The Persistence of Nepal's Caste System
Nepal's recent youth uprising, demanding jobs, dignity, and an end to corruption, may seem like a new era for the country, but beneath the surface lies a centuries-old, rigid social order: caste.
The caste system in Nepal has its roots in the Muluki Ain, or the National Code of 1854, which codified a strict hierarchy. This hierarchy places Bahuns (Brahmins) and Chhetris (warriors) at the top, Dalits at the bottom, and indigenous Tibeto-Burman groups in the middle, with Madhesis in the southern plains largely ignored in the legal framework.
The Muluki Ain of 1854 codified a rigid hierarchy, shaping politics, society, and economics in Nepal.
- Bahuns (Brahmins) and Chhetris (warriors) are at the top of the hierarchy.
- Dalits are at the bottom.
- Indigenous Tibeto-Burman groups are in the middle.
- Madhesis in the southern plains were largely ignored in the legal framework.
Author's summary: Nepal's caste system persists despite youth movements.