Thakuri: The Ruling and Warrior Elites of Nepal

Thakuri: The Ruling and Warrior Elites of Nepal
Thakuri traditionally constituted the ruling and warrior classes of Nepal.

Some scholars point out the fact that Thakuri is the Nepalese version of the Hindi word Thakur which means ‘master of the estate. Whatever the meaning of the word is there is little doubt that the Thakuris are an affluent group of people. They are associated with some territory inherited from the days of Baisi and Chaubisi principalities and the term Thakurai actually refers to ‘fiefdom’. So who are they let us find out more about them:

Thakuri traditionally constituted the ruling and warrior classes of Nepal.
A Proud Indian Thakur Lakhajirajsinhji II Bavajirajsinhji of Rajkot (Image Credit: Wikipedia)

Origins of Thakuri:

As it has been mentioned previously Thakuris are traditionally constituted with the ruling and warrior classes and have claimed to be from the Kshatriya varna, They are a high socio-political group considered to have arisen from intermarriage between Khas, Magars, and perhaps Indian Rajput immigrants. The 1854 Muluki Ain refers to them by the term Rajputs despite being descended from the local Nepalese tribes.

Thakuri: The Ruling and Warrior Elites of Nepal
A Kshatriya (image Credit: Wikipedia)

Dubious Claims:

Many historians writing the history of Nepal have contended that the theory of Rajput descent was used for political purposes by the various ruling families of Nepal. The Thakuri Shah dynasty of Gorkha Kingdom and later the Kingdom of Nepal were descended from the Magar tribe despite their claim of descent from Chittor Rajputs as per Scottish contemporary historian Francis Buchanan-Hamilton.

Sponsored
Zookti best website development company in Nepal
Thakuri: The Ruling and Warrior Elites of Nepal
Francis Buchanan-Hamilton

Historian Hamilton further states that the origins from the Rajputs of Chittor are “a mere fable.”Historian Mahesh Chandra Regmi contends with that and says “Each ruling dynasty in Nepal has tried to connect its lineage with well-known dynasties of India.” One of the Thakuri Shah rulers of Gorkha, King Ram Shah, also attempted to forge recognition of kinship relations from the Ranas of Udaipur

Thakuri: The Ruling and Warrior Elites of Nepal
Coat of Arms of Ranas of Udaipur (Image Credit: Wikipedia)

Present Day Situation:

According to the 2011 census of Nepal, there are 425,623 Thakuris which is 1.6% of the total population of Nepal. 99% of them follow Hinduism and they constitute the aristocracy and possess high social, ritual, and political status. They are politically and socially ahead of others. Traditionally, the Thakuris’ main occupations involved government, agriculture, and the military. They traditionally constituted the ruling and warrior classes. Most of the Thakuris are agriculturalists in Western Nepal except few aristocratic families in the capital city.

Thakuri: The Ruling and Warrior Elites of Nepal
Demographics

Read More:

Tharu: 4th Largest Ethnic Group in Nepal

Bahun/Brahmin: A Respected and Controversial Caste

Photos Nepal