The Social structure of Madheshi community resembles more to the Indian states like UP and Bihar than any Nepalese society

Preamble: Nowadays, particularly on the issues of Tarai and Madhesh, Tharu and Madheshi, people in the country are in confusion. If, in proper time, this confusion is not clarified, it may invite additional problems. Therefore, the objective of this article is to clarify such confusions.

Tarai land was formed along with the formation of new Nepal, but the indigenous Tharus have been original citizens of Tarai, inhabiting since ancient times. Even after the formation of new Nepal, Tharus have been giving their services by nurturing Nepal. This is the reason that the Tharus are supposed to be the oldest, original habitants and sons of the soil and Tarai is known as granary of the country.

Since the beginning, the Tarai has remained as a ‘Tharuhat’, in other word also known as the state of Tharus. This is not new information for Nepalese people though. Tarai is the lowest land of Nepal. In Tharu language ‘Tar’ means low, thus Tarai word is derived from Tharu language, which is a proven fact. That is the main reason why all people have accepted Tharus as main habitant of Tarai, original habitant and son of the soil. There is no contention over this issue.

In the beginning Tharus, alone, inhabited the Tarai. This Tarai was covered by dense forest. In the forest, there was dominance of tigers, lions, bears, bores and wild elephants whereas deserted places within the forest were occupied by Tharu Population and were struggling with the wild animals.

More or less hundreds of years after, around 1826 B.S, with the formation of new Nepal, as the population increased, the need for more grains meant deforestation and falling of trees to create lands for cultivation, thus to continue feed the ever increasing population.

The Tharus then started bringing in Indian manpower and allotted some land to them to grow grains, and in return started to take taxes from them in order to pay taxes to the Kings. If the amount of taxes imposed on the Indian manpower used to be high, they (the Indians) used to go back home only to return whenever imposed on them were low (see Lalmohar no 18,20,21,41,43).

Tharus had their own language (dialect), culture and management system and still have. From very beginning, they had very much an autonomous ruling system and their ruling centers were Kadamaha (Morhang), Vijaypur (Sunsary Dharan), Baramajhhiya (Saptary), Rautahat, Butwal and Dang, among others.

As time went by, despite their ruling rights, it could not be more influential except their social activities. After eradicating Malaria in 2019 B.S, the government started felling trees in order to make space for the increasing population. It was at this time people from India and hilly region in Nepal, migrated to the Tarai plains which in essence was and still is a Tharuhat.

Due to this huge influx of people from India mainly and from the hills made Tharu’s livelihood in their own land pretty difficult. Now if this issue is not addressed properly on time, sooner than later the Tharus in their own Tharuhat might face extinction.

People, deliberate or otherwise call Tarai as Madhesh, which it is not. This is a misnomer and a wrong understanding. The Tarai and Madhesh are not the same but both are different from geographical perspective. Tarai and Madhesh are not synonymous to each other. Thus it is wrong to use Madhesh as synonymous to Tarai. This has created unnecessary confusion all over the country. In the available authoritative records of Nepal, from the time of formation of New Nepal and up to now “Madhesh” word has not been used for Tarai.

In “Naya Nepal Parichaya” written by Hiranya Lal Shrestha in 2039B.S which is taught in I.A course too, Nepal has been divided in three natural part- Himal, Pahad and Tarai.

Similarly in “A Nepalese Discovers His Country” written by Prakash.A.Raj in 2035B.S “Madhesh” word has not been mentioned anywhere in the entire book.

• In 1960, Tony Hagen divided Nepal into seven natural parts (Tibetian Marginal Mountain, Inner Himalayas, Mid-lands, Mahabharat range, Shivalik hills and Tarai).
• In 1971, Dr. Hark Bahadur Gurung divided Nepal into nine natural geographical parts (Border range, Doons, Himalayan Valley, Himalayan Temperate, Sub temperate, Mahabharata range, Inner Tarai, Chure range, and Tarai).
• Likewise, in a survey conducted by F.A.O/ H.M.G/ U.N.D.P, in 1980 by Mr. Nelen divided Nepal into five natural geographical parts e.g High Himalaya, Transposition Zone, Middle Mountains, Shivalik range and Tarai. But nowhere, Madhesh is mentioned.
• Similarly in 1986 a HMG made a “land resource plan” wherein Nepal has been divided into five natural zones e.g High Himalayas; High Mountains; Middle Mountains; Shivalik range and Tarai. This division only speaks of the existence of Tarai but no where Madhesh has been mentioned. 

