Regxni Research (Private) Ltd, Kathmndu: November l, 1970.
�egmi Research Series Year 2, No. 11,
Edited By:
Mahesh C, Regmi.
Contents
l. A Brief Account of Ancient And Medieval Nepal •... 253 2. Guthi Lands of Sri Vara.hi Temple In Bhaktapur ••• 259 3. On The NeP1,l-Tibet War, 1791 . �. 267 4. Nepal-Sirmu.r Treaty .... 272 5. Glossary Of Revenue, Administrative And Other Terms Occurring In Nepali Historical Documents ... 273
Regmi Research (Private) Ltd, Lazimpat, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Compiled by Regmi Research (Pri.vate) Ltd tc.lr private study and research. Not neant for public sale or display. 253 •
. A B rief Account Of Ancient . And M:idieval Nepal
B"iJ
Babu Ram Achar,yal
: ·The ancient· period in the history of Nepal is· sup�sed to have eommenced around 750 B.C. However, little is known about the history of Nepal for l milleoium, that is, imtil around 250 A.D. An idol of the Kushan perfud fo und at the_ Pashupati Temple and Indian literatt:!'G shed some light on this period, however� . _: . · ·The ea.riy Lichchfiav i period is considered t, o h ave lasted from 250 to 505 A.D. The medieval period in the history of Nepal began with the death . of King. Manadeva ,in 505 ·A.D. The custom c>':f worshipping and maldng ·r1 tual gifts of cows started when the Sa.natana r eligion spread to Nepal during the Lichchhavi period. Cowherds (Gopala-Gwar) were procured from outside to look a:t'ter cows. In cour:::e of time, these Gopalas grgdually bu.i.lt up their strength, and ·after 5 generations they became vory powerful.
, ' King Mahadeva., was succeeded by his son Mahideva. How ever, within less than a year �er a scending the throne, Mahideva was succeeded by his son Basantadeva. Dt?-ring the reign ol' Basantadeva, the Abhinis2 began to interfere in.the·affairs of the State. They eventually enforced laws pr:,h:i.b:;_ting the son of the reigr:inr. king from succeeding his f'ather. "'he Abhiras thus becime dic tator (Adhinayaka ). Bhumagupta was the last Abhira dictator. He held absolute power .during a 'period of intense tunnoil ttat lasted nearly 70 ye;.;1_•a After him, _th� c ountry was ruled by Rupavarma and then by Amshu.varina. Durin;: their regime, routes we\.e opened between Nepal and Tibet. Nepali envoys · want to Tibet and even to China during the rule of Narendradeva, grandson of Amshuvarma.
Vaishyas arrived in Nenal in 880 A .D. whe_n Lichchhavi rule had c ome to an and. After the Vaishyas came the �llas (1,200 A •.D.) . The me dieval period. · l asted in Ne pal until 1525 A.D., the year when the Moghul empire was est :-.1.·� lished in India·. In fact, the establishment of the Moghul e mpire i� India, the division of the Mall.a kingdom of Nepal into 3 parts am. their eventual reunification are all events of the modern period. 1. 11 Purve. Brittanta". (An Accountant o f the Previous Period). In Nepal Ko Srunskshipta Vrittanta (A Concise Account o f Nepal). Part I, Kathmandu: 11 Pramod Shamsher and Nir Bikram 11 Pyasi , Chaitra 20'22 (March 1966).
2. i.e. the Gopalas. Contd••• 2.54.
At tha beginning of the modern PEJ:riod , Nepal was·· in a divided condition , In 1525 A.D. , it was 'dtvided i,nt9 several .f'r�ments, whic h were known a�. the Baisi and Cbaub�si:J)rincipalities •$.These we.re. all united by King Prith'li Narayan Shah, w ho emerged in 1743 A.D. The unification of Nepal was the most important e vent 'in the modern history of Nepal . :he proc ess of unifi• cation startedby Prith:vt Na raya_n Sh$ laste d t ill 179.3 A.D . , after which Ne pal h ad to wage a war with the British. Unde r the Treaty s igne d after the war , Nepal had had to relinquish sc.;me p arts of it s territor,J$. An e. mo sphere of intranguillity prevaile d throughout the Prima Ministership of Bhimasena Thapa. In the midst$:pf the chaos that prevailed duri� that period, Jung B_ahad'l,lr: appeareq, pn the sce1,1� 3:nd establishadth e Rana regime$• � . . . '. . .. The Rona •re'gime collapsed· following i;,h e end 'of the$. second worlrl war . It was followed by the p resent adminis tra.tiv� . system. - . . � . . �- . . .. Before 7$0 A .D,. ,: �pe Aryans had settle d on .the region .stretching from the plains of. the IndUs a.pd t.he Ganges to ..the Brahmaputra Vall ey in the east . 'The . Arjans could o n t pro ceed northward be cause all routes leading to the Himalayas at the time ,were ve ry ·inaccessible . However, they did manage to· enter the Kangra area west of the Sutlej river. Altoough the Ji..r yMS$. could. not proce ed furtherwe stward, anot'qer _branch of them entered Kashlnir from Kashgar .
Until 750 A.D., Arrci,n s ettlements had exterrled on}.y to the .banks of the SuUej$. The Aryans had not been able to break throueh the Hjma,]._aya.� ea.St of tho Sutlej. A different race was inhabiting th�s region . This race has 1 1 b0en described ; as 11Kirata . in Sanskrit literature and as 11 Aus t1'0-.Asians " by Europeans . Nepalwas· inhabited at that time by these Kiratas . Since the major part of Nepal cons iste d of fores ts , and communication difficultie s too were ·.very acute , the. Kiratas were concentrated mostly on he t banks of rivers •. They Jived in ordinary hu'Ls. 1-Jith no culture or civ ilization of their ·Own, t,hey le d almost a barbarian life .$· The. southe·rn plains o f Nepal_ too were inhabite d by Kir2tas$. It is believed that 'the Tharus now inhabitin: the southern plains of Nepal are the des$cenclants of Kiratas; for their physiognortiy·c losely re sembles that of the Kirat·as· of old$� �rowever, havin;? . C lived in the ·pl ains for centurie s , they hav e forgotten thei:c o:!'i6inc1.l dinl�$· :ind have imitated the Aryrm c$ivilization . Even then, 'they still retain son.. of their original customs and usages . . . . -: .
