Kaji (Nepal)
Kaji is a respectful title and position used by Nepalese nobility. The title was non hereditary but mostly received by notable Khas clans of the Chettri caste such as Thapa, Kunwar, Khadka, Bista, Pandey and Basnyat, as well as notable Newar clans of the Chatharīya (Kshatriya) caste such as Rajbhandari, Pradhan, Onta, Malla, Amatya, Raya, etc. The members of "Kaji" family usually enjoyed high ranking posts in civil administration or military.
Popular people entitled as Kaji are:
- Amar Singh Thapa, titled as Badakaji
- Kaji Kalu Pande, first elected minister of Gorkha
- Mul-Kaji Damodar Pande, Primeminister of Nepal
- Dewan Kaji Bansa Raj Pande, General of Nepalese army
History
After King Prithvi Narayan Shah formed Greater Nepal,he honored five castes with the hereditary title of "Kaji". Basnyat, Khadka,Bista, Kunwar, Pandey, and Thapa . This honorary hereditary title is in existence even in today's time as respective 5 castes are till date corresponded to with the title "Kaji" prior to one's family name.
The respect that is to be provided to these elite classes of Kshatriya was even implemented to the likes of Brahmans, the highest of the Hindu castes.
Similar, another form of Kaji System came into existence much later which was non-hereditary. The title 'Kaji' was provided to the representative of the people's governing body. As it was a non-hereditary title, this term was only enjoyed by the personal till he was incumbent to the King and the people.
See also
- Kaji family is an Ottoman Empire's family name. (According to Von Hammer in Ottoman History book.)
- Kailar - Kajilar (-lar suffix makes it plural, so that it means Kajis in Turkish.
