Chhetri

Kshatriya caste of patrilineal Khas-Aryan descent

"Kshetriya" redirects here. For military and ruling class in Hinduism, see Kshatriya.

Ethnic group

Chhetri/Kshetri

क्षेत्री/खस

Portrait of a Chhetri 'Queen Tripurasundari of Nepal', who ruled the country as a Queen regent in the 19th century

Regions with significant populations
Nepal| 4,796,995 (16.4% of Nepal's population) (2021)[1]
Languages
Nepali (Khas-Kura), Dotyali[2]
Religion
Hinduism 99.25% (2011), Christianity 0.6% (2011)[3]
Related ethnic groups
Bahun, Thakuri, Kumaoni, Magar, Other Indo-Aryan peoples

Chhetri (Kshetri, Kshettri, Kshetry or Chhettri), (Nepali: क्षेत्री pronounced [tsʰetri]; IAST: Kṣetrī) historically called Kshettriya or Kshetriya or Khas are Nepali speaking Rajputs of Khas community, some of whom trace their origin to migration from medieval India.[4][5] Chhetri was a caste of administrators, governor and military elites in the medieval Khas Kingdom and Gorkha Kingdom (later unified Kingdom of Nepal).[6] The nobility of the Gorkha Kingdom mainly originated from Chhetri families. They also had a strong presence in civil administration affairs.[7] The bulk of prime ministers of Nepal before the democratization of Nepal belonged to this caste as a result of the old Gorkhali aristocracy. Gorkha-based aristocratic Chhetri families included the Pande dynasty, the Basnyat dynasty, the Kunwar family, and the Thapa dynasty, (Rana dynasty and other Kunwars).

Khas Chhetris were traditionally considered a division of the Khas people with Khas Brahmin (commonly called Khas Bahun).[8] They make up 16.45% of Nepal's population according to the 2021 Nepal census, making them the most populous caste or ethnic community in Nepal.[9] Chhetris speak an Indo-Aryan Nepali language (Khas-Kura) as mother tongue.[2][4]

## Etymology and background

[edit]

Chhetri is considered a direct derivative of the Sanskrit word Kshatriya.[10][11] According to the 1854 Legal Code (Muluki Ain) of Nepal, Chhetris are a social group among the sacred thread bearers (Tagadhari) and twice-born people of the Hindu tradition.[12][13] Almost all Chhetris are Hindu.[14]

## The family occupation of Chhetris

[edit]

Bhimsen Thapa, Prime Minister and de-facto ruler of Nepal from 1806 to 1837

The caste system of Nepal was decided according to the occupation they did from the ancestors of their family, known as Dharma (Devanagari:धर्म). The family occupation of Brahmin was Guru or the spiritual leader in Hinduism whereas that of Chhetri was military and political leaders. Hence, the majority of military and politicians are occupied by Chhetris until now. [note 1]

## History

[edit]

Jang Bahadur Rana, ruler of Nepal and a patriarch of historical Rana dynasty (1846-1951) Portrait of Prime Minister Kalu Pande wearing Khukuri, a Pande Chhetri aristocrat; Kaji (Prime Minister and Army Chief) of Gorkha Kingdom.

They are thought to be connected to the Khasas mentioned in the ancient Indian literature and the medieval Khasa kingdom.[15]

In the early modern history of Nepal, Chhetris played a key role in the Unification of Nepal, providing the core of the Gorkhali army of the mid-18th century.[16] Bir Bhadra Thapa was a Thapa of Chhetri group[17] and leading Bharadar during Unification of Nepal.[18] His grandson Bhimsen Thapa became Mukhtiyar (Prime Minister) of Nepal.[18] Swarup Singh Karki, a leading politician and military officer, belonged to Chhetri family.[19] Abhiman Singh Basnyat of Basnyat dynasty and Damodar Pande of Pande dynasty were both members of Chhetri caste.[20] Jung Bahadur Rana, founder of Rana dynasty also belonged to the Chhetri community.[21]

During the monarchy, Chhetris continued to dominate the ranks of the Nepalese government, Nepalese Army, Nepalese Police and administration.[16]

### Chhetri noble families

[edit]