. . '. Being familiar with mountains$, SOT!l;l o f the Kirata's who . had origina lly s�ttled in : the. plains later mig.ra,t ed·to Nepal Valley. �rais and Danuwar� are branches of this Kirata community. Darm.wars maintain the ir liv elihooa by· catching fis h . Th� Ki.unals also bolong to the Kirata commun,:i.ty . They a.ru potters by occupation. They ca.mo to Nepal Valley· aiong t·,e banks o$f the Bagmati., the Kamala and the Trishuli$. Theyhos c e -�pal . v�lley for settle; rnent because of the level terrain. Nepal Valley is the most spacious trnc, af1:J3r Kashmir-. Moreover; the soil of this vally is fertil.e , and such ri'Je:·.
Contd$.· • • as the Bagmati, the Bishnumati and thet. Manohar.a fli,w through itt. After the arrival of the Darais , Danuwars and Kuinals in Nepal Valley, the Kiratas living here started moving to and from the southt.
At this timet, the Lichchh;rv. is were ruling over nortth Vihar undetr 9. democratic set-up . Seve ral states inc luding Vide ha had merged into a united Li chchhavi state, whi ch was called 11Vrij i Sangh" , Nepal �stablishe d rela tions with the ne ighboring Vriji Sangh. This had q. civ ilizing influence on Nepal, and, also led to political constciousness and unity among the Kiratas livmg in _Nepal . The republican system, which lasted about 200 year s in the Vri ji Sang h, left an impact on Nepal . Nepal too adoptetd a democratic syste m during that period. Afte r Gautama Buddha attainedNirvana , King .Aj atashatru of :-'hgadha conquered the Vr ij i Sangh and annexed i t . A monarc hy was then inst ituted in the Kirata state of N9p al -as we ll. This ma rks the beginning of monarchy in Ne pal,
With the institution of tronarchical rule among he t Kiratas , they became followers of Aryan culture wit rout, however, completely renouncing their own culture . Consequent to the - assimilation of' these two dis�t culture �, a new Kira.ta culture emerged.
An.:.i.r�da, owh was the tr.a in dis ciple of Gautama Buddha , h3.d seen how tr::cte in wool was flourishing in �pal. He had noticed tmt the Kiratas wore ma in:.Y engaged in trade in woolt. This shows that civilization had downe d in t'h L .area with sheep-bre edi:igt.
. Kautilya 1 s Arthashastra also contnins references to more than 20 ·✓ ariG - ties of woolem blanket s ma.de in Nepal used to e xpnrt woolen bl:1n>�e ts tc, M:lga dha at that t.imet. The _manufac ture of five woolen blanke ts was thus thriving in Nepal along with trade il} woolt. -
l King Ashoka had sent missionaries to r8pal to propagate Buddhism . ' h·· propagation of Buddhism in Nepal helped the Kiratas to become cultured gnd civilized peoplet., thereby insp iring than to embrace the Aryan civilt ":,.. tion. 'l'ho cultivation of paddy was then introdu ced, and the Kiratas beP.;ar to improve the ir economic condi ti.on. They thus reached the levt)l of pr0·t•-:-t,; :.:_ - atta.ined by th e Aryanst.
following th e de cline of the _ Ma urya empire in N epal, people of dif/ 2rc ;t, race s from West Asia starte d immigratting into India . The y establi she d a · Stam in the Punj abt. late r, the Ku shana and Kausbana inv aderts conquero d chis a.r:ea and. extended their sway UT) to Magadha•. The bordetrs of thetir empi:.·"' tou ched to Kashgar . During the reign of K anishka, they intro duced a row Ar::L which was adopted by Ne pal also . K aus hana images of the Sun-God were also brooght i nto Nepal • .(llthough a large numbe r of such images existed in N3 7Y1 1. forrre rly , only two of them are found near the Pashupati T emple • l' hi. .., show �,
Contd••t • ?�6. ·
·· that the origin nf sculpt-qre i�,, Nepal d ate s back to the Kau�pana peri,.d. Afte !' t he end of the Kau.sJiaria ptriod, the Lich chhavis \_jnte�d into Nepal aroun9- 2$0 A.D. The power.. .of the Lichchhavis increase$d in Bihar. when the Kaushanas W(:.re di-iven out � One. branch of th$e Lichchha'.v is came to Nepal and entrenched i"ts a.uthqrity� Afte r some time , tte Li.chchhavi Stat e of Bihar was annexed by the Gupta Empire. The Lichchhavi kingdom of N epal, tx>wever$, did not jo:i.n the Gupta Em pire• . B ut .the Sanat ana relii:ion di d spr0 :v J to Nepal because. ar'·the influence of the_ Gupt a Empire of India$. 'I he Buddh'. si Lichchha.vis war� compelled to adopt ·the. Sanata.:na religion under th e inflc:ir ce of.th e Guptas .. . · · · After o.doptipg the Sa.natana$religion, the Li�hchhavis installed an image of Narayan at Changu as w:e ll as of Varaha at Chandal. Thereafte r trev installed fo ur well-known im ages of diff$erent gods , including those of Pas hupati and Budhanil/1.kantha. They brought in s culptors from India to :1-';.kf: im.:i.gos of Vis hmi and P� s hupati b3ca use the . local sculptors made only image s of the Buddha. and the . Bodhisatwa$. With the fusion of the Indian and Nepali sculpture s , a distinct Nepali art emerged.
The pe ople who bad to.lfen refuge in Nepal-following the de struction o f the Gupta. Empire in India also rendered considerable contribution in enrich ing Nepali art and culture$. It was at this timo that the Abhiras , who had alre �dy, be come cultured were able to suppre ss the Lichchhavi K:mgs and rule Nepal for 70 years afte$r the death of King Mana.deva..
The art of writmg develope$d during the. nile of King Manadeva who :popularized the Gupta a!"t of engravif€ insc:ript ions on stone in Nepal . Shortly afterwards , the Hunas inv aded and destroye d the Gupta Empire$.
