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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Chhettri
Chhetri (Kshetri, Kshettri, Kshetry or Chhettri), (Nepali: क्षेत्री pronounced [tsʰetri]; IAST: Kṣetrī) historically called Kshettriya or Kshetriya or Khas are Nepali speaking indo-aryans historically associated with the warrior class and administration, some of whom trace their origin to migration from medieval India. Chhetri was a caste of administrators, governors, warriors and military elites in the medieval Khas Kingdom and Gorkha Kingdom (later unified Kingdom of Nepal). The nobility of the Gorkha Kingdom mainly originated from Chhetri families. They also had a strong presence in civil administration affairs. 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 their offspring branch, the autocratic Rana dynasty) and the Thapa dynasty. From 1806 to 1951, Chhetri prime ministers wielded absolute rule in the country and the monarchy was reduced to a powerless figurehead.

Khas Chhetris were traditionally considered a division of the Khas people with Khas Brahmin (commonly called Khas Bahun). 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. Chhetris speak an Indo-Aryan Nepali language (Khas-Kura) as mother tongue.

Etymology and background

Chhetri is considered a direct derivative of the Sanskrit word Kshatriya from the root kṣatra meaning "rule or authority" which was associated with the ruling and warrior class of Hindu society. According to the 1854 Legal Code (Muluki Ain) of Nepal, Chhetris were a social group among the sacred thread bearers (Tagadhari) and twice-born people of the Hindu tradition. Almost all Chhetris are Hindu.

The term 'Chhetri' was adopted by a lot of the high-ranking Khas after the unification of Nepal, and it was formalized by an order of Bir Narsingh Kunwar(Jang Bahadur Rana), who considered their original name (Khasa) to be derogatory.

The family occupation of Chhetris

Bhimsen Thapa, Prime Minister and de-facto autocratic 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 political positions have been historically occupied by Chhetris until now.

History

Jang Bahadur Rana, Premier and de-facto autocratic ruler of Nepal; also 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. 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. Bir Bhadra Thapa was a Thapa of Chhetri group and leading Bharadar during Unification of Nepal. His grandson Bhimsen Thapa became Mukhtiyar (Prime Minister) of Nepal. Swarup Singh Karki, a leading politician and military officer, belonged to Chhetri family. Abhiman Singh Basnyat of Basnyat dynasty, Damodar Pande of Pande dynasty were both members of Chhetri caste. and Jung Bahadur Rana, founder of Rana dynasty also belonged to the Chhetri community. For 104 years since the middle of the 19th century until 1951, hereditary Rana prime ministers wielded absolute rule in the country relegating the monarchy to a mere figurehead.

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

Chhetri noble families

Prime Minister Abhiman Singh Basnyat, a Basnyat Kshetri Mulkaji

The most prominent feature of Nepalese Chhetri society has been the Rana Prime Ministers (1846–1953), the Pande family, the Thapa family, and the Basnyat family, all of whom held prominent positions in the Gorkha kingdom, and increased 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.

Chhetri and premiership

The nobility of Gorkha were mainly from Chhetri families and they had strong presence in civil administration affairs. All of the Prime Minister of Nepal between 1768 and 1950 were Chhetris with the exception of Ranga Nath Poudyal, being a Bahun, and Fateh Jung Shah, being a Thakuri. 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.

Late Queen Indra Rajya Lakshmi Devi of Nepal, mother of King Birendra and King Gyanendra, was from Rana Chhetri dynasty
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 Mathabar Singh Thapa 1843 1845
10 Jung Bahadur Rana 1846 1856 again from 1857-1877
11 Bam Bahadur Kunwar 1856 1857
12 Krishna Bahadur Kunwar Rana 1857 1857
13 Ranodip Singh Kunwar 1877 1885
14 Bir Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1885 1901
15 Dev Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1901 1901
16 Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1901 1929
17 Bhim Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1929 1932
18 Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1932 1945
19 Padma Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1945 1948
20 Mohan Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1948 1951
21 Surya Bahadur Thapa 1955 1955 again from 1963-1964;

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

22 Subarna Shamsher Rana 1958 1959
23 Kirti Nidhi Bista 1969 1970 again from 1971-1973;

1977-1979

24 Sher Bahadur Deuba 1995 1997 again from 2001-2002;

2004-2005, 2017-2018, 2021-2022

Military achievements

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. 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. which might have caused an increase in the number of 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.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.

