Newars are the indigenous people of the Kathmandu Valley, known for their rich cultural heritage and historical significance in Nepal. Their native language, “Nepal Bhasha” (commonly known as “Newari”), is distinct, though a significant number of Newars also speak Nepali. The majority of Newars follow Hinduism and are traditionally categorized into various castes and clans based on the Hindu social system. However, a substantial portion of the Newar community practices Buddhism, making Newars one of the few ethnic groups in Nepal with a deep-rooted blend of both religions. The Newar population in Nepal is approximately 1.3 million, accounting for around 5.5% of the country’s total population.
List of Newar caste and surnames:-
| Caste | Traditional occupation | surnames |
| Deo Brahman | Hindu priests | Rajopadhyaya |
| Shrestha (Chhathariya) | Royal family, nobles, and courtiers | Joshi, Malla, Pradhananga, Pradhan, Rajbhandari, Amatya, Vaidya, Maskey, Kayastha, Rajvanshi, Patrabansh, Mathema, Lakhey, Hada, Karmacharya, Guruvacharya |
| Shrestha (Panchthariya) | Administrators, traders, and merchants | Shrestha, Mulmi, Madhikarmi (Halwai), Bhaju, Kakchapati, Nyachhyon, Nagarkoti, Sivacharya, Mulmi, Madhikarmi (Halwai), Bhaju, Kakchapati, Nyachhyon, Nagarkoti, Sivacharya, etc. |
| Gubhaju | Buddhist priests | Vajracharya, and Bare – Shakya, Bhikshu, Gurju |
| Uray, Udaas | Traders and merchants, Craftsmen | Tuladhar, Bania, Sikarmi (Sthapit), Awa, Tamrakar, Kansakar, Sikhrakar, Sindurakar, Rajkarnikar, Halwai, SIlakar |
| Jyapu | Farmers | Maharjan, Dangol, Singh, Suwal, Desar, Rajbahak, Kumhal, Prajapati, Kumah, Awale, Awal, Shilpakar, Ka:mi, Pahari |
| Sayami | Oilpressers | Manandhar, Sayami |
| Khusa | Palanquin bearers | Tandukar |
| Nau | Barbers | Napit |
| Kau | Blacksmiths | Naka:mi |
| Bha | Funeral duties | Karanjit, Bha |
| Gathu | Gardeners | Bammala, Mali, Malakar |
| Tepe | Cultivators | Byanjankara, Tepe |
| Pun | Painters | Chitrakar |
| Duhim | Carriers | Putwar, Dali |
| Balami | Fieldworkers | Balami |
| Pulu | Funeral torchbearers | Pulu |
| Cipa | Dyers | Ranjitkar, Ranjit |
| Jugi | Musicians and tailors | Darshandhari, Kusle, Kapali |
| Naye | Butchers and musicians | Khadgi, Shahi |
| Kulu | Drum-makers and cobblers | Kulu |
| Pode | Fishermen, sweepers | Pode, Deola, Pujari, Nepali |
| Chami | Sweepers | Chyame, Chamkhalak |
| Halahulu | Sweepers | Halahulu |
In 1097 AD King Nanya Dev of the Karnat dynasty established his kingdom in the Mithila region (Tirahut). The center of the kingdom was Simraungadh (सिम्रौनगढ) which is now located in the Bara district, Nepal. In 1324 AD, when the last king Harisingh Dev was defeated by Delhi Sultan Gayasudin Tuglak (ग़ियास सुद्दीन तुग़लुक़), King Hari Singh left for Kathmandu with the statue of Taleju Bhawani. Though he died in Hariharpur Gadhi (present-day Sindhuli district) his family made it to Kathmandu. Temples of Taleju Bhawani in Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur districts are believed to be linked with the Mithila Kingdom. Many Maithili brahmins also migrated to Kathmandu valley during that period and afterward. During centuries of their residence in Kathmandu, they mixed up with the native people of the valley. Today, some of the Newar brahmin castes like Jha, Mishra, and Bhatta are believed to be originated from Maithili.
Notable Newar people:-
Sankhadhar Sakhwa (879 AD) philanthropist, related to Nepal Sambat
Shukra Raj Shastri (1894-1941), Freedom Fighter, Martyr
Gangalal Shrestha (1919-1941), Freedom Fighter, Martyr
Dharma Bhakta Mathema (1908-1941), Freedom Fighter, Martyr
Ganesh Man Singh (1915-1997) Freedom Fighter, Leader of Nepali Congress
Pushpa Lal Shrestha (1924-1978), Founder of Communist Party of Nepal
Marich Man Shrestha (1942-2013) Former Prime Minister
Sahana Pradhan (1927-2014), Leader of CPN-ML, Former Deputy PM
Hisila Yami (b.1959), Leader
Yug Kavi Siddhicharan Shrestha (1912-1992), poet
Tara Devi (1945-2006), Singer, aka Swar Samragi
Fattehman Singh Rajbhandari (1936-2013), Singer
Prem Dhwaj Pradhan (b.1938), Singer
Madan Krishna Shrestha (b.1950), Actor
Shiva Shrestha, Actor
Karishma Manandhar (b.1971), Actress