. . . .• . Rav igu:pta w�s;; th3 first Abhira ruler (Abhinayaka$) of Nepal. However , the Lichchha.vi King Basantadav a was still respected by all. The Abhira ruler;; gra dually usurped the powers of th e Lichchhavi King.• Finally, Bhumagupta abolished th e kingship and assur, 0d absolute p.-,wer. During his regime , confLc$· started between the$. later Guptas · ond the l'·:.aukh:3,ris in India. Th:i.s conflict had repercus sions. on, Nepal also re sul:t,ing in the "USter of the Ab hiras . Another branch of the Ll.chch!la.vis. then crur:e to pouer$. Amshuvarma then b(: _:-,$,_ t-he Lichchhavi Mahasamanta. He wa.s a peculiar king . Although h$e minted co'.r..: :L."l his name, he did no t refe r to hims elf as Bhattaraka, which was the corn,.i;n royal title at that time . The administration Qf .Amshuvarma was very good. He also opened routes to Tibet�
Afterth e death of Amshuvarma,·th e Abhin.s. resv.me d their dictatorial rule. Jislmugupta and his son Bis mu gup:ta usetj tbe succ:ee dinG Lichcbh2,vi kings as their puppet$s and maint-?.ined abs olute rule -for a total period of 22 years . Finally, Na.rendrade$va, gr:1nds.on of Am.shuvarma.,drOVf'. out the Abh�r'- • !Uld consolidated Lichchhavi rule$.$· ·
Contd• • • ...... Narendradeva •edame king ·in 643 .\ D. :t�_ 14.c.bchhavi kin,gd9m _ re�estab lished by -him ],ast.e_q t,;r.ila- 889 A •. D� -Tpus ,J;.icµch�avi :rule co11tinuead in Nepal "for:'a. ·total period-of 630 years� Nar�pdradeva haqAes. p��ehe.d .i missj,on to Lhasaa., from .where it we nt ·to-:Ohina . ·':!;'he, talke. which this ..m�.' s�iq:pa· hr.ct with the envoys -of Rome and Iran in Cbina-- enabled.the wo:rld. t9 .g�1;.. acquainted about the culture of Nepal. The Lichchhavi kinedom in fact attaine d the zenith of prog ress during the re ign of Narerrlre.deva atrl his successors. . ... , ;.. ·.. : - . . . ..· . . . . . _:· r· .·.• . , ,• ... . :.:.The decline of the Lic hchha_v i rulaa. :91;,art�d .wit)'}_ t. he, ell)ergence of t hE Pala ·dynastyin Biha.r. It. was ata· t)is. time that. Kinga. '7,iyapi.� pf Kasbmfr at tacked Nepal . But he was rJpulsed . After ttB c olla�se of tta Lichchhp.v i· rule , the rule of the Vaishy1:.:.s ·started �n Nepal . Durin� this rule, Budclh;i.st Tantrisu: flourished· in Nepal JiG.ong with Mahayana Buddhism. This was one of ti-, , c ontri'butiqns which thP. . P2.la; rulers of Dih a.I' made to Nepal. Th�re also cmerce d too Sbaiva Tantrik cult in Nepal. Buddn.ist Tantrism wa s la.ta r borrowed by Tibet from Nepala. Vaishya rule lasted till 120G A.D. T�is kingdom was not veey- strone because it was theocratic in cbar�cter, Nep1:1l did no t ·achieve much pro::;:·,=-:- ·, · during . that period. The early Malla rul� commenced [�f1:,er the collapse of the Vaishy<> :ru'!.e During the Malla rulea, Nepali art and· cul ture prospered to D. consirh.,..:ril � extenta. However , there was .political intrant_u::.. i:.::.ty , Horeover, i.1lepal .ac� then to face aggression frqm the kings of T1rhut through the sout h-west. ·and from the Khasa kings tb_rough thewest . To-wards the end of 1349 A.D., Sultan Shamshuddin of fungal invaad9dNepa l. King ·Rajamalla and all o:I..' :ii.�; subjects were compelled_ to hide in .fores ts to protect themselves from ti :; 14lslim inve.ders. The i'1uslims burned all the three towns as well a.s. vilLii' ,' , in Nepal Valley and destroyead_ all C--i,tEyas and temples• .However, tll3y 13 1> Hc:pa.l in a week because t-hey could n9ta. endure th e cold climatea. The Nall�.• :c::i..ng th0n rEiturned to the vaJ.ley along with bis sub jectsa.
Rajamalla was succeeded by Arjunamallaa. Bhaktapur was the capit:'l.l c·· Nepal at that time . Ru.dramalla, e. ministe:r; proclaimed his indeponumt ru· · there. When he died, he was succeeded by his daughter, who in turnwa s succeeded by �r daurhter ri:rned Rajalladevi. But the affairs o f the stat"J we re run by Rajalladev1 1 s gr�nd-mother . -Rajalladevi was ma.rri�d to Sthi+ ;__ _ malla. · Sthitimall a became king of Bhnktapur by virtue of his ma.rriagE? t, .. Rajalladevi.
Being a c apable ruler Sthit:imalla succeeded in being recognized 2.s their ld.ng by the Primo Ministers (i'nhapatra ) of Kathmandu :mcl Lalitpur in defiance of King Arjunamalla . S thitimalla exiled Arjunamalla to B�1.nep->. with full honors and th6n proaclaimed himself as king of Bhaktnpur. Al th0··
Contd ••• _-258 •
. his. e:t:fectiYe in peace rul�. ;1:B� c��¥1�� to B_he.ktapur ., he Jae able to mainta : all9ver the . yalley_ ltecp.µs� , he. was- ;J"e9 ognize'd · by.t.h e Prime Ministers of Kathmandu' . and Lalitpµr,'. a.is9�': 1n 13 95,' . SthitiinaUa' •eeame insane and w as consequent ly' s�q.cee.�.�d -b�/,his ..�o n, -Dharm'lm'I:1a � H oweVPI-, Dharmainalla did not,wea r t �e _e r�.:� :Afts·if:his "death �yot:irtn=a'J:la _; his brether, also rule ,l )'Tith out actually rown Ot).ly when his a_;9end�f? the. throne •· He'. wo· re - t_h� c fg,ther died. . · . · , ·
. Jyotinr.alla was .s\lcceeded by Yakshemalla,' . who �ppointed his second son, Ra. tnamalla,_, as _his repTe sentat iVe in- ·Ka thmandu. His elde st son,Rayama1lla., ascend.ad the throns af'fu'r hi's dea.th.Rayamalla .liv eq in Bh�l{taptr ;,wh ile Rirr,:-:,' mall.'!'. and' -Ranamalla ., his· yotmger·'brothers, lived in I.alitpur and Banepa respectively . Ranarnella',: however , r eturned to Bhaktapur after Ramamalla 1 s death . Ho ruled Bha.ktapur· jointly with the son of Rayama lla ando ne of his sist.er 1 s sons . Aft er the- deat h of Rayamalla, Ratnamalla be c.-,ne king of Bhnktapur. He was. able to bring th� Priri1e M_inis:t,�r (Mahap atra') of Lalitnu:r . under his control. ffe · did not let Nep.al. to be divi ded long as he liv ed.
