TheBaise Rajya (Nepali: बाइसे राज्यहरू, lit. ‘22 kingdoms’) were sovereign and intermittently allied petty kingdoms in the western hills of what is now Nepal, located around theKarnali–Bheri river basin. They formed after the break up of theKhasa-Malla kingdom.These kingdoms were ruled by local dynasties, ofMagar chieftains, depending on the region. Several of these kingdoms, particularly in areas likeRukum,Rolpa, andPyuthan, had strong Magar leadership and populations. The Baise states maintained varying degrees of independence until they were gradually annexed during the unification of Nepal from 1744 to 1810. AlthoughPrithvi Narayan Shah (r. 1743–1775), the founder of theGorkha kingdom, initiated the unification, it was completed under his successors by the end of the 18th century.
The 22 principalities wereJumla,Doti, Jajarkot, Bajura, Gajur, Malneta, Thalahara,Dailekh District, Dullu, Duryal, Dang,Sallyana, Chilli,Tulsipur State, Darnar,[1] Atbis Gotam, Majal, Gurnakot, andRukum.[a] These Baise states were ruled by Khasas and several decentralized tribal polities.[3]
| Rajya | Annexation to Nepal | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Atbis Gotam[4] | 1786 | Also known as Gutam. |
| Bajura | August 1791 | Became a vassal state of the Kingdom of Nepal. |
| Biskot | 1782 | Also possibly known as Bosakot. |
| Chilli | . | Descended from Raja Malaibam, Raja of Bajhang in the 14th century. |
| Dailekh | . | . |
| Dang Tulsipur | 1786 | Founded around 1350, by a scion of the predecessor Kingdom of SarasvatiHouse of Tulsipur |
| Darnar | . | Also spelled Darna, it became a vassal state of the Kingdom of Nepal. |
| Doti[5] | 1786 | . |
| Dullu | 1790 | Also known as Raskot, it was founded by a division of the Kingdom of Mailbham around 1378. |
| Duryal | . | . |
| Gajur | . | . |
| Gurnakot | . | Possibly the same as Garhunkot, it became a vassal state of the Kingdom of Nepal. |
| Jajarkot | . | Became a vassal state of the Kingdom of Nepal, also known originally as Jagatipur.[6] |
| Jehari | . | Descended from Raja Malaibam, Raja of Bajhang in the 14th century. |
| Jumla | October 1788 | Annexation date also given as September 1789. |
| Majal | . | . |
| Malneta | . | Became a vassal state of the Kingdom of Nepal. |
| Musikot | 1786 | Descended from Raja Malaibam, Raja of Bajhang in the 14th century. |
| Phalawagh | . | Possibly the same as Salyana. |
| Rukum | . | Descended from Raja Malaibam, Raja of Bajhang in the 14th century. |
| Salyana | 25 September 1786 | It was made a vassal state after annexation and was ultimately abolished in 1961,[7] with the Raja still receiving a Privy Purse until the abolishment of the Nepali monarchy. |
| Thalahara | . | Became a vassal state of the Kingdom of Nepal. |
A parallel confederation of 24 principalitiesChaubisi rajya (Nepali:चौबिसी राज्य) occupied most of theGandaki basin east of theBaisi.
