Shakya (surname)

Shakya is an Indian surname and is part of the broader Kushwaha community including other surnames like Maurya, Kachhi, Saini, Koeri etc, who collectively assert descent from Kusha, a son of the avatar of Vishnu, Rama. This caste group is considered as one of the most numerous OBC castes in the states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. It is estimated that they are distributed across the states, in almost all assembly constituencies. In Uttar Pradesh, they have preponderance in Etah Lok Sabha constituency.

Shakya surname in Nepal
In Nepal, Shakyas function as Vajrayana priests and are ranked higher in the caste hierarchy among Newari community since they are believed to be the descendants of Gautam Buddha himself.

Notable people
Notable people with this surname, who may or may not be associated with the caste/clan are:
 * Alok Kumar Shakya, former member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Bhongaon Assembly constituency.
 * Bhagwan Singh Shakya, former minister of State in Government of Uttar Pradesh.
 * Daya Ram Shakya, former Member of Indian Parliament from Farrukhabad Lok Sabha constituency.
 * Devesh Shakya, member of Indian parliament, Lok Sabha from Etah Lok Sabha constituency
 * Geeta Shakya, Member of Indian Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from Uttar Pradesh.
 * Gore Lal Shakya, former Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Bharthana Assembly constituency.
 * Mahadeepak Singh Shakya, five times Member of Indian Parliament from Etah Lok Sabha constituency.
 * Sushil Kumar Shakya, Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Amritpur Assembly constituency.
 * Dharmendra Kumar Singh Shakya, Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Shekhupur Assembly constituency.
 * Panna Lal Shakya, former member of Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Guna Assembly constituency.
 * Sinod Kumar Shakya, former Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Dataganj Assembly constituency.
 * Vinay Shakya, former Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Bidhuna Assembly constituency.
 * Raghuraj Singh Shakya, former Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Etawah Assembly constituency.
 * Ram Singh Shakya, former member of Lok Sabha from Etawah Lok Sabha constituency.
 * Ram Autar Shakya, former member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Bhongaon Assembly constituency.
 * Suraj Singh Shakya, four times member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Sakit Assembly constituency in Etah district of Uttar Pradesh.
 * Harish Shakya, Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Bilsi Assembly constituency.
 * Mamtesh Shakya, former Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Patiyali Assembly constituency.
 * Bidya Sundar Shakya, mayor of Kathmandu city from 2017 to 2022
 * Payal Shakya, Miss Nepal World 2004
 * Sushma Shakya, Nepali artist
 * Dhiren Shakya, Nepali movie star