After the death of Ratn�alle.., Suryam:tlla became king of Kathnruldu in circa 1525 A.D. He crer:t ed disunity in the kirgdom by occupying b
Guthi Lands Of Sri Vare.hi Temple In Bhaktapur* (Abstract Tr2.:nslation)
('!he Guthi Lagat Janch Office) had sub.mitt ed a report for compiling recor ds of Guthi lands oweend d for meeting the expe nses of regular and ceremonial ce remonies at the temple of Sri Varahi at Tekhacho Tol in Bhaktr.pur.
On Marga 6, 1989 (November 21, 1932 ), a Khadga Nis hana order wo. 3 issue d directing the re gistration of these Guthi lanjs as Rajguthi. The order also directe d that the Guthi functions should be performed by the Guthiynrs, priests and ot her temple functionaries, and that the surplus amoun� should cJ colle cted (by the Guthi Tahasi+ Office).
The area of Guthi lands endowed for the temple was stated to be 10 .12 ropanis • When the se lands were surveyed, the actual area was found t o be 12.4ro pn.nis . Acc.:i, rcling to the surv ey regulations , the exce ss 11r 02. w:is r,1- tained as Guthi . The total rent as se ssments on the landB wer e ['.S foll(i·.:s : -
16.25 muris o.f paddy
2 . 25 muries o:f wheat
Rs 6.39 in cash
Total expendituree, as stated belowe., allX>unts to 1.9 muri.s of grains. The in-kind surplus thus amounts to 8.25 muris of paddy and 2.25 muris of wheat. The cush value of this :in-kind surp lus is as follows :-
Total Value Convers ion Rate
Paddy Rs 33 .15 5 pathis per Rs 1.00 11Jhe.:i.t Rs 14.60 3.12 pa.this per Rs 1.00 Total - Rs 47e. 75e··
Together with the cash asse ssment of Rs 6.39, this·emake s a total amount of Rs 54'.14.
➔:·s ource: Records of the Guthi Laga.t J.'.?.llC h Office :in Kathtnandu. Regmi Re search Colle ctionse., Vol. 3, PP. 326-338.
Contd ••e• 260.
Total .expenditure in. cash, as stated bel-,w,e. amc>Unts ;to Rs 38.49, thus le,-ving a surplu� of_ Rse· 15 .65.
These arrang eme nts·were confirmed by Khadganishana order on :Magh 29, 1999 (February 11, 1943 ) suhj'3ct to the provision that only Rs · 1.00 shonld be paid to the Gut hi T ahasil Office as Salami from the surpluse, and that
theI· temple should be allowed to retain the balance of Rs 14.. 65 .
(Partic ulars of plots �f Gut hi lands andth e rents due from each in cash and in kind followe):e-
In-Kind ElcpenditlU'ee ·
A. Daily Ceremonies · .·: _: : • ! � Paddy required for ritual offering of rice for 365 days, at the rate of 2 muthis (0 .2 manae) of rice daily .(l muri. of paddye: 10 pat his of rice ) ... 18 path5s and 2 r:,,, nat:
B. �cial Ce remonie s
(1) Paddy reC!uired for ritual offering ""f rice on 12 Chaturdashi dayse, at. the '.rate of 2 muthis of rice per day ... manas and 48 mu.this ,
(2 ) Paddy r�quireed for making ·ecrusehed ricee. for usee·on 12 Chaturdaeshi days , at the ratee of 2 ,pathis and 2 manas per daye. (3 patnis of paddy : 2 pathis of crusheed ricee) ... 2 muris an, 4 manus .
(3 ) Paddy �qui�ed for ma.king Jand (rice-ber.e-) at the rate· of 4 manas of rice on each • ,. 12 pathis Chat��:� h.i day C � For Dasha.in Festival
(1) Paddy require d. for ritual offering of rice on 5 dayse, at the rate of l muthi of rice per daye· ••e• 1 mana
(2 ) Paddy required for .fe eding 4 persons with frieed rice (Samyee) or. h days ·. .... · 3 pathifl ::r. ! 4 manas
Contd. •• 26l,,
(3 ) Paddy rtl1;_uired for 1 pathi of crushed rice for use on 4 daysa, at the rate of 2 manas of crus hedri cee per daye . .... _l pthi and 4 manas (4) Paddy re�uire d for makin·g Jand to 'be·· used on 4 days , at the rate ··of 2 mana's of. rice per day ... -.2p� this (S) Paddy ret.:,uired for. f.eeding all Guthiyars on the Dashan;i d'::ly with 2 pa.thi� and 2 manas of crushe d ric_e ... 3 p athis and •.=. · •• •• .• 3 rnanas
, (6) Paddy require d for 4 manas of rice for' making Jand for use during th� · · fe....ast.. mentioned in (5) ... 1 pathi D. Paddy :requiI'll d a:s emoluments of 12 .· Guthiy��s working on daily ro�at:'or. ... u muris Cash E:lcpenditu:-e
_,A/eDaily ·ceremonies
(1) Samye rice at the rate of 2.amuthis daily for 365 days ••• Rs 1. 82-} . {2) White and red sandal wo od at the rate· of Rs o.o½ daily ••• Rs 1.82½ . (3) Fr,p:�s at th� rate of Rs o.O¼ daily . . � Rs 0.61¼ (4L��jiie'bneats for ritual offering at the rate of Rs � per·day ••• _ao.o
(5) Camphor and nower s at the rate ofe-�- o.o½ per day . .. Rs 1,82½ (6) Yar..11 _f�r -wi cks, at.the rate of Rs o.� per day .• ·· � Rs 1.82}
Total - . Rs.9_. 58 � :_;
Contd•• • 262 .
