Origins of the Kirat People
The Kirat people are one of the oldest indigenous groups of the Himalayas, with a history that stretches back thousands of years. They are part of the broader Kirati ethnic family, which includes the Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar, Yakkha, and other groups.
Early Settlements
The Kirat people originally inhabited the eastern Himalayas, from the Kathmandu Valley in the west to the hills of Sikkim and Darjeeling in the east, extending into what is now Bhutan. Archaeological and historical evidence suggests that the Kirat were among the earliest settlers of the Kathmandu Valley.
The Kirat Dynasty in Kathmandu
According to historical traditions, the Kirat were the rulers of the Kathmandu Valley before the Lichchhavi period. The Kirat dynasty is said to have been founded by Yalamber (also known as Girwaha), who was a contemporary of Lord Krishna in Hindu tradition. The Kirat kings ruled the valley for several centuries, and their rule is considered a golden age in early Nepalese history.
Key aspects of the Kirat period:
- Rule of Yalamber: The first Kirat king, Yalamber, is said to have conquered the valley and established Kirat rule.
- Cultural contributions: The Kirat period saw the development of early Nepalese art, architecture, and culture.
- Religious practices: The Kirat practiced their traditional religion (Kirat Mundhum), which was a blend of animism, shamanism, and nature worship.
Gorkhali Conquest
The Kirat rule in the Kathmandu Valley ended with the conquest by Prithvi Narayan Shah of the Gorkha Kingdom in the 18th century. The Gorkhali expansion brought the Kirat people under Nepalese rule, and their kingdoms in the eastern hills were gradually absorbed.
The conquest was not without resistance — the Kirat people, particularly in the eastern regions, put up a stiff resistance to the Gorkhali invasion. Historical accounts note that the Rai people, in particular, offered significant resistance before ultimately being subdued.