What is "katwal"

Katwal is a chhetri surname used by Nepali and Indian Hindu community belonging to the Indo-Aryan race originally from Uttarakhand and Himachal State of current India migrated to Nepal during 18th to 19th Century and few afterwards. Currently many of the Katwal are found in Nepal and Indian States i.e. Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal, West Bengal, Assam, and Manipur as well as in Bhutan and Myanmar. Katwal has major history in Nepal and related to Nepal's Shah Royal families. The Katwals derive their ancestry from the legendary Hindu warrior Sant Katowal who was known to be a devotee of the Hindu deity Shiva. It is normally believed that the Katwals were first settled in Taluwa of Okhaldhunga District which lies in Sagarmatha Zone. Later, many of them retreated to different places of India and Nepal to pursue the opportunities for a better life . Today the Gotra( tribe)is Mandapi. Every Katwal has the same gotra and they behave as their own siblings. Therefore, marriage is banned within the siblings.

The Katwal's are known for their valour and high skill in warfare.

They were the original inhabitants of the mountains and later on moved south to merge with other Kshatriya (Chhetri) castes.

In fact, Katwal belonged to royal dynasty.

After they fought each other, the King decided to ostracize the youngest son and he was banished accordingly, later termed as Katwal because he was ready to amputate and kill anyone who opposed him.

And because of his untarnished valour, he was addressed as Katwal.

Katwals belong to upper caste Hindu family, i.e.

Chhetri family.

Variations on the English spelling "Katwal" include: Katowal, Katuwal and Katawal, all of which representing the same surname. Some even write K.C. (Katowal Chhetri).

Katwals are mostly residents of Nepal and Indian states especially Uttrakhand, Himachal, Sikkim, West Bengal, Assam and north east of India.

==Famous Katowals==

• Manoj Katuwal- A Nepali Cricket player who played for the Nepal National Cricket Team between 2002 and 2006
• General Rookmangud Katawal- The ex-Chief of Army Staff of the Nepali Army.
• Yubraj Katwal - Educationist and Politician ( President - FECON)
• Neel David Katwal- Top Hair-stylist in Nepal
• Hari Bhakta Katwal-the famous poet and lyricist