-B. Special ;Ceremonie:{ 0 (i) Religious ceremonies on i2 0hat"ur-1 dashi days in the year ... Rs 28.91½ (2) ReligiplJ.;i cerElmonies and fe�sts on l2aChaturdashi days in. the year :- / I . ,. ._ (a) Vermilion pOl-Tder (Sin&ir),' at the rate of Rs o.o½ per day . ... Rs 0.06 (b) �amphor and incense, do ... Rs 0.06 . ·. �,. (o )1 2 d-'·.ck'e eggs at, Roa�0.06 each • • • Rs I . . . • .. 1.44 ; (d) Ritual cash offering· at thea. · rat e of Rs 0.01 per ·day ••• Rs 0.12
(e} Fruits and flowers , at tho rat e r.f Rsa· o.o½pe r day ... Rs 0.06
(f) Swee tmeats for ritual offering ,. at the rate of Rs 0.02 per dr.., .r ... Rs 0.?4 . {g) Yarn .for wicks, at the rate . of Rs 'i.o½ par day •... Rs o.06 (h) Red P,:,wder (Ahir ), at the . ...., .' , rate of Rs O.o½per d�y ... Rs o.06 Total - Rs i5.S4 c. �e- Feast, for l2 Guthiyars On . 2Chaturdashi Days In The Ye ar (1) �at at the rate of Rs O.SO per day ••• Rs 6.oo (2) Peas at the rate of Rs o.8 per day .... Rs 0.96 . ' . (3). SQybeans, at th:t,rate of Rs o.06 per daya· ••• Rs 0.72 . (4)· E'ish at the rate qf Rs 0.06 pe r day ••• Rs 0.72 · (5) Oil Ei:iici· J�ices at the rate of Rs .12O r,er .day ••• Rs 1.44
Contd ••• . 263 •
. (6) S3.lt, red p epper,· ·ginger, etc.,a. R at the rate of Rs o.06pe r day ·� .. s O. 72 (7) Potato at the rate of Rs 0.12 per day • • • Rs 1.44 ( 8) Syaba.Ji ( fried rice ) at the rate �f Rs 0.12 per day ... Rs 1.4!.� To tal- Rs 13 .44
D. For Dnshain Feastival (1) Religious ceremonies on 5 days : (a) 0n·Ghatasthapana Day
( i) Vermilion powder , .. Rs 0.12 (ii) Incense, camphnr, betel-nut . .. Rs 0.01 :L (ii:i) Frankincense (Goku:Ldhup ) ... Rs o.o� (iv) Sweetme,Qts of 5 V?..rieties ••• Rs 0.04 (v ) Fruits • •• Rs 0.01 (vi) Barley .. . Rs 0.02 (vii ) Duck 's eggs ... Rs 0.06 (viii ) Fiowers • • . • Rs 0.02
(ix·) Ritual cash offerir:€s ••• Rs 0.01
(x) Syabaj i (fried rice ) • •• Rs 0.01 (xi➔ -ehyura (crushed rice ) .... Rs 0.01 (xii ) ·Soybean and ginger . .. Rs 0.01 . (xiii } Oupti ( ?) ... Rs 0.08 (xiv )· Yarn for wicks ••• Rs 0.01 (xv )·Earthen vessels ' .. Rs 0. 16
Contd• • • .(xv;i.) E�t� · Jars • ·· ' · ... R.s 0.04 (xvii) Blackgram cakes ... R.s 0.01 :xviii ) Red powder (Abir ) .... Rs o.o½ Total - Rs o • .51½ b) On Saptami , Ashtami, Na.-,c:1,111.1. : . And Dashami Days (l) Vermilion powder ••• Rs 0.04
•• · • (.. l (ii) ·Incense , camphi.r·,betel:..nut ... Rs 0 .04 (ii,i) Frankincense · ... Rs 0.02 · (i� ) Redpo wder (Abir) Rs 0.02 · (v·) ·sweetmeats of 5 varieties and ritual ca.sh offering .•4'. Rs 0.16 (vi) Curd ... Rs 0 .01 (vii ) Fruits ... Rs J.04 (viii) 4 Ju�k 's eggs ... Rs 0.24 (ix) Syab{lji (fried rice) . . . tor. ·Samye . .. Rs 0 .08 ( x-) Fish·· '(Sidra ) ... Rs o.o4 (xi ) Soybean and ginger ... Rs 0.04 (xii) Yarn for wicks and oil . .. Rs 0.02 (xiii) Cloth for bunting • •• Rs 0.02 ) (�v. . ) .Karnasana ( ? ••• Rs 0.02 (xv·-) Drita ri (? ) , 1 pair • •• Rs 0.04
(xvi) Ritual cash offerings ••• Rs 0.12 (xvii ) Dry fruits ... Rs o.04
Contd•• • 265.
(xviii) �chamri_t (nd.lk, ghee ., curd, sugar and honey ) � Rs 0.08 . ·� .. (�) Naye Ponaye ( ?) .... Rs o.ob. (xx ) .Jupti ( '{ ) ·• ... Rs 0.12 (xxi ) Gourd (Kubhindo ) .... Rs 0.16 (xxi.i) Sugarcane, banana leaves ••• �s 0.04 \ "\ (:xxiii) Blackgram cake s ... Rs 0.l;� (xxiv ) 1 duck ... Rs o. 5:, ·.·. (xxv ) 1 g�at ••• Rs 5.00
(xxvi) Red clot h ••• Rs 0.20 Tot.al - Rs 7 .37 (2 ) Samye Fe ast s On Ghatasthapana, Santa.mi.,e. Ashtami and Na"iiami Day s After Pe rforming Reliziou s Cere monie s
( 1) Syabaji (fried ri�e ) ••• Rs 0 .18 (2) Neat ••• Rs 0.50 •·.. ·{3 Oi s pices salt, gi.I1ger, etc. - ) �-� _e � ••• Rs 0.18 (4) Soy��an ••• Rs 0.10 (5) Peas .... Rs 0.06 . (6) Potato .... Rs 0.16
Total � Rs 1.18 (3) Feasts On Iashami Iay For 16 Persons In cluding 12 Guthiyars P.n d 4 'i'emple Attendants..,... (1) Syabaj i ....• ... R� b.e_e90 (2 ) Meat (of sacrificial goat) .... X
Contd ••• 266.