Late Queen Aishwarya of Nepal; a Rana Chhetri
Bidya Devi Bhandari, first woman President of Nepal & Commander-in-Chief was born in a Pandey Chhetri family
Former Head 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 Mathabar Singh Thapa 1843-1845
9 Jung Bahadur Rana 1846-1856
10 Bam Bahadur Kunwar 1856-1857
11 Krishna Bahadur Kunwar Rana 1857-1862
12 Ranodip Singh Kunwar 1862-1877
13 Jagat Shumsher Rana 1877-1879
14 Dhir Shumsher Kunwar Rana 1879-1884
15 Jit Jung Rana 1884-1885
16 Khadga Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1885-1887
17 Rana Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1887-1887
18 Dev Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1887-1901
19 Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1901-1901
20 Bhim Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1901-1929
21 Juddha Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1929-1932
22 Rudra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1932-1934
23 Padma Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1934-1945
24 Mohan Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1945-1948
25 Baber Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1948-1951
26 Kaiser Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1951-1953
27 Kiran Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1953-1956
28 Toran Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1956-1960
29 Nir Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1960-1965
30 Singha Bahadur Basnyat 1970-1975
31 Guna Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana 1975-1979
32 Arjun Narsingh Rana 1983-1987
33 Satchit Jung Bahadur Rana 1987-1991
34 Gadul Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana 1991-1995
35 Dharmapaal Barsingh Thapa 1995-1999
36 Prajwalla Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana 1999-2003
37 Pyar Jung Thapa 2003-2006
38 Rookmangad Katawal 2006-2009
39 Gaurav Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana 2012-2015
40 Rajendra Chhetri 2015-2018
41 Purna Chandra Thapa 2018-2021

Anglo-Nepalese War and Nepal-Tibet War

Jit Gadhi fort, site of Nepal's victory against the British army; led by Chhetri Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa during Anglo-Nepalese war

Chhetri commanders and generals of the military campaigns of the kingdom of Nepal have shaped the political course of the country overwhelmingly. Anglo-Nepalese War fought between the British forces and the army of Kingdom of Nepal was commanded by Bhimsen Thapa, Amar Singh Thapa, Ujir Singh Thapa, Ranabir Singh Thapa, Dalbhanjan Pande, Bakhtawar Singh Thapa and Ranajor Singh Thapa from 1814 to 1816 and led to a peace treaty with the British and maintained the independence of Nepal during the British Company rule and British Raj in South Asia from 18th to 20th century.

Nepal-Tibet War (1855-1856), commanded by Bam Bahadur Kunwar, Sanak Singh Khatri, Prithvi Dhoj Kunwar, Dhir Sumsher and Krishna Dhoj Kunwar under the authority of Jung Bahadur Rana, resulted in the victory of Nepalese troops whereby the Tibetans had to pay an annual subsidy of ten thousand rupees to Nepal and were made to allow the establishment of a Nepalese trading station and agency in Lhasa.

Religion

Due to large number of Chhetri commanders, Goddess Bhadrakali became the patron deity of Nepal's army. The war cry "Jay Mahakali, Ayo Gurkhali " meaning "Hail Great Goddess Kali, here come the Gurkhas!" invoked Goddess Kali during wars

Almost all the Chhetris are Hindus, and form the largest Hindu adhering sub-group of Nepal representing 99.3% of their population, and those who are Hindus may also follow Buddhism; the Buddha being worshipped as the ninth avatar of god Vishnu. Chhetris have historically practiced Hindu polytheism which included the worship of Khas Masto sect of Shaivism, clan deity (Kuldevta), their personal favorite deity (Ishta-devata), fierce forms of Shiva (such as Virabhadra and Rudra) and goddesses such as Adi Shakti, Kali and Bhadrakali.

