Thakuri

Historically, the "Thakuri" (Nepali: ठकुरी) is one of influential tribe in Nepal that held significant history in Nepal, forming the core of the country's ruling class.

During the height of their influence, the Thakuri tribe played a pivotal role in shaping the political landscape of Nepal. They held positions of authority and governance, contributing to the administration and stability of the region. Their lineage was highly regarded, and they were often sought after for leadership roles within the kingdom.

Notably, members of the Shah dynasty, which ruled Nepal for centuries, were descendants of the Thakuri tribe from Chaubisi. The Shah dynasty's royal family held significant sway over Nepalese affairs, guiding the nation through various periods of prosperity and turmoil.

Through their connections to both the Khasa Malla kingdom and the Magarat lineage, the Thakuris forged a legacy deeply rooted in Nepalese history. Their contributions to politics, culture, and society continue to be remembered and celebrated, reflecting their enduring impact on the nation.

Etymology
Nepali sociologist Harka Bahadur Gurung noted that the Thakuri is the Nepalese version of the Hindi word Thakur which means 'master of the estate'. Thakuris of Nepal are also associated with some territory inherited from the days of Baisi and Chaubisi principalities and the term Thakurai actually refers to 'fiefdom'.

Origins
Thakuris, coming from ruling and warrior backgrounds, form a social and political group with diverse roots, including Khas,Magars, and rajputs. Francis Buchanan-Hamilton has claimed that many of the ruling clans of the Thakuris are actually Magar in origin and that they were arbitrarily elevated to the Rajput status.

In the Karnali and Sudurpaschim, Thakuris were mainly represented by powerful rulers from the Khas Malla kingdom, also known as the Khasa Kingdom, and the Chand kings who hailed from Kumaon Garhwal. These rulers expanded their kingdoms into areas like Bajhang and Darchula. The Karnali region, historically, was marked by influential kingdoms, especially the mighty Malla kingdom (or Khasa Kingdom), which held sway over a significant part of Gandaki Province. In specific places like the Kingdom of Bajhang, Bajura, and nearby areas, both Singh and Chand kings played crucial roles, extending their influence and establishing themselves as rulers in various parts of Sudurpashchim Province and the Karnali Province. Additionally, there's a notable presence of other Thakuri sub-castes such as Shahi, Shah, Bam, Malla, singh, Barma and many more in these regions.

Meanwhile, in the Gandaki province (Anchal), there are Thakuri sub-castes like Sen, Malla, Banshi/bamshi, Khand, and Shah/Shahi, and many more, which many historians claim to be from the Magar clan. Rulers have changed their surnames to Thakuri, adopting names like Sen, Khand, Uchai, Banshi, Malla, Shah, and many more. Traditionally and culturally, the norms and values of Thakuris from this region are completely different from those of the Karnali and Sudhurpaschim Thakuris.

Historically, they ruled over certain areas in the Baise regions, like Bajhang and nearby areas in the Baise Rajya. The debate over the attribution of Rajput descent has engaged historians, with some suggesting political motives behind such claims made by ruling families in Nepal. Mahesh Chandra Regmi highlights a historical trend where Nepalese ruling dynasties attempt to link their lineage with renowned Indian dynasties. This trend is exemplified by Thakuri Shah rulers, like King Ram Shah, who sought recognition of kinship relations with the Ranas of Udaypur.

Society
The classification of Thakuri as a subgroup within the broader social group of Hill Chhetri, along with Chhetri and Sanyasi/Dasnami, is inaccurate. Contrary to the misconception that Thakuri are generally considered a subgroup of Chhetri, it is essential to recognize the diverse origins and cultural ties within the Thakuri community. Thakuri from the Karnali Province and Sudurpashchim Province may indeed have connections with Khasas or Chhetri, stemming from the historical context of the Khasa Kingdom. However, it is crucial to emphasize that Thakuri from the Gandaki region and surrounding areas have distinct cultural affiliations with Magars. In regions like Manang and Mustang, there are Thakuri communities with Buddhism beliefs and deep-rooted connections to their cultures.

