Chief Scientific Documentation Coordinator,  Nepal Heritage Documentation Project (NHDP), Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Affiliations:

Nepal Heritage Documentation Project (NHDP) - Heidelberg Centre for Transcultural Studies& Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Documents on the History of Religion and Law of Pre-modern Nepal - Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Śākta Traditions Research Programme - Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies

Education:

2013–2017: Ph.D. in Classical Indology, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, Heidelberg

2005–2008: M.A. (Sanskrit-Literature and Buddhist Philosophy), Nepal Sanskrit University, Kathmandu

2002–2005: B.A. (Sanskrit-Literature and Buddhist Philosophy), Nepal Sanskrit University, Kathmandu

Fellowships:

10/2017–12/2017: Shivadashani Fellowship, Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS), Oxford

04/2013–03/2017: Ph.D. scholarship, Cluster “Asia and Europe in a Global Context,” Heidelberg University

Book:

2024.  Homicide Law in 19th-Century Nepal: A Study of the Mulukī Ains and Legal Documents. heiUP: Heidelberg. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17885/heiup.1276.

2021. [with Simon Cubelic and Axel Michaels] The Mulukī Ain of 1854: Nepal’s First Legal Code. heiUP: Heidelberg.

Articles:

2018. “Documented Evidence Relating to the Implementation of the Mulukī Ain in Mid-19th Century Nepal”. In: Studies in Historical Documents of Nepal and India, ed. by Simon Cubelic, Axel Michaels und Astrid Zotter. heiUP: Heidelberg, 293–327.

2017. [with Manik Bajracharya and Simon Cubelic] “Reporting across Borders in a Time of Turmoil: Eight Reports from Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya from the Years 1837–1844”. In: Abhilekha 34: 138–172.

2017. [with Simon Cubelic] “Nepalese Monarchy in an Age of Codification: Kingship, Patriotism, and Legality in the Nepalese Code of 1854”. In: Transnational Histories of the ‘Royal Nation’, ed. by Milinda Banerjee, Charlotte Backerra and Cathleen Sarti. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 67–86.

2016. [with Manik Bajracharya and Simon Cubelic] “Reporting across Borders: Four Reports of Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya from the years 1831–1837”. In: Abhilekha 33: 120–133.

2015. [with Manik Bajracharya and Axel Michaels] “Six 19th-20th Century Documents on Elephants from the National Archives of Nepal”. In: Abhilekha 32: 96–105.

2012. “Acyutāṣṭṭakavyākhyā by Vācaspati Panta: A testimony to Nepalese Scholarship”. In: Abhilekha 28: 90–103.