This amply clarifies that Madhesh is as such a part of Nepal is completely wrong, ill intentioned and also a deception of the real facts as well. Tarai is not Madhesh. Thus, it would be an injustice to call Tarai a Madhesh.

When Fahiyan reached Mathura- on the banks of Jamuna river, he termed the southern mid land as ‘Madhesh’ - the land of Rajputs.

In the same way on page no.1203 “Sanskriti Hindi Kosh” collected and written by Bavan Shivaram Apte and published by Moti Banarasi Das-Delhi, indicates that Kushwanti  or  Kushasthali which was capital of  Kol state- is the real Madhesh, which lies on the northern banks of the river Narmada and on southern side of the Vindhyachal hill.

Probably it is the place which is known as Ramnagar in Bundelkhand. Rajashekhar- a historian has called the King of Kushsthali as the king of Madhesh, which also means middle land or king of Bundelkhand.

According to Nepalese historian Dr. Babu Ram Acharya, in the north from Ambala upto Prayag in the south Madhyadesh (Madhesh) is situated.

Likewise, as described by “Shabda Sagar” in Nepali, the land lying in between- in the north by the Himalayas, in the west Kuruchhetra, in the south Bindhya, and in the east up to Prayag is called a Madhesh.

Hereby, if it analyzed properly the Concept of Madhesh, the Himalayas mean “Himanchal Pradesh”, which is situated in the western side of Nepal in the Indian Territory. And as Eastern border of Madhyadesh is mentioned as “Prayag” so it will be foolish to trace Madhesh in the east and north of Prayag. Here by it is clear that the boundary in the east of Madhesh is Prayag.

According to above described historical facts it is proved that Madhesh was situated in Uttar Pradesh of India or on the south of Vindhyachal hill or nearby Vindhyachal, and those inhabiting there were known as Madheshi.

These historical and geographical evidences show that Tarai of Nepal is situated very far from Narbada River, Vindhyachal hill of the Uttar Pradesh, Prayag, Ambala and Kuruchettra.

This shows that Madhyadesh has never been close to the border of Nepal or adjoined the Nepali territory.

Analyzing all these facts to call Tarai as Madhesh would not only be a treacherous act against own nation but would also tantamount to be called a colonial mindset. 

In “Nepal Ko Kanuni Itihas- Ravti Raman Khanal”, during the reign of queen Rajendra Laxmi, in the one hand mentioning exile of Daljit Shah to Madhesh and on the other in the same book (in the page no.99), mentioning Tarai as well in different context implies that Madhesh and Tarai mean different.

The Sugauli Treaty ( signed on 8 December, 1816) between British Government and Nepal, in its memorandum of understanding letter on clauses 2 and 6 states that the land between Koshi and Gandaki river is mentioned as Tirhut (Tharuhat) which again has been mentioned as Tarai land. All these facts show that since ancient times, Tarai region, Tharu language and Tharu culture were developed.

Next evidence is the recollection letter written by British Government on 11 December, 1816 to Nepal Government, wherein it has been straightly mentioned word as Tarai but not Madhesh. In spite of these factual evidences at hand, to interpret Tarai as Madhesh by some interested quarters is how much correct and justifiable it is? It is a serious matter that demands attention. See the lines mentioned below (moreover, the Rajah of Nepal agrees to refrain from prosecuting any inhabitants of Tarai, after its revertance to his rule, on account of having favored the cause of British Government  during the war, and should any of those persons, expecting the  cultivators of soil, be desirous of quitting their estates and retiring within the company’s territories, he shall not be liable to hindrance-Point 7-Memorandum of Approval from British Government and Accepted by Nepal on Dec 11,1816.

Likewise, noted author Dr. Haribans Jha –a Tarai scholar, has described, in his “Madheshi  Samudai: Samajik Ra Arthik Biawastha”  entitled  book, Madheshi word in real meaning ,he has mentioned Tarai word for Tarai, but not Medhesh. A few lines from what Dr. Jha says, “ Madheshis living in Tarai territory, have their own glorious history, art, culture and economy. The Social structure of Madheshi community resembles with the social structure of the Indian states like UP and Bihar rather than the social structure of any Nepalese society. So, those gentlemen who call Madhesh with Tarai, they do it so either from ignorance or make it with mal-intent.

Generally, Madhesh residents are known as Madheshi. While, Madheshi from Madhyadesh of India, for their livelihood, migrated to Nepal, Tharu people of Tarai started to call them the new comers as “Bajiya” that means people from out side or from Brijee Republic and still they call them “Bajiya”. Later on, in 20^th century when people from hill region migrated to Tarai and came in contact with these outsider migrants they also began to call the new comers as Madheshi-Madhya deshi-(of Indian origin). Even today the hilly people call to these migrants Madheshi, is true. But they are not the Nepalese will not be a correct evaluation.

C.K. Lal has also supported to this fact. In his own word, “The early 20^th century clearing of Tarai forest and almost simultaneous famine in the neighboring states of Bengal, Bihar and Awadh forced many Indians to choose a life of considerable difficulty in the plains of Nepal. Overtime, they became to be known as Madhesis- the people of Madhesh. In this way the entrance of Madhesi can be seen and this is a fact but at present time the facts are being distorted to the extent that some want to delete the word “Indian origin” to serve their own political and vested interests. Madhesh continues to be there in India where it was. Madheshi is a sentimental word. Madhesi is not as such a special caste. If it were the otherwise, they should have their own separate and special culture and tradition. If this is so, then how come they become an indigenous group of Nepal? They are just giving an imaginary name “Madhesh” and due to relation with it they are trying with might and mind to prove through organizations, and also with the support of some political parties and making all these as a ladder to prove that Madheshis are ancient inhabitants of Tarai. Madhesh is not any kind of geography of Nepal. Madhesh is there where it was in India and Madheshi is a sentimental word. Madhesi is not a particular caste, nor they have a fixed place, culture, own mother tongue, then how could they become the ancient inhabitants of Nepal? This must be thought. Remember it that Tarai and Inner Tarai is fundamental base and this is definitely Tharuhat. Tharus are original inhabitants of Tarai. We Tharus humbly request to political parties or organizations not to take any wrong decision that is advantageous to their short term political interests which neglects the criterions forwarded by the Tharus. I wan to put the fact that ”Bajiya” is of Tharu language that implies the meaning for people from out side or from Brajee Republic. As time went by the people from hill region migrated to Tarai and heard the word “Bajiya” from the Tharus repeatedly, the hill people considered the word Bajya as a derogatory word. This later was interpreted by the Nepali dictionary as a word which denoted some sort of abuse. Thus there was distortion of the word.

In this way, real evidences prove that Tarai is not Madhesh but Tharuhat. It is therefore to call Tarai as Madhesh will not be an act of wisdom. Madhesh was and still a part of India. However, in present time, Nepal Government, exploiters of Tharus and colonists are hatching a new strategy to exploit the Tharus by establishing a non-existent entity as a Madhesh state. The interim constitution does mention Madhesh but deliberately avoids the mentioning of the Tharuhat. This is a ploy to ignore the indigenous Tharus. This is a sort of Tsunami not only for the Tharus but also for Nepal as a nation-state. We all Tharus must come together unitedly and protest the arrangement that allows space for the Madheshis. If at this crucial time, we do not act, we will not be able to protect the Tharuhat and this will lead to the very extinction of the Tharus from their own land-the Tharuhat.

We must oppose to the conspiracy that is being hatched in the name of Madhesh. If we could not protect the Tharuhat and Tarai, we will be compelled to be refugee with full of sorrows in our own land.

I make humble request to those who possess love for their country not to accept the concept which equates Tarai with Madhesh. If we fail to understand the gravity of the situation, we might push the nation to become a colony of some powers. The decision that has been made in the name of the Madhesh should be immediately scrapped. I hope that all Nepalese people will put their efforts in scrapping the decisions taken in the recent months by the government, political parties including the Maoists in order to save Tharuhat.

Well written and explained. I liked this article, and I would like to thank the author for bringing this issue in front of us. Identity crisis is big issue for all human being. Therefore, people should protect their identity and live in harmony. We are in the 21st century, we can't go back, we should try to look forward and develop ourselves.

 

2. From Pushkar

Dear Chaudhary Ji, Thanks for the wonderful article. I really appreciate your effort and like your content, setting. Presentation style and some referred misinterpreted issues of confusion. Please do not mind that I found you are yourself severely confuse about the issues of Tarai and Madhesh, Tharu and Madheshi. Therefore, you do not have any right at all to make people more confuse with such self-confused ideas and literatures. I humbly request you please consider some factual legitimate research afterward you try to illustrate such issues otherwise it will crate only chaotic crisis on ethnic origination and culture of Madhesh. I could not understand why you now raised such misinterpreted issues. Do you want more problems in Madhesh or what? Or your are supporting regressive forces or you are against the mainstreaming issues of Madheshi or Tharu or other indigenous people? Your message is mal-strategic and biased to create problem among the Madhesh based ethnic groups. Your message proved that either you do not have enough qualities and ground to express views on such critical matter without having sufficient and legitimate proof or you are misinterpreting such historical black and white matter just to fulfill your temporary personal interest. You should aware before to write such issues that it could push your own existence into crisis. Therefore, I request you that please do not involve in such gamble of misinterpretation of alive history, which bring only terrible results. I mean please do not use more effort to divide or scrap the unity and harmony of Madhesh. I hope you understand me that what I mean. If you have any question and confusion about my comments or your want to more clear about the self confused issue.

