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[[File:Batuk.JPG|thumb|Two [[Nepalis|Nepalese]] boys on the verge of becoming '''Tagadharis''' ''(sacred thread bearers''), participating in the "sacred thread" ceremony.]]
'''''Tagadhari''''' ({{Lang-ne|तागाधारी|lit = Wearers of the Holy Thread|links = }}{{sfn|Skinner|Pach III|Holland|1998|p=293}}{{sfn|Messerschmidt|1992|p=45}}) are members of a [[Nepalis|Nepalese]] [[Hindu]] group that is perceived as historically having a high socio-religious status in Nepalese society. Tagadhari are identified by a ''sacred thread'' ([[Janai]]) around the torso, which is used for ritualistic purposes in [[Hinduism]]. In [[Sanskrit]] the sacred thread is called ''yajñopavītam'' and in [[Nepali language|Nepali]] ''[[Janai]]'' ({{lang-ne|जनै}}). The cord is received after the [[Upanayana]] ceremony. Tagadharis were historically favoured by the [[government of Nepal]] and various religious and caste-based legal provisions were enacted on their behalf. The legal code of 1854, ''Muluki Ain'', which was introduced by [[Chhetri]] [[Maharaja]] and [[Prime Minister of Nepal]], [[Jang Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji]] made it impossible to legally enslave Tagadharis and decreed fewer punishments for them in comparison to Matawali (liquor drinkers) and [[Dalit]]s.

==Background==
[[File:Bratabandh(traditional_customs_done_by_brahmins)_(4).JPG|thumb|A [[Bahun|Brahmin]] man wearing the [[Janai]] ('''sacred thread''') at the Bratabandha ceremony in Nepal]]
''Tagadhari'' means "wearers of the sacred thread"{{sfn|Skinner|Pach III|Holland|1998|p=293}}<ref name="southasia"/><ref name=Gurung2005/> or "wearers of the holy cord".{{sfn|Messerschmidt|1992|p=45}} The sacred thread called ''Yajñopaveetam'' is bestowed during the [[Upanayana]] ceremony. [[Upanayana]] is an elaborate ceremony that includes rituals involving the family, the child, and the teacher.<ref name=kaneupan2>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n325/mode/2up Samskara, Chapter VII], History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 288-300</ref><ref>Ram Chandra Prasad (1997), The Upanayana: The Hindu Ceremonies of the Sacred Thread, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120812406}}, pages 119-131</ref> The ceremony is a rite of passage for the start of formal education in reading, writing, arithmetic, [[Vedanga]]s, arts, and other skills.<ref name=pandeyupan>Rajbali Pandey (2013), Hindu Saṁskāras: Socio-religious Study of the Hindu Sacraments, 2nd Edition, Motilal Banarsidass, {{ISBN|978-8120803961}}, pages 111-117</ref>

===Eligibility criteria===
Many medieval-era texts discuss the sacred thread ceremony in the context of only three varnas (caste, class): [[Brahmin]]s, [[Kshatriya]]s, and [[Vaishya]]s.<ref name=pandeyupan/> In the modern era, the Upanayana rite of passage is open to anyone at any age.<ref name=haroldcoward>Harold Coward et al. (1997), Religious Dimensions of Child and Family Life, Wilfrid Laurier University Press, {{ISBN|978-1550581041}}, page 67</ref>

===Sacred Thread===
The "sacred thread" ({{lang-sa|यज्ञोपवीतम्}} ''yajñopavītam'' or ''upavīta'') is a thin cord, composed of three cotton strands.<ref name="ref06lidaj">{{Citation | title=Religious thought and life in India: as based on the Veda and other sacred books of the Hindūs | author=Sir Monier Monier-Williams | publisher=J. Murray, 1891 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-jNbAAAAQAAJ| year=1891 }}</ref>
Two ancient Sanskrit texts offer a divergent view in their description of the ''yajñopavītam'' or upavita. The term upavita was originally meant to be any upper garment, as stated in verse 2.2.4.22–2.2.4.23 of ''Apastamba [[Dharmasutra]]'' or, if the wearer did not want to wear a top, a thread would suffice.<ref name=pvkaneyajno/> The thread identified a person who was studying at a school or had graduated. The ''Gobhila Gryha Sutra'' similarly states, at verse 1.2.1 in its discussion on Upanayana, that "the student understands the ''yajnopavita'' as a cord of threads, or a garment, or a rope of kusa grass", and it is the method by which the ''yajnopavita'' is worn and its significance that matters.<ref name=pvkaneyajno/> The proper manner of wearing the upper garment or thread, state the ancient texts, is over the left shoulder and under the right arm.<ref name=pvkaneyajno>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/HistoryOfDharmasastraancientAndMediaevalReligiousAndCivilLawV.2.1/Kane_A-History-of-Dharmasastra-v2-1_1941#page/n347/mode/2up History of Dharmasastra] Volume 2.1, 1st Edition, pages 290-293</ref>

