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Caste system in Nepal
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<p> The Nepalese caste system is the traditional system of <a href="/facts/Social_stratification/AdXjXrKt">social stratification</a> of <a href="/facts/Nepal/yWCzTBR2">Nepal</a>. The Nepalese <a href="/facts/Caste/J2qr75PV">caste</a> system broadly borrows the classical Hindu <i>Chaturvarnashram</i> model, consisting of four broad social classes or <a href="/facts/Varna_(Hinduism)/D9H9YgHB">varna</a>: <a href="/facts/Brahmin/V3qxzHAP">Brahmin</a>, <a href="/facts/Kshatriya/HNT4nfs4">Kshatriya</a>, <a href="/facts/Vaishya/6Hanr8I8">Vaishya</a>, <a href="/facts/Shudra/gwzPICMv">Sudra</a>. </p><p>The caste system defines social classes by a number of hierarchical endogamous groups often termed <i>jaat</i>. This custom was traditionally only prevalent in the three <a href="/facts/Indo-Aryan_peoples/Tjrybz3d">Indo Aryan</a> societies of the <a href="/facts/Khas_people/aLN29IEB">Khas</a>, <a href="/facts/Madhesi_people/SWasza7p">Madhesi</a>, and <a href="/facts/Newars/MyvJzrgn">Newars</a>. However, since the <a href="/facts/Unification_of_Nepal/Vt2yMW83">unification of Nepal</a> in the 18th century, Nepal's various non-Hindu ethnic nationalities and tribes, previously called "Matwalis" (alcohol-drinkers) and now termed as "Adivasi/Janajati" (indigenous/nationalities), have been incorporated within the caste hierarchy to varying degrees of success. Despite the forceful integration by the state into the pan-Hindu social structure, the traditionally non-Hindu groups and tribes do not necessarily adhere to the customs and practices of the caste system. </p><p>The Government of <a href="/facts/Nepal/yWCzTBR2">Nepal</a> legally abolished and criminalized any caste-based discrimination, including "<a href="/facts/Untouchability/E2cCjrVY">untouchability</a>" (the ostracism of a specific caste) - in 1963. With Nepal's step towards freedom and equality, Nepal, previously ruled by a <a href="/facts/Hindu_monarchy/4JPDBbge">Hindu monarchy</a>, was a <a href="/facts/Hindus/8pBQgghs">Hindu</a> nation which has now become a <a href="/facts/Secular_state/bG5ltTju">secular state</a>. On 28 May 2008, it was declared a republic, ending the period of the <a href="/facts/Hindu_king/4JPDBbge">Hindu kingdom</a> of Nepal. </p>