Origin Of Tharus

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Origin of Tharus There are many controversies about the origin of Tharu. Scholars have not been able to come to definite and clear conclusion regarding the origin of Tharu. Some scholars have to derive their origin through etymologies and some tried to trace their origin through alleged. Physical feature of Tharu look like they stern from mangoloid stock. They speak an Aryan language. In ancient time the Tharus may have accepted Buddhism but later they were influenced by Hinduism" (Rajaure 1977) related the Tharus slightly Mongoloid features to intermarriages which have taken place over two to three generation. He sees them as strictly Indian and no connection what's over with the Nepalese origin. Risely and Knowles (1892) also found the Mongoloid style predominant among Tharus. "A legend indicates their origin from Rajasthan in north western India according to this legend the Tharu come from the Tharu desert of Rajasthan in India and hence the name Tharu. Most of them sincerely believe that they come from Rajputana in India at the time of the Islamic invasions" (Bista, 1972). When Muslim invaders captured Rajputana and murdered men and women of royal courts, the princess and many other royal women attendants flied away into the forest of Terai. Royal women living inside forest for many years accepted their male servants as a new husband. The offspring of these Rajput women, which were born out of the bred known as the 'Tharu'. This derivation seems to be a pure hypothesis which serves only trace their point of origin to the South (Gautam and Magar. 1994). In this way, many scholars have to determine the origin of Tharus. The theories about origin are only plausible and there is not a single of monolithic solution since different cultural and racial difference exit among Tharu of Nepal. Their origin may stem from some what different circumstances.

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