===The ''Dvija'' status of Tagadharis===
[[Upanayana]] is a ceremony in which a guru (teacher) accepts and draws a child towards knowledge and initiates the second birth, that is, of the young mind and spirit.<ref name=kaneupan1>PV Kane, [https://archive.org/stream/historyofdharmas029210mbp#page/n325/mode/2up Samskara, Chapter VII], History of Dharmasastras, Vol II, Part I, Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute, pages 268-287</ref> Thus, the
person completing the [[Upanayana]] ceremony and receiving the sacred thread is referred to as [[Dvija]] (''twice-born'').{{sfn|Leslie|2003|p=189}}

==History==
[[File:Jang Bahadur Ranaji.jpg|thumb|[[Jung Bahadur Kunwar Rana]] highly prioritized '''Tagadhari''' castes in the civil code ''Muluki Ain'' published in 1854 A.D.]]
After the Gorkhali conquest of the [[Kathmandu valley]], King [[Prithvi Narayan Shah]] expelled the Christian Capuchin missionaries from [[Patan, Nepal|Patan]] and renamed Nepal as ''Asil [[Hindustan]]'' (pure land of [[Hindus]]).<ref name="Harkadai"/> The Tagadharis enjoyed a privileged status in the Nepalese capital and greater access to the authorities following these events.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=65}}{{sfn|Borgström|1980|p=11}} Subsequently, Hinduisation became the main policy of the [[Kingdom of Nepal]].<ref name="Harkadai"/> Prof. [[Harka Gurung]] speculates that the presence of Islamic [[Mughal Empire|Mughal rule]] and Christian [[British Raj|British rule in India]] compelled the foundation of [[Brahminism|Brahmin Orthodoxy]] in Nepal for the purpose building a haven for Hindus in the [[Kingdom of Nepal]].<ref name="Harkadai"/>

The Nepali [[civil code]], ''Muluki Ain'', was commissioned by [[Jung Bahadur Rana]] after his European tour and enacted in 1854. It was rooted in traditional [[Hindu Law]] and codified social practices for several centuries in Nepal.<ref>Stiller, L. F. (1993). Nepal: Growth of a Nation. Human Resources Development Research Center, Kathmandu.</ref> The law also comprised ''[[Prāyaścitta]]'' (avoidance and removal of sin) and ''[[Ācāra]]'' (the customary law of different castes and communities). It was an attempt to include the entire Hindu as well as the non-Hindu population of Nepal of that time into a single hierarchic civic code from the perspective of the [[Khas]] rulers.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Hofer|first1=Andras|title=The Caste Hierarchy and the State of Nepal: A Study of the Muluki Ain of 1854|date=1979|publisher=Universitatsverlag Wagner}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Guneratne|first1=Arjun|title=Many Tongues, One People: The Making of Tharu Identity in Nepal|date=2002|publisher=Cornell University Press|isbn=9780801487286}}</ref> The ''Muluki Ain'' divided the Nepalese into five main castes:<ref>{{cite web | url=http://web.comhem.se/~u18515267/CHAPTERIV.htm | title=Chapter Iv: Caste and Food}}</ref><ref name="southasia"/><ref name=Gurung2005/>
# '''Tagadhari''' (the cord-wearing high caste Hindus),
# Namasinya Matwali (non-enslavable drinking castes),
# Masinya Matwali jat (enslavable drinking castes),
# Pani Na Chalne Chhoichito Halnu Naparne (water non-acceptable but ritually not polluting caste),
# Pani Na Chalne Chhoichito Halnu Parne (water non-acceptable and ritually polluting caste).

