Doti District

Doti was a medieval kingdom of Kumaon. It was founded by Niranjan Malla Dev, the last son of the Katyuri dynasty and younger brother of Abhay Pal of Askot. Previously, the area between Ramganga in the west and the Karnali River in the east was under the control of the Raikas (rulers of the Doti kingdom, alternately Kumaun or Rainka Maharaj).^[2]

Ancient Doti was a part of Kumaon Kingdom, Now remaining Kumaon region is part of Uttrakhand a state in modern-day india, Nepal's neighboring country. Kingdom of Kumaon lost Doti during the expansion of Nepal Kingdom in 1790. It was formed after the Katyuri Kingdom's disintegration during the 13th century.^[3] Doti was one of eight different princely states formed after the disintegration, and all claim Katyuri heritage.^[4] The seven other known states are:

• Baijnath-Katyuri
• Dwarahat
• Baramandal
• Askot
• Sira
• Sora
• Sui (Kali Kumaon)

The Katyuri Kingdom's dissolution is attributed to the invasion of Khas Kings Ashoka Challa and Krachalla, from the Karnali zone (Dullu) in 1191 and 1223 respectively.^[5] Later, the whole land between Ramganga in the west (Uttarakhand) and the Karnali in the east (which divides the far western region from other parts of Nepal), came under the Raikas' rule — after the establishment of the Katyuri's dynastic Raikas Doti. Brahma Dev Mandi at Kanchanpur; a district within Mahakali, was established by Katyuri King Brahma Dev.

Raikas of Doti and their lineage

Historical evidence ^[6] of the following raikas has been discovered:

• Niranjan Malla Dev (founder of Doti Kingdom beginning of the 13th century)
• Nagi Challa (1238)
• Ripu Challa (1279)
• Nirai Pal (1353) may be from Askot as historical evidence from 1354 AD relating to him has been found in Almora.^[7]
• Nag Malla (1384)
• Dhir Malla (1400)
• Ripu Malla (1410)
• Anand Malla (1430)
• Balinarayan Malla (1400)^[8]
• 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/Shahi (1500 ^[8])
• Bhupati Malla/Shahi (1558)
• Sagaram Shahi (1567)
• Hari Malla/Shahi (1581; last Raika of Sira, and the adjoining part of Nepal^[8][9])
• 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 the Gorkha Ruler and also with the British in 1814 AD)^[10][11]

Conflict with Gorkha Kingdom

The historic place of war between the Doti Kingdom and Gorkha kingdom during the period of Expanding Kingdom of Nepal in 1790, is Nari-Dang which lies on the bank of the Seti River and Dumrakot was the base of the Doti Kingdom during the fighting against the Gorkhalis.^[12]

Doti was captured by Gorkha forces, and the Gorkha rulers went on to destroy several historical sites in Doti — attempting to cover its legendary bravery and tenacity.^[12] The Dotyali people were also subject to ethnic prejudice, and were frequently excluded from government jobs and offices of state.^[12] Somehow in 1950, a few Dotyalis established their identities as national heroes based solely on their courage, daring, and contribution to their country.^[12] Noted among them are Martyr Dashrath Chand Ministry of Home Affairs, Martyr Bhim Dutta Pant Ministry of Home Affairs, and K.I. Singh,^[13][14] a revolutionary leader who later became prime minister.

Dotiyali is the local language spoken in the Doti region; the far western region of Nepal, which is similar to the Kumauni language, a language spoken by people of Kumaon, a state in modern-day india, Nepal's neighboring country. According to Rahul Sankrityayan, Dotiyali is the dialect of the Kumauni language which was brought to Doti by a section of the Katyuri dynasty of Kumaun which had ruled over Doti until 1790.^[12] The Doti kingdom was formed after the Katyuri kingdom had broken up into eight different princely states of different sections of the Katyuris. However, in Nepal it is considered as a Nepali dialect; though Local intellectuals and people of Doti, those who are speaking Dotiyali language that they are increasingly demanding their language to be recognized as one of the national language of Nepal.^[15]

At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Doti District had a population of 211,746. Of these, 91.2% spoke Doteli, 6.8% Nepali, 1.0% Magar, 0.4% Kham, 0.1% Achhami, 0.1% Maithili, 0.1% Tharu and 0.2% other languages as their first language.^[17]

Ethnicity/caste: 57.7% were Chhetri, 12.3% Kami, 7.9% Hill Brahmin, 4.6% Damai/Dholi, 3.5% other Dalit, 3.5% Thakuri, 3.4% Magar, 2.4% Sarki, 1.4% Badi, 1.1% Lohar, 0.5% Newar, 0.5% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.2% Kumal, 0.1% Gurung, 0.1% Majhi, 0.1% Musalman, 0.1% Tamang, 0.1% other Terai, 0.1% Tharu and 0.2% others.^[18]

Religion: 99.0% were Hindu, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.1% Christian and 0.1% Muslim.^[19]

Literacy: 55.2% could read and write, 3.4% could only read and 41.3% could neither read nor write.^[20]

The district consists of nine municipalities, out of which two are urban municipalities and seven are rural municipalities. These are as follows:^[22]

• Dipayal Silgadhi Municipality
• Shikhar Municipality
• Purbichauki Rural Municipality
• Badikedar Rural Municipality
• Jorayal Rural Municipality
• Sayal Rural Municipality
• Aadarsha Rural Municipality
• Dr. K. I. Singh Rural Municipality
• Bogatan Rural Municipality

Former Village Development Committees

Prior to the restructuring of the district, Doti District consisted of the following Village development committees:

• Doti
• Khaptad Lake

Sources

29°16′N 80°56′E / 29.267°N 80.933°E / 29.267; 80.933

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