# Madhesh Province

Madhesh Province is a province of Nepal in the Terai region with an area of 9,661 km$^2$ (3,730 sq mi) covering about 6.5% of the country's total area. It has a population of 6,126,288 as per the 2021 Nepal census, making it Nepal's most densely populated province and the smallest province by area. It borders Koshi Pradesh to the east and the north, Bagmati Province to the north, and India’s Bihar state to the south and the west. The border between Chitwan National Park and Parsa National Park acts as the provincial boundary in the west, and the Kosi River forms the provincial border in the east. The province includes eight districts, from Parsa in the west to Saptari in the east. It is a centre for religious and cultural tourism.

## Etymology

The word madhesh is thought to be derived from the Sanskrit madhya desh (मध्य देश), literally the middle country, which refers to "the central region, the country lying between the Himalaya and the Vindhya mountains". However, in the context of Nepal, Madhesh refers to the region in the Nepal Terai located south of the Siwalik Hills. Madhesh has also been defined as the cultural and linguistic space existing as a basis for identity among the people of the Terai.

## History

Madhesh Province was founded with the provisional name Province No. 2 in September 2015 in accordance with Schedule 4 of the Constitution of Nepal. It received its current name on 17 January 2022, when the provincial assembly declared Janakpur as its capital.

## Demographics

According to the 2021 Nepal census, the province has a population of 6,114,600: 3,065,751 males and 3,048,849 females. The province with 20.97% of the country's population has the second-highest population after Bagmati Province in the country, and is the densest province in the country with a density of 633 people per square kilometre.
* Yadav 15.2 (14.9%)
* Muslim 12.9 (12.7%)
* Tharu 4.9 (4.82%)
* Teli 5.3 (5.21%)
* Kushwaha 4.5 (4.42%)
* Chamar 4.4 (4.33%)
* Dhanuk 3.49 (3.43%)
* Musahar 2.9 (2.85%)
* Kurmi 3 (2.95%)
* Paswan 2.79 (2.74%)
* Hill Brahmin 2.34 (2.30%)
* Mallaah 2.26 (2.22%)
* Maithil Brahmin 2.2 (2.16%)
* Tamang 2.17 (2.13%)
* Other Madheshi 26.31 (25.9%)
* Other Khas 3.38 (3.32%)
* Other Janajati 3.03 (2.98%)
* Others 0.64 (0.63%)

### Ethnic groups

Maithils are the largest ethnolinguistic group. Yadav is the largest group among the Madhesi people in the province making up around 15.2% of the population. Muslims are the second largest group making up 12.9% of the population. Teli (5.10%), Koiri/Kushwaha (4.56%), Chamar (4.22%), Musahar (3.02%), Kurmi (2.83%), Dusadh (2.79%), Mallaah (2.26%), Maithil Brahmin (2.2%), and Karan Kayastha (1.5%) are other Madhesi pandit (8.0) groups in the province. Bahun and Chhetri are the largest Khas Arya groups in the province making up 2.34% and 1.99% of the population, respectively. Tharu (5.27%) and Dhanuk (3.49%) is the largest non-Madhesi, non-Khas Arya group followed by Tamang (2.17%).

### Languages

The Maithili language is spoken by 45.36% of the total population of the province. Bhojpuri is spoken by 18.59% and Bajjika is spoken by 14.68% of the population. Nepali is the province's official language, but is spoken as mother tongue by only 6.56% of the population. Urdu (5.88%), Tharu (3.77%), and Tamang (1.94%) are other languages spoken by a minority of the population. The Language Commission of Nepal has recommended Maithili, Bhojpuri and Bajjika as official languages of the province, and Urdu, Tharu and Tamang as additional official languages for specific regions and purposes in the province.
* Maithili (45.36%)
* Bhojpuri (18.59%)
* Bajjika (14.68%)
* Nepali (6.56%)
* Urdu (5.87%)
* Tharu (3.77%)
* Tamang (1.94%)
* Others (3.23%)

### Religion

* Hinduism (83.75%)
* Islam (12.9%)
* Buddhism (3.01%)
* other (0.34%)
Hinduism is the most followed religion in the province, being followed by 83.75% of the population. Islam is the second largest religion with 12.9% of the population being Muslims, and Buddhism is followed by 3.01% of the population.

