Caste of Newars

Newar people

Newar are the people native to Kathmandu valley. Their native language is "Nepal Bhasha" aka "Newari". However being the national language of Nepal "Nepali Language" is also spoken by almost all Newar people sometime as a second language and sometime even as the first language. Most of Newar people believe in Hinduism and according to Hindu systems they are categorized into different caste and clans.

Newar population in Nepal is almost 1.3 million which accounts almost 5.5% of total population of Nepal. But despite of having small population, Newar people have great impact in Nepali society.

Newar Vs Maithili/Madheshi

In 1097 AD King Nanya Dev of Karnat dynasty established his kingdom in Mithila region (Tirahut). The center of the kingdom was Simraungadh (सिम्रौनगढ) which is now located in Bara district, South Central Nepal. 1324 AD. When the last king Harisingh Dev was defeated by Delhi Sultan Gayasudin Tuglak (ग़ियास सुद्दीन तुग़लुक़), he escaped from Simraungarh to Kathmandu valley with the statue of Taleju Bhawani. Temples of Taleju Bhawani in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts are believed to be linked with Mithila Kingdom. Many maithili brahmins also migrated to Kathmandu valley during that period and afterwards. During centuries of their residence in Kathmandu they mixed up with the native people of the valley. Today newar brahmin caste Jha, Mishra and Bhatta are believed to be originated from Maithila.

List of Newar caste and surnames:-

Caste Traditional occupation surnames

Deo Brahman Hindu priests Rajopadhyaya

Maithil Brahmin Hindu priests Jha, Mishra, Bhatta

Shrestha (Chhathariya) Royal family, nobles and courtiers Joshi, Malla, Pradhananga, Pradhan, Rajbhandari, Amatya, Vaidya, Maskey, Kayastha, Rajvanshi, Patrabansh, Mathema, Lakhey,Hada, Karmacharya, Guruvacharya

Shrestha (Panchthariya) Administrators, traders and merchants Shrestha, Mulmi, Madhikarmi (Halwai), Bhaju, Kakchapati, Nyachhyon, Nagarkoti, Sivacharya, Mulmi, Madhikarmi (Halwai), Bhaju, Kakchapati, Nyachhyon, Nagarkoti, Sivacharya, etc.

Gubhaju Buddhist priests Vajracharya, and Bare - Shakya, Bhikshu, Gurju

Uray, Udaas Traders and merchants, Craftsmen Tuladhar, Bania, Sikarmi (Sthapit), Awa, Tamrakar, Kansakar, Sikhrakar, Sindurakar, Rajkarnikar, Halwai, SIlakar

Jyapu Farmers Maharjan, Dangol, Singh, Suwal, Desar, Rajbahak, Kumhal, Prajapati, Kumah, Awale, Awal, Shilpakar, Ka:mi, Pahari

Sayami Oilpressers Manandhar, Sayami

Khusa Palanquin bearers Tandukar

Nau Barbers Napit

Kau Blacksmiths Naka:mi

Bha Funeral duties Karanjit, Bha

Gathu Gardeners Bammala, Mali, Malakar

Tepe Cultivators Byanjankara, Tepe

Pun Painters Chitrakar

Duhim Carriers Putwar, Dali

Balami Fieldworkers Balami

Pulu Funeral torch bearers Pulu

Cipa Dyers Ranjitkar, Ranjit

Jugi Musicians and tailors Darshandhari, Kusle, Kapali

Naye Butchers and musicians Khadgi, Shahi

Kulu Drum-makers and cobblers Kulu

Pode Fishermen, sweepers Pode, Deola, Pujari, Nepali

Chami Sweepers Chyame, Chamkhalak

Halahulu Sweepers Halahulu

-----------------------------------------

Notable Newar people:-

Sankhadhar Sakhwa (879 AD) philanthropist, related to Nepal Sambat

Shukra Raj Shastri (1894-1941), Freedom Fighter, Martyr

Gangalal Shrestha (1919-1941), Freedom Fighter, Martyr

Dharma Bhakta Mathema (1908-1941), Freedom Fighter, Martyr

Ganesh Man Singh (1915-1997) Freedom Fighter, Leader

Pushpa Lal Shrestha (1924-1978), Founder of Communist Party of Nepal

Marich Man Shrestha (1942-2013) Ex. Prime Minister

Sahana Pradhan (1927-2014), Leader of CPN-ML, Ex. Deputy PM

Hisila Yami (b.1959), Leader, Ex. Minister

Siddhicharan Shrestha (1912-1992), Poet, aka Yug Kavi

Satya Mohan Joshi (b.1920), Scholar of history and culture

Narayan Gopal (1939-1990), Singer, aka Swar Samrat

Tara Devi (1945-2006), Singer, aka Swar Samragi

Fattehman Singh Rajbhandari, Singer

Prem Dhwaj Pradhan (b.1938), Singer

Madan Krishna Shrestha (b.1950), Actor

Shiva Shrestha, Actor

Karishma Manandhar (b.1971), Actress