Doti District

This article is about the district in Nepal. For the South Asian dress, see dhoti.

Doti डोटी
—  District  —
Location of Doti
Country	Nepal
Region	Far-Western (Sudur Pashchimanchal)
Zone	Seti
Area
– Total	2,025 km2 (781.9 sq mi)
Population (2001)
– Total	207,066
– Density	102.3/km2 (264.8/sq mi)
Time zone	NPT (UTC+5:45)
Main language(s)	Nepali

Doti District(Nepali: डोटी जिल्ला Listen (help·info), a part of Seti Zone, is one of the 75 districts of Nepal, a landlocked country of South Asia. The district, with Dipayal as its district headquarters, covers an area of 2,025 km² and has a population (2001) of 207,066.

History

Doti was a medieval kingdom of Nepal founded by Niranjan Malla Deo, the younger brother of Abhay Pal of Askot. Rulers of Doti were called 'Raika'. Previously the area between Ramganga on the west and Karnali river on the east was under Raikas.

Doti was an ancient kingdom of Uttarakhand of India and far western region of Nepal which was formed after disintegration of Katyuri kingdom of Uttarakhand and far western region of Nepal during 13th century. Doti was one of eight different princely states formed after the Katury kingdom broken and They all are Katyuri Dynasty;

1. Baijnath-Katyuri
2. Dwarahat
3. Doti
4. Baramandal
5. Askot
6. Sira
7. Sora
8. Sui (Kali kumaon)

The Kingdom had broken down because of the invasion of Khas Kings Ashoka Challa and Krachalla from Karnali Zone (Dullu) of Nepal in 1191 and 1223 respectively'. Later on, the whole land between Ramganga on the west (Uttarakhand) and the Karnali on the east (which divides far western region to other part Nepal) came under Raikas after the origin of Raikas of Katyuris dynasty in Doti. "Brahma Dev Mandi" at Kanchanpur District of Mahakali Zone was established by Katyuri King Brahma Dev.

Raikas of Doti (The Royals of Doti is written one as Raikas of Doti and (second is) Rahul Sankrityan has written in his Book Kumaon The Rainka of Doti)

Niranjan Malla Dev was the founder of Doti Kingdom around 13th century after a fall of Katyuris Kingdom. He was the son of Last Katyuris Dynasty of united Katyuris kingdom. Kings of Doti were known as Raikas (also known as Rainka Maharaj). Later on Raikas, after overthrow Khas Malla of Karnali Zone, were able to form a strong Raikas Kingdom in Far Western Region and Kumaun which was called Doti. Doti became a very powerful kingdom over a period of time. So far, the historical evidence of following Raikas have been discovered;

Niranjan Malla Dev (Founder of Doti Kingdom), Nagi Malla (1238), Ripu Malla (1279), Nirai Pal (1353 may be of Askot and his historical evidence of 1354 A.D has been found in Almoda), Nag Malla (1384), Dhir Malla (1400), Ripu Malla (1410), Anand Malla (1430), Balinarayan Malla (not known), Sansar Malla (1442), Kalyan Malla (1443), Suratan Malla (1478), Kriti Malla (1482), Prithivi Malla (1488), Medini Jay Malla (1512), Ashok Malla (1517), Raj Malla (1539), Arjun Malla/Sahi (not known but he was ruling Sira as Malla and Doti as Shahi), Bhupati Malla/Shahi (1558), Sagaram Shahi (1567), Hari Malla/Shahi (1581 Last Raikas King of Sira and adjoining part of Nepal ), Rudra Shahi (1630), Vikram Shahi (1642), Mandhata Shahi (1671), Raghunath Shahi (1690), Hari Shahi (1720), Krishna Shahi (1760), Deep Shahi (1785), Prithivi pati Shahi (1790, 'he had fought against Nepali Ruler (Gorkhali Ruler) with British in 1814 A.D.').

The Historic place of War between Doti Kingdom and Nepali (Gorkhali) Ruler during period of Gorkha Expansion at 1790, according to the history of Nepal, is NARI-DANG which is at the bank of Seti River and the 'Dumrakot' was the base of Doti Kingdom for fighting against Gorkhali. The toughest resistance which the 'Shah Dynasty' of from 'Gorkha' got in Nepal was from the 'Rainkas' (Raja's) of the Doti Kingdom.

Although Doti was defeated in battle by Gurkhs of Nepal and became the part of Nepal; The Gorkha rulers destroyed the historical places of Doti and hide its brave history for a very long while, not only even that no Dotyali people were given priority in any types of national interest, they are excluded from the Government jobs and other state facilities. Around 1950 few Dotyalis were on the list of national identity as HERO; it is because of their daring jobs to the nation. They are Martys Dashrath Chand, Martys Bhim Dutta Pant and the internationally renowned Dr. K. I. Singh, the revolutionary who later became the Prime Minister of Nepal. He was the most famous Raika (Ruler) of Nepal.

