Nepal's Caste System: A Persistent Hierarchy

Nepal's recent youth uprising has brought attention to the country's social order, where caste continues to shape politics, society, and economy.

The country's caste system is centuries old, with the Muluki Ain of 1854 codifying a rigid hierarchy:

• Bahuns (Brahmins) and Chhetris (warriors) at the top
• Dalits at the bottom
• Indigenous Tibeto-Burman groups in the middle

Madhesis in the southern plains were largely ignored in the legal framework.

the dawn of a "new Nepal"

Author's summary: Nepal's caste system persists despite social movements.

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The Print — 2025-10-14