Rajbanshi’s of Nepal

The book is intended to give an insight into the culture and problems faced by Rajbanshi’s. Rajbanshi’s are supposed to be indigeous people of Nepal, residing in eastern Tarai, specially in Jhapa district and a few members in Moorang. Physically they are analogus to both Aryan’s and non-Aryans but are closer to Tharus and local inhabitants in cultural practices. Rajbanshi’s have their own identity and traditions, but they are somewhat suspicious and introvert. They take time to intermingle with outsiders and accept changes. They seem to be almost aside of national mainstream due to their narrow social values. No scholars have yet been able to confirm their position as to from where and when they came, their source of origin. They are under the influence of Sanskrit civilization; their language is close to a dialect of Bengali language. They worship different Hindu Gods and Goddesses. They believe in spirits, magic, sorcery and ghosts. Their marriage practices are interesting. Some scholars put them with Koch’s, bhumiyas, Palias. Many studies have been made towards recording the culture of Rajbanshi’s. they have no record of their traditions and cultural richness. This book seeks to explain the cultural, religious and traditional practices and other rituals of Rajbanshi’s on published books and articles and also the personel visits and discussions by the author himself.