Chhetri
| छेत्रि / क्षेत्रि / खस | |
|---|---|
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Nepal | 16.6 per cent of total population (2011 census) |
| India | Indian Gorkha Populations in Sikkim, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Assam. |
| Languages | |
| Nepali , Hindi, Dzongkha and Burmese | |
| Religion | |
| Almost all are Hindu | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Kumaoni people, Garhwali people; Kshatriya | |
Chhetri (Chettri, or Chetri) (Hindi: छेत्री , Nepali: क्षेत्री), synonymous with Kshetri (Nepali: क्षेत्री) and Khatri (Nepali: खत्री) is a caste among Nepalese, Burmese Gurkhas, Indian Gorkhas and Lhotshampa Bhutanese peoples, which are a part of Khas people, along with some Brahmins (Bahun), and Thakuris. (Nepali: खस). Chhetris claim to be of the Kshatriya varna. They make up 16.6% of Nepal's population according to the census of 2011, making them the most populous caste or ethnic community in Nepal. The majority of Chhetris speak Nepali.
Chhetris are primarily Hindu (99.48% according to the 2001 Census). Those Chhetri who follow Hinduism may also follow Buddhism. The ancient religion of the Chhetri is Masto which uses nature worship and can still be seen in western Nepal's Karnali district and in India's Gorkhaland. In Nepal's hill districts the Chhetri population rises to 41% compared to 31% Brahmin and 27% other castes. This greatly exceeds the Kshatriya portion in most regions with predominantly Hindu populations.
The origin of the Chhetris is uncertain. They were formerly known as Khas, but that term has now fallen into disuse. They are thought to be connected to the Khasas mentioned in the ancient Indian literature and the medieval Khasa kingdom.
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