Newar caste system
Social structure in Nepal and North India / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Newar caste system is the system by which Newārs, the historical inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley, are divided into groups on the basis of Vedic varna model and divided according to their hereditary occupations.Most likely some names with "SHRESTHA" and "PRADHAN" may fall in a similar category when Newars opted to change their original last names for one reason or another.As stated earlier, all these names are associated with the castes originally introduced by a Malla King, perhaps, in the early 16th century or so.First introduced at the time of the Licchavis (A.D. 300 – c. 879), the Newar caste system assumed its present shape during the medieval Malla period (A.D. 1201–1769).[1] The Newar caste structure resembles more closely to North India and Madheshis than that of the Khas 'Parbatiyas' in that all four Varna (Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra) and untouchables are represented.[2] The social structure of Newars is unique as it is the last remaining example of a pre-Islamic North Indic civilisation in which Buddhist elements enjoy equal status with the Brahmanic elements.[3]