Shrestha

Śrēṣṭha (श्रेष्ठ) is a Nepali surname, which means "most excellent” or "great” in Sanskrit. It is one of the eponym surnames used by those belonging to the caste of Shresthas who prior to the unification of modern Nepal formed the ruling and administrative Kshatriya castes in the court of the Malla kings of Nepal. They also counted among them the trading and business Vaishya castes, and were the pre-eminent traders in between Nepal and Tibet. After the unification of Nepal, Shresthas took up business and trading since their former positions as administrators and courtiers of the royal Malla court was supplanted by the invading Gorkha forces mainly of the Khas tribe.

Background
The word "Shrestha" was derived from Sanskrit term Shista meaning 'noble' or 'decent'. "Syasya" also means 'warrior' in Nepal Bhasa. Shresthas (or Syasya) served as administrators and courtiers during the rule of the Malla Newar kings that ruled Nepal for six hundred years – known as the "Golden Era" of Nepal – when much of the cultural and architectural development of Nepal took place. They took a prominent role in the governance and administration of the nation and fought against the Gorkha invasion. They also contributed to protect their country Nepal from external powers like the Mughal.

Politics and civil administration

 * Ganga Lal Shrestha – Politician, One of the four famous Martyr of Nepal
 * Gopal Man Shrestha – Politician, Deputy Prime Minister 2017-18
 * Krishna Mohan Shrestha – First Inspector General of Armed Police Force (Nepal)
 * Marich Man Singh Shrestha – Prime Minister of Nepal, 1986–90
 * Narayan Kaji Shrestha – Politician, Deputy Prime Minister, 2011–12
 * Krishna Kumar Shrestha – Politician, Member of the House of Representatives

Arts, literature and culture

 * Siddhicharan Shrestha – "Yuga Kavi", one of the most prominent literary figures of Nepal
 * Rakesh Shrestha – Celebrity Photographer in India
 * Durga Lal Shrestha – Poet, lyricist
 * Ganesh Lal Shrestha – Poet, lyricist
 * Jagat Lal Shrestha – Educator, author
 * Madan Krishna Shrestha – Comedian, actor, singer
 * Shiva Shrestha – Actor
 * Shree Krishna Shrestha – Actor
 * Namrata Shrestha – Actress, model
 * Sushma Shrestha – known by stage name "Poornima", Bollywood singer
 * Shristi Shrestha – Miss Nepal World 2012
 * Ishani Shrestha – Miss Nepal World 2013
 * Asmi Shrestha – Miss Nepal World 2016
 * Anushka Shrestha – Miss Nepal World 2019

Others

 * Nani Kaji Shrestha, also known as Bauddha Rishi Mahapragya, well known in the revival of Nepali Theravada Buddhism in the 1920s
 * Bishnu Shrestha – Nepali soldier in Indian Army
 * Purnima Shrestha, Nepalese mountaineer and photojournalist