Shresthas
| Srēṣṭha श्रेष्ठ | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| (25% of total Newar population; 1.2% of total Nepal population (2001 census)) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Nepal, India | |
| Languages | |
| Nepal Bhasa, Nepali | |
| Religion | |
| Hindu | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Newar peoples; Indo-Aryan peoples; Kshatriya clans; Nepali people; Nepal Mandala peoples |
The Srēṣṭa or Shrēṣṭha (Nepali: श्रेष्ठ) or (Newar: स्यस्य: Śeśyah or Séshyō) caste is the second largest Newar caste (after Maharjans), occupying around 25% of overall Newar population, or about 1.2% of Nepal’s total population. It is believed that the word Srēṣṭha is derived from the Newar word Śeśyah, which itself is derivation of a Sanskrit word Sista meaning 'noble', although literal meaning of the word also translated to 'best or important.' "Shrestha" itself was later adopted as the specific family surname by members of this high-caste Hindu group, although there are over 50 other recognized surnames of Srēṣṭhas.
Prior to Nepal’s unification, Srēṣṭha was a title given to those who served as administrators at the Malla courts. From within the Srēṣṭhas are highly heterogeneous groups: they count among them not only the high-caste aristocratic Kshatriyas, the Chatharīya, descended from the nobles and courtiers of the Malla period who later formed the core of government bureaucracy during the Shah and Rana period, but also the Vaishyas, the Pāñchthariya, who now mostly call themselves 'Shrestha', which includes petty shopkeepers to rich merchant families, both in the Valley and throughout Nepal. Srēṣṭha group has also incorporated in it the socially upward farmers and peasants in the villages of the Valley and throughout Nepal.
In Nepal, the Srēṣṭha caste ranks second to the priestly Rājopadhyāyā Brāhman caste in ritual hierarchy. Although in terms of ritual purity, the Brāhmans rank above Kshatriyas, they represent transcendental values, not local ones. It is the Kshatriyas, i.e. the Srēṣṭhas, who are the paradigmatic Newars on the traditional caste-bound view. All other castes are their priests, artisans, barbers, servants, gardeners, or other specialists. In the Malla time, together with the Rājopadhyāyā Brāhman priests, the Sréṣṭhas controlled key posts of the administration, and gained vested interest in the land by acquiring feudal rights over holdings. Srēṣṭhas are traditionally Hindus, often termed as Sivamargi in local parlance. However, there are few exceptions to this norm; few notable families like the Pradhān aristocrats of Bhagavan Bahāl in Thamel and Amatyas of Indrachok are Buddhists. Similarly, many other Srēṣṭha families have been traditional patrons of Buddhist viharas and temples, suggesting reverence towards Buddhist shrines of the valley.
...
Wikipedia