Kshetri

Chhetri/Khas/Kshatriya/Rajput/Chetry
क्षेत्री/खस/क्षत्रिय
	; Up: Kalu Pande · Abhiman Singh Basnyat · Amar Singh Thapa ; Bottom: Bhimsen Thapa · Balbhadra Kunwar · Jang Bahadur Rana
Total population
	43,98,053 as per Nepal Census 2011
Regions with significant populations
	Nepal
Languages
	Ancient Bactrian, Turanian languages, Nepali language (Khas Kura) as mother tongue
Religion
	Hinduism
Related ethnic groups
	Tajik, Uzbek, Kazakh, Sakha

Khas/Kshetri or Khas/Chhetri/Chetry (Nepali: मगर) are Turanid Ab-Original Native From of people belonging to magrati race in magar group, a Altaic ethno-linguistic group (see Altaic languages). Generally, the Parvate/Pahari (hilly) Kshatriyas are called as magar or magrati . Kshetris served as rulers, administrators, governors and warriors as per their Occupational caste. They were able to dominate most of the Nepalese history through monopolizing government and military upto 1951 AD. After democracy in Nepal, Kshetris were still visible in the government especially dominating Panchayati government and still monopolizing military.

According to 1854 Muluki Ain (Legal Code) of Nepal, magar belong to sacred thread bearers (Yagyopavit) and twice born (Dvija) Hindus.^[1]

Etymology

Chhetri is Nepalese local colloquial term for Kshatriya. Kshetri (Nepali: क्षेत्री) is considered a derivative form of the Sanskrit word Kshatriya.^[2]^[3] Hill-Kshetri, Kshetri, Chhetri, Khas Rajput ,Pahadi Chhetri and Khas Kshetri are all used to denote this caste.

History

They are descended from old warriors of Khas Kingdom. Chhetri dominated the military forces of Shah dynasty of Nepal.^[4] The 7 main Chhetri families at Royal court of Nepal formed group called Kaji Khalak (Aristocrats). They are; Basnyat, Pande, Karki, Thapa, Khadka,Kunwar and Bista. Basnyat, Pande and Thapas were most powerful Chhetri groups led by Shivaram Singh Basnyat, Kalu Pande and Birbhadra Thapa at the Unification of Nepal. The Kunwars were led by Ramkrishna Kunwar and Bista/Bisht were led by Gajabal Bista and Atibal Bista. Sometimes, Bhandari Kshetri family of Jaswanta Bhandari was also considered as Kaji Khalak family of the Royal court of Nepal.

Leader of Basnyats at the Unification of Nepal

Leader of Kunwars at the Unification of Nepal

In the court struggle for power, Pande Khalaks and Thapa Khalaks were fierce opponents. They often opposed each other. Pandes were supported by Basnyats due to blood relations. Thapas were supported by Kunwars due to blood relations. In the end, Kunwars betrayed Thapa groups by murdering the Thapa leader Mathabar Singh Thapa. That caused Kunwars to rise to power and all Kshetris were thrown of power. The Kunwar high rank officers escalated quickly between 1841 AD to 1854 AD.^[5] Kunwars claimed royalty and changed their surname to Rana (meaning: King) from Kunwar (meaning: Prince). In 1951AD, democracy was established and Kshetri rule were stopped.^[6]

Demography

According to 2011 Nepal census, Kshetri stands as the most populous group in Nepal with 16.6% of Nepal's population (or 43,98,053 peoples).^[7] Kshetris are the second largest Hindu group with Hindu population of 43,65,113 (99.3% of Kshetris) as per the 2011 Nepal census.^[7] Kshetris are largest group in 20 districts in Nepal. Kathmandu consists largest Kshetri population.^[7]

The civil service representation to population ratio is 1.18 times for Kshetri.^[8] Kshetri dominate the military forces with nearly all high ranked officers belonging to either Kshetri or Thakuri caste. Nearly, only one Chief of Army Staff (Chhatraman Singh Gurung) belonged to Non-Chhetri/Thakuri caste. Thus, the highest military rank (Chief of Army Staff previously Commander-in-Chief) is completely monopolized by Chhetri caste.they also recruit in british army in large numbers, chhetri/thakuris dominant 40% of total nepal army strength , and they have reserved regiment the 9 gorkha rifles in indian army.

Culture

Kshetri Prime Minister Mathabar Singh Thapa, leader of Thapa Chhetri faction

Religion

Kshetri are almost all Hindus as per 2011 Nepal census. Historically, they practiced Hindu polytheism and shamanism. They generally worship their clan deity (Kul Devta), friendly deity (Ishta Devta) and Khas Masto deities. Kshetri commonly have warrior like deities as Bhadrakali, Kalika Bhawani and different forms of Goddess Kali as female deity and Rudra, Veerbhadra (ferocious forms of Shiva) as male deity. Bhadrakali, a popular form of Goddess Kali, is the main deity of the Nepalese Army (previously Gorkhali Army) due to prevalence of Kshetri commanders. Worship to these deities were necessary before wars. There was a popular folk legend that the Chinese failed the strategic attacks on 1792 AD due to the effect of religious war cry of Jai Bhawani. In the times of unification of Nepal, Kshetris were more rigid to worship of ferocious forms of Godess Kali and Lord Shiva. Amar Singh Thapa based on religious values developed Nishankalika flag after ceremoniously inviting Kalika Bhawani, ancestors, friendly deities and 49 Maruts to reside on the flag.

