Documents on Limbuvān

These documents relate to the history of the Limbu (autonym Yakthung) indigenous group and their historical territory (Limbuvān/Pallo Kirāta), which covers today’s far-eastern Nepal and parts of Sikkim and West Bengal, India. The documents shed light on various issues, including communal land tenure (kipaṭ), conflicts in the eastern Himalayan borderlands, political power distribution between Limbu headmen vis-à-vis the premodern Nepalese state, and Limbu social customs and institutions such as marriage and adoption.

DNA_0001_0109: A letter from Subbā Jayanta Khatri writing from Ilamagaḍhī to Kājī Jaspāu Thāpā reporting on the killing of Limbus and Lepchas at the Nepal-Sikkim frontier (VS 1883)

E_2782_0042: A portion of the Mulukī Ain prescribing punishment for a certain breach of sexual relations within a family except for Limbus and Kirātīs (n.d.)

E_3345_0008: A rukkā from King Surendra authorizing Rupi Hāṃ and other subbās to obtain and play nagarās (VS 1908)

E_3345_0009: A rukkā from King Surendra authorizing Subbā Sāhādala to obtain and play the nagarā (VS 1908)

E_3345_0010: A rukkā from King Surendra authorizing Subbā Jasarūpa and Subbā Jaghavara to obtain and play nagarās (VS 1908)

E_3345_0011: A rukkā from King Surendra authorizing Subbā Sāiṃmvā and Subbā Asāra Siṃ to obtain and play nagarās (VS 1908)

E_3345_0012: A rukkā from King Surendra authorizing Subbā Dayākarṇā and Subbā Phuṃhaṃ Jita to obtain and play nagarās (VS 1908)

E_3345_0013: A rukkā from King Surendra authorizing Subbā Dalakarna and Subbā Yunanda to obtain and play nagarās (VS 1908)

E_3420_0003: A copy of a patra from General Bhīmsena Thāpā to Mukunda Siṃ Rāī confirming his land and house in Phedāp (VS 1881)

E_3420_0007: A copy of a patra from General Bhīmasena Thāpā ordering Mukunda Siṃ Rāī to repair and play an inherited nagarā (VS 1885)

E_3420_0008: A copy of a patra from Devāna Vaṃdhu Rānā and Sardāra Pratimana Rānā to Maṃjita Rāī appointing him as subbā of Phedāp (VS 1837)

E_3420_0013: A copy of a rukkā from King Rājendra reconfirming officers at Pāñca Khapana in Limbuvān and directing them to pay the salāmī levies and enjoy their properties (VS 1878)

E_3420_0016: A copy of a rukkā from King Rājendra announcing a ten-year restriction on land inspections in Pallo Kirāta (VS 1891)