Some noted figure belongs to Rainka/Katuri Dynasty of Doti Rainka (The Royals of ex-Doti Kingdom): Dr. K. I. Singh, born in Doti (Ex-Prime Minister of Nepal [real name Indra Jeet Shahi]). Later on he proclaimed himself as Kunwar Indra Jeet Singh and became famous by this short name Dr. K. I. Singh. He was a revolutionary leader formed revolutionary armed force to fight against Rana Regime of Nepal which he overthrew in a popular coup. He was founder president of United Democratic Party. He died 1984 at Bangkok. He was survived by his wife Dhaul Kumari Singh, three sons, Chola Jeet Shah (eldest), Bhogendra Jeet Shah (middle) and Yaggya Jeet Shah (youngest son) and daughter Chandra Shah married to Lt. Col. J. M. C. Thakur.

Dr. K. I. Singh's children were educated at leading boarding schools of India namely Sherwood College, Naini Tal and La Martiniere College, Lucknow. The eldest son Cholajeet Shah married Shashi (from the Hada Royals of Bundi, Rajasthan) and has two sons and one daughter. Eldest son is Yashwant Dhwaj Shah, a leading educational consultant, journalist and ace photographer educated at St.George's College, Mussoorie. The middle child is a daughter Neelam Rajyalaxmi, educated at All Saints' College, Naini Tal and married to Kr. Pushpendra Singh Panwar(Rajasthan) a Leading Delhi based Architect/Engineer from MNIT, Jaipur. And the youngest son Parakram Dhwaj Shah.

Dr. Singh's middle son is an agriculturist. While the youngest son Yaggya Jeet Shah was the Member of Parliament from Bhairhawa's Rupehdehi Seat no.5. He is married and has a daughter named 'Ujjala'.

Mr. K B Shahi, born in Doti (Ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs), well-known diplomat and long-serving Foreign Minister of Nepal during 1980. He was also Secretary General of Dr. K. I. Singh's party United Democratic Party in 1960 and became president of the party 1990. He died at Kathmandu 2009. Mr. Dan Bahadur Shahi, born in Doti, ( Secretary of agriculture, chief of public service commission and Ex-Minister of Home Affairs of Nepal) A long-serving bureaucrat of Nepal later turned politician and become Home Minister in 2003. He is known for his exceptional bureaucratic skills. Mr. Bir Bahadur Shahi, the educationist, former jonal commissiner and later went on to become the longest serving Home Secretary of Nepal known for his benevolence and strict discipline.

Mr. Sher Bahadur Shahi born in Doti, ( Ex-election Commissioner of Nepal) He was a top bureaucrat of Nepal, served many important portfolios in government and Secretary of Home Ministry. He died at Kathmandu 1985. Mr. Kalendra Bikram Shahi, born in Doti, social political activist of Nepal, he is well known in the field of diplomatic and international relations and also known in field of literature.

Dotiyal language

Dotiyali or Dotyali is the local language spoken in Doti region or far western region of Nepal which is similar to Kumauni language. According to Rahul Sankrityayan Dotiyali is the dialect of Kumauni language which was brought in Doti by section of Katyuri dynasty of Kumaun which had ruled over Doti till 1790. Doti kingdom was formed after the Katyuri kingdom had broken down in to eight different princely states of different section of Katyuri. But in Nepal it is considered as Nepali Dialect though Local intellectuals and people speaking Dotiyali language are increasingly demanding that their language be recognised as one of the other national languages of Nepal.

Towns and villages

Map of the VDCs in Doti District

The district contains the following towns and villages: Banalekh  · Banjha Kakani  · Barchhen  · Basu Devi  · Bhawardanda  · Bhdhegau  · Bhumiraj mandau  · Chamara Chautara  · Chhapali  · Chhatiwan  · Dahakalika  · Daud  · Dhanglagau  · Dhirka mandau  · Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality  · Durga Mandau  · Gadasera  · Gaguda  · Gaihra Gaon  · Ganjari  · Ghante shwor  · Giri chauka  · Jijodamandau  · Kada mandau  · Kalena  · Kalikasthan  · Kana chaur  · Kapalleki  · Kedar Akhada  · Khatiwada  · Khir Sain  · Lada Gada  · Lami khal  · Lana Kedareswor  · Lata Mandau  · Laxmi Nagar  · Mahadevsthan  · Mannakapadi  · Mudabhara  · Mudhe gaon  · Nirauli  · Pachanali  · Pokhari  · Rana Gaon  · Sana Gaon  · Saraswotinagar  · Satphari  · Seem chaur  · Tijali  · Tikha  · Tikhatar  · Toleni  · Wagalek  · Warpata

See also

• Zones of Nepal
• Doti

References

• Districts of Nepal at statoids.com
• A New History of Uttarakhand by Y.S. Kathoach
• Dotiyali language