Newar language

Newar or Newari, also known as Nepal Bhasa (नेपाल भाषा), is spoken as a native language by the Newar people, the indigenous inhabitants of Nepal Mandala, which consists of the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding regions. Outside Nepal, Newar is spoken in India, particularly in Sikkim, where it is one of eleven official languages.

Although "Nepal Bhasa" literally means "Nepalese language", the language is not the same as Nepali (Nepali: नेपाली), the country's current official language. The two languages belong to different language families (Sino-Tibetan and Indo-Aryan, respectively), but centuries of contact have resulted in a significant body of shared vocabulary.

Newar was Nepal's administrative language from the 14th to the late 18th centuries. Since the beginning of the 20th century, Newar has suffered from official suppression. From 1952 to 1991, the percentage of the population in the Kathmandu Valley speaking Newar dropped from 75% to 44%, and Newar culture and language are under threat. The language has been listed as being "definitely endangered" by UNESCO.

Four Pillars

Four Pillars or four pillars may refer to:

See also

Four Pillars of Nepal Bhasa

Four Pillars of Nepal Bhasa (Newar: नेपाल भाषाया प्यंगः थां) are the four leaders who spearheaded the campaign to revive the Newar language and its literature during the repressive Rana regime, and guided its renaissance at the beginning of the 20th century.

They produced literature at the risk of personal freedom and laid the foundation for the development of modern Nepal Bhasa. Their work marks the beginning of the Nepal Bhasa movement in Kathmandu, which has led to greater rights in education, the media and official recognition.

The four figures honored as the four pillars of the Nepal Bhasa renaissance are author Nisthananda Bajracharya, poet Siddhidas Mahaju, educationist Jagat Sundar Malla and poet Yogbir Singh Kansakar.

Nisthananda Bajracharya

Nisthananda Bajracharya (1858 - 1935) marked a turning point by breaking away from the classical style and writing prose in colloquial language. In 1909, Bajracharya published Ek Bishanti Prajnaparamita, the first book in Nepal Bhasa to be printed with moveable type. Lalita Vistara, his most famous work which is based on the Buddha's life story, and Swayambhu Purana were published in 1914.

Nepal

Nepal (ⁱ/nəˈpɔːl/;Nepali: नेपाल [neˈpal]), officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country located in South Asia. With an area of 147,181 square kilometres (56,827 sq mi) and a population of approximately 27 million, Nepal is the world's 93rd largest country by area and the 41st most populous country. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by China and to the south, east, and west by India. Nepal is separated from Bangladesh by the narrow Indian Siliguri Corridor and from Bhutan by the Indian state of Sikkim. Kathmandu is the nation's capital city and largest metropolis.

The mountainous north of Nepal has eight of the world's ten tallest mountains, including the highest point on Earth, Mount Everest (Nepali: सगरमाथा Sagarmāthā). More than 250 peaks over 20,000 ft (6,096 m) above sea level are located in Nepal. The southern Terai region is fertile and humid.

Hinduism is practiced by about 81.3% of Nepalis, the highest percentage of any country. Buddhism is linked historically with Nepal and is practiced by 9% of its people, followed by Islam at 4.4%, Kiratism 3.1%, Christianity 1.4%, and animism 0.4%. A large portion of the population, especially in the hill region, may identify themselves as both Hindu and Buddhist, which can be attributed to the syncretic nature of both faiths in Nepal.

Nepal (surname)

'Nepal'(नेपाल) is a surname used by Khas Brahmin people of Nepal. They are the Aryans who have Persian ancestry. Nepal's are the family descendents of Rishi or sage Ghritakaushik which is also their Gotras. Nepal are said to be Kanyakubja Brahmin which fall under category Pancha-Gauda (worldwide classification) which means 'Northern Brahmin' and under Upadhyaya Brahmin in Nepalese classification of Brahmin.

Origin of Nepal as a surname

Before origin of surname Nepal, Nepals used to write their surname as Pandit or Upadhyaya. During the regime of 'Malla' King around 12th century in Khas Empire (present western Nepal) Pandit Jayabidyadhar was an advisor to the royal throne and administrator of Empire. In Khas empire there was tradition of honoring the people who dedicated their life for welfare of nation by providing them ownership rights of certain regions of Empire. Also they used to be called by name of that region. This system was known as 'Birtabarichalan' or 'Birtapratha' Following the tradition on 5th Magh, 1192 Bikram sambat (Nepalese Year) Malla king 'Akshay' Son of King 'Jitaridev' honored 2nd son of Bhagavan Bhaskar Pandit (Royal Priest) 'Jayabidyadhar Pandit' by providing him ownership of 3 different parts of empire named 'Nepa','Khaan', Barala (now lies in Western Nepal) as he dedicated his life for political and economic development empire and settling the trade dispute with Tibet. These 3 different regions were divided among sons of Jayabidyadhar Pandit where ownership of "Nepa" was granted to 1st son Sarwagyadhar Nepal. Nepa (name of region) was added to suffix aalaya (Nepa+aalaya) and then Nepal surname was introduced which was firstly used by 'Sarwagyadhar Nepal' and followed by his generations.

Nepal (disambiguation)

Nepal is a republic in Asia. The word may also refer to: