Administrative System of the Kirat Dynasty in Nepal: A Study

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of the administrative system of the Kirat Dynasty in ancient Nepal. It begins with a historical background, highlighting the dynasty's emergence, its 29 kings, and key figures like King Yalamber. The essay then delves into the Kirat's administrative structure, covering polity (monarchy with democratic elements), official language (Sanskrit influence), central administration (King, ministers, council of state), and area administration (thum and village levels). It examines the roles of the King as head of state, the ministers assisting him, and the council of state (Chumlung) in policy-making. Furthermore, it discusses area administration, focusing on the division into thums and villages with their respective governance structures. The essay also explores the guiding principles of Kirat administration, including central-local relations, military organization, administrative and judicial affairs, taxation, and social-religious policies. The essay concludes by emphasizing the Kirat's contribution to the foundation of the Nepalese administrative system, with an acknowledgement of the limitations of available source material.

Administrative system of Kirat Dynasty
Tribhuwan University
Balkhu, Kathmandu
Administrative system in Nepal
Submitted By: Jyotshana Submitted To: Mr. Shrestha
28th August, 2021

Administrative system of Kirat Dynasty
Background
The emergence of this Kirata rule marked the end of the pre-historic era and the commencement
of the historical period in ancient Nepal. It is believed that Kirat ruled in Nepal after Manispal or
Avir dynasty by defeating the last King of Avir dynasty King Bhuwansingh in a battle where the
Kirat King Yalmaber had taken the regime of valley under his control. In Hindu mythology
perspective, this event was taken place in around the 6th century B.C. King Yalamber, the first
king of Kirat dynasty in Nepal belong to Yellung dan.
Kirat came to Nepal in about 700 B.C. and ruled over it. They were short and had strong bodies,
broad cheers, flat noses, thin whiskers and dark eyes. The Kirata people have been celebrated in
the well-known Hindu epic of Mahabharata as a hill-tribe with remarkable skill in archery and
warfare. The kirats have been mentioned not only in the different genealogies of Nepal but also
in the Puranas. There are in total 29 Kirat King who ruled in Nepal. Kirat Yalamber is the
founder of Kirat dynasty in Nepal and is well remembered in Kathmandu in historical as well as
religious perspective. He is the King who introduced Indra Jatra, the popular carnival of
Kathmandu. Likewise, the head of Akash Bhairab which is shown at Indrachowk is also
worshipped as the idol of King Yalamber. Likewise, Humati, the 6th King of kirat dynasty is
regarded as the contemporary Kirati King to the period of war of Mahabharat. Similarly, we can
find the visit of Gautama Buddha in Kathmandu during the ruling period of King Jitedashi, the
7th King of Kirat dynasty. While in the ruling period of King Stunko, some evidences were found
that Ashoka visited Lumbini. When Kirat occupied the valley, they made Malatritha their capital.
When the 28th Kirat King Patuka was ruling the Kathmandu valley, the Sombashi ruler attacked

his regime many times from the west. Although he successfully repelled their attacks he was
forced to move from Gokarna to Shankhamul. Later, he turned Shankhamul into a beautiful
town. After, the end of Kirat dynasty, the kirat people moved the eastern hills of Nepal and their
settlement were divided into three regions: Wallokirat, Pallokirat and Majkirat.
The Kirata Administrative System
Any administrative system is highly influenced by traditions, socio-cultural values and beliefs of
a society. It is presumed that Kirata administrative system must have been highly influenced by
the traditions, socio-cultural values and beliefs of the kirata society. The Kirata administrative
system in ancient Nepal covers mainly four aspects: Polity, official language, central
administration and area administration.
i) Polity
According to Acharya, under the influence of Vriji Sangha, the Kiratas established a democratic
political system in ancient Nepal. The Kirata converted ancient Nepal into kingdom under
monarchical rule. Each rulers of Kirat dynasty maintained a democratic spirit. Hence, the polity
of ancient Nepal during the days of the kiratas was based on a monarchy with a strong
democratic flavor.
ii) Official language
It is unknown that what type of language was used by the Kirata rulers for official purposes. But
it is claimed by many scholars that since thousand years back, Sanskrit has been official
language of the kiratas. It is also believed that the tradition of Sanskrit language was developed
during the days of Kirata rule. But had their own language and script which might have easily

attracted them to use it as their official language rather than Sanskrit which was largely foreign
to them.
iii) Central Administration
The central administration consisted of the king, ministers, council of state and central level
apparatus.
The Hang (King)
The king was the head of the state as well as the head of the government. The King (hang) used
to run the entire administration of the country from his royal palace located at Gokarna. The king
has legislative, executive and judicial powers. Because of the king’s prominent role in religious
affairs, the kingship was based on divine theory. The king was considered as the representative
of the God (Ningwaphuma). Despite their belief in divine right theory, the kirata kings did not
rule arbitrarily in the autocratic style. The king used to take the interest of the people as the
country followed and strongly belief in democratic values. As the administrative system was
highly influenced by traditions, socio-cultural and religious belief; it never discourage monarchs
from exercising authority and power arbitrarily. There was a promotion of public welfare during
kirata rules. The people also used to highly respect the king and showed loyalty toward king.
Tumyang (Minister)
The Tumyang(minister) were appointed by the king. They used to assist king and advice on state
affairs. Timely meeting and discussion used to take place between the king and ministers.
Serious differences of opinion between the king and ministers were considered as unhealthy. The

