The legend of Mithila extends over many centuries. Both Gautama Budha and Vardamana Mahavira are said to have lived in Mithila. Also, it formed the centre of Indian history during the first millennium, and has contributed to various literary and scriptural works. The dialect spoken in Mithila is Maithili. This dialect is categorised under the Bihari subset of the numerous dialects of Hindi, the most prevalently spoken language in India.
The most important reference to Mithila is in the Hindu epic,Ramayana where Lord Rama's wife Sita is said to have been the princess of the land, born to King Janaka, who ruled Mithila from Janakpuri