Many Kshetris triennially celebrate clanwise Masto deity worship called Dewali Puja. Dewali Puja is common among Bahuns too. In the Dewali Puja, Kshetris of the same clan give male goat sacrifices at a particular place. It is a form of millennium old ancient worship continued till date. Kshetris celebrate many Hindu festivals like Dashain (Dussehra), Tihar (Deepawali), Maghe Sankranti, Janai Purnima, Holi, etc. Dashain and Tihar are primary festivals of Pahadi Hindu castes. Most Kshetri families give goat sacrifices on either Maha Ashtami day or Maha Nawami day of Dashain festival.

Marriages

Rajputs and Thakuris are sometimes considered as subcaste of Kshetri while they have distinct cultural difference with mainstream Kshetris. Kshetri is an endogamous unit. They donot practice maternal cousin marriages as Thakuri caste which is the basis of cultural distinction. Kshetri has hundreds of clans. They are categorized by family deity and single gotra. They do not marry with the members of their whole maternal clan and members of their parents' maternal families as per popular quote

मावलीको थर जोगाउनु, बुढामावलीको घर जोगाउनु ।
Transliteration: Maawali ko thar jogaunu, Budamaawaliko ghar jogaunu.

The maternal clan marriage prohibition also include non marriage prohibition with the Bahun counterpart of that clan. For example; Those having maternal clan as Khilchine Adhikari Chhetri cannot marry in the clan of Khilchine Adhikari Bahun as there is brotherhood between these clans. They never marry in their paternal clan and those having same gotra. Jaari marriage i.e. marrying others' wife, is not allowed. Also Gandharva and Rakshas marriages are not allowed.

Diet

Dieting rules for Kshetri were decided by Kshetri Birandala (brotherhood). Kshetri do not consume pork like Rajputs which is a basis of cultural difference. Kshetri are not allowed to eat beef, buffalo, pig, felines and all wild forms of them as per Hindu rituals for Kshatriya. Goats, sheep and all variations and forms of them, are fully allowed. Chicken, duck and goose are debatable and allowance is regionally dependent.

Ethics

Historically, Kshetri has been part of the some of the powerful Pahari empires as Khas Empire and Gorkha Empire. Warriorhood, governance, administration, honesty and integrity has been linked to Kshetris. Kshetris are noted for resourcefulness and charity. Sanskrit verse from Geeta explains the basis of ethics Kshetris have derived from:

शौर्यं तेजो धृतिर्दाक्ष्यं युध्दे चाप्यपलायनम् ।

दानमीश्वरभावश्च क्षात्रं कर्म स्वभावजम् ॥
Transliteration: Shauryam Tejo Dhritirdakshyam Yuddhe Chapyapalayanam.
Danmeeshwarbhavashcha Kshatram Karma Swabhvajam.

Bhagvad Geeta pp. 18-43

The above verse explains the duties, characters and behaviours of Kshatriya warrior. These were adapted by Kshetri community which includes exhibition of bravery and skill, prohibition of escaping any war, giving charity and Hindu governance.

Khas/Chhetri Family Names

Khatri, Adhikari, Arjel, Aidi, Ayer, Bagale, Bogati, Baruwal, Bohara, Bhul, Balair, Bakheti, Batala, Balayer, Baniya,Dhital(Chhetri) G.C.(Gharti Chhetri), Gautam(Gotame), Basnyat/Basnet, Bham, Majhi, Mudula, Bhandari, Bista/Bisht, Budha, Budhathoki, Gaura bagale, Ghatala, Heita, Heta, Hetal, Chauhan, Thakulla, Thagunna, Chhetri, Dhami, D.C(Dangi Chhetri)/Dulal Chhetri/Dahal Chhetri, Deoja, Kottari, Godar, Kalikote, Karki, Katuwal, Khatri, Khadga, Khadka, Kharka, Khati, Khati Khadka, Khadgaha, khaptari, Verma, Kadayat, Kathayat, Khadka, Khulal, Kshetri, Mahat, Mahatara, Mahara, Pande/Pandey, Punwar, Pwar, Kunwar, Rana, Mhyak Rana, Ranabhat, Rayamajhi, Raya, Rathore, Raut, Rawat, Rawal, Rayamajhi, Rokaya/Rokka/Rokaha, Pulami,Suyal, Swar, Sauka, Sijapati, Sinjapati, Sutar, Saod, Saud, Tandon, Thapa etc.