Owing to the extensively large number of Chhetri generals and commander-in-chiefs in the Nepalese Army (formerly known as Gorkha Army), goddess Bhadrakali, an auspicious form of Kali, was the patron deity of the army and her worship was necessary before and during wars. The war cry, "Jay Mahakali, Ayo Gurkhali " meaning "Hail Great Goddess Kali, here come the Gurkhas!", invoked the sense of protection from Goddess Kali during battles and today is the war slogan of the Nepalese Army as well as Gurkha regiment of the Indian Army and the British Army.

Families & surnames

Lal Durbar (Red Palace), associated with Rana Chhetris of Kathmandu

Surnames of Chhetris include, among others:

Demographics

Women from Chhetri community during religious festival
Kiran Chetry, former CNN anchor, is of Chhetri descent

The Central Bureau of Statistics of Nepal classifies Chhetris as a subgroup within the broader social group of Khas Arya (together with Thakuri and Sanyasi/Dasnami). The 2021 census recorded Chhetri population of Nepal as the largest community with a population of 4,796,995 (16.4% of Nepal). Previously, the 2011 Nepal census showed Chhetris as the largest Hindu adherents in the nation with 4,365,113 people which was 99.3% of total Chhetri population. 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.

As per 2021 census, Chhetris are largest caste group in 27 districts of Nepal, increase from 21 districts of 2001 Nepal census and 24 districts of 2011 Nepal census. These twenty seven districts are - Sankhuwasabha district, Okhaldhunga district, Dhankuta district, Morang district, Udayapur district, Dolakha district, Ramechhap district, Gulmi district, Dang district, Salyan district, Western Rukum district, Surkhet district, Dailekh district, Jajarkot district, Dolpa district, Jumla district, Mugu district, Humla district, Bajura district, Bajhang district, Achham district, Doti district, Dadeldhura district, Baitadi district, Darchula district, Kalikot district, and Kanchanpur district.

The district with the largest Chhetri population is Kathmandu district with 424,172 (i.e. 20.7% of the total district population). Chhetris form the second largest demographic group after Newars in the Kathmandu Valley, together with Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur, with a population of 621,346. Other districts with more than 150,000 Chhetri population are Kailali, Kanchanpur, Dang, Jhapa and Morang.

Province wise, Chhetris are majority demography in Koshi Province, Karnali Province and Sudurpashchim Province. The frequency of Chhetris by province is shown in the table:

Demographics of Chhetris in the Provinces of Nepal
Province Percentage of Provincial population Demographic Status
Karnali Province 42.2% largest
Sudurpashchim Province 41.7% largest
Bagmati Province 17.4% 3rd largest
Koshi Province 15% largest
Lumbini Province 14.2% 3rd largest
Gandaki Province 13.1% 3rd largest
Madhesh Province 2.0% minority

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.

Indian actress Geetanjali Thapa, recipient of National Film Award for Best Actress (2013)
Sunil Chhetri, former Captain of Indian Football National Team

The frequency of Chhetris was higher than national average (16.4%) in the following districts:

Present day

A 21st century Chhetri family

Chhetri together with Bahun and Thakuri fall 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. There are no quotas for the Khas community who fall under Bahun-Chhetri-thakuri hierarchy. As per the explanation of legal provisions of Constitution of Nepal, Khas Arya comprises the Brahmin, Kshetri, Thakur and Sanyasi (Dashnami) communities. But they are allowed reservation in federal parliament and provincial legislature. 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.

Notable people

See also

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ The Gorkha soldiers are usually from Gurung community in Gorkha district of Nepal.