king and minister used to work with mutual cooperation and collaboration. Therefore, at the time
of kirat dynasty there was smooth administrative function in a country.
Chumlung (Council of state)
According to Kirata rules, the rulers had a council of state called Chumlung which played
noteworthy role in the Kirata administrative system. It was composed of hang (King), Tumyang(
Minister), Thakthumba( high-level army officers) and two other pasing padang(members)
elected by the people. Hence, the Chumlung presents a mixed model consisting of politicians,
army officers and people’s representative. Some of the major functions of council of state are
follows:
 To advice the king in the state affairs.
 To provide information to the king about the ongoing state affairs.
 To formulate policies in national issues.
 To enact rules and regulations.
 To guide the entire administrative system of the country.
iv) Area administration
The area of administration of kirat dynasty can be discussed under two sub heading:
a) Thum administration: Since, the administration philosophy was largely based on local
autonomy; the entire territory of the country was divided into different district known as
thums. Each thum had its own governor who worked as mini-king, enjoying and
exercising varied functions and powers. The major functions of thum panchayat were to

help the mini king in maintaining law and order, to settle disputes and manage canals and
collect state taxes including land revenue.
b) Village administration: During kirat dynasty, each village had subba(headman) and
upa-subba( deputy headman) to look after the village affairs. It cannot be said exactly
whether they were elected or selected or nominated. The main function of the headman
was to collect tax and settle disputes in his village area. Besides, he is responsible for
marriage registration while deputy would be witness to it. According to religious belief at
that time, if the headman suppressed the villager with his given authority, he would be
forced to have ill-luck.
Major state policies/ guiding principle of Kirata administration
Some of the guiding principles of Kirata administration are as follow:
 Relationship between central and local administration
 Military organization
 Administrative and judicial affairs
 Taxation policy and
 Some social and religious affairs
Relationship between central and local administration
Kirata administration was largely based on principles of local autonomy. The Central
administration mainly used to covered defense and foreign affairs. In case of external invasion
all the Thums under the guidance and leadership of the central government unitedly had to fight
against the invaders. However, in the case of local affairs, the mini-kings of different thums

enjoyed a large extent of autonomy within their respective areas. Their functions and duties
ranged from the maintenance of law and order and the settlement of disputes to several other
activities concerning the life of the local people.
Military Organization
The first ruler of Kirata King Yalamber conquered ancient Nepal with the help of a sound
military organization. The king of kirat dynasty extended their territory because of their well-
managed military organization. There was a compulsory military training to each 12 years old
male Limbu. To recruit one soldier (Thaksuwa) from the sons of each Limbu family once they
attains the age of 18. In kirat administration it used to appoint one military supervisor
(Thakpewa) for each village having 300 soldiers. To appoint one Thaktumba for each group
require five military supervisors commanding 1500 soldiers. The military organization has a
policies and a guideline that provides authority to the Thaktumba for the appointment and
dismissal of army supervisors and soldiers.
Administrative and judicial affairs
Maintenance of peace and security was considered as the primary function of the government.
Violence itself was considered sin and those creating violence in the society were given harsh
punishment. The criminals responsible of others death were given a death penalty following the
principle of an “eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth.” A thief was punished harshly by forcing
him to keep hand in the boiling water. The entire authorities- king, minister, council of state,
village headmen and high level officials might have some powers and responsibilities to punish
the criminal. Likewise, wisdom was considered as an essential quality of the persons responsible
for dispensing justice.

Taxation policy
As regards the taxation policy, every person had to pay one tenth of the production of his land as
a tax to the king. Land tax and house tax also were collected by government. Besides, other
sources of the government revenue were taxes on sale, production of forest etc.
Policies and social affairs
The policies and social affairs dealt with population, marriage and divorce and religious affairs.
Population: It seems kirata administration adopted a policy of increasing population as they
need to recruit more people to strengthen army and higher degree of fertility of land in ancient
Nepal. The non-limbu people were brought into the limbu people. Those people defeated by the
kirata were also to be converted into limbu group and were allowed to settle in cultivated land.
Marriage and divorce: The Kirata administration had a comprehensive policy on marriage and
divorce. Two kinds of marriage were recognized during kirat dynasty. Those were arranging
marriage and marriage by elopement. Forced marriage was strictly prohibited at that time. The
limbu men were allocated to marry non-limbu women. The council of state could legalize the
marriage on the petition of father. The village headmen had the authority to register the marriage.
They had to pay certain marriage registration fee. The deputy headman would be witness to such
marriage.
Whereas, divorce has two types i.e. Khemjong and najong. Khemjong was a type of divorce of
wife by her husband on the ground of her immoral character. On the other hand najong was the
divorce of the husband by his wife on the charge of his immoral character. The divorced wife
would be considered as unmarried lady.

Religious affairs: The main Kirata god was Ningwaphuma. The god was worshipped for the
protection of family members, for the welfare of eldest member of the family and for the welfare
of the neighbors and villagers.
Conclusion
The Kirat period is the dawn of Nepalese history. Undoubtedly, the available source materials
are not adequate enough to throw sufficient light on the Kirata administrative system of ancient
Nepal. However, from the available sources it is found that the Kiratas, originally being
democratic at heart due to spell of the influence of lichhavis of northern Bihar, had to adopt a
monarchial system later in Nepal due to its deeply rooted tradition in Nepal. Kirata had relatively
a well-developed administrative system in ancient Nepal. At central level, the king, the ministers
and the council of state worked as vital instruments of the state administrative process. Indeed,
the council of state, presumably under the chairmanship of the king was the imperative and
effective policy and decision making body in the land of kiratas. On the whole, it can be
concluded that kirat rule in ancient Nepal laid down the foundation of Nepalese administrative
system which later developed by different kings and rulers of varied dynasties.