The Nepalese ''jati'' arrangement in terms of [[Hindu]] [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]] takes the Tagadhari to be the highest in the hierarchy.{{sfn|Skinner|Pach III|Holland|1998|p=293}} The ethnolinguistic group of people of [[Mongoloid]] origin were tagged under the title ''Matwali'' ("Liquor Drinkers"), while those of [[Indo-Aryan peoples|Indo-Aryan origin]] were termed ''Tagadhari'' ("Wearers of the Sacred Thread").{{sfn|Skinner|Pach III|Holland|1998|p=293}}<ref name="southasia"/><ref name=Gurung2005/> The Tagadhari castes consisted of the three upper [[Varna (Hinduism)|varna]]: [[Brahmin]], [[Kshatriya]] and [[Vaishya]].<ref name=Gurung2005/> The civil code stated that if members of the Tagadhari castes consumed food and water touched by a person from the “Pani Na Chalne Chhoichhito Halnuparne’’ (Impure and Untouchable) category, then the member should undergo a purification process.<ref name=Gurung2005/> Assault upon Tagadhari castes was fined heavily and a perpetrator from lower in the social hierarchy could be punished with enslavement per the ''Muluki Ain''.<ref name=Gurung2005/> The Tagadhari castes could not be enslaved following any criminal punishment unless they had been expelled from the caste.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|pp=57-58}} The main broad caste categories in Nepal are '''Tagadharis''' (sacred thread bearers), '''Matwalis''' (liquor drinkers) and '''[[Dalit]]s''' (or untouchables).{{sfn|Kara|2012|p=275}}{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=55}}{{sfn|Stone|1988|p=9}}

==Tagadhari Castes==
[[File:The 1854 Muluki Ain codification of entire Nepalese society into a single hierarchical fold.jpg|thumb|Tagadhari castes in the ''Muluki Ain'' of Nepal, 1854]]
Within the Tagadharis, Tarai Brahmins were ranked below Newar Brahmin while Newar Brahmin were ranked below Chhetri.<ref name="Harkadai">https://www.nepjol.info/index.php/OPSA/article/download/1133/1558 Harka Gurung; ''The Dalit context''</ref> The hierarchy was more favourable to [[Khas|Parbattias]] within the Tagadharis.

Tagadhari castes in Nepal according to ''Muluki Ain'' (1854):<ref name=Gurung2005>Gurung, H. (2005). Social exclusion and Maoist insurgency. Paper presented at National Dialogue Conference on ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, Kathmandu, 19–20 January 2005.</ref><ref name="southasia">{{cite web | url=http://southasiacheck.org/fact-check/how-discriminatory-was-the-first-muluki-ain-against-dalits/ | title=How discriminatory was the first Muluki Ain against Dalits?| date=2015-08-21}}</ref>{{sfn|Sherchan|2001|p=14}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Ethnic Groups !! Castes
|-
| [[Khas people|Khas]]
| [[Bahun]] ([[Brahmin]]), [[Kshettri|Chhetri]] ([[Kshatriya]]), (Thakuri), (Rajput are also included in Thakuri)
|-
|[[Newar]]
| [[Rajopadhyaya|Rajopadhyay Brahman]] and [[Shresthas#Sr.C4.93.E1.B9.A3.E1.B9.ADha sub-caste groups|Chatharīya Srēstha]];
|-
|[[Terai]]/[[Madheshi]]
| [[Brahmin]] {[[Maithil Brahmin]], [[Bhumihar]], [[Kanyakubja Brahmin]] & Bhatta Deshi Brahmin (South Indian origin)}, [[Kayastha]]{{refn|group=note|Terai Brahmins were referred in the 1854 A.D. ''Muluki Ain'' code as Indian Brahmin.<ref name=Gurung2005/>}}
|}

==Diet and Tradition==
The main diet of the Tagadhari consists of [[rice]] while Matwali prefer [[millet]].{{sfn|German|Ramisch|Verma|2010|p=82}} The Tagadhari eat more milk-based foods in comparison to the Matwali preference for meat-based foods.{{sfn|German|Ramisch|Verma|2010|p=82}} The Tagadhari follow [[Hindu]] festivals while the Matawali follow [[Buddhist]] festivals.{{sfn|German|Ramisch|Verma|2010|p=82}} Brahmins and Chhetris do not practice any kind of [[cousin marriage]]s while Thakuris practice maternal cross-cousin marriages frequently and paternal cross-cousin marriage is also allowed among them.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|pp=56-57}}

==Status and Culture==
[[File:Dilli_Jang_Thapa.jpg|thumb|Portrait of a [[Chhetri]] aristocrat from the 20th century]]
The three Tagadhari and [[Dvija]] castes among the [[Khas|Parbattias]] are [[Bahun|Brahmin]], [[Thakuri]] and [[Chhetri]].{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=55}} These three Tagadhari castes were influential in political, social and religious developments in the [[Kingdom of Nepal]].{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=55}} The royal [[Shah dynasty]] and their allied aristocrats are drawn from [[Thakuri]] and [[Chhetri]] families.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=55}} Among the Parbattia Tagadharis, [[Bahun|Brahmins (Bahun)]] enjoy the highest hierarchical rank, with their major occupations being governmental services, agriculture and priestly works.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|pp=55-56}} Most of the Brahmins are, however, cultivators and are generally more economically backward than other [[Chhetri]], [[Newar]] and [[Magars|Magar]] farmers.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=56}} Thakuris are politically and socially ahead of others and have been developed from the miscegenation of [[Khas]], [[Magars]] and some possible Indian [[Rajput]] immigrants.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=56}} Chhetris are a homogeneous and endogamous caste whom are devoid of subdivisions, which is considered uncharacteristic among other Indian castes.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=57}} Major occupations of Chhetris include governmental services, agriculture and military.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=57}} Chhetris and Thakuris claim descent from the ancient Indian [[Kshatriya]]s and form the ruling and warrior classes of Nepal.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|pp=56-57}}

The ethnicities of the officers at and above the Under-Secretary level in governmental positions of Nepal in 1969 showed Chhetri and Brahmin as dominant in the top two highest positions, with 102 (35.17%) and 97 (33.45%) officers respectively among the total of 290 officers.{{sfn|Dharam Vir|1988|p=66}} As per the Public Service Commission of Nepal, Brahmins (33.3%) and Chhetris (20.01%) were two largest caste group to obtain governmental jobs in the fiscal year 2017-18 even though 45% governmental seats are reserved for women, indigenous groups, Madhesis, Dalits, people with disability and those from the backward regions.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-10-16/brahmins-and-chhetris-land-most-government-jobs.html | title=Brahmins and Chhetris land most government jobs}}</ref> Chhetris are highly dominant in the military sector of Nepal. Of the senior officers of the [[Nepal Army]], 74.4% of the total in 1967 consisted of Chhetris. Similarly, Chhetris were 38.1%, 54.3% and 55.3% of the senior officers in the years 2003, 2004 and 2007 respectively.{{sfn|Adhikari|2015|p=123}}

===Income and wealth===
Tagadhari (NRs. 33,130.0) had the highest annual income (1991), followed by Matwalis (NRs.30,300.0) and untouchables (NRs. 25,910.0).<ref>{{Cite journal | url=https://www.academia.edu/4293048 | title=Poverty of Dalit Community in Nepal Caused by caste-based Discrimination (An analytical approach on eastern philosophy)| last1=Nepali| first1=Nanda}}</ref>

==Demographics==
The population of Tagadhari castes as per [[2011 Nepal census]] are as below:<ref>http://cbs.gov.np/image/data/Population/Population%20Monograph%20of%20Nepal%202014/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://unstats.un.org/unsD/demographic/sources/census/wphc/Nepal/Nepal-Census-2011-Vol1.pdf|title=Nepal Census 2011}}</ref>
{| class="sortable wikitable" style="text-align: right;"
! style="text-align:left" | Rank in Nepal
! Castes ([[2011 Nepal census]])
! Population
! Percentage composition
|-
| style="text-align:left" | 1
| [[Chhetri|Kshetri/Chhetri]]
| 4,398,053
| 16.60%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | 2
| [[Bahun|Hill Brahmin/Bahun]]
| 3,226,903
| 12.18%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | 28
| [[Brahmin]]-Tarai ([[Maithil Brahmin|Maithil]], [[Bhumihar]], [[Kanyakubja Brahmin|Kanyakubja]])
|134,106
|0.51%
|-
| style="text-align:left" | 54
|[[Rajputs of Nepal|Rajput/Terai Kshetriya]]
|41,972
|0.16%
|}