(3 ) Curd . • •• Rs o.50 .. 9: • •.. • Rs 0.06 ·(4) B�'. ,. sugar l • : I, (5 ) Fuelwoo. . . d ••• Rs 0,30 (6) Leave s,$- �amboo-sticks 0 . 10 . -. . f • .. ... Rs
(7) Rope$_$'.. ••• Rs 0.10 (8) Red t,>epper, ginger, spices$, etc. ••• Ra o.45 (9) Potato ..... Rs 0.16 (10) Liquor .... i Rs o.64 -.- .. (11) Peas. . .. Rs 0 .14 ' \. ( (12 ) Soybeans �·· Rs 0.06 (13) Gourd_ (Pharsi) ••• Rs o.oh (lL) Slices of radish ••• . Rs 0.04 (15 ) Bamboo-sticks . ' . Rs 0.04 (16 ) Betel�nut .. .. Rs 0.06 (17) Buffa+
(1) Temple of Sri Varahi (with neasurements). . . GJ; (2) Bu:;.lding with court yard . attache. d to the temple .. · (3 ) .Anot hAr temple with a golden spire• •• i_ . :· ...... (4) A well inside th3 compound of Sri VaiahLtemple .
Ashadh 17 , 1994 (_J�y 1, 19;3_7 ) 261 .
· On The Nepal-Tire t Warz 1791 (Abstract Translations,
l. Military Recruitment And Pa,yrre nt Of Emolument s
A. From King Ran Bahadur Shah1
To Subha Kirt'im1.T1. Sir:gh' .
(The adult rre nters) of every family of Subb as of the 22 cl,an / ;:, :� wel l as of (other) functionaries,' 3 s oldier s and (cor:imon ) subje cts in Limbuwan shall assemble in ou y r pre se n ce al orv �rl.th arm s ••• 4. and le av e for the f -ront. We her eby sanction · allowances t J v·, e m from trie revenues qf the teIT it orie s conque1-ed :i:rl°Bhot.5 ·· Shrawan Sudi n; 16�8 (July 1791 ) 6 B. Fro m King Ran Baha dur Shah
To Damoda::- Par:rl.13',.
Pay emoluments fo r one year ac cording t_o (rank) to, the Dmkr 9 7 soldiers acccmpanying Balabhadra Khawas from the revenue s of newly� ·. COIXI�re' d . territori0s'.
Bhadra Badi 1848 (August 17 915,)
. ·. � -;·. i· J... Re gmi .Re search CoJJ e�tions ., Vol, 5., P. '( .
2. 'l'he Nepali tenn is Thar •
. . .} • 'Iha Nepali te nn is Paga ri .•
l.f•. · ·rl'ie: 'e>f'fi'.cial: copy :o r th is d9cum:mt ts,d been da rm.ged by ins •ects. s0rr:. . . wcfrds are, mi. hei:e • '"ssing . ..·. . • . ' : .r : ...... 5. i .e. Tibet'. 6, Re(:.'Illi,Re search Collection, Vol. S, P.. 10 ; ·· '•
·7 . i.e •'. irre�ular's. ,. ....•· Contd•• • 260 • . , C �- Bond Signed By J��khar R ana.
•, . . ' . . .' ,.· -· -. ·:·-.-_·· { '. . � ...... I hereby tak� cha 'rge of 9 soldier s �puterd by the . go vernITBn t to jpin the army at Dzongka. as we ll as expepses. requiredfor th em. At Muga, I shall hand' ove�: tJie $0 9 ..so ld.is-rs·· to Dewan · Abhimc1n Sinfri r11d Captain Kalu Pande.
Bhadra Badi 10, (Augus t 1791) ·1848
2. Food Supply A.· �om King Ea·�:, ���;e· :• . . To Tetar Mahant Shaiva.9
You are hereby erdare d to supply rlc e wo rth Rs 500 for war purpcs,:r,. · \ Shrawa.n Sudi 11, 18h8 (July 17 91)
B . From King Ran Bahadur· 10
1 12 To The Bital�b ow.n: n.1 of Dhunwcl You are hereby dire ct ed to supply l muri of ricre for every 20 mur :.:.., of Bitalab lands owredby you. The tenant s l3 (cultivating your land·'" ) 8. Regmi. Research Collection.s ; Vol. 5, P, 7. 9 . Obv iously the hea d of a monas tery in sona dist!'ict in the easte rn Tarai, possibly Morang . :.O . Regmi Research Colle �tiai.s, Vol. 5, P. 8. 11, Bitalab �as a form of Birta wh ich involv ed th€ perfo rm:m ce c,f _speci ., ' services for the roya l palace whenever requir.ed. cf , Mahe shr-· f;sgnL . Land Tenure and Taxatrion In Nepal , VoL II : 11The Land GrantSys tem: Birta Tenurer. 11 Berketeyr: Ins r.,it Sb.ldie Univ e-rc:i ·,.� ute of Internat ion al·· · s, of Gal ifornia , 1964 , P. 36. 12r. In Gorkha distric t •. 13 . The Nepali term is Kuriya ., Tenant s cult ivf.tti:Q? Raikar· �-<.1.s .· werre., i·. contradistinction, knO'H'n as Mohi. Ccntd••. 14 shall transport (this r ice) on Hu.lak b'asis$. Lead;,i,ng foll)ilie·s ( of Bit� "'-' owners) s hall oo responsible for guarding Badhuwa1;) and oth€r Ka jis an< Sar dars of Lhasa. As s oon as you re ceive this order$., join Jasram and Bhairav Singh at Listi and matntain watch carefully av€!!'B adhm-1a und er theirsup ervision . :::n tho ovent of any mistak e, you shall be te'i.d refror, · s ible$. Bhadra Be.di 2, l848 · u ust 1791) · • (.1 � , . 