Thakuri

Thakuri
ठकुरी
Regions with significant populations
Nepal	494,470 (1.7% of Nepal's population)
Languages
	Nepali
Religion
	Hinduism 99.20% (2011), Christianity 0.54% (2011)

The Thakuri (Nepali: ठकुरी) is a Royal caste (Ruler title in the past) forming the core of the ruling class in Nepal. This term is a Nepali adaptation of the Indian title Thakur, which translates to 'master of the estate'. The term denotes the royal descendants of kings of Khasa Kingdom, Gandaki kingdom and the Kingdom of Nepal.^[3]

During the height of their influence, the Thakuri caste played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of Nepal. They held positions of authority and governance, contributing to the administration and stability of the region. Their lineage was highly regarded, and they were often sought after for leadership roles within the kingdom.

Notably, members of the Shah dynasty, which ruled Nepal for centuries, were descendants of the Thakuri caste from Chaubisi. The Shah dynasty's royal family held significant sway over Nepalese affairs, guiding the nation through various periods of prosperity and turmoil.

Through their connections to both the Khasa Malla kingdom and Magarat lineage, the Thakuris forged a legacy deeply rooted in Nepalese history. Their contributions to politics, culture, and society continue to be remembered and celebrated, reflecting their enduring impact on the nation.

Etymology

Nepali sociologist Harka Bahadur Gurung noted that the Thakuri is the Nepalese version of the Hindi word Thakur which means 'master of the estate'.^[4] Thakuris of Nepal are also associated with some territory inherited from the days of Baisi and Chaubisi principalities and the term Thakurai actually refers to 'fiefdom'.^[4]

Origins

There are misconceptions that Thakuris are a sub-caste of Chhetris. This is wrong, as the term Chhettris itself is a modern invention by the Chhetri prime minister Jang Bahadur Rana, who wanted to elevate himself and his kinsmen by changing the traditional term Khas to Chhetri, and who, incidentally, faked a royal origin for himself. The oldest texts available refer to Chhetris as 'Khasa' and Thakuris as Thakuris or Thakurs.^[5] It is, however, undeniable that a lot of Thakuris and Chhetris do hail from the same roots, a few centuries before the Baise_Rajya era.

Thakuri come from diverse. In the Karnali and Sudurpaschim, Thakuris were mainly represented by powerful rulers from the Khas Malla kingdom, also known as the Khasa Kingdom, and the Chand kings who hailed from Kumaon Garhwal. These rulers expanded their kingdoms into areas like Bajhang and Darchula. The Karnali region, historically, was marked by influential kingdoms, especially the mighty Malla kingdom (or Khasa Kingdom), which held sway over a significant part of Gandaki Province. In specific places like the Kingdom of Bajhang, Bajura, and nearby areas, both Singh and Chand kings played crucial roles, extending their influence and establishing themselves as rulers in various parts of Sudurpashchim Province and the Karnali Province.

Additionally, there's a notable presence of other Thakuri sub-castes such as Shahi, Shah, Bam, Malla, singh, Chand and many more in these regions.

Meanwhile, in the Gandaki province (Anchal), there are Thakuri sub-castes like Sen, Malla Banshi/bamshi, Khand, and Shah/Shahi, and many more. Rulers in Gandaki region especially Magars rulers declared themself 'Thakuri' and changed their surnames to Thakuri, adopting names like Khand, (Shah of Gorkha) including (Sen Magar) who were ruler and many more.^[6] Both Magar and Khand Thakuri community worship kuldeuta or Kul-puja (ancestor worship) in Alamdevi Temple (Nepal's former Shah Kings' mother Goddess or family deity) in Syangja District where a Magar priest (Maski-Rana Magar) is mandated for worship.^[7]

Historically, they ruled over certain areas in the Baise regions, like Bajhang and nearby areas in the Baise Rajya. The debate over the attribution of Rajput descent has engaged historians, with some suggesting political motives behind such claims made by ruling families in Nepal. Mahesh Chandra Regmi highlights a historical trend where Nepalese ruling dynasties attempt to link their lineage with renowned Indian dynasties. This trend is exemplified by Thakuri Shah rulers, like King Ram Shah, who sought recognition of kinship relations with the Ranas of Udaypur.

Society

Various Thakuri sub-castes, such as Sen Banshi/Bamshi, Khand, Uchhai, Shah, Shahi are specifically prevalent in the Gandaki region. On the other hand, sub-castes like Chand, Shahi, Bam, Singh, and Pal are prominently found mainly in the Karnali region, indicating proximity to the historical Khasa Kingdom.^[8]

Demographics

Thakuris constitute the aristocracy and possess the high social, ritual and political status.^[9] Thakuris are politically and socially ahead of others.^[9] Traditionally, the Thakuris' main occupations involved government, agriculture and military.^[8] They traditionally constituted the ruling and warrior classes,^[10] and, except royal posts, share other administrative and military posts with the Chhetris.

Most of the Thakuris are agriculturalists in Western Nepal except few aristrocratic families in the capital city, and hence lack actual financial or political power.^[11]

The frequency of Thakuri was higher than national average (1.6%) in the following districts:^[12]

Kalikot (25.1%)
Humla (19.8%)
Jajarkot (16.8%)
Mugu (15.4%)
Dailekh (14.1%)
Jumla (7.4%)
Baitadi (6.8%)
Dolpa (6.4%)
Kanchanpur (5.6%)
Bajura (5.2%)
Western Rukum (5.0%)
Bajhang (4.9%)
Darchula (4.9%)
Surkhet (4.6%)
Kailali (3.9%)
Banke (3.6%)
Doti (3.5%)
Salyan (3.5%)
Achham (2.5%)
Dadeldhura (2.5%)
Parbat (2.5%)
Syangja (2.5%)
Bardiya (2.3%)
Tanahun (2.3%)
Myagdi (2.0%)
Nawalpur (1.8%)

Thakuri family and dynasties

The ruling Shah dynasty of Gorkha Kingdom and other dynasties such as the Malla dynasty from Galkot later Kingdom of Nepal are ranked among Thakuris.^[9]

Notable Thakuri surnames

In alphabetical order, the commonly known Thakuri surnames are:^[13]^[14]^[5]

Bam
Chand
Hamal
Khand
Malla
Pal
Sen
Shah^[15]
Shahi
Kalel/Kalyal (Shahi) ^[16]
Singh
Thakuri
Simha

Of these, Chand, Bam, Malla, and Pal are also associated with Kumaon/Kuramanchal kingdom.

Note: Hamal are the offspring of a Thakuri and an Upadhyaya Brahmin

References

^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
^ Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Government of Nepal.
^ "Brahman and Chhetri of Nepal | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2024-09-01.
^ ^a ^b Gurung 1996, p. 29.
^ ^a ^b Hodgson, Brian (May 1833). "Origin and Classification of the Military Tribes of Nepal". Journal of the Asiatic Society. 17: 223.
^ Francis Buchanan-Hamilton (1819). "An Account Of The Kingdom Of Nepal and the Territories Annexed to this Dominion by the House of Gorkha". A. Constable - Edinburgh and London, UK.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^ Marie Lecomte-Tilouine (Senior Researcher, Social Anthropology) scientifique (CNRS), France. "The Enigmatic Pig: On Magar Participation in the State Rituals of Nepal, pp. 81-120 in M. Lecomte-Tilouine: Hindu Kingship, Ethnic Revival and Maoist Rebellion in Nepal. Delhi: Oxford University Press, "Collected Essays", 2009, 294 p". Oxford University Press.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^ ^a ^b Dharam Vir 1988, pp. 56–57.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Dharam Vir 1988, p. 56.
^ Dharam Vir 1988, p. 57.
^ "Population Monograph v02" (PDF). UNFPA Nepal. 2014. [archive.is/heGCi Archived] from the original on 2024-09-02. Retrieved 2024-09-02. {{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)
^ 2011 Nepal Census, District Level Detail Report
^ Vanisttart, Eden (1896). Notes on Nepal. Asian Educational Services. pp. 80-81.
^ Adhikary, Surya (1988). The Khasa Kingdom : A Trans-Himalayana Empire of the Middle Age. Jayapur, New Delhi: Nirala Publications. p. 19. ISBN 978-8185693026.
^ Distinct from Sah/Shah (Merchant or Teli caste of Terai, as in Balen Shah) and Shah caste in Kumaon region in Uttarakhand State of India
^ Type of Shahi , originally from Karnali(Jumla) region, migrated to Doti and now can be found in Doti/Kailali