===Dominance in civil services===
As per the [[Public Service Commission (Nepal)|Public Service Commission]] of Nepal, [[Bahun|Brahmins]] (33.3%) and [[Chhetri]]s (20.01%) were two largest caste group to obtain governmental jobs in the fiscal year 2017-18 even though 45% of governmental seats are reserved for women, indigenous groups, [[Madhesi people|Madhesis]], [[Dalit]]s, people with disability and those from the backward regions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2018-10-16/brahmins-and-chhetris-land-most-government-jobs.html|title = Brahmins and Chhetris land most government jobs}}</ref> Bahuns have a representation in the civil service which is 3.2 times that of their presence in the population; the fourth largest ratio in Nepal. The caste with the largest ratio, [[Rajputs of Nepal|Rajput]]s, have a presence in the civil service that is 5.6 times that of their presence in the population.<ref name="Nijamati">{{Cite news|first=Amit|last=Dhakal|url=http://archive.setopati.com/raajneeti/12636/|title= निजामती सेवामा सबैभन्दा बढी प्रतिनिधित्व राजपूत, कायस्थ र तराई ब्राम्हण|date=11 June 2014|newspaper= Setopati|access-date=25 January 2018}}</ref> [[Terai]] [[Brahmin]]s also have a presence in the civil service that is 3.2 times that of their presence in the population; this is the third highest ratio in Nepal.<ref name="Nijamati" />

===Districtwise statistics===
According to the [[2011 Nepal census]], [[Bahun]] or '''Brahmin-Hill''' appear as the second most populous group after [[Chhetri]] with 12.2% of Nepal's population (or 32,26,903 people).<ref name="cbs">{{Cite web|url=http://cbs.gov.np/image/data/Population/Population%20Monograph%20of%20Nepal%202014/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf|title=Nepal Census 2011}}</ref> Bahun (Hill-Brahmins) are the second largest [[Hindu]] group with a population of 3,212,704 (99.6% of Bahuns).<ref name="cbs"/> Hill-Brahmins are the largest group in 11 districts in Nepal: [[Jhapa district|Jhapa]], [[Morang district|Morang]], [[Kathmandu district|Kathmandu]], [[Chitwan district|Chitwan]], [[Nawalparasi district|Nawalparasi]], [[Rupandehi district|Rupandehi]], [[Kaski district|Kaski]], [[Syangja district|Syangja]], [[Parbat district|Parbat]], [[Gulmi district|Gulmi]] and [[Arghakhanchi district|Arghakhanchi]]. Among these, Bahuns in [[Parbat district|Parbat]] (35.7%), [[Arghakhanchi district|Arghakhanchi]] (32.8%), [[Syangja district|Syangja]] (30.9%), [[Chitwan district|Chitwan]] (28.6%), [[Kaski district|Kaski]] (27.8%) and [[Gulmi district|Gulmi]] (25.2%) consist more than 25% of the district population. [[Kathmandu district|Kathmandu]] has largest Bahun population with 410,126 people (23.5%).<ref name="cbs"/>

