The Khas Dynasty or Khasa Kingdom is an integral part of Nepal’s early medieval history, spanning from the 11th to the 14th century. It was a prominent political and cultural power in the Karnali region (present-day mid-western Nepal) and is considered the precursor to the unification and centralization of the region under the later Shah Dynasty.
Originating from the western Himalayan region, the Khas people managed to establish a powerful kingdom in the highlands of present-day Nepal, extending their influence across what is now Karnali Province, parts of the Far-Western Region, and across northern India into Kumaon, Garhwal, and southern Tibet. The capital of the Khas Kingdom was centered in the Sinja Valley, located in Jumla District, which served as the political and cultural nucleus of Khas civilization.
Origins and Rise of the Khas People
The origins of the Khas people are debated among scholars, but many believe they are an Indo-Aryan group who migrated from the plains of northern India to the mountainous regions of what is today western Nepal. By the 11th century, the Khas people had settled in the Karnali River Valley, from where they built a political entity that would last several centuries.
Early references to the Khas people appear in Indian and Tibetan sources, where they are described as a warrior group that controlled important trade routes between Tibet and India. Their strategic location along the salt and wool trade routes allowed the Khas to accumulate wealth, which they used to expand their territory and influence over neighboring regions.
Formation of the Khas Kingdom
The Khas Kingdom rose to power under a feudal system, where local chieftains and warriors, known as Khas Mallas, ruled over various territories, owing allegiance to a central king. By the 12th century, the Khas Kingdom had emerged as a powerful and independent polity, centered around Sinja. The rulers of the Khas Kingdom are often referred to as the Khasa Mallas due to the influence of the Malla dynasties that came after them.
The Khas rulers capitalized on their control of key trade routes, and this wealth enabled them to expand their domain. They extended their influence into parts of Tibet, establishing trading and diplomatic relations with Tibetan rulers. Their territory stretched as far south as Kumaon and Garhwal in present-day India, making the Khas Kingdom one of the most powerful states in the Himalayan region.
The Role of Sinja Valley
Sinja Valley, located in present-day Jumla District, was the epicenter of Khas political and cultural power. The valley served as the royal capital, and it is here that much of the kingdom’s administrative and religious activities were concentrated. Numerous inscriptions and archaeological findings from Sinja provide insight into the governance and culture of the Khas rulers.
The Khas people are credited with the development of the Khas Kura language, which later evolved into modern Nepali. Inscriptions found in Sinja are some of the oldest examples of written Khas Kura, marking the Khas Dynasty as a significant contributor to the linguistic and cultural heritage of Nepal.
The Sinja Valley today remains an important archaeological site, with ruins of palaces, temples, and fortifications that reflect the kingdom’s once-formidable status. Inscriptions and artifacts from the valley suggest that the Khas rulers practiced a mix of Hinduism and Buddhism, although Hinduism became more prominent over time.
Expansion and Consolidation
The Khas Kingdom expanded its reach through both diplomacy and military campaigns. The Khas rulers consolidated their power by absorbing smaller principalities and extending their influence into Tibet and northern India. The Khas kings maintained close relations with Tibetan rulers and were involved in trade with both Tibet and India, particularly in the exchange of salt, wool, gold, and other goods.
The Khas rulers were known for their military prowess, and they maintained a well-trained army to protect their kingdom and engage in territorial expansion. Warriors from the Khas Kingdom were skilled in the use of traditional weapons such as khukuris, swords, bows, and arrows, and they employed advanced military strategies for the time.
The feudal system of governance in the Khas Kingdom meant that power was decentralized, with local chieftains holding authority over their respective regions but owing allegiance to the central king. This allowed the kingdom to manage its vast and diverse territories effectively.
Religion and Culture
Religion played an important role in Khas society. While the Khas rulers identified themselves as Hindu kings, Buddhist influences were also present due to the kingdom’s proximity to Tibet. The Khas rulers were patrons of Hindu temples and religious institutions, commissioning the construction of numerous temples, statues, and monasteries throughout their realm.
The Sinja Valley was home to a number of important religious sites, and many of the inscriptions found there include references to religious practices, donations to temples, and the performance of rituals. Over time, the Khas Kingdom became a center for the promotion of Hindu culture in western Nepal.
Decline and Fragmentation
The decline of the Khas Kingdom began in the late 14th century, due to a combination of internal conflicts, pressure from neighboring states, and the gradual decentralization of power. The vastness of the kingdom made it difficult to govern effectively, and local lords and chieftains began to assert their independence from the central authority.
By the 15th century, the Khas Kingdom had fragmented into smaller principalities, which became known as the Baise Rajyas and the Chaubise Rajyas. These principalities would continue to play a significant role in the history of western Nepal until they were eventually absorbed into the kingdom of Gorkha during Prithvi Narayan Shah‘s unification campaign in the 18th century.
Legacy of the Khas Dynasty
Despite its decline, the legacy of the Khas Dynasty lives on in Nepal. The Khas Kura language, which originated during the Khas period, evolved into Nepali, which became the national language of Nepal. The Khas people also played a crucial role in spreading Hinduism and Hindu culture in the western regions of Nepal.
The Khas feudal system influenced the political organization of later Nepali kingdoms, and many of the aristocratic families that ruled the Baise and Chaubise states traced their lineage back to the Khas rulers. The Sinja Valley remains a vital cultural and historical site, preserving the memory of the Khas Dynasty’s contributions to Nepalese civilization.
Conclusion
The Khas Dynasty was a pivotal force in the medieval history of Nepal, shaping the political, cultural, and linguistic landscape of the region. From their capital in Sinja Valley, the Khas rulers controlled a vast kingdom that extended across western Nepal, parts of Tibet, and northern India. Their contributions to the spread of Hinduism, the development of Nepali language, and the establishment of trade routes between Tibet and India left a lasting impact on the region.
Although the kingdom eventually fragmented into smaller states, the legacy of the Khas Dynasty continues to influence Nepalese history and culture. The rise and fall of the Khas Kingdom is a testament to the complexity of Nepal’s medieval history and its rich tradition of local governance and cultural diversity.
References
Sharma, Sudarshan. Sinja Valley: The Seat of the Khas Kings. Journal of Nepalese Studies, 1986.
Shaha, Rishikesh. Ancient and Medieval Nepal. Manohar Publishers, 1992.
Whelpton, John. A History of Nepal. Cambridge University Press, 2005.
Regmi, Mahesh C. Medieval Nepal. University of California Press, 1971.
Vaidya, Tulasī Rām. Licchavi and Khasa Kingdoms. Center for Nepal and Asian Studies, Tribhuvan University, 1994.
