Newar people

Newars are the people native to Kathmandu valley. Their native language is "Nepal Bhasha" aka "Newari". However, Nepali Language is also spoken by a large number of Newar people. Most Newar people believe in Hinduism and according to Hindu systems, they are categorized into different caste and clans. A sizable number of Newar people also believe in Buddhism. Newar population in Nepal is almost 1.3 million which accounts for almost 5.5% of the total population of Nepal. 

List of Newar caste and surnames:-

Caste	Traditional occupation	surnames
Deo Brahman	Hindu priests	Rajopadhyaya
Shrestha (Chhathariya)	Royal family, nobles, and courtiers	Joshi, Malla, Pradhananga, Pradhan, Rajbhandari, Amatya, Vaidya, Maskey, Kayastha, Rajvanshi, Patrabansh, Mathema, Lakhey, Hada, Karmacharya, Guruvacharya
Shrestha (Panchthariya)	Administrators, traders, and merchants	Shrestha, Mulmi, Madhikarmi (Halwai), Bhaju, Kakchapati, Nyachhyon, Nagarkoti, Sivacharya, Mulmi, Madhikarmi (Halwai), Bhaju, Kakchapati, Nyachhyon, Nagarkoti, Sivacharya, etc.
Gubhaju	Buddhist priests	Vajracharya, and Bare - Shakya, Bhikshu, Gurju
Uray, Udaas	Traders and merchants, Craftsmen	Tuladhar, Bania, Sikarmi (Sthapit), Awa, Tamrakar, Kansakar, Sikhrakar, Sindurakar, Rajkarnikar, Halwai, SIlakar
Jyapu	Farmers	Maharjan, Dangol, Singh, Suwal, Desar, Rajbahak, Kumhal, Prajapati, Kumah, Awale, Awal, Shilpakar, Ka:mi, Pahari
Sayami	Oilpressers	Manandhar, Sayami
Khusa	Palanquin bearers	Tandukar
Nau	Barbers	Napit
Kau	Blacksmiths	Naka:mi
Bha	Funeral duties	Karanjit, Bha
Gathu	Gardeners	Bammala, Mali, Malakar
Tepe	Cultivators	Byanjankara, Tepe
Pun	Painters	Chitrakar
Duhim	Carriers	Putwar, Dali
Balami	Fieldworkers	Balami
Pulu	Funeral torchbearers	Pulu
Cipa	Dyers	Ranjitkar, Ranjit
Jugi	Musicians and tailors	Darshandhari, Kusle, Kapali
Naye	Butchers and musicians	Khadgi, Shahi
Kulu	Drum-makers and cobblers	Kulu
Pode	Fishermen, sweepers	Pode, Deola, Pujari, Nepali
Chami	Sweepers	Chyame, Chamkhalak
Halahulu	Sweepers	Halahulu

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Newar Vs Maithili/Madheshi

In 1097 AD King Nanya Dev of the Karnat dynasty established his kingdom in the Mithila region (Tirahut). The center of the kingdom was Simraungadh (सिम्रौनगढ) which is now located in the Bara district, Nepal. In 1324 AD, when the last king Harisingh Dev was defeated by Delhi Sultan Gayasudin Tuglak (ग़ियास सुद्दीन तुग़लुक़), King Hari Singh left for Kathmandu with the statue of Taleju Bhawani. Though he died in Hariharpur Gadhi (present-day Sindhuli district) his family made it to Kathmandu. Temples of Taleju Bhawani in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts are believed to be linked with the Mithila Kingdom. Many Maithili brahmins also migrated to Kathmandu valley during that period and afterward. During centuries of their residence in Kathmandu, they mixed up with the native people of the valley. Today, some of the Newar brahmin castes like Jha, Mishra, and Bhatta are believed to be originated from Maithili.

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Notable Newar people:-

Sankhadhar Sakhwa (879 AD) philanthropist, related to Nepal Sambat
Shukra Raj Shastri (1894-1941), Freedom Fighter, Martyr
Gangalal Shrestha (1919-1941), Freedom Fighter, Martyr
Dharma Bhakta Mathema (1908-1941), Freedom Fighter, Martyr
Ganesh Man Singh (1915-1997) Freedom Fighter, Leader of Nepali Congress
Pushpa Lal Shrestha (1924-1978), Founder of Communist Party of Nepal
Marich Man Shrestha (1942-2013) Former Prime Minister
Sahana Pradhan (1927-2014), Leader of CPN-ML, Former Deputy PM
Hisila Yami (b.1959), Leader

Yug Kavi Siddhicharan Shrestha (1912-1992), poet

Satya Mohan Joshi (1920- 2022), Scholar of history and culture

Swor Samrat Narayan Gopal (1939-1990), Singer
Tara Devi (1945-2006), Singer, aka Swar Samragi
Fattehman Singh Rajbhandari (1936-2013), Singer
Prem Dhwaj Pradhan (b.1938), Singer
Madan Krishna Shrestha (b.1950), Actor
Shiva Shrestha, Actor
Karishma Manandhar (b.1971), Actress

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See Also 

1. Bahun - Chhetri 
2. List of Gotra & Thari
3. Janajati people
4. Dalit in Nepal

Tags: List of Newar Caste & Surnames