Maithili Literature Syllabus – UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam

The Maithili optional in the UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam is divided into two papers, with each paper carrying 250 marks. This brings the total marks allotted for the optional subject to 500.

Maithili Literature Syllabus – Civil Services Mains Exam UPSC :

UPSC Civil Services Mains Exam Optional Subject consists of 2 papers. Each paper is of 250 marks, making a total of 500 marks.
MAITHILI

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, Assamese, 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, cultural).

2. Periodic division of Maithili literature.

3. Pre-Vidyapati Literature.

4. Vidyapati and his tradition.

5. Medieval Maithili Drama (Kirtaniya Natak, Ankai 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.

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 Academy, 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

10. Varna Ratnakar – Jyotirishwar (only 2nd Kallol)

11. Khattar Kakak Tarang – Hari Mohan Jha.

12. Lorik-Vijaya-Manipadma

13. Prithvi Putra-Lalit

14. Bhaphait Chahak Jinagi-Sudhanshu ‘Shekar’ Choudhary.

15. Kirti Rajkamlak-Publisher : Maithili Academy, Patna (First Ten Stories only).

16. Katha-Sangrah-Publisher : Maithili Academy, Patna.

Useful LINKS:

1. Useful UPSC Civil Services Books
2. IAS Study Materials for Online Preparation
3. UPSC Previous Question Papers