Citations

  1. ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
  2. ^ Dhungel 1998, p. 5.
  3. ^ Central Bureau of Statistics (2014). Population monograph of Nepal (PDF) (Report). Vol. II. Government of Nepal.
  4. ^ 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. ^ Pahari 1995, p. 632.
  8. ^ "History Of Nepal - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nepal MOFA". mofa.gov.np. Retrieved 2024-09-14.
  9. ^ Hitchcock 1978, pp. 116–119.
  10. ^ National Statistics Office (2021). National Population and Housing Census 2021, Caste/Ethnicity Report. Government of Nepal (Report).
  11. ^ McLeod, John (2002). The History of India. Greenwood Press. ISBN 978-0-313-31459-9.
  12. ^ Burghart 1984, p. 119.
  13. ^ Gurung 1996, p. 33.
  14. ^ Sherchan 2001, p. 14.
  15. ^ 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.
  16. ^ Dhungel 1998, p. 8.
  17. ^ Bista, Dor Bahadur (1991). Fatalism and Development - Nepal's Struggle of Modernization. Calcutta: Orient Longman. p. 38. ISBN 8125001883.
  18. ^ Kumar Pradhan (1984). A History of Nepali Literature. Sahitya Akademi. p. 5.
  19. ^ Gurung 1996, pp. 1–33, passim.
  20. ^ Regmi 1995, p. 44.
  21. ^ Pradhan 2012, p. 22.
  22. ^ Singh 1997, p. 142.
  23. ^ Regmi 1975, p. 73.
  24. ^ Adhikari 2015, p. 120.
  25. ^ Burbank, Jon (2002). Nepal. Cultures of the World (2 ed.). Marshall Cavendish. ISBN 0-7614-1476-2.
  26. ^ Bajracharya, Bhadra Ratha; Sharma, Shri Ram; Bakshi, Shiri Ram (1993). Cultural History of Nepal. Anmol Publications. pp. 286–8. ISBN 81-7041-840-2.
  27. ^ Raj 1996, p. 5.
  28. ^ Gurung 1998, p. 129.
  29. ^ Joshi & Rose 1966, p. 27.
  30. ^ Adhikari 2015, p. 123.
  31. ^ "Victory over British Army: Jit Gadhi festival being celebrated today in Butwal". myrepublica.nagariknetwork.com. 2024-08-08. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  32. ^ "Anglo-Nepalese War | British-Asian history | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  33. ^ "Third Nepal-Tibet War 1855 AD". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
  34. ^ "Chhetri – National Museum". Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  35. ^ Sangal, Naresh Chandra (1998). Glimpses of Nepal: A Brief Compilation of History, Culture, Language, Tradition, Religious Places, Festivals, Mountains, Revers, Safari Parks, Cities, Kathmandu University, and Other Important Informations for Holiday-makers. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7024-962-7.
  36. ^ "THE KHUKRI BRAVES The Illustrated History of The Gorkha | Rupa Publications". Retrieved 2024-11-26.
  37. ^ 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.
  38. ^ Population Monograph of Nepal, Volume II
  39. ^ "Nepal Census 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-09-18. Retrieved 2017-04-09.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ "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.
  42. ^ National Census of Nepal 2021. Government of Nepal, National Statistics Office. (Report: available at https://censusnepal.cbs.gov.np/results/files/result-folder/Caste%20Ethnicity_report_NPHC_2021.pdf )
  43. ^ "cast-ethnicity | national_population and housing_census_year results". censusnepal.cbs.gov.np. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
  44. ^ "Brahmins and Chhetris land most government jobs".
  45. ^ "Khas Arya quota provision in civil services opposed". thehimalayantimes.com. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  46. ^ Aryal, Trailokya Raj (24 May 2017). "The Bahun narrative". Myrepublica.
  47. ^ "Nepal-India Relations: Need for Urgent Paradigm Shift - Mainstream Weekly". www.mainstreamweekly.net. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  48. ^ "Next Door Nepal: The nationalist's hour". indianexpress.com. 26 March 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  49. ^ Rai, Om Astha (23 March 2018). "Hail to the chiefs". www.nepalitimes.com. Retrieved 8 June 2018.
  50. ^ Pradhan 2012, p. 12.
  51. ^ Shaha 1990, p. 201.
  52. ^ Yadav, P. (2016). Social Transformation in Post-conflict Nepal: A Gender Perspective. Taylor & Francis. p. 39. ISBN 9781317353904.
  53. ^ Choudhuri, Poynder & Stevens 1984, p. 147.
  54. ^ Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies (1980), Journal of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies, vol. 14, Institute of Constitutional and Parliamentary Studies

Sources

Further reading

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