Social Types The Newars (V) National castes. (v) Castes of the national type.- Where there is neither nation nor national sentiment, it may seem paradoxical to talk about a national type of caste. There exist, however, certain groups, usually regarded as castes at the present day, which cherish traditions of bygone sovereignty and seem to preserve traces of an organization considerably more elaborate than that of an ordinary tribe. The Newars, a mixed people of Mongoloid origin, who were the predominant race in Nepal proper until the country was conquered and annexed by the Gurkha Prithi Narayan in 1768, may be taken as an illustration of such a survival. The group comprises both Hindus and Buddhists. The latter are at present slightly more numerous, but the former are said to be gaining ground by more frequent conversions. The two communities are quite distinct, and each is divided into an elaborate series of castes. Thus, among the Hindu Newars, we find at the top of the social scale The Devabhaja, who are Brahmans and spiritual teachers; the Surjyabansi Mal, members of the old royal family; the Shreshta, consisting of ministers and other officials; and the Japu, who are cultivators. Then comes an intermediate group including, among others, the Awa, masons; the Kawmi, carpenters and sweetmeat-makers, an old combination of trades; the Chhipi, dyers of cloth; the Kau, blacksmiths; and the Nau, barbers. Lowest of all are the Pasi, washermen; the Jugi, tailors and musicians; the Po, sweepers, burners of dead bodies, and executioners; and the Kulu, drummakers and curriers.
Sir Herbert Risley 'The People of India' 2e 1915 (Rpt in LPP 2003) p 86-87 -----
1.“Now a days the term Nepalese has a far wider significance, indeed almost a changed meaning, but when we speak of Nepalese civilization, we can only mean Newar civilization.”
David Snellgrove'Shrines and Temples of Nepal' in Arts Asiatique VIII, I, 1961,p3 -----
2.“the salient trait of the Newar character is the taste of the society. The Newar never lives isolated; he loves to dwell a little like the Parisian, in house of several storey and swarming with people, rather than live in solitude in town as well as in the village. He knows how to derive delight from the pleasures nature give him; he sings, he talks, he loves the countryside, delights in picnic of gay company; in a shadow spot near a stream or rivulet, in the shelter of an old sanctuary, facing a beautiful and panoramic view. Careful and keen cultivator he also excels in all the manual arts, even the most delicate; he is painter of taste, well-informed trader without rapacity and born artist. He is talented goldsmith and ironsmith, fanciful carver, dyer and gifted artist. He has changed the art of India, built temples and palaces which have served as models to the Tibetans and the Chinese. The Classical Pagoda hails from Nepal. The reputation of the Nepalese craftsmen, consecrated by the centuries, is still established in the whole Central Asia. The Gurkhas who resent their entry in the army have given them the reputation of cowardice; but the memory of the assaults delivered at Kirtipur testify their bravery.”
Sylvan Levi from Le Nepal. -----
3.“The Newars are best known to the world for their amazing artistic creativity and skilled craftsmanship producing a culture which a few centuries ago ranked among the highest in Asia. The Newars developed their own distinctive art style which is now thought of purely Nepalese. The heavily decorated many tiered pagoda temple style peculiar to Newari builders and artisans is generally believed to have originated with them. Records show that Emperors of Tibet and China sent for Newari craftsmen to build temples in their lands, whence the style eventually spread to Japan.” -
Mary A. Anderson in Festivals of Nepal. ----- 4.“The word ‘tribal’, in common parlance, includes only those tribes which are schedule in the Constitution. But there are a large number of other tribes everywhere in Sikkim, who in all respects have the claim to be declared as tribes, handicrafts are never a monopoly of the scheduled tribes. The Sarkis, and Damais are also adept in this field. Besides, there are Newars who are known to be very expert craftsmen and their skill surpassed the skill of every other Himalayan people and had considerable respect in Tibet also.”
H.G.Joshiin Sikkim:Past and Present 2004 ( in Tribal Arts and Crafts (page 155 Profile of Land and People -----
5. “Of the other tribes, the Newars, though small in number, were reputedly enterprising and influential.”
(ibid page 87 History of Sikkim: A Himalayan Kingdom) -----
6. “With the liquidation of the Newari power in Kathmandu Valley by the Gurkhas in the middle of the 18th century the Newaris expanded to the east. They settled down in Darjeeling district.
“By the close of the 19th century, the Pradhan Newars (the Shesya or Shresththya) emerged as the Nepaili counterpart of the Kazis in Sikkim. With them came a large number of service-castes such as the Brahmins, barbers and artisan castes such as smiths (Kami), tailors (Damai) and shoemakers (Sarki). The Newaris in Sikkim are, by the large, Hindus, with the highest socio-economic positions given to the Pradhans followed by the ritual leaders – the Brahmins.