Newar are the people native to Kathmandu valley. Their native language is "Nepal Bhasha" aka "Newari". However being the national language of Nepal "Nepali Language" is also spoken by almost all Newar people sometime as a second language and sometime as the first language. Most of Newar people believe in Hinduism and according to Hindu systems they are categorized into different caste and clans.
Newar population in Nepal is almost 1.3 million which accounts almost 5.5% of total population of Nepal. But despite of having small population, Newar people have great impact in Nepali society.
Newar population in Nepal is almost 1.3 million which accounts almost 5.5% of total population of Nepal. But despite of having small population, Newar people have great impact in Nepali society.
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 torch bearers | 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 |
Newar Vs Maithili/Madheshi
In 1097 AD King Nanya Dev of Karnat dynasty established his kingdom in Mithila region (Tirahut). The center of the kingdom was Simraungadh (सिम्रौनगढ) which is now located in Bara district, South Central Nepal. 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 on Hariharpur Gadhi (present day Sindhuli district) is family went to Kathmandu Temples of Taleju Bhawani in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts are believed to be linked with Mithila Kingdom. Many maithili brahmins also migrated to Kathmandu valley during that period and afterwards. During centuries of their residence in Kathmandu they mixed up with the native people of the valley. Today newar brahmin caste Jha, Mishra and Bhatta are believed to be originated from Maithila.
Notable Newar people:-In 1097 AD King Nanya Dev of Karnat dynasty established his kingdom in Mithila region (Tirahut). The center of the kingdom was Simraungadh (सिम्रौनगढ) which is now located in Bara district, South Central Nepal. 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 on Hariharpur Gadhi (present day Sindhuli district) is family went to Kathmandu Temples of Taleju Bhawani in Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur districts are believed to be linked with Mithila Kingdom. Many maithili brahmins also migrated to Kathmandu valley during that period and afterwards. During centuries of their residence in Kathmandu they mixed up with the native people of the valley. Today newar brahmin caste Jha, Mishra and Bhatta are believed to be originated from Maithila.
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) Ex. Prime Minister
Sahana Pradhan (1927-2014), Leader of CPN-ML, Ex. Deputy PM
Hisila Yami (b.1959), Leader, Ex. Minister
Siddhicharan Shrestha (1912-1992), Poet, aka Yug Kavi
Satya Mohan Joshi (b.1920), Scholar of history and culture
Narayan Gopal (1939-1990), Singer, aka Swar Samrat
Tara Devi (1945-2006), Singer, aka Swar Samragi
Fattehman Singh Rajbhandari, Singer
Prem Dhwaj Pradhan (b.1938), Singer
Madan Krishna Shrestha (b.1950), Actor
Shiva Shrestha, Actor
Karishma Manandhar (b.1971), Actress
See Also
Tags: List of Newar Caste & Surnames