Pahadi people/Parbatiya people

पहाडी/पर्वतिया
Total population
15,015[1]
Regions with significant populations
Nepal
Religion
Majority:-Hinduism 91.17% (2011)[2]Minority:-Christianity
Related ethnic groups
Khas people,Garhwali,Kumauni,Nepalis[3][4]

ThePahadi people (Devanagari: पहाडी;IPA:[pahaɽi];Pahāḍi, also calledPahadi andParbati) are an Indo-Aryan group living in the hilly region (Pahad) of Nepal. Most Paharis, however, identify as members of constituent subgroups and castes within the larger Pahari community such asBrahmin (Bahun in Nepal),Kshatriya (Chhetri in Nepal) andDalits.

The name Pahadi derives frompahad (पहाड), meaning "hill", and corresponds to theHill Region foothills of Himalayan in the where the Paharis inhabit. Nepali interpretation generally includes Pahari as constituting the dominantKhas, indicating a contrast to that of these Indo-Aryan ethnicities with that of the Tibetan or Janjati origins likeMagar,Tamang,Gurung,Kirat, among others. Pahari may also contrast geography alone.^{[5][6][4][7][8]}

The Paharis are historically ancient, having been mentioned by the authors Pliny and Herodotus and figuring in India's epic poem, theMahābhārata. References to Brahmins and Kshatriyas are found inBanawali (Tantric texts) on Nepal, in whose ancient settingKathmandu was still a lake. Pahadi brahmins are Brahmins of Indo-Aryan Brahman are responsible for religious affairs. They are top in the hierarchy in varna system of Hinduism, Brahmins usually given the role of advisor to the King. After passing of several dynasties the brahmins entered the Nepal for purpose like worshiping for Khasa kings and serving for them in religious actions. After passing of several years they became one of the major ethnic group of Nepal. The fourNarayana temples around the valley were established by theseVaishnava people.^[6][9]

Before Nepal was united as a nation under theShah dynasty (1768–2008), smaller kingdoms in the region were ruled by kings of various ethnic and caste groups. The ancient name of thisHimalayan region was Khas Desh. Most populous among the people of this mid-mountainous area were theKhas people, also mentioned in the histories of India andChina. The Khas people, indigenous Indo-Aryan mountain dwellers, spread to dominate the hills of Central Himalaya and played important role in the history of the region, establishing many independent dynasties in early medieval times. The Khas people had an empire, theKaśa Kingdom, whose territory extended toKashmir, part ofTibet, and Western Nepal (Karnali Zone).^[10][11][12]

In the early modern history of Nepal, Pahari Chhetris played a key role in theunification of Nepal, providing the backbone of theGorkha army of the mid-18th century. During the monarchy, Chhetris andBahuns continued to dominate the ranks of theNepalese Army,Nepalese government administration, and even some regiments of theIndian Army. Under the pre-democratic constitution and institutions of the state, Chhetri culture and language also dominated multiethnic Nepal to the disadvantage and exclusion of many Nepalese minorities and Tibetan peoples. The desire for increasedself-determination among these minorities and Tibetan Janajati peoples was one of the central issues in theNepalese Civil War and subsequentdemocratic movement.^{[13][14][15][16]}

During theShah Dynasty, the Paharis began to settle theTerai region. Politically, socially, and economically dominant over the Tharu under the conservative system of the monarchy, the Pahari community in theTerai purchased, or otherwise got hold of large landholdings. Together with traditionalTharu landlords, they constitute the upper level of the economic hierarchy, which in the rural parts of the Terai is determined to a large extent by the distribution and the value of agriculturally productive land. The poor are the landless, or near landless, TeraiDalits, including theMusahar andChamar, as well as the traditional fishermen, theMallaah, and some of the hill Dalits. In particular the Musahars rarely get other work than hard farm labour. During and after theNepalese Civil War, Paharis faced a violent backlash by the marginalized Madhesi community includingransoming, murder, and land dispossession by armed Maoist groups such as theJanatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM) seeking Madhesi independence.^{[citation needed][17][18][19][20][21]}