Prime Minister Abhiman Singh Basnyat, a Basnyat Kshetri Mulkaji

The most prominent feature of Nepalese Chhetri society has been the ruling Shah dynasty (1768–2008)[note 2], the Rana Prime Ministers (1846–1953), Pande family, Thapa family, Basnyat family,.[7] that marginalized the monarchy, and the Chhetri presence in the armed forces, police, and Government of Nepal. In traditional and administrative professions, Chhetris were given favorable treatment by the royal government.[23][24]

### Chhetri and premiership

[edit]

The nobility of Gorkha were mainly from Chhetri families and they had a strong presence in civil administration affairs.[7] All of the Prime Minister of Nepal between 1768 and 1950 were Chhetris with the exception of Ranga Nath Poudyal, being a Brahmin.[25] These number varied after the democratization of Nepal. Between 1951 and 1997, out of the 16 Prime Ministers of Nepal, 5 of them were Chhetris.[26]

Chhetri Premiers of Nepal  S.N.  | Name  | Took office  | Left Office  | Notes

|
|
|
|

1  | Vamsharaj Pande | 1776  | 1779  | again from 1782-1785
2  | Swarup Singh Karki | 1776  | 1777  |
3  | Abhiman Singh Basnyat | 1785  | 1794  |
4  | Kirtiman Singh Basnyat | 1794  | 1801  |
5  | Bakhtawar Singh Basnyat | 1801  | 1803  |
6  | Damodar Pande | 1803  | 1803  |
7  | Bhimsen Thapa | 1806  | 1837  |
8  | Rana Jang Pande | 1837  | 1837  | again from 1839-1840
9  | Fateh Jung Shah | 1840  | 1843  | again from 1845-1846
10  | Mathabar Singh Thapa | 1843  | 1845  |
11  | Jung Bahadur Rana | 1846  | 1856  | again from 1857-1877
12  | Bam Bahadur Kunwar | 1856  | 1857  |
13  | Krishna Bahadur Kunwar Rana | 1857  | 1857  |
14  | Ranodip Singh Kunwar | 1877  | 1885  |
15  | Bir Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1885  | 1901  |
16  | Dev Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1901  | 1901  |
17  | Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1901  | 1929  |
18  | Bhim Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1929  | 1932  |
19  | Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1932  | 1945  |
20  | Padma Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1945  | 1948  |
21  | Mohan Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1948  | 1951  |
22  | Surya Bahadur Thapa | 1955  | 1955  | again from 1963-1964;

1965-1969, 1979-1983, 1997-1998, 2003-2004

23  | Kunwar Indrajit Singh | 1957  | 1958  |
24  | Subarna Shamsher Rana | 1958  | 1959  |
25  | Kirti Nidhi Bista | 1969  | 1970  | again from 1971-1973;

1977-1979

26  | Lokendra Bahadur Chand | 1983  | 1986  | again from 1990-1990;

1977-1977, 2002-2003,

27  | Sher Bahadur Deuba | 1995  | 1997  | again from 2001-2002;

2004-2005, 2017-2018, 2021-2022,

## Military achievements

[edit]

Portrait of King Prithivi Narayan Shah, founder of modern Nepal, consulting with army chief Shivaram Singh Basnyat Bir Shamsher JBR, a Rana Kshetri Maharaja and Prime Minister

Chhetri had dominated high military positions and monopolized the military force at the times of Chhetri autocratic administrators like PM Bhimsen Thapa and PM Jung Bahadur Rana. There were 12 Basnyats, 16 Pandes, 6 Thapas and 3 Kunwar officers totalling to 51 Chhetri officers in the year 1841 A.D.[21] The most prominent officers at Shah administration were the Kazis which had control over civil and military functions like a Minister and Military officer combined. Rana Jang Pande, the leader of Pande faction, was the Prime Minister of Nepal in 1841 A.D.[27] which might have caused large Pande officers at 1841. After the rise Rana dynasty(Kunwars), the number changed to 10 Basnyats, 1 Pandes, 3 Thapas and 26 Kunwar officers totaling to 61 Chhetri officers in the year 1854 A.D.[21]Chhetris dominated the position of the senior officers of the Nepali Army comprising 74.4% of total senior officers in 1967. Similarly, Chhetris composed 38.1%, 54.3% and 55.3% of the senior officers in the year 2003, 2004 and 2007 respectively.[28]

Late Queen Aishwarya of Nepal was from Rana Chhetri family Former Chief of Nepalese Army, Rajendra Chhetri Chhetri Heads of Nepalese Army (18-21st Century)  S.N.  | Name  | Office

|
|

1  | Shivaram Singh Basnyat | 1743-1747
2  | Vamshidhar "Kalu" Pande | 1747-1757
3  | Vamsharaj Pande | NA-1785
4  | Abhiman Singh Basnyat | NA-1794
5  | Damodar Pande | NA-1804
6  | Bhimsen Thapa | 1811-1837
7  | Rana Jang Pande | 1837-1837
8  | Chautariya Pushkar Shah | 1838-1839
9  | Mathabar Singh Thapa | 1843-1845
10  | Jung Bahadur Rana | 1846-1856
11  | Bam Bahadur Kunwar | 1856-1857
12  | Krishna Bahadur Kunwar Rana | 1857-1862
13  | Ranodip Singh Kunwar | 1862-1877
14  | Jagat Shumsher Rana | 1877-1879
15  | Dhir Shumsher Kunwar Rana | 1879-1884
16  | Jit Jung Rana | 1884-1885
17  | Khadga Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1885-1887
18  | Rana Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1887-1887
19  | Dev Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1887-1901
20  | Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1901-1901
21  | Bhim Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1901-1929
22  | Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1929-1932
23  | Rudra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1932-1934
24  | Padma Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1934-1945
25  | Mohan Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1945-1948
26  | Baber Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1948-1951
27  | Kaiser Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1951-1953
28  | Kiran Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1953-1956
29  | Toran Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1956-1960
30  | Nir Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana | 1960-1965
31  | Surendra Bahadur Shah  | 1965-1970
32  | Singha Bahadur Basnyat | 1970-1975
33  | Guna Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana  | 1975-1979
34  | Singha Pratap Shah  | 1979-1983
35  | Arjun Narsingh Rana  | 1983-1987
36  | Satchit Jung Bahadur Rana | 1987-1991
37  | Gadul Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana  | 1991-1995
38  | Dharmapaal Barsingh Thapa | 1995-1999
39  | Prajwalla Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana  | 1999-2003
40  | Pyar Jung Thapa | 2003-2006
41  | Rookmangad Katawal | 2006-2009
42  | Gaurav Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana | 2012-2015
43  | Rajendra Chhetri | 2015-2018
44  | Purna Chandra Thapa | 2018-2021

## Clans & surnames

[edit]

Clans of the Chhetri include:[29]

* Adhikari
* Baniya
* Basnet
* Bisht
* Bhandari
* Bohra
* Burathoki
* Chauhan
* Gharti
* Karki
* Khadka
* Khatri
* Khulal
* Kunwar
* Mahara
* Pande/पाँडे (not to be mistaken with Brahmin Pande)
* Rana
* Raut
* Rawal
* Rayamajhi
* Rokka
* Thapa

## Demographics

[edit]

The 2011 Nepal census recorded Chhetris as the largest Hindu adherents in the nation with 4,365,113 people which is 99.3% of total Chhetri population.[30] In Nepal's hill districts the Chhetri population rises to 41% compared to 31% Brahmin and 27% other castes. This greatly exceeds the Kshatriya portion in most regions with predominantly Hindu populations.[31][32]

Women from Chhetri community during religious festival

Chhetris are largest caste group in 21 districts of Nepal as per 2001 Nepal census and 24 districts as per 2011 Nepal census. These twenty four districts are - Dhankuta district, Sankhuwasabha district, Okhaldhunga district, Udayapur district, Ramechhap district, Dolakha District, Salyan district, Surkhet district, Dailekh district, Jajarkot district, Dolpa district, Jumla district, Mugu district, Humla district, Bajura district, Bajhang district, Achham district, Doti district, Kailali district, Dadeldhura district, Baitadi district, Darchula district, Kalikot district and Kanchanpur district.[30] Among them, the district with largest Chhetri population is Kathmandu district with 347,754 (i.e. 19.9% of the total district population).[30] The literacy rate among Chhetris is 72.3% as per 2011 Nepal census.[30]

As per the Public Service Commission of Nepal, Brahmins (33.3%) and Chhetris (20.01%) were the two largest caste groups to obtain governmental jobs in the fiscal year 2017–18, even though 45% governmental seats are reserved for women, Madhesis, lower caste and tribes, and other marginalized groups.[33]

The Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal classifies the Chhetri as a subgroup within the broader social group of Hill Chhetri (together with Thakuri and Sanyasi/Dasnami).[34] At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 4,398,053 people (16.5% of the population of Nepal) were Chhetri. The frequency of Chhetri by province was as follows:

* Karnali Province (41.9%)
* Sudurpashchim Province (41.4%)
* Bagmati Province (17.1%)
* Koshi Province (14.7%)
* Lumbini Province (13.7%)
* Gandaki Province (13.3%)
* Madhesh Province (2.0%)

The frequency of Chhetri was higher than national average (16.5%) in the following districts:[35]

* Bajhang (66.6%)
* Darchula (64.6%)
* Jumla (60.4%)
* Bajura (57.8%)
* Doti (57.7%)
* Salyan (57.1%)
* Achham (55.5%)
* Western Rukum (53.9%)
* Dadeldhura (53.6%)
* Baitadi (52.1%)
* Mugu (48.9%)
* Dolpa (45.0%)
* Humla (38.9%)
* Jajarkot (38.0%)
* Dailekh (34.8%)
* Rolpa (33.9%)
* Dolakha (33.4%)
* Surkhet (31.4%)
* Kalikot (28.8%)
* Kanchanpur (28.8%)
* Ramechhap (26.8%)
* Pyuthan (24.9%)
* Dang (24.8%)
* Okhaldhunga (22.9%)
* Gulmi (22.5%)
* Udayapur (21.5%)
* Khotang (21.4%)
* Kailali (20.8%)
* Dhankuta (20.2%)
* Kathmandu (19.8%)
* Bhojpur (19.7%)
* Bhaktapur (19.6%)
* Eastern Rukum (19.2%)
* Tehrathum (19.2%)
* Lalitpur (18.8%)
* Baglung (18.6%)
* Sankhuwasabha (18.3%)
* Arghakhanchi (18.2%)
* Sindhupalchowk (18.1%)
* Parbat (17.3%)
* Myagdi (17.0%)

## Present day

[edit]

A 21st century Chhetri family

Chhetri together with Bahun and thakuri falls under Khas Arya, who are denied quota and reservations in civil services and other sectors due to their history of socio-political dominance in Nepal.[36] There are no quotas for the Khas community who fall under Bahun-Chhetri-thakuri hierarchy.[37] As per the explanation of legal provisions

of Constitution of Nepal, Khas Arya comprises the Brahmin, Kshetri, Thakur and Sanyasi (Dashnami) communities.[38] But they are allowed reservation in federal parliament and provincial legislature.[39] The European Union has been accused of direct interference, creating ethnic strife and negative discrimination towards Khas Arya due to their recommendation to remove the reservation for Khas Aryas.[40][39]

## Notable people

[edit]

* Bir Bhadra Thapa[17] and Thapa dynasty[7]
* Swarup Singh Karki[19]
* Abhiman Singh Basnyat[20] and Basnyat dynasty[7]
* Damodar Pande[20] and Pande dynasty[7]
* Jung Bahadur Rana [21] and Rana dynasty[7]
* Amar Singh Thapa (sanu)[17]
* Queen Subarna Prabha Devi[41]
* Bhimsen Thapa[17][21]
* Gagan Singh Bhandari[42]
* Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana[43]
* Sher Bahadur Thapa[44]
* Kunwar Inderjit Singh[45]
* Subarna Shamsher Rana[45]
* Surya Bahadur Thapa[45]
* Sunil Chhetri, Indian football player
* Prithvi Narayan Shah and the Shah dynasty
* Sher Bahadur Deuba
* Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh

## See also

[edit]

* Caste system in Nepal
* Ethnic groups in Nepal
* Kshatriya
* Caste system in India
* Varna (Hinduism)

## References

[edit]

### Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ The Gorkha soldiers are usually from Gurung community in Gorkha district of Nepal.
2. ^ Shah monarchs were placed among Thakuri caste instead of Chhetri.[22]

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
2. ^ a b Dhungel 1998, p. 5.
3. ^ Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Government of Nepal.
4. ^ a b Lawoti 2005, p. 91.
5. ^ Bista, Dor Bahadur (1980). People of Nepal (4 ed.). Ratna Pustak Bhandar. pp. 2–4.
6. ^ Pradhan 2012, pp. 20–21.
7. ^ a b c d e f g Pahari 1995, p. 632.
8. ^ Hitchcock 1978, pp. 116–119.
9. ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
10. ^ Burghart 1984, p. 119.
11. ^ Gurung 1996, p. 33.
12. ^ Sherchan 2001, p. 14.
13. ^ Gurung, H. (2005). Social exclusion and Maoist insurgency. Paper presented at National Dialogue Conference on ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, Kathmandu, 19–20 January 2005.
14. ^ Dhungel 1998, p. 8.
15. ^ Kumar Pradhan (1984). A History of Nepali Literature. Sahitya Akademi. p. 5.
16. ^ a b Gurung 1996, pp. 1–33, passim.
17. ^ a b c d Regmi 1995, p. 44.
18. ^ a b Pradhan 2012, p. 22.
19. ^ a b Singh 1997, p. 142.
20. ^ a b c Regmi 1975, p. 73.
21. ^ a b c d e Adhikari 2015, p. 120.
22. ^ Pahari 1995, p. 631.
23. ^ Burbank, Jon (2002). Nepal. Cultures of the World (2 ed.). Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 0-7614-1476-2.
24. ^ Bajracharya, Bhadra Ratha; Sharma, Shri Ram; Bakshi, Shiri Ram (1993). Cultural History of Nepal. Anmol Publications. pp. 286–8. ISBN 81-7041-840-2.
25. ^ Raj 1996, p. 5.
26. ^ Gurung 1998, p. 129.
27. ^ Joshi & Rose 1966, p. 27.
28. ^ Adhikari 2015, p. 123.
29. ^ Subba, Tanka Bahadur (1989). Dynamics of a hill society: Nepalis in Darjeeling and Sikkim Himalayas. Mittal Publications. ISBN 9788173041143. "Some of the Chhetri clans are Adhikari, Baniya, Basnet, Bist, Bohra, Bura or Burathoki, Gharti, Karki, Khadka, Khatri, Khulal, Mahat, Raut, Rana, Roka, Thapa, etc."
30. ^ a b c d "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
31. ^ Dahal, Dilli Ram (2002-12-30). "Chapter 3. Social composition of the Population: Caste/Ethnicity and Religion in Nepal" (PDF). Government of Nepal, Central Bureau of Statistics. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-19. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
32. ^ "Nepal in Figures 2008" (PDF). Government of Nepal, Central Bureau of Statistics. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2011-04-03.
33. ^ "Brahmins and Chhetris land most government jobs".
34. ^ Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II
35. ^ "2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2023-03-14. Retrieved 2023-04-07.
36. ^ "Khas Arya quota provision in civil services opposed". thehimalayantimes.com. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
37. ^ Aryal, Trailokya Raj (24 May 2017). "The Bahun narrative". Myrepublica.
38. ^ "Nepal-India Relations: Need for Urgent Paradigm Shift - Mainstream Weekly". www.mainstreamweekly.net. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
39. ^ a b "Next Door Nepal: The nationalist's hour". indianexpress.com. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
40. ^ Rai, Om Astha. "Hail to the chiefs". www.nepalitimes.com. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
41. ^ Pradhan 2012, p. 12.
42. ^ Shaha 1990, p. 201.
43. ^ Yadav, P. (2016). Social Transformation in Post-conflict Nepal: A Gender Perspective. Taylor & Francis. p. 39\. ISBN 9781317353904.
44. ^ Choudhuri, Poynder & Stevens 1984, p. 147.
45. ^ a b c Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (1980), Journal of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies, vol. 14, Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies

### Sources

[edit]

* Adhikari, Indra (2015), Military and Democracy in Nepal, Routledge, ISBN 9781317589068
* Burghart, Richard (1984), "The Formation of the Concept of Nation-State in Nepal", The Journal of Asian Studies, 44 (1): 101–125, doi:10.2307/2056748, JSTOR 2056748, S2CID 154584368
* Choudhuri, P.; Poynder, F. S.; Stevens, Lt. Col. (1984), 9 Gurkha Rifles: a regimental history, 1817-1947, vol. 4, Vision Books
* Dhungel, Dwarika Nath (1998), Contemporary Nepal, Vikas, ISBN 9788125904113
* Gurung, Harka B. (1996). Faces of Nepal. Himal Books. ISBN 9789993343509.
* Gurung, Harka B. (1998), Nepal: Social Demography and Expressions, New Era, ISBN 9780785574422
* Hitchcock, John T. (1978), "An Additional Perspective on the Nepali Caste System", in Fisher, James F. (ed.), Himalayan Anthropology: The Indo-Tibetan Interface, Walter de Gruyter, ISBN 978-90-279-7700-7
* Joshi, Bhuwan Lal; Rose, Leo E. (1966), Democratic Innovations in Nepal: A Case Study of Political Acculturation, University of California Press, p. 551
* Lawoti, Mahendra (2005), Towards A Democratic Nepal: Inclusive Political Institutions for a Multicultural Society, SAGE publications India, ISBN 9788132103431
* Pahari, Anup (1995), The Origins, Growth and Dissolution of Feudalism in Nepal: A Contribution to the Debate on Feudalism in Non-European Societies, vol. 4, University of Wisconsin--Madison
* Pradhan, Kumar L. (2012), Thapa Politics in Nepal: With Special Reference to Bhim Sen Thapa, 1806–1839, New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, p. 278, ISBN 9788180698132
* Raj, Prakash A. (1996), Brahmins of Nepal, Nabeen Publications, ISBN 9780785573661
* Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (1995), Kings and political leaders of the Gorkhali Empire, 1768-1814, Orient Longman, ISBN 9788125005117
* Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (1975), Regmi Research Series, vol. 7, Regmi Research Centre
* Shaha, Rishikesh (1990), 1769-1885, Manohar, ISBN 9788185425030
* Singh, Nagendra Kr (1997), Nepal: Refugee to Ruler: A Militant Race of Nepal, APH Publishing, p. 142, ISBN 9788170248477
* Sherchan, Sanjaya (2001), Democracy, pluralism and change: an inquiry in the Nepalese context, Chhye Pahuppe, ISBN 9789993354390

## Further reading

[edit]

* Debra Skinner; et al. (1998), Selves in time and place: Identities, Experience and History in Nepal, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, ISBN 978-1-46171-142-1
* Lall, Keshar (1987), Nepalese Language, Folklore and Practices for Foreigners, Himalayan Book Centre
* Jain, Danesh; Cardona, George (2007), Indo-Aryan languages, Routledge, ISBN 9781135797119
* Negi, S. S. (2002), Discovering the Himalaya, Indus Publishing House, ISBN 978-8-17387-079-8

* v
* t
* e

Ethnic groups in Nepal by language family

Sino-Tibetan
(Trans-Himalayan)|

| Tibetic|

* Darchula Bhotiya
* Bhotiya
* Sherpa
* Hyolmo
* Jirel
* Nepalese Central Tibetic
* Central Tibetans
* Kachee

|

Kiranti|

* Western Rai
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* Khambu Rai
* Kulung
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* Eastern Rai
* Lohorung
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* Limbu (Yakthung)

Tamangic|

* Chhantyal
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* Thakali
* Kaike Magar

* Newaric
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* Nepal portal

Indo-Aryan|

| Pahari|

* Khas
* Jumli-speakers
* Palpali-speakers
* Gorkhali-speakers (standard Nepali dialect)
* Kumaunis
* Kashmiris

|

Madheshi|

* Maithil
* Maithil Brahmin
* Yadav
* Kayastha
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* Eastern Majhi
* Bajji
* Malla
* Anga

Newars|

*     * Over 25 distinct castes, major being Shresthas, Chathariya, Jyapu, Vajracharya, Rajopadhyaya Brahmins, Chitrakar, Khadgi, Manandhar, Dhobi, Pode, Ranjitkar, Mali, etc.
* Newar Muslim

Indian Madheshi|

* Indian Maithil
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* Bajjika
* etc.
* Awadhi
* other Madheshi
* H
* U