Please do not forget to email me in mrpushkar@yahoo.com

Thank you

 

3. From Ramesh Bashyal

Chaudharis article is an eye opener to those Nepalis who did not know the history of the Tharus. This is the first time I have been educated about Tharus and Tharuwan.

Thank you Chaudhari jiu

 

4. From Kiran Sitoula

Thank you for setting the historical facts straight.

 

5. From Samrat Pradhan

Dear Bhulai Chaudhary,

Thank you so much for such an insightful article. Please keep posting such articles in due time.

 

6.  From Murari Sharma

Wonderful article. Puts the history of Terai in context.

Posted on : 2007-03-07 05:22:12

Comments (6)

Commented by ranjeet raj pathak - July 4, 2009 @ 8:46 AM

Historians agree that ´Madhesh´ is a morphological derivative of Madhyadesh (Sanskrit for `the Middle Country´) or Majjhimadesh (Pali for ´the Middle Country´) and means the same — the Middle Country. The region of Madhyadesh has been well defined in ancient texts. For example, Manusmirti (circa 1500 BC, 2/21) defines Madhyadesh as the land between Himvat (Himalaya) and Vindhya Mountains and to the east of the river Vinasana (invisible Saraswati) and to the west of Prayag. Around 500 BC, at the time of Buddha, the Buddhist texts calls this ´Middle Country´ Majjhimadesh in Pali language and defines the region in canonical texts Vinaya Pitaka as extended "in the east to the town of Kajangala, beyond which was Mahāsāla; on the south-east to the river Salalavatī; on the south west to the town of Satakannika; on the west to the Brahmin village of Thūna; on the north to the Usiraddhaja Mountain." At the time of Buddha, the eastern limit of the Middle Country had extended nearly 400 miles eastward of Prayaga which was its eastern most point in the Manu's time (Bhandarkar, 1918). According to Pali canon, the Majjhimadesh was "three hundred yojanas in length, two hundred and fifty in breadth, and nine hundred in circumference" and it contained fourteen out of the sixteen Mahājanapadas (Kāsī, Kosala, Anga, Magadha, Vajji, Mallā, Cetiya, Vamsā, Kuru, Pañcāla, Macchā, Sūrasena, Assaka, Avantī). This land of the Middle country was ruled by several great dynasties in ancient and medieval times. Upon the arrival of Islamic rulers from the Mid East, they also called the plains of "undulating former marshland" of the Middle Country as ´Terai´, a word derived from Persian (तराई / ترائی ´wetland´ from تر ´wet´ ), meaning "moist land" (Encyclopedia Britannica). The British missionaries and the East India Company who came after Mughals also refer this region of Madhyadesh with this name or its variants. However they also continued to use Madhyades as well, for example, see Martin (1838), Elliot (1849), Muir (1873). At the later stage of British Raj, the northern part of Madhyadesh was ruled by Sen and other kingdoms as suzerainty states and paid taxes to Nawabs and the East India Company. With the state expansion initiated by Gurkha ruler Prithvi Narayan Shah in the late 18th century, Gurkhas got hold of many parts of the Madhesh (Madhyadesh) and took many from Nawabs and the East India Company by paying tax or through treaties. The part of Madhesh present today in Nepal is a result of memorandum of 1816 and treaty of 1860 with the East India Company. Through the memorandum of 8 December 1816, the Company government handed the region between west of Koshi and east to Rapti river to Nepal instead of paying two hundred thousands rupees per year as agreed previously on Gurkhas´ request for supporting living cost of their employees. The region west of Rapti and east of Mahakali came through the treaty of 1960 as a reward to Gurkhas for their support to the East India Company for suppressing Sepoy Mutiny of 1857 to 1859 and is also called Naya Muluk (New Region). With this annexation, the annexed region continued to be called ´Madhesh´. For example, a letter written by King Prithvi Narayan Shah to Bhagavanta Nath mentions, "…The boundaries have been extended to the Kankai River in the Madhesh and the Hasabharyakhola and the Tamor River in the hills." Similarly, in the royal order issued by Prithivi Narayan Shah on 23 September 1761 to Jaisis all over the kingdom says: "In Nepal too, all castes own Birta lands: in the Madhesh region, the Bhot region, Jumla, Kumaun and Doti too, all castes own Birta lands." On the annexed land of Madhesh, Gurkhas continued to levy tax and started "land management" and administration by establishing administrative units like "Madhesh Bandobast Adda" (Madhesh Administration Office), "Madhesh Pahila Phat" (Madhesh Audit Department) and "Madhesh Report Niksari" throughout the Madhesh, from east to the west. Not only in the administrative and historical documents, but even all literatures of Nepal show that writers and poets preferred to use the term Madhesh for this region. Even academic text books of Nepal from primary schools to colleges, and scholarly writings mentioned three divisions of Nepal as: Hyund-des (Bhot/Himal), Pahad-des (Parvat/Pahad) and Madhes/Mades (Terai). Recently certain parties, for example federal maps proposed by Maoists, are categorising only Eastern Tarai region as Madhesh and calling western Tarai as Tharuwan/Tharuhat (to appease some groups). However this categorisation is baseless. It is well known and recorded fact that all the plain part of Nepal from east to west has been called and administered as Madhesh and all historical documents show this fact. For example, Muluki Ain (Civil Codes), different laws and regulations including Birta Confiscation Act, royal orders and other administrative and historical documents prove that whole Tarai (plain) region of Nepal was administered as Madhesh. Moreover, the administrative units for Madhesh like Madhesh Bandobast Adda (Madhesh Administration Office), Madhesh Pahila Phant (Madhesh Audit Department), Madhesh Report Niksari were opened and operating in the whole region from the east to the west of Nepal. Not only up to the Mahakali river in the west, but the plain region beyond that, as far as up to Kumaon and Garhwal, was also called Madhesh and ruled as such, as historical documents show. For example, the royal order issued in June 1805 says: "… Because Ranabir has behaved in an improper way, we hereby appoint you three brothers [Dhaukal Khatri, Surabir Khatri, and Ranabir Khatri] to replace him as Subbas for one-third of the territories of Garh in the Madhesh, the hills, and the Bhot." This shows that the whole Terai region, from the east to the west, has always been in Madhesh. Therefore, whether it´s ancient, medieval or modern times, the whole Terai (plain) region belongs to Madhesh.