Note: "There are also many Kunwar Community people's who changed their surname to Khand Thakuri, but in reality, they are Kunwar from the Pokhara area. However, their roots lie in the Kunwar community, not the Thakuri community, for your information."

Various Thakuri sub-castes, such as Sen Banshi/Bamshi, Khand, Uchhai, Shah Shahi, and are specifically prevalent in the Gandaki region and share close ties with Magars. Their religious practices often involve Magars and Magar priests. On the other hand, sub-castes like Chand, Shahi, Bam, Singh, and Pal are prominently found mainly in the Karnali region, indicating proximity to the historical Khasa Kingdom. Despite both regions being home to Thakuri communities, they exhibit significant differences in terms of culture, marriage customs, rituals, and traditions.

Demographics
Thakuris constitute the aristocracy and possess the high social, ritual and political status. Thakuris are politically and socially ahead of others. Traditionally, the Thakuris' main occupations involved government, agriculture and military. Thakuri traditionally constituted the ruling and warrior classes. Most of the Thakuris are agriculturalists in Western Nepal except few aristrocratic families in the capital city. ([source](https://nepal.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Population%20Monograph%20V02.pdf)).
 * Karnali Province (10.3%)
 * Sudurpashchim Province (4.4%)
 * Gandaki Province (1.6%)
 * Lumbini (1.3%)
 * Bagmati Province (0.7%)
 * Koshi Province (0.1%)
 * Madhesh Province (0.1%)

The frequency of Thakuri was higher than national average (1.6%) in the following districts:
 * Kalikot (25.1%)
 * Humla (19.8%)
 * Jajarkot (16.8%)
 * Mugu (15.4%)
 * Dailekh (14.1%)
 * Jumla (7.4%)
 * Baitadi (6.8%)
 * Dolpa (6.4%)
 * Kanchanpur (5.6%)
 * Bajura (5.2%)
 * Western Rukum (5.0%)
 * Bajhang (4.9%)
 * Darchula (4.9%)
 * Surkhet (4.6%)
 * Kailali (3.9%)
 * Banke (3.6%)
 * Doti (3.5%)
 * Salyan (3.5%)
 * Achham (2.5%)
 * Dadeldhura (2.5%)
 * Parbat (2.5%)
 * Syangja (2.5%)
 * Bardiya (2.3%)
 * Tanahun (2.3%)
 * Myagdi (2.0%)
 * Nawalpur (1.8%)

Thakuri family and dynasties
The ruling Shah dynasty of Gorkha Kingdom and other dynasties such as the Malla dynasty from Galkot later Kingdom of Nepal are ranked among Thakuris.


 * Shah dynasty of Gorkha Kingdom
 * Khas Malla dynasty

Notable Thakuri surnames
In alphabetical order, the commonly known Thakuri surnames are:

Simha
 * Bam
 * Chand
 * Hamal (hamal is not thakuri but they are children of bahun father and thakuri mother that's why don't include them into thakuri surnmae )
 * Khand
 * Malla
 * Pal
 * Sen
 * Shah (not to be confused with Sah/Shah of Terai, Shah caste in Kumaon region in Uttarakhand State of India)
 * Shahi
 * Singh
 * Thakuri

Of these, Chand, Bam, Malla, and Pal are also associated with Kumaon/Kuramanchal kingdom.

Note: Hamal are the offspring of a Thakuri and an Upadhyaya Brahmin

Unproven Thakuri Claimants
The surnames mentioned below are predominantly associated with the Chhetri subcaste rather than the Thakuri subcaste. These surnames, including Thagunna, Thakurathi, Rana/Jabara/Jang Bahadur Rana/JBR, Rawal and Bogati, are commonly found among individuals belonging to the Chhetri community. It is important to note that they are Chhetri by caste, not Thakuri. The following surnames have recently begun to claim Thakuri status but their claims are not corroborated by governmental inclusivity organizations or historical sources:
 * Bogati
 * Deuba / Deuja
 * Rawal
 * Kunwar
 * Rana /Jabara / Jang Bahadur Rana / JBR
 * Thagunna
 * Thakurathi