MAITHIL BRAHMAN

caste of Brahmans in Bihar, India (the area of the ancient kingdom of Mithila), well known for their orthodoxy and interest in learning. The names of these Brahmans are usually followed by the appellation Misra; many great scholars have been members of this caste, notably Vacaspati Misra (9th century). They have no further endogamous divisions but observe a complicated pattern of marriage among five hierarchically ordered groups, each of which may take a wife from the group below it.