The Pahari people speakIndo-Aryan languages likeNepali.^{[citation needed]}

Most Nepalese Paharis are Hindus, with the exception of theshamanistic andoracular Matwali ("drinking") Khasa Chhetris. Hindu Paharis are generally more conscious of their caste (Varna,Jāti) and status than their Tibetan neighbors, especially those Paharis living in rural Nepal. However, as a result of extensive historical contact with non-Hindu Nepalese, the Pahari caste structure is less orthodox and less complex than the traditional four-fold system in the plains to the south. The Pahari system is generally two-fold, consisting of the higherclean,Dvija castes and the lowerunclean,Dalit castes. TheDvija (twice-born) include theBahun (Brahmin) and Chhetri (Kshatriya) castes.^[6][22]

Chhetris as a caste comprise many subgroups, includingKhas (clans fromKhas) andThakuri (aristocratic clans). The Khas subgroups are aboriginal ofKarnali Zone.^[14][23]

The most prominent features of Nepalese Pahari society have been the ChhetriShah dynasty (1768–2008), theRana Prime Ministers that marginalized the monarchy (1846–1953), and its upper-caste presence in the armed forces, police, and government of Nepal. TheKing of Nepal himself was a member of the ChhetriThakuri subcaste. In traditional and administrative professions, upper-caste Paharis were given favourable treatment by theroyal government.^{[3][14][15][23][24][25][26]}

Historically, Hindu Paharis have practiced a spectrum of marital customs includingmonogamy,polygamy (bothpolyandry andpolygyny), andgroup marriage. Girls under age 10 may be betrothed, though they cohabit with their husbands only when they reach maturity. Wives must be faithful to their husbands while with them, however when wives visit their parents, they may behave as if unmarried. Most upper-caste Paharis do not practicecross-cousinmarriage, however the aristocraticThakuri subcaste allows marriage of maternal cross-cousins. Among all Paharis,remarriage by widows is formally prohibited by social norms; however an institution called "Jari" ( Sanskrit "Jarah" debauchery, paramour) exists. In this practice among Pahari hill dwellers, a woman will take a paramour, leaving her first husband. The second husband must pay the first husband "Jar dine" for the loss of his wife. Among Pahari families, death is treated by both burial and cremation. Low status individuals, such as children and some women are buried. Also, indigenous healers known as "Jhankri" are buried with their fontanelle pierced to allow their spirit to rise to the spirit world. Others, high caste and wealthy, are cremated per classic Hindu tradition.^[14][23]

The Paharis, like theMadhesis are not an agricultural people although a majority also rely on other activities for supplementary income. Cultivating terraces on the hillsides, their chief crops arepotatoes andrice. Other crops include wheat, barley, onions, tomatoes, tobacco, and other vegetables. Pahari farmers raisewater buffalo,sheep,goats, andcattle.^[6][4]

Most higher-caste Paharis are military men, farmers and civil servants, while lower-caste Paharis hold a variety of occupations including goldsmiths, leather workers, tailors, musicians, drummers, and sweepers. Most Paharis spin wool, however only lower-castes weave fabrics. Upper-caste Paharis, namely Chhetri and itsThakuri subcaste, held a virtual monopoly on government and military offices throughout theShah Dynasty (1768–2008).^[6][4]

• Hill Region
• Himalayas
• Terai
• Demographics of Nepal

• Ethnic groups in Nepal

• Source attribution
• Articles with short description
• Short description is different from Wikidata
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• Articles containing Nepali (macrolanguage)-language text
• "Related ethnic groups" needing confirmation
• Articles using infobox ethnic group with image parameters
• Pages with Sanskrit IPA
• All articles with unsourced statements
• Articles with unsourced statements from August 2012
• Articles with unsourced statements from February 2018