Tharu's are the principle and the largest indigenous ethnic groups of the Tarai and inner area. They are the pioneers of the area. They are also found boarder district of India, especially in Champaran Bangal Gonda, Nainital and Gorakpur and Khari district of Uttar pradesh, India. This community produced such renowned, gracious, noble and worthy people as the Lord Buddha, King Suddhodhan, Maurya Emperor Asoka and King Dangisaran among others. Lord Buddh was the founder of Buddhism; the rest were famous kings from the history of ancient Nepal and India. This indicates that the Tharus were once rulers of sovereign states. At that time, their socio-economic and political status was very high; language, literature, handicrafts, architecture, etc. were well developed; and numerous truths of indigenous knowledge were widely practiced and these were well recognized receiving recognition by rulers and the community.
Tharus are simple honest, and peaceful to their nature. They like to be far from all kinds of quarrelsome and forgery. Tharus had adopted and have also been adopting 5 basic doctrines of Lord Buddha from descendant to descendant, which developed the nature of Tharus to be patient and peace loving. The weakest behavior of Tharu is to endure suppression and depression meted to them. This is why cleaver and fraud men have been cheating to Tharus in different ways.
With the passing of time, political changes occurred, as well as natural calamities the continuation and breaking of dynasties of rulers, geographic re-structuring (Re-demarcation), changing of state boundaries, etc. As a result rulers became poor and became rulers, rich became poor and vice-versa; in some cases rulers were massacred. In this area, Tharu states weakened and others emerged gradually.
Tharus were the only landlords of the Tarai, as proved by different Lalmoharr (Royal Stamps) issued by the Sen and Shah Dynasties. Tharu Chaudhary (Royal Authorized Post) were authorized to collect different kinds of taxes, including land tax. This was the beginning of social inclusion following Nepali national consolidation. However with the ascent of the powerful Rana Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana in October 1846, the Tharu Chaudhary were again disconnected from their connection to power in a style maintained by Jung Bahadur's successors. Rana relatives and allies were appointed, displacing the Tharu Chaudhary. This is another discourse of assimilation, Tharu indigenous knowledge came into a threat.
The first Muluki Ain was issued in 1910 B.S. by Rana Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana. An amended Muluki Ain Came into force in 2020 B.S. the first Government enforced all Nepalese to follow Hindu norms and values; a process of Hinduisation. The constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal of 2047 B.S. became another harsh document of Hinduisation; article 4 describes the territory as a Hindu kingdom and article 6 imposed the Khas language (commonly known as "Nepali". The Hindu constitution legitimized and prioritized Hindu norms and values; whilst prohibiting the practices of indigenous ethnic social and cultural norms and values, which are the main sources of Indigenous knowledge. One provision in article 18(2) permits communities to administer primary schools in their mother tongue, mobilizing their own resources; in effect for economic exploitation by the government because it is additional financial burden hence they are poor.
During the last 10 years of armed conflict, western Tharu indigenous practices, for example, the Barghariya and Guruwa systems and other Tharu rites and rituals were severely affected. Barghariyas were victimized by both sides, Government forces and Maoist insurgents. As a result, villagers were reluctant to become Barghariya and the existence of the indigenous Tharu organizational system was threatened. Many desbandhya Guruwas (largely in Bardiya and Kailali districts) were also threatened not to do their work as shaman, and this stopped village worship.
In summary, it can be concluded that the existence of identity, history, rites and rituals, feasts and festivals, indigenous knowledge and practices and social norms and values of indigenous ethnic people, especially the indigenous Tharu are in under a great threat. Some have already vanished and others are on the way to extinction.
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