Selected Editions and Translations of Nepalese Documents

• Anonym. 1848 (VS 1904). An arjī re the emperor's order to destroy a Hindu temple after a Muslim boy was killed, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Christof Zotter and Rabi Acharya. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34873)
• Anonym. 1857 (VS 1914). A letter re the health of royals and the arrest of money counterfeiters in Banepā, ed./tr. by y Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Axel Michaels. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34872)
• Anonym. 1861 (VS 1918). An unverified copy of a phāraka for an expiation fee paid by Rājakumārī Pãḍenī Kṣatryānī, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36932)
• Anonym. 1861 (VS 1918). A verified copy of a phāraka re an expiation fee paid by Rājakumārī Pãḍenī Kṣatryānī, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36933)
• Anonym. 1861 (VS 1918).A copy of patiyā-pūrjī issued to Rājakumārī Pãḍenī Kṣatryānī, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36934)
• Anonym. 1871 (VS 1928). A letter granting water-expiation to nine members of Pṛthī Bahādura Pā̃ḍe's family; ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2016 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/10865)
• Aravindanātha Gajuryāla. 1821 (VS 1878). A letter to General Bhīmasena Thāpā requesting a study allowance, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Axel Michaels. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2018 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.44579)
• Kṛṣṇānanda Lohanī. Undated. An arjī from Kṛṣṇānanda Lohanī reporting a horoscope reading, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Manik Bajracharya. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2019 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/336)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (VS 1894). An arjī re the arrival of Prince Henry of the Netherlands in Calcutta, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34487)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1838 (VS 1857). An arjī providing a political report from Calcutta, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34488)
• Dīpanārāyaṇa Śāha. 1835 (VS 1892). An arjī acknowledging receipt of a copperplate and a letter, ed./tr. by Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Manik Bajracharya. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36923)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1840 (VS 1897). A report on efforts to provide materials on a meeting between Raṇajit Siṃha and Lord Auckland to the palace and British reactions to an alleged Nepalese border infringement, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34489)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1838 (1895 VS). An arjī re a conversation with James Prinsep, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Rabi Acharya. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34490)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1842 (VS 1899). An arjī re the departure of the governor general from Calcutta, a meeting with the governor general’s secretary and the British victory in the Battle of Kabul, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Pabitra Bajracharya and Rabi Acharya. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34491)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (VS 1894). An arjī re the departure of Governor-General Auckland, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36820)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya, Devarṣi Upādhyāya, Nāhāra Siṃ Thāpā and Śālīgrāma Siṃ. 1832 (VS 1888). A letter re the British predilection for puppet theater, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36821)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (VS 1894). An arjī re a meeting with the governor-general, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36822)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1840 (VS 1897). An arjī re the reception of diplomatic documents and military events in Afghanistan, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Yogesh Budhathoki. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34493)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (VS 1894). An arjī providing a report from Calcutta, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36823)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1844 (VS 1900). A report on political developments in Sindhia after the Gwalior campaign of 1843, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34494)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (VS 1894). A letter re political, military and geographical information of the British presence in South Asia, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34495)
• Ratnakumārī Pãḍenī Kṣetryānī. 1886 (VS 1943). A written power of attorney granted to Bakhat Bāhādura Kṣatrī, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2019 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/9412)
• Rājakumārī Pãḍenī Chetryānī. 1886 (VS 1943). A written power of attorney granted to Vedanārān Pādhyā, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2019 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/9413)
• Rājendra Vikrama Śāha. 1822 (VS 1879). A lālamohara reconfirming the exemption of the Magars from maryoaputāli, cākacakui etc., ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Christof Zotter. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/858)
• Rājendra Vikrama Śāha. 1823 (VS 1879). A lālamohara granting land to Jayanta Khatrī for temple maintenance and the worship of Bhāleśvara, ed. by Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36989)
• Rājendra Vikrama Śāha. 1833 (VS 1889. A lālamohara updating a VS 1864 land grant to Bānu Pādhyā Dāhāla, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2018 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.44589)
• Rājendra Vikrama Śāha. 1846 (VS 1903). A pañjāpatra requesting Cautarīyā Bhīma Vikrama Śāha etc. to return to Kathmandu, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic and Christof Zotter. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.30312)
• Surendra Vikrama Śāha. 1875/76 (VS 1932). A lālamohara confirming the sale of a sunābirtā belonging to Bhāju Dhan and Pāḍau Siṃ Lākhe, ed. by Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36990)
• Surendra Vikrama Śāha. 1858/59 (VS 1915). A lālamohara confirming the sale of a sunābirtā belonging to Harkamāna Siṃ Śreṣṭha, ed. by Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36991)
• Surendra Vikrama Śāha. 1870 (VS 1927). A lālamohara acknowledging Rūpalāl Das as mahanta of Basahiyā Maṭh, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/1399)
• Śamaśera Bahādura Pā̃ḍe. 1877 (VS 1934). A jabānabandī submitted to the Adālata Bandobasta Aḍḍā; ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Manik Bajracharya. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/24220)
• Śamaśera Bahādura Pā̃ḍe. [1877 (VS 1934)]. A complaint re the Rājakumārī Pãḍenī case; ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2018 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.39466)
• Śamśera Bahādura Pā̃ḍe. 1886 (VS 1942). A deposition submitted by Śamśera Bahādura Pā̃ḍe to the Koṭiliṅga court, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Manik Bajracharya. Heidelberg: HAdW (Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36931

Rajan Khatiwoda currently holds the position of Chief Scientific Documentation Coordinator in the Nepal Heritage Documentation Project (NHDP) at the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (HAdW). He is also the Honorary Leader of the Kathmandu Office of the Śākta Traditions Project run under the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS) and a Research Fellow at OCHS affiliated with the Śākta Traditions research programme.

Khatiwoda studied Classical Indology at Heidelberg University, from where he received his PhD in 2017. His dissertation deals with the formation and enforcement of the Mulukī Ain, Nepal’s first legal code promulgated in 1854. From 2013 to 2016, he was part of the Cluster´s Project A14 "Transcultural Legal Flows in 18th- and 19th-Century South Asia." Since 2014, Khatiwoda is research associate at the South Asian Institute, Heidelberg University, and the Research Unit "Documents on the History of Religion and Law of Pre-modern Nepal," Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Previously, he worked as a research assistant and cataloguer for the Nepalese-German Manuscript Cataloguing Project (NGMCP) and the Nepal Research Centre (NRC) in Kathmandu for nine years (2004–2013).