Sarki (ethnic group)

Sarki/Mijar (सार्की) is an occupational caste in Nepal. They are found in the region of the Himalayas, Nepal, across the hills of Darjeeling & Kalimpong and in Terai area of Dooars. They are experts in playing their musical instrument "Madal" and performing dance in a group which is also called “Khayali Marooni”. According to the 2021 Nepal census, Sarki makes up 1.55% of Nepal's population (452,229 people). Sarki are referred to in the Nepali and Thakali languages.

Due to many caste-based discriminations in Nepal, the government of Nepal legally abolished the caste system and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "untouchability" (the ostracism of a specific caste) - in the year 1963 A.D. With Nepal's step towards freedom and equality, Nepal, previously ruled by a Hindu monarchy, was a Hindu nation which has now become a secular state, and on 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic, ending it as a Hindu Kingdom

The 1854 Nepalese Muluki Ain (Legal Code) categorized Sarki as a category. Sarki is categorized under "Hill Dalit" among the 9 broad social groups, along with Damai, Badi, Kami and Gaine by the Government of Nepal.

Geographic distribution
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, 374,816 people (1.4% of the population of Nepal) were Sarki. The frequency of Sarki by province was as follows:
 * Gandaki Province (4.1%)
 * Karnali Province (2.6%)
 * Sudurpashchim Province (1.7%)
 * Lumbini Province (1.5%)
 * Bagmati Province (1.3%)
 * Koshi Province (1.0%)
 * Madhesh Province (0.1%)

The frequency of Sarki was higher than national average (1.4%) in the following districts:
 * Gorkha (7.6%)
 * Jumla (7.1%)
 * Parbat (6.7%)
 * Arghakhanchi (6.1%)
 * Baglung (5.6%)
 * Lamjung (5.3%)
 * Bajura (5.0%)
 * Dhading (4.8%)
 * Gulmi (4.8%)
 * Dadeldhura (4.5%)
 * Tanahun (4.3%)
 * Pyuthan (4.2%)
 * Syangja (4.0%)
 * Sindhuli (3.6%)
 * Myagdi (3.4%)
 * Kalikot (3.2%)
 * Palpa (3.2%)
 * Dailekh (3.1%)
 * Ramechhap (3.1%)
 * Okhaldhunga (2.9%)
 * Dolpa (2.8%)
 * Khotang (2.8%)
 * Udayapur (2.6%)
 * Kaski (2.5%)
 * Doti(2.4%)
 * Surkhet (2.4%)
 * Bhojpur (2.3%)
 * Humla (2.3%)
 * Bajhang (2.2%)
 * Dang (1.9%)
 * Kavrepalanchok (1.9%)
 * Jajarkot (1.8%)
 * Salyan (1.8%)
 * Western Rukum (1.8%)
 * Nuwakot (1.7%)
 * Kanchanpur (1.6%)
 * Terhathum (1.6%)
 * Sindhupalchowk (1.5%)

Language
The Nepali language spoken by Khas Arya is their mother tongue. They also speak Gurung .