Dhankuta District

History

Dhankuta is an important historical region of eastern Nepal, closely associated with the wider Kirati cultural and political landscape. Before the expansion of the Gorkha state, the area was divided among various local Kirati communities and chiefs. The Athpahariya Rai, traditionally concentrated around Dhankuta, developed a distinctive culture based on Mundum traditions, ancestral worship, agriculture, clan organization and customary leadership. Athpahariya oral tradition remembers Margahang as an ancestral political territory and preserves traditions of ancient kingship. Another important figure is Kirati King Budhahang, traditionally associated with the Khalsa area of Dhankuta, particularly Ankhisalla–Chhintang. His story is preserved mainly through oral traditions and is connected with resistance to the eastward expansion of the Gorkha kingdom.The eastern hills were also connected with Limbuwan, where Limbu chiefs exercised local authority and defended customary land rights. During Prithvi Narayan Shah's eighteenth-century unification campaign, Gorkha forces incorporated eastern territories through warfare and political negotiations. The 1774 Gorkha–Limbuwan agreement is particularly important for the continuation of Limbu customary rights, including Kipat.

After 1816 there were 10 districts in Nepal and Dhankuta-Chainpur district was one of them. All land from east of Dudhkosi river to the Mechi River was one district Dhankuta-Chainpur.

From 1885 to 1962 Nepal remained divided into 32 districts, including six districts in the eastern-hill region: East No. 1, East No. 2, East No. 3, East No. 4, Ilam and Dhankuta. Dhankuta was center of these districts. That time also Dhankuta was a large (by area) district. Current Sankhuwasabha, Tehrathum, Taplejung, Panchthar and Dhankuta districts were incorporated under one district. The total area of the former Dhankuta district was 3,448 square miles (8,930 km2).

In 1962, Nepal divided into 75 districts and 16 districts of eastern Nepal grouped to form Eastern Development Region and Dhankuta became its headquarter.

Geography and Climate

Dhankuta is a mid-hill district of eastern hill region of Nepal. It is situated between 26°53' to 27°19' north latitude and 87°8' to 88°33' east longitude. Total area of the district is 888.7 square kilometres (343.1 mi2) and it is located at 243 metres (9,600 in) to 629 metres (24,800 in) of elevation above sea level.

Vegetation

The vegetation zones in the district range from sub-tropical Sal forest along the Tamor and Arun rivers, and cooler temperate forests on some of the high ridges that mark the watershed between the two catchments. The altitude ranges from around 300m to 2500m. The majority of the population are involved in agriculture and crops include maize, rice and millet. Important cash crops include citrus fruits, cauliflower, cabbage, ginger, and in recent years, tea. A well-preserved forest (Rani Ban – Queen's Forest) spreads along a ridge line on the northwest side of the village, with well-developed mature stands of rhododendron and sallo (pine) trees.

Demographics

At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Dhankuta District had a population of 150,599. It has a literacy rate of 73.9% and a sex ratio of 1040 females per 1000 males. 27,351 (19.41%) lived in municipalities.

Ethnicity/caste: 19.9% Rai,19.7% Chhetri, 13.85% Limbu, 10.35% Magar, 6.56% Tamang, 4.48% Newar, 4.09% Bahun, 3.65% Kami, 2.88% Yakkha, 2.14% Damai, 1.42% Sarki, 1.39% Gurung and 1.08% Bhujel.

Religion: 49.56% were Hindu, 34.74% Kirati, 13.11% Buddhist and 2.47% Christian.

As their first language, 45.44% of the population spoke Nepali, 12.98% Limbu, 9.85% Bantawa, 9.28% Magar Dhut, 5.28% Tamang, 3.40% Athpahariya, 3.09% Rai, 2.54% Yakkha, 1.61% Chhintang and 1.39% Newari. In 2011, 43.47% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.

Divisions

Dhankuta is divided into 3 urban municipalities and 4 rural municipalities.

Former divisions

Formerly Dhankuta was divided into 2 municipalities and many Village development committees.

Constituencies

Dhankuta District has a single Parliamentary constituency and 2 Provincial constituencies:

Transportation

Dhankuta, the headquarter (center) of Dhankuta District is connected with NH-08 (Koshi Highway), which connects Dhankuta with NH-01 (East-west Highway) at Itahari. Itahari is 69 km (43 mi) at distance from Dhankuta. The NH-08 also connects Dhankuta to northern hill and mountainous area.

Tourist areas

Hile

Pakhribas

Bhedetar

Namaste Waterfall

Chintang Devi temple