## Geography

As per Central Bureau of Statistics, Madhesh Province covers about 9,661 km$^2$ (3,730 sq mi) of Nepal's total area of 147,516 km$^2$ (56,956 sq mi). With 6,114,600 inhabitants as of 2021, it is Nepal's second most populous province. Madhesh Province is surrounded by the Chitwan District to the west, Makwanpur District and Sindhuli District and Udayapur District to the north, Sunsari District to the east, and India to the south. The province has 574,360 ha (1,419,300 acres) of arable land, making it the country's most agriculture-dominated province. The west of the province contains part of Parsa National Park, while part of Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve lies within the east. The province is biodiverse, and is crossed by migrating elephants.
Largest cities or towns in Madhesh Province Central Bureau of Statistics :
| | Rank | | District | Pop. | Rank | | District | Pop. | |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 1 | Birgunj | Parsa | 240,922 | 11 | Bardibas | Mahottari | 66,354 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 2 | Janakpur | Dhanusha | 159,468 | 12 | Ishwarpur | Sarlahi | 59,986 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 3 | Kalaiya | Bara | 123,659 | 13 | Lalbandi | Sarlahi | 59,395 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 4 | Jeetpur Simara | Bara | 117,496 | 14 | Jaleshwor | Mahottari | 58,549 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 5 | Lahan | Siraha | 91,766 | 15 | Mahagadhimai | Bara | 54,474 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 6 | Siraha | Siraha | 82,531 | 16 | Golbazar | Siraha | 51,137 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 7 | Chandrapur | Rautahat | 72,059 | 17 | Garuda | Rautahat | 50,481 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 8 | Barahathwa | Sarlahi | 69,822 | 18 | Mirchaiya | Siraha | 50,079 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 9 | Rajbiraj | Saptari | 69,086 | 19 | Simraungadh | Bara | 49,939 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |
| Birgunj Janakpur | 10 | Gaushala | Mahottari | 66,673 | 20 | Manara Shiswa | Mahottari | 49,692 | Kalaiya Jeetpur Simara |

### Climate

Average temperatures and precipitation for selected communities in Madhesh Province :
| Location | August (°F) | August (°C) | January (°F) | January (°C) | Annual Precipitation (mm/in) |
| Gaur | 91/77.9 | 23/9.1 | 73.4/48.4 | 32.8/25.5 | 1590.2/62.6 |
| Siraha | 89.6/76.3 | 32/24.6 | 72.1/47.3 | 22.3/8.5 | 1293.1/50.9 |
| Birgunj | 84.7 | 29.3 | 60.8 | 16 | 1862.2/73.3 |
| Jaleshwar | 84.4 | 29.1 | 61.2 | 16.2 | 1492.9/58.8 |
| Malangawa | 84.4 | 29.1 | 60.8 | 16 | 1817.7/71.6 |
| Janakpur | 84.2 | 29 | 60.8 | 16 | 1516.5/59.7 |
| Rajbiraj | 83.3 | 28.5 | 60.4 | 15.8 | 1223.3/48.2 |
| Lahan | 83.3 | 28.5 | 60.3 | 15.7 | 1231.4/48.5 |

## Government and administration
### Executive

The Governor acts as the head of the province while the Chief Minister is the head of the provincial government. The present Governor and Chief Minister are Sumitra Bhandari and Satish Kumar Singh respectively.

### Legislative

The province has 107 provincial assembly constituencies and 32 constituencies.
Madhesh Province has a unicameral legislature, like all of the other provinces in Nepal. The term length of provincial assembly is five years. The Provincial Assembly of Madhesh Province is temporarily housed at the District Education Office in Janakpur.
| Party | Party | Parliamentary party leader | Seats |
| | CPN (UML) | Saroj Kumar Yadav | 25 |
| | Nepali Congress | Krishna Prasad Yadav | 22 |
| | People's Socialist Party, Nepal | Saroj Kumar Yadav | 19 |
| | Janamat Party | Mahesh Prasad Yadav | 13 |
| | Loktantrik Samajwadi Party | Abhiram Sharma | 9 |
| | CPN (Maoist Centre) | Bharat Prasad Sah | 9 |
| | CPN (Unified Socialist) | Govinda Bahadur Neupane | 7 |
| | Rastriya Prajatantra Party | | 1 |
| | Nepal Federal Socialist Party | | 1 |
| | Nagrik Unmukti Party | | 1 |
| Total | Total | | 107 |

### Judiciary

The Chief Judge of the Janakpur High Court is the head of the judiciary. The acting chief justice is Binod Sharma.

