The Tirhuta Script

Level 6Sounds Like tirahutā lipi

Tirhuta is the old script of Maithili, now seen on signs and in manuscripts.

How It Works

For centuries, Maithili was written in a script of its own. It is called Tirhuta (तिरहुता) or मिथिलाक्षर, "the letters of Mithila". Another script, Kaithi, was used for records and letters.

ScriptWhere you see it
Tirhuta (मिथिलाक्षर)old manuscripts, signs, cultural events
Devanagaribooks, news, schools, phones
  • Tirhuta is related to other Indian scripts and has similar letter shapes and sounds.
  • Modern Maithili is taught and printed in Devanagari.
  • Some places put signs in both scripts as a mark of heritage.

This course teaches Devanagari. If you want to read old manuscripts, you can learn Tirhuta later; the sounds are the same as in the language you already know.

Examples (4)

  1. मिथिलाक्षर मैथिलीक पुरान लिपि अछि।

    Mithilakshar is the old script of Maithili.

    मिथिलाक्षर is another name for Tirhuta.

  2. पुरान पोथी मे तिरहुता लिपि भेटैत अछि।

    Tirhuta script is found in old manuscripts.

    पोथी means a manuscript or book.

  3. आब स्कूल मे देवनागरी लिपि पढ़ाओल जाइत अछि।

    Now the Devanagari script is taught in school.

    The passive पढ़ाओल जाइत अछि names what is taught.

  4. किछु संकेत पर मिथिलाक्षर सेहो लिखल अछि।

    Mithilakshar is also written on some signs.

    सेहो adds the older script to the usual one.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

The Tirhuta ScriptLevel 6

Learn This First

Tirhuta is the older script, set beside the Devanagari that learners already read.