16 'b / From· Kirg Ran Bah-�ur Shah :. · 'I'o The Amalich�s$17 of Kuti �:· \ Kajis , Sard;u-s and other respe cta.ble persons of Lhasa who hl:V'.". be en capturedmu st be fed. Accordingly, supply 2 dharnisut ofb ter, 1 Chepang, 1 seer of salte. nd 2 pathis of Sattul8 daily to thepla ce wh€!!'e Badhuwa is staying , as long as they are not sent back. ('l'he e:Kpense s incurre$d in supplying the se commodit ies) shall be Shrawan Sudi 3 1 1848 ( July 1791) 3. Prohibition To Plunde r Tire.ta n i"b nasterrO · From King Ran Ba hadur Shah To Damodar Pa!'lde,· Kir timan Singh and all other re �lar21 · . troops$. Do rotp lunder areas under t he jurisdiction of the nain Gumbri of .Sh.akhya Lama. We als o direct that tre Bhote s (there ) shall not' m:lr:1c' arms (against us ). kt �l l comply wit h this order • . Bhadra Baci i 12 , 1848 . ( Aug ust 1791 ) ' . Ui . Hulak me ant a syste m of t:roP.sportim supplie� by relays of ·porters . 15. Obviously one of the captured Tibetan off ir.:ials. 16. Regmi Research Collo nsntio , ·yo1. 5, P•. L 17 . i.e. loc al administr.'.'.tiv , or revenue: fure tionaries. 18. i.e. porched parley·meal . 19 ; ·Kuti was then a part ofep� ?: l. 20, Re iffii Research Colle ctions, Vol. 5, P. 15. 21. The Nepali term is Bhara. Contd••• '270. 4. Village� Granted To'·''3yaina�� Larra2� ' 1- . . ·, '.: .. :' -. . From King Rana BahadUJ:'· S�h . To Syana rpa ama. L We rareby gr�t tte two villag' e s of Pasinghyaca and Dhurburinbochhe pasingchho to you. We also di. rect that too Amalidars of Dzongka and Keru �i! s:1 all not inte'rfere in area e covered by t�se villages, as we ll as in (t he affairs of ) disciples there' . K.ncM (the se village s) to be your •wn ::ird use them. Nobody shall create any disput e or iniul,o· e · in loot and plunder there . Anybody woo indulg es in violence smll be deemed to rave comrr.it1. e d an offense . B'badra Sudi 2', 1848 · ; (Septemter 1791) , " ·::. 1 .. � • 2 5 .. War Regulati ons_' 3 From King Ran Bahadur Shah 'l' o Kirtiman Singh , Ba dal Singh Baseya.t andPurnan an da Upadhyaya. 1. Recruit 3 companies of Dha.kre s belonging to all -':.he 36 ca.ates in are-9 ::1 - ea st of the Dudhkosi and we st of th'? Tista for the war . Joi1, ths arm:{ and attack Kharta . After Kharta is eccu{)i.ed, join th� troops whic h i-ia',·:: proceeded towards Kuti, followirg the mos t convenknt rout,:1 which :-in':.r also cause the maximum haras sment to th e Bh ote s'. . 2 . Among goods pl�d.era d .from the Gurrbas of Laf!ias an<.1 tr.e houses o f Dhewa·' and Bharadar s, .:'oodstu.ffs shall be used by the trc-o,s; eth er goals ::he,. :,' · be submitted to th e governrr.ent . 3.- One -fifth of coral, pearls , jewels, gold and silver looted elsewhere mall bE? given _to those who loot 1hem; the· ·r13st sh:l.11 be submitted to tha government. 22. Rogtni Research Collections, Vol . 5,. P. 16 . 23 . Regmi Research Colle ctions , Vol . 5, PP. 17-19. Contd•• • . 271. L One-sixth pf brooade -,(Kuchin )'a'nd othe r cloths,co pper, brass am at.h er metals , hors�s and mules sha_ll l:e given to those who loot them; the rest - s hall be s ue mi.tt ed to us' . O ne .;te nth o f mu sk , yaks' ' - tails and borax shall be giv en to th os s uh o loo t them·. ' 5. Amoi.g the °!)ooty, the shar e of tra govern�nt shall be - g.;; t aside'; the rest sh all 00 4>p�rt�ne d equ�ly amo� ?mk:-e tr·oops, those paid r•' c:ubr emolurne nts 24 andtho se paj.d on m,nthly basiEPin cas h. Remissions shall _- bo granted after au�t, · 6. Expenses incurred in cash in our lDrk, · fo r m:i die al treatments, funerals, colle ction of inforrna.t ion und co:rTespondenee sha ll be remitted after au:lit. 7. The entire enenw ma +e population in area s wraro the war is foughtsha ll be sla\li'htered; their ohildr::n shall l:e taj 8, Th ere shall be no sla'l..,gtt.er in villages in Bhot where the people do �ot fight , or vhore an amne sty has been pr-,cle.::.mod. They shall be given succor. Resps ctable perwns smll be simmorn d 6.Ild sent here. 9. The descendants of the Hc1nf Kuso King Ghall l:e sumroncd to Kharta and conciliated. 7hey shall be told, 110ur King has declared tmt in case yo·1 join us and we conquer �hasa� we shall res tore your ki.r.gdom . 11 Bh adrr ·-:udi 2, 1848 ( September 1791 ) 24. 'r he Ne pali term .. is J�ardiya • 25. The Nepi_li torm � Darmahawal. ·'· ·•.. 27. 2 •I. ·Pl�ge •(Dha�ai:atra ) o ffere d to Maharajadhiraj Ra� �ahadur Shah of Gorkh� By Maharaj Jagat Prakfl�h S�.ngh of Sirmi1r . -i:--i; ·· =· We hereby stipu+ato that the Ganga. ri ver shp.U fo rm the boundary between Gorkhar. and Siimur- . ·In·::aso we r-;c;vc'·, the '.;;.erritorie s of Gorkhe. , and do not regard th:3 enemies of Gorkha as o�r· onemie s;, and its friends , as our frie nis, may the €V il eye s of Goe. Parichay:rna fall on usr. In case we abide by this pledger,. may the blessings-of God Panchaya.na be on usr. Moniay, Shrawan 12, 184? (July 27, 1792) . *'Regmi Research Gollec tions, 7ol o 37 , PP. 12 9-30. ,�*The . appl"Opriata royal t.itJ.es hav e be::: :1. -�v..:n '!:�fo�.. ea�h name. . . . . ::...... 