deserted [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/574951.cms] . Increasingly, people are looking forward to more modern methods of match making like internet, rather than centuries old palm leaves.

Books on Panji System

*Maithili Karna Kayasthak Panjik Sarvekshan, by Binod Bihari Verma
*Maithil Brāhamano ki Pañji Vyavasthā (Hindi), by Pt Ramānāth Jhā, published by Granthālaya, Darbhangā.

References

External links

* [http://discoverbihar.bih.nic.in/pages/maithili_culture.htm Bihar government site about Mithila including Panjikars]
* [http://www.historycooperative.org/journals/ahr/110.5/chatterjee.html A history of Panji system in North India]
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1848092.cms Times Of India article on Brahmins Panjis]
* [http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0026-749X(1988)22%3A4%3C757%3ARARINB%3E2.0.CO%3B2-%23 JSTOR article on the usage of Panjis on Mithila and Bengal]
* [http://cc.1asphost.com/mithila/genealogies.asp A detailed look at the panji system]
* [http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/574951.cms Times of India article on Saurath Sabha in Madhubani]
* [http://www.anthrosource.net/doi/abs/10.1525/var.2006.22.2.5 Kinship ritual and visual imagery in Mithila]
* [http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/charcoal/49/panjik_sarvekshan.htm Review of the book 'Panjik Sarvekshan']