Far-Western Development Region, Nepal

सुदुर पश्चिमाञ्चल विकास क्षेत्र Sudur Pashchimānchal Bikās Kshetra
Regions
Country	Nepal
Region	Far Western Development Region
headquarters	Dipayal Silgadhi municipality, Doti District, Seti Zone
Area
• Total	19,539 km2 (7,544 sq mi)
Population  (2001 Census)
• Total	2,191,330
	pop. note
Time zone	UTC+5:45 (NPT)

Far-Western Region is one of Nepal's five development regions. It is located at the western end of the country with headquarters at Dipayal.

It comprises two zones :

• Mahakali
• Seti

The Far Western Region of Nepal is sometimes called the Doti region, which some believe originated from 'Dovati' meaning land between two rivers. Others believe it originated from the Hindu god Dev, and aatavi, meaning the place of re-creation. The area's history goes back to the 13th century when Niranjan Malldeo founded the Doti Kingdom following the fall of the Katyuri Kings. Dotiyali and Kumauni is spoken in the Far Western Region. Deuda,Jhoda, Chhpeli, Chhaliya, Bhada etc. are traditional dance of the region and Gaura or Gamara is the biggest festival of the region.

History

doti was a ancient kingdom of uttrakhand of india and far western region of Nepal which was formed after disintegration of Katyuri kingdom of Uttarakhand and far western region of Nepal during 13th century. Doti was one of eight different princely states formed after the kingdom broken and others were 1.Baijnath-Katyuri, 2.Dwarahat, 3. Doti, 4. Baramandal, 5.Askot, 6. Sira, 7. Sora, 8. Sui (Kali kumaon). Kingdom had broken down because of the invasion of. Khas kings Ashoka challa and Krachalla from Karnali Zone (Dullu) of Nepal in 1191 and 1223 respectively'. Later on, the whole land between Ramganga on the west (Uttarakhand) and the Karnali on the east (which divides far western region to other part Nepal) came under Raikas after the origin of Raikas of Katyuris in Doti. "Brahma Dev Mandi" at Kanchanpur District of Mahakali Zone was established by Katyuri king Brahma Dev.

Raikas of Doti

Niranjan Malla Dev was the founder of Doti Kingdom around 13th century after a fall of Katyuris Kingdom. He was the son of Last Katyuris of united Katyuris kingdom. Kings of Doti were known as Raikas (also known as Rainka Maharaj). Later on Raikas, after overthrow Khas Malla of Karnali Zone, were able to form a strong Raikas Kingdom in Far Western Region and Kumaun which was called Doti. So far, the historical evidence of following Raikas have been discovered;

Niranjan Malla Dev (Founder of Doti Kingdom), Nagi Malla (1238), Ripu Malla (1279), Nirai Pal (1353 may be of Askot and his historical evidence of 1354 AD has been found in Almoda), Nag Malla (1384), Dhir Malla (1400), Ripu Malla (1410), Anand Malla (1430), Balinarayan Malla (not known), Sansar Malla (1442), Kalyan Malla (1443), Suratan Malla (1478), Kriti Malla(1482), Prithivi Malla (1488), Medini Jay Malla (1512), Ashok Malla (1517), Raj Malla (1539), Arjun Malla/Sahi (not known but he was ruling Sira as Malla and Doti as Shahi), Bhupati Malla/Shahi (1558), Sagaram Shahi (1567), Hari Malla/Shahi (1581 Last Raikas King of Sira and adjoining part of Nepal), Rudra Shahi (1630), Vikram Shahi (1642), Mandhata Shahi (1671), Raghunath Shahi (1690), Hari Shahi (1720), Krishna Shahi (1760), Deep Shahi (1785), Prithivi pati Shahi (1790, 'he had fought against Nepali Ruler (Gorkhali Ruler) with British in 1814 A.D').

The Historic place of War between Doti Kingdom and Nepal (Gorkha kingdom) during period of Gorkha Expansion at 1790, according to the history of Nepal, is NARI-DANG which is at the bank of Seti River and the Dumrakot was the base of Doti Kingdom for fighting against Gorkhali.

Major Cities

Dhangadhi municipality is in Kailali District of Seti Zone.

Mahendranagar is the headquarters of Kanchanpur District in Mahakali Zone. It is located on the Mahakali River, six km north of the India border. Kanchanpur is inhabited by people of various races, including the indigenous Tharu people.

Dipayal-Silgadhi municipality is the headquarters of Doti District and the Far-Western Region. It is within trekking distance of Khaptad National Park. Dipayal is also the name of the scenic valley of Seti River.

Amargadhi is headquarters of Dadeldhura District.

Places of Interest

Khaptad National Park was established in 1984, in the Middle Hills. The park features a mid-mountain ecosystem at about 300m elevation. Noted for rolling forests and plateaus, the park has a great variety of vegetation as well as leopard, yellow-throated marten, tahr, Impeyan pheasant, chkor partridge, monal, griffin, red and yellow-billed blue magpie, and kalij pheasant. The park also has a number of butterfiles and moths. The Ashram of Khaptad Swami is at the center of this park. Because the park has religious significance, drinking, smoking and violence are prohibited.

Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve is in the Terai, mainly in Kanchanpupr District. There are an estimated 2,000 to 2,500 swamp deer. The reserve is also home to the rare Bengal florican. Reptiles include Marsh muggers, Indian python, monitor lizards, cobras, rat snakes and kraits but these are seldom seen.

Royal Bardia National Park is the largest and most undisturbed wild area of the Terai. Similar to Chitwan but drier and more remote, it encompasses 1,000 square km of riverine grassland and sal forests. Bardia has the country's second largest tiger population, plus blackbuck antelopes, a few wild elephants, Gharial crocodiles, birds and mammals, and some rare Gangetic dolphins in the Karnali River on its western border.

Remains of Ancient culture - The Raute tribe in this region still lives by hunting and gathering, moving from place to place. They say they are owners of the forest, and government should not interfere their wild kingdom. Unique Tharu culture in the Terai, Hