History of the Caste System in Nepal
Long ago, the people in what we now call northern Nepal had different beliefs than the rest of Nepal. Unlike most Nepalis who followed Hinduism and its caste system, these people worshipped nature, spirits, and their ancestors. Their beliefs were similar to those of people in Tibet. Even groups like the Khas and Parbatiya, who later became Hindus, used to have their own special beliefs about nature spirits.
The Hindu caste system as we know it today was formally established in the Kathmandu Valley around the 5th century AD. However, things changed a lot in Nepal around the year 1300. A king named Jayasthiti Malla was in charge, and lots of people from India came to live in Nepal. They brought their own ideas, and that’s when the caste system became really strong. People were divided into different groups based on their families, not what they could do.
Furthermore, when King Prithvi Narayan Shah unified Nepal in the 18th century, the caste system became more deep-rooted. The Shah rulers of that period used it as a tool for social control and assigning specific roles and responsibilities to different castes. During this time, the Chetris emerged as a powerful warrior caste and often held positions of authority in the society and kingdom.
The Rana dynasty (1846-1951) further made the caste system more strict by establishing discriminatory laws in the Muluki Ain, particularly for Dalits, who were the main victims of severe oppression and exploitation.
Even though Nepal abolished the Hindusim caste system in 1963, it still causes problems today, mainly in rural areas. Even though there are laws against it, there are people still there facing such discrimination because of their caste.
Challenges of the Caste System in Nepal
The Nepalese Government officially abolished the Hindu caste system in Nepal in 1963. However, it still significantly affects the country. That’s why one of the biggest challenges Nepali society faces is the ongoing discrimination against the lower caste groups. Although there are laws for minority castes that talk about their rights and protection, they still face social exploitation and prejudice. Sectors like education, healthcare, employment, and government have high discrimination rates.
Most rural areas of Nepal have a deeply rooted caste system. Because of this, traditional hierarchies and power structures keep caste-based discrimination alive. Inter-caste marriages are rare, resulting in maintaining inequality. Additionally, a lack of awareness about the negative impacts of caste discrimination slows down the process of handling caste-related issues.
Economic differences are closely linked to the caste system. Consequently, Dalits are among the poorest ethnic groups as they have limited access to land and resources. Being poor makes life even harder for people at the bottom of the caste system. They have low-paying jobs because of their family backgrounds.
To fix this, Nepal needs a comprehensive plan that should include laws against unfair treatment, education about the problem, help for people from lower castes to get better lives, and encouragement for people from different castes to work together. Hence, fixing the caste system issues is important to make Nepal a fair place for everyone.
Ethnic Groups In Nepal
Nepal is a multi-ethnic nation with a diverse range of ethnic groups from Mechi in the east, Mahakali in the west, the Terai in the south, and the Himalayas in the north. It is home to various ethnic groups who speak different languages. There are 128 languages across Nepal, and most of these languages belong to two main groups: Indo-European and Sino-Tibetan.
People who speak Indo-European languages include Nepali, Bhojpuri, Tharu, and Maithili. They make up the largest part of the population with nearly 82.1%, while people who speak Sino-Tibetan languages, such as Tamang, Newari, and Magar, make up 17.3% of the population. Nonetheless, these languages are crucial to understanding who they are and where they come from.
Four Major Ethnic Groups In Nepal
Brahmins
Brahmins are a special group in Hinduism and are the purest among the four varnas in Nepal. They are seen as the top of the social ladder and are usually the ones who lead religious matters. For a long time, Brahmins kept the important Vedic knowledge alive and taught it to others. They perform religious ceremonies and help guide people on their spiritual paths.
But Brahmins aren’t just about religion. They have also been teachers, lawyers, and even government leaders. Even though the old rules about social classes aren’t as strong now, people still look up to Brahmins as wise spiritual teachers.
Kshatriyas
Kshatriyas were like the warriors and rulers of old in Hinduism. They were kings or leaders who protected everyone. People looked up to them as brave and strong. They were like the heroes in old stories. In ancient times, people often saw the path of a Kshatriya as noble and honorable. They were brave, righteous, and benevolent. Many legendary Hindu figures, such as the Pandavas and Kauravas from the Mahabharata, were Kshatriyas.
Even though things have changed a lot since then, the concept of a Kshatriya is still important to some ethnic groups in Nepal.
Vaishyas
Vaishyas were the third social class in the Hindu caste system in Nepal. They were like the business people and farmers of old in Hinduism. They grew food and made things to sell. Later on, they also started doing things like banking.
People understood that Vaishyas were really important for the economy. They made sure there was food and stuff to buy, which helped everyone. Even though they weren’t as high up as the Brahmins or Kshatriyas, they were still considered valuable members of society.
Sudras
The final group of the caste system in Nepal is Sudras. They were like the workers in the old Hindu system. Their primary occupations were farming, handicrafts, and domestic work.
Unlike the other groups, being a Sudra was something you were born into. They had no permission to read the important religious books or do the special ceremonies. Hence, this made a system where Sudras were at the bottom of society.
Dalit caste in nepal
Beyond the major four caste system in Nepal, there is an untouchable group called Dalits. In Sanskrit, Dalits means broken or oppressed people. So, historically, people saw them as impure and untouchable in Hinduism.
Life is really hard for Dalits in Nepal as they face discrimination and prejudice in almost every way. People won’t let them be part of normal life or religious things, even if they change their religion. They were in jobs that don’t pay them fairly, and everyone treated them as slaves. They also don’t get good education, health, and government services.
Dalits have several prohibitions on going to many places, like temples or even other people’s houses. Even at schools, teachers and other kids treat them badly. Even though there are laws to help them, Dalits don’t have a strong voice in the government.
If Dalits try to do something different, like marry someone from a different caste or choose a new job, people will be really mean to them and won’t talk to them anymore. And because the laws to protect them aren’t strict enough, it’s hard for Dalits to get help when bad things happen.
Finally, people belonging to Dalit groups include: Hill or mountain Dalits – Kami, Damai, Sarki, Sunar; Terai Dalits – Dhobi, Doom, Bantar, Chamar; and Newar Dalits – Kasai, Chyame, Kuche.
Major Regions of Ethnic Groups in Nepal
Himalayan/Mountains
The Himalayan region of Nepal provides shelter to several ethnic communities, and each of them follows their own culture, traditions, language, and lifestyle.
Here are some of the interesting groups you might find:
Sherpas: These folks are famous for climbing mountains, especially Everest. They live in close-knit communities and follow Buddhism.
Tamangs: Another group with roots in Tibet, Tamangs live in various parts of Nepal. They have a rich history of art and traditions and have adapted to living high in the mountains
.Gurungs and Magars: Mainly residing in western Nepal. These groups have some similar traditions with those of Tibetan origin but have their own unique identities. They are well-known for their bravery, fighting skills, and traditional songs and dances.
Limbus, Rais, and Sunwars: Living mainly in the eastern Himalayas, these groups have strong traditions passed down through stories, interesting customs, and a deep connection to the natural world.
Bhutias: High up in the mountains, Bhutias share some culture with Tibetans. They raise animals and trade goods for a living.
Lepchas: Mostly found in the Sikkim state of India. Still, a small number of Lepchas also live in Nepal’s eastern mountains. They are known for beautiful crafts and growing crops.
The Hills
The hilly parts of Nepal are densely populated by two main groups. One group is the Indigenous Janajati groups, including people of Magar, Gurung, Tamang, Rai, Limbu, and Newar communities. While the other group, Indo-Aryan Groups, includes people like Brahmins, Chhetris, and Thakuri people. The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu, is a hub to many ethnic people from all over Nepal and other countries. However, the most prominent ethnic group is Newars, the original indigenous of this region.
The Terai
The Terai of Nepal is flat and fertile and is a melting pot of cultures. Over time, many people have moved to the Terai from the hills of Nepal and the neighboring plains of India. Hence, this mix of people has created a rich and diverse culture.
Here are some of the main groups living in the Terai:
Indigenous Terai People:
Tharu: Famous for their strong communities and traditional way of life. They are deeply connected to the land. Hence, they practice rituals that combine Hinduism and Animism.
Dhimal: Found mainly in the eastern Terai, Dhimals have a rich culture and have traditionally worked in farming and fishing.
Musahar: This group has faced challenges like poverty and discrimination. They used to hunt and gather for a living.
Indo-Aryan Groups:
Maithili, Bhojpuri, and Awadhi speakers: These groups share languages and customs with people in the Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. They’ve had a big impact on the Terai’s social and cultural life.
Yadav: A major caste group in the Terai, Yadavs have traditionally been farmers and landowners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Mean By 4 Jaat and 36 Barna?
Nepal is a southeast Asian country with a diverse range of cultures, races, languages, religions, and ethnicities. It is a country famous for its rich diversified unity, which has become a national identity. After the unification of Nepal, the concept of unity in diversity became popular and accepted all over Nepal. From here, the Nepali saying “4 jaat and 36 barnas” originated. It translates as Nepal is a land of four major castes and thirty-six sub-caste groups.
What is the Famous Saying of the Great Prithvi Narayan Shah Dev?
King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who brought Nepal together as one country, was a very smart leader. He once said that “ Nepal is like a beautiful garden with 4 castes and 36 Barnas”. These flowers are like the different people who live in Nepal.
What he meant was that Nepal is made up of people from many different backgrounds and cultures. All these people are important and should help each other and live together happily and peacefully.
What are the Levels of the Caste System in Nepal?
The traditional Hinduism based caste system in Nepal has four levels that include Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, and Sudras. Apart from that, there are indigenous groups and untouchable groups like Dalits.