### Administrative subdivisions

Madhesh Province is divided into eight districts, which are listed below. A district is administrated by the head of the District Coordination Committee and the District Administration Officer. The districts are further divided into municipalities or rural municipalities. The municipalities include one metropolitan city, three sub-metropolitan cities, and 73 municipalities. There are 59 rural municipalities in the province.
| Name | Headquarters | Population (2011) |
| Dhanusha District | Janakpur | 754,777 |
| Sarlahi District | Malangawa | 769,729 |
| Bara District | Kalaiya | 687,708 |
| Rautahat District | Gaur | 686,722 |
| Saptari District | Rajbiraj | 639,284 |
| Siraha District | Siraha | 637,328 |
| Mahottari District | Jaleshwar | 627,580 |
| Parsa District | Birgunj | 601,017 |

## Infrastructure
### Roadways

Mahendra Highway is the major highway in the province running longitudinally across the province. The Tribhuvan Highway also crosses a part of the province and connects it to the Kathmandu Valley and India.

### Railways

Railway projects are managed by Nepal Railways. Janakpur has been proposed as the main station for the 1,024 km (636 mi) long east–west metro railway project that is planned to be extended to India and China for connecting Nepal Railways with Indian Railways and China Railway.

### Airports

Madhesh Province has three domestic airports:
* Rajbiraj Airport in Rajbiraj
* Janakpur Airport in Janakpur
* Simara Airport in Pipara Simara close to Birgunj and Kalaiya
Nijgadh International Airport is under construction.

## Culture
### Mithila Paag

The Paag is a headdress in the Mithila region of Nepal and India worn by Maithil people. It is a symbol of honour and respect and a significant part of Maithil culture. The Paag dates back to pre-historic times when it was made of plant leaves. It exists today in a modified form. The Paag is wore by the whole Maithil community. The colour of the Paag also carries a lot of significance. The red Paag is worn by the bridegroom and by those who are undergoing the sacred thread rituals. Paag of mustard colour is donned by those attending wedding ceremonies and the elders wear a white Paag.

### Paintings

Madhubani art is practiced in the Mithila region. It was traditionally created by the women of different communities of the Mithila region. This painting as a form of wall art was practiced widely throughout the region; the more recent development of painting on paper and canvas originated among the villages around Madhubani, and it is these latter developments that may correctly be referred to as Madhubani art.
Artists create these paintings using a variety of mediums, including their own fingers, or twigs, brushes, nib-pens, and matchsticks. The paint is created using natural dyes and pigments. The paintings are characterised by their eye-catching geometrical patterns.

### Cuisine

Maithil cuisine and Bhojpuri cuisine are part of Nepalese cuisine. Maithil is a culinary style which originated in Mithila while Bhojpuri cuisine originated in the Bhojpuri region. Some traditional dishes of Madhesh are:
* Curd-flattened rice
* Litti Chokha
* Vegetable of Taro
* Ghugni
* pickles made of fruits and vegetables which are generally mixed with ingredients like salt, spices, and vegetable oils and are set to mature in a moistureless medium.
* Tarua of Coccinia grandis
* Bada
* Badee
* Yogurt
* Irhar
* Pidukia (also known as Gujia) which is basically dumplings.
* Foxnut payas
* Anarsa
* Bagiya

### Dances
#### Jhijhiya

Jhijhiya is a cultural dance from the Mithila region.
Jhijhiya is mostly performed at time of Dusshera, in dedication to Durga Bhairavi, the goddess of victory. While performing jhijhiya, women put lanterns made of clay on their head and they balance it while they dance.

#### Domkach

Domkach is a folk dance performed in Mithila and Bhojpur regions of Madhesh Province.
Jat Jatin
Jat Jatin is based on folk songs of Mithila and Tharu community which they perform from Shrawan Purnima to Bhadra Purnima. It is based on the love story of hero jat and heroine Jatin and their lives.
Gauna dance
The Dance is based in Mithila Tradition and popular in Janakpur region of Nepal. This dance is performed in the religious occasions.

## Politics

As a political center of the country, Madhesh Province is home to prominent leaders like Ram Baran Yadav, Bimalendra Nidhi and Pradeep Giri from the Nepali Congress, Mahantha Thakur from Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal, Matrika Yadav from CPN (Maoist Centre) and Dharmanath Prasad Sah, Bansidhar Mishra, Ram Chandra Jha from the CPN (Unified Socialist) who have been ministers at various point of time and are still active at National level. In local level, Nepali congress remains the single largest party.

## Notable people

* Ruby Rana, First Miss Nepal
* Ram Baran Yadav, First President of Nepal
* Bimalendra Nidhi, MP and Former deputy prime minister
* CK Raut, MP of Saptari and Head of Janamat party
* Madhav Kumar Nepal, Former Prime minister
* Upendra Yadav, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister
* VTEN, Rapper from Rautahat
* Pradeep Giri, Former socialist politician
* Bina Jaiswal, Nepalese Politician, Rastriya Prajatantra party
* Aashiq Ali Mikrani, martyr of the Terai/Madhesh movement