* Kumal
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* Miyan

Indo-Aryan
of a distinct origin|

* Danuar Rai
* Bote
* Western Majhi
* Darai
* Tharu
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* Rajbanshi
* Kisan of Oraon Sadri
* Kushbadiya (Guhari)

Other peoples (M, D, i)
of Indus-Ganga|

* Kusunda
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* Jangad/Dhangad/Uraun
* Kisan

Immigrants|

* Korean
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Other basis|

| By geography|

* Mountain people (Buddhist/Animism)
* Hill people (Eastern Paharis and Newars, Buddhist
* Kirati (East, mostly Mundhum)
* Terai (Madheshi, Tharu, Danuwar and Dhimal) (Lowland)
* Western Nepal (Hindu dominant)
* Nepali Muslim (South)

|

By law|

* Janajati
* Madheshi Janajati

Misc|

* Adivasi
* Simantakrit

By caste|

* Kshetri
* Bahun
* Thakuri
* Rajopadhyaya
* Shresthas
* Jyapu
* Vajracharya
* Pulami
* Kami
* Damai/Dholi
* Rajdhoves
* Sarki
* Unspecified Dalit
* Kalwar
* Dhobi
* Mali
* Gaine/Gandarbha

* v
* t
* e

* Social class

* Status
* Stratum
* Economic classes

| Theories|

* Elite theory
* Gilbert model
* Marxian
* Mudsill theory
* New class
* Spoon class theory
* Weberian (three-component)

|

Related​ topics|

* Caste
* Chattering classes
* Class conflict
* Class discrimination
* Class society
* Class traitor
* Classicide
* Classless society
* Euthenics
* Nouveau riche / Parvenu
* Poverty
* Ranked society
* Snobbery
* Social cleansing
* Social exclusion
* Social mobility
* Social orphan
* Social position
* Social stigma
* Subaltern

By demographic

| By status|

* Administrative detainee
* Alien
* illegal immigrant
* refugee
* Citizen
* dual or multiple
* native-born
* naturalized
* second-class
* Clique
* adolescent
* Convicted
* Migrant worker
* Political prisoner
* Stateless

|

By "collar"|

* Blue
* Green
* Grey
* New
* Pink
* White

By type|

| Ruling|

* Aristocracy
* Aristoi
* Hanseaten
* Magnate
* Oligarchy
* Russian
* Patrician
* Ancient Rome
* Post-Roman
* Political
* Family
* List
* Hereditary
* Royal family

|

Intellectual|

* Clergy
* Priest
* Knowledge worker
* Professor
* Scholar

Warrior|

* Chhetri
* Cossacks
* Cuāuh
* Harii
* Hashashin
* Knight
* Kshatriya
* Nair
* Ocēlōtl
* Pendekar
* Samurai
* Spartiate
* Vanniyar/Vanniar (Chieftain)

Upper|

* Business magnate
* Elite
* Gentry
* Lord
* Nobility
* Petty
* Old money
* Overclass
* Robber baron
* Seigneur
* Superclass

Creative|

* Bohemians

Middle|

* Bourgeoisie
* Petite
* Burgher
* Lower middle class
* Upper middle class

Working|

* Lazzaroni
* Lumpenproletariat
* Precariat
* Proletariat
* Working poor

Under|

* Ant tribe
* Commoner
* Outcast
* Outlaw / Prisoner
* Peasant / Serf
* Plebeian
* Rat tribe
* Slave / Freedman
* Untouchable

By country or region

| United States|

* Affluence
* American Dream
* History
* Mobility

Classes|

* Upper
* Black
* Donor
* Gentry
* Middle
* Black
* Mexican-American
* Upper Middle
* Underprivileged
* Lower
* Under

Income|

* Household
* Inequality
* Personal
* Poverty

Standard of living|

* Education
* Homelessness
* Home-ownership

Other regions​ or countries|

* Africa
* Belize
* Cambodia
* China
* Colombia
* France
* Haiti
* India
* Iran
* Italy
* Luxembourg
* Nepal
* New Zealand
* Nigeria
* Romania
* Sri Lanka
* Tibet
* United Kingdom
* United States

Historic|

* 18th-century Spain
* Ancient Greece
* Ancient Rome
* Aztec
* Ottoman Empire
* Pre-industrial East Asia
* Pre-industrial Europe
* Soviet Union

* Category

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