[[Chhetri]]s are largest caste group in 21 [[districts of Nepal]] as per the [[2001 Nepal census]] and 24 districts as per the [[2011 Nepal census]]. These twenty-four districts are: [[Dhankuta district]], [[Sankhuwasabha district]], [[Okhaldhunga district]], [[Udayapur district]], [[Ramechhap district]], [[Dolakha District]], [[Salyan District, Nepal|Salyan district]], [[Surkhet district]], [[Dailekh district]], [[Jajarkot district]], [[Dolpa district]], [[Jumla district]], [[Mugu district]], [[Humla district]], [[Bajura district]], [[Bajhang district]], [[Achham district]], [[Doti district]], [[Kailali district]], [[Dadeldhura district]], [[Baitadi district]], [[Darchula district]], [[Kalikot district]] and [[Kanchanpur district]].<ref name="cbs"/> Among these, Chhetris in [[Bajhang district|Bajhang]] (66.5%), [[Darchula district|Darchula]] (64.5%), [[Jumla district|Jumla]] (61.2%), [[Bajura district|Bajura]] (57.8%), [[Doti district|Doti]] (57.7%), [[Kailali District|Kailali]] (57.7%), [[Salyan District, Nepal|Salyan]] (57.0%), [[Achham District|Achham]] (55.5%), [[Dadeldhura District|Dadeldhura]] (53.6%) and [[Baitadi district|Baitadi]] (52.2%) consist more than 50% of the district population. The district with largest Chhetri population is [[Kathmandu district]] with 347,754 people (i.e. 19.9% of the total district population).<ref name="cbs"/> The literacy rate among Chhetris is 72.3% as per the [[2011 Nepal census]].<ref name="cbs"/>

==See also==
* [[Hinduism in Nepal]]
* [[History of Hinduism]]

==References==
===Footnotes===
{{reflist|group=note}}

===Notes===
{{Reflist}}

==Books==
* {{Cite book| title = Democracy, pluralism and Change: An Inquiry into Nepalese context| last1 = Sherchan | first1 = Sanjay | year =2001 | publisher = Chhye Pahhuppe | isbn = 9789993354390 |url =https://books.google.com/books?id=-SyOAAAAMAAJ}}
* {{cite book|last1=German|first1=Laura |last2= Ramisch |first2=Joshua J.|last3=Verma|first3= Ritu
|title=Beyond the Biophysical: Knowledge, Culture, and Power in Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
|year=2010|publisher=Springer Science & Business Media|isbn=9789048188260}}
* {{cite book|last1=Skinner|first1= Debra|last2= Pach III|first2=Alfred|last3= Holland|first3=Dorothy|title=Selves in Time and Place: Identities, Experience, and History in Nepal|publisher= Rowman & Littlefield Publishers|year=1998|isbn=9780847685998}}
* {{cite book | last=Leslie |first=Julia | title=Authority and Meaning in Indian Religions: Hinduism and the Case of Vālmīki | url=https://archive.org/details/authoritymeaning00lesl | url-access=registration | year=2003 | publisher=Ashgate Publishing, Ltd. | isbn=978-0-7546-3431-7 | page=[https://archive.org/details/authoritymeaning00lesl/page/189 189]}}
* {{Cite book| title = Muktinath: Himalayan pilgrimage, a cultural & historical guide
| last1 = Messerschmidt| first1 = Donald Alan | year =1992 | publisher = Sahayogi Press |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=uwBHAQAAIAAJ }}
* {{cite book|author=Dharam Vir|title=Education and Polity in Nepal: An Asian Experiment|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yEHODCDK-8kC&pg=PA56|year=1988|publisher=Northern Book Centre|isbn=978-81-85119-39-7}}
* {{Citation|last=Adhikari|first=Indra|title=Military and Democracy in Nepal|publisher=Routledge|year=2015|isbn=9781317589068|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CVLeCQAAQBAJ}}
* {{Citation|last=Borgström|first=Bengt-Erik |title=The patron and the panca: village values and pancayat democracy in Nepal
|publisher=Vikas House|year=1980|isbn=9780706909975|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DxY1AAAAIAAJ}}
* {{Citation|last=Stone |first=Linda |title=Illness Beliefs and Feeding the Dead in Hindu Nepal: An Ethnographic Analysis
|publisher=E. Mellen|year=1988|isbn=9780889460607|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=N7jfAAAAMAAJ}}
* {{Citation|last=Kara |first=Siddharth |title=Bonded Labor: Tackling the System of Slavery in South Asia
|publisher=Columbia University Press|year=2012|isbn=9780231528016|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_DLTnRNgVHIC}}

{{Chhetri communities}}

[[Category:Brahmin communities]]
[[Category:Hinduism in Nepal]]
[[Category:Kshatriya communities]]

Tagadhari - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Add new article