27 .3. Glossary of Revenue , Administrati"lo And other Terms Occurring In Nepali iiistor1r.albo�umeentc A gon:.:ric -':.e:·::i us ed t:o denote miscel> n" ·e1 tc pa�,,nents due to the governmente. · ·- � trn::: ·; 1�s t.hus u ed t,o canote: - ' s (a). Iir.J s :'.mposed for counter-feitiPg o:·· s:n �.tin17, c::iins . (b ) Fee s �.cr:i0d for affiY.ing the off ic L":.:.. sca.l on Hejght_s aJ?.d. rra asurese. (c) A Jc "°'J -,cllec.t3 d in a newly.-annex,:e1"! �er,�tarye. (r:) .?r,y.ne;:ts due from Chaudheri s , !C-'.:! n'.'..6'.'J · �. t-b hiP:d.kris andot hor :. ..A� ent· r.i i··,"::�-��e,... <'"':'-r-- ��""' ,, • Sa.nyasi41anda.li ..• . Sayana A ·1 :.lleg P. •·level revenue functionary i.:".'.' thf\ T.c.:;.• ai n.rea: of Kumaun and ".'·nr'·.•,i-. ,J. Sic ,1m::il�"llt=>nt s cons isted of 10% of t.1-ic p!'Cecco dJ cf :· ov e_r-1:ue collection. ,.,_Sera . .. �:"'!.in :i:lo':.-l;.c1 for the su:9ply of for,c gi·a:l'l'.l:J and d, >im. 3gricultu:-al produc e .f::ir ·':,:1c -:-:1� /a.J. hou3shold . Sermaa. A .�a�: tol:Cctcd 1.'.sua.lly in cash on 111'.":,: �:- �-::- sd I:1kho holding s in the hill ?.re-'lfl :::i�J.,�.c!i� Kathmandu Ve lley . Shraddha.-Kharc ha ... i'. l"" ''Y cnllent,od in 'l' hak and elsewl.er'i pr-.1:;;u:-,:::-.�l:v to finance ShI8. ddha cere 1 rc :-ie •=> r: (-:1 t�10 o�c c.sion of the anni 11 e, � '�a :-:,- Jf th e d1:1at h of father or hmfband) -,J. · ..,_- .;··,.•·· -�. •� • e .•.·" �... rn·· J .•., ..• r ,,J' -the v-t.,--1ag 8 11':'8d�. I".• Contd ••• 274 . I Singarhat .• .... Fine impnsed f::ir assaulting a virgin girla. - Subbang:1; . A levy collected in Kumaun andGar hW"!.� until 1802 for the bene fit of th e chief le-c a\ administrator$. Subba Salami ••• A similar levy colle cted in Pyuthan until 1797$. It was revived 2 years l�ter and tl-e proceeds were assigned to �he Army. Suna Birta ••• Lands granted as Birta on a non-tax3 h: � basis against cash ·payment s to th a C":7e!'!l!llent duri ng tha 1-f.a lla period i:1. Kn.th$rrnndu Valley$. Taksari An official in charge or mints in K2 thmar:clu, Pa tan and Bhadgaun. He was __ I'<.?30or1:- i'l;J.13 for the colle ct ion of c;,; ,-:. :-r- . dut?.es on gqoo.s import.a d from or r:�- : �::.�- ·· to Tibot$. He also adj udicated ir ri� .'. • putes the trading community in Kat·:unarxl.oru, Pa.tan and Bbadga.un. His emolu.inent s consisted of one-tenth :• 4 the revenue from mint and one-sixtu :- r • from customs r,ivenus fron1 Ne F,8. 1-Ti'h ••� kade . . Thakali • • ,1 (1 ) Leading Nepali rr.e$rchants in Lha.s: • 1 who assiste d too Nayak in the e:-::-"$- r cise of judicial authori�y ove� the Nepali merchmt comrnunity ....�: ·: , : (2) The inhabiWJ.t s of Thak-Khola, ,;-'. hig h va�ley of the Ka:.i Gandaki river nor th -we st of Pokhara in western Nepal� Thalu . .... A village func tionary, ;i.n th e Tha k Khola area, subordinate to the BudhP - Trani ••• A revenue functionary in Jumla, Mus� -�- ? and other areas i.11 north-western Nov. Ccntd ••• 275,. · . . .. A vassal principality or territory. Jajarkot ttnis became a Thapala. ofGorkha in 1790.Cbhilli similarly occupied a Thapala status under the pr inc ipality of Dang . Tusal • • • A centrc>. l office responsible for settl e- mait of land dispute s , registration o t �(Birta ) land transactions , demarcation o+' lsnd boundaries, irrigation, da�ge to lands by floods and landslide s ar:.d othe:- functionsr. It also handled procurement of copper on behal f of the Hintr. Umra ... Officials appointed fo r divi sions (tr.um ) of hill districts to look afte r military matters. Wajbi ... A gena ric term fo r tre actual amount o:: land eve r nue assessmant • Walak ... .:...evies collercte d from each homestead in the hill district s, in('1..uding Y,.a thrr.andt. Valley,the pro ceeds of which were used for the royal hous ehold. Walak payment s were ma.de in the ibrm of ghee , oil , go?t s or b<"ar, or in cashr. They were of three kinds : (1) Saune Fagu WaJak, collected d1..ring the montl'B of Shrawan andr. Falgun every year, (2) Har sha Bismat Ko Walal-:, collectedon occasions of national ce:tr bration or mournirw and (3) Kaj Kalyan Ko Walak, collected on festive and ceremonial occas iais. (Concluded ) (S .B.M.)