Dahal

Dahal (Nepali: दाहाल) is a Nepali surname of Khas origin, and also prevalent in some regions of India mainly in West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Northeast, and few parts of Bhutan. The Dahals belong to the Indo-Aryan ethinic group, within the gentry class including Brahmin (high priest), Chhetri (ruling) or Rajput (i.e. Royal clan) castes in accordance to traditional Hindu classification system. The caste system in Nepal is still intact today despite legal reforms in 1964. As Dahals belong the Khas Arya group, they are denied a quota and reservations in civil services and other sectors in Nepal due to their history of socio-political dominance.[1] The Dahals traditionally represented one of the highest ranking clergies or pujaris in Nepali Hindu religion, and due to their high education status they also influenced secular affairs.[2] Dahals are Upadhyaya Brahmins unless they marry to a different cast. All Dahals are Hindu by origin unless they convert themselves to other religion. In modern Nepali society, Dahals are dominant as politicians, business and thought leaders, such as the current Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and media tycoon Bhusan Dahal.