Caste system in Nepal

The Nepalese caste system is the traditional system of social stratification of Nepal. The Nepalese caste system broadly borrows the classical Chaturvarnashram model consisting of four broad social classes or varna:Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Sudra, and untouchables. The caste system defines social classes by a number of hierarchical endogamous groups often termed jaat. This custom was traditionally only prevalent in the Hindu societies of the Khas/Parbatiya, Madhesi, and Newars. However, since the unification of Nepal in the 18th century, Nepal's various indigenous "Adivasi/Janajati" tribes have been incorporated within the caste hierarchy, to varying degrees of success. Despite of the forceful integration among the pan-Hindu social structure, the ethnic indigenous groups do not adhere to or fall under the caste system.

The social structure of caste-origin Hill Hindu or Khas groups is simple, reflecting only three groups in hierarchy, and there is no strict adherence to the four varna categories. The mother tongue of these groups is Nepali. In 2001 the CBS recorded only nine groups in the caste-origin Hill Hindu groups.

The social structure of the caste-origin Madhesi Hindu groups is complex, reflecting four varna groups with distinct hierarchical structure within them. These various cultural groups belong to four distinct language groups: Maithili, Bajika, Bhojpuri, Tharu and Awadhi. In 2001 the CBS recorded 43 caste-origin Hindu groups in the Madhesh.

The case of Newār is exceptional. This group presents a complicated social structure, not only reflecting the model of four Hindu varna categories, but is also clearly divided into two distinct religious groups: the Hindu and the Buddhist. Newars are divided internally into distinct cultural groups of over 25 occupational caste categories who share a common language (mother-tongue) Nepal Bhasa.

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