Commented by psinghkarki - April 30, 2009 @ 8:34 AM

Madhesis word is under Tharus, main word is Tharu community, This comunity have dignity of own culture . Community has the democratical rights first not madhesis word

Commented by Bal Krishna Jha - November 13, 2008 @ 5:02 AM

Dear Author, The word madhes is learnt by the madhesis due to the introduction of the word 'madise/marsya' by the pahadi state. Why are you trying so hard to find out in history where all and how the word emerged? It is here. And if you talk of the history, do you think that the 'Madhesi Goswara Ain' and 'Madhesh Bandobast Adda' as practiced before 1950s in Nepal, are the acts/administrative wings of the Indian Government? Regards, Bal Krishna Jha

Commented by Bal Krishna Jha - November 13, 2008 @ 4:55 AM

Dear author, You have given the answer yourself. Madhesis are different from Nepal. Either this is the fault of unsuccessful 'Nepalization' and 'Gorkalization' of the Madhesis. We cant be culturally similar to 'Nepalis', and hence autonomy to practice our own culture and practice is required in the form of one madhes, one pradesh

Commented by Nick - July 14, 2008 @ 11:13 AM

A very nicely written article, very clear. Sir, however I wish you had remained a neutral party in the article and not taken sides. I would like to say that your article very nicely illustrates the gloryful past of Tharus but not without bias. You see Madheshi and madheshi terms were not coined by people of "terai" the centre people coined this term to alienate us from the mainstream politics and to marginalise us. Like you are tharu some are maithil other janjati, so on and no one is madheshi. But in the eyes of Pahadi any person who is not pahadi is a madheshi. Call Southern nepal by any name. Call it Terai. It does not matter wht matters is that we unite and achieve the common goal of claiming our rights and dignity. plz give your comments on this post.

Commented by Maharaja - May 1, 2008 @ 11:17 PM

Choudhary ji ! Little knowledge is dangerous. Pls study more. Pahade bahun had misguided innocent tharus people in Jaad & sungur ko Masu( Alcohal & pig's meat) and registered tharu's land in their name. I think u r still in that phase. Be careful tharu brothers & sisters , This is the time unite all madhesis or terrain. There is nothing in word madhesh and terain. we all people from terain or madhesh should stand together against the internal colonisation by the khas and other hilly groups. Then only our & our next generation's future will be secure. And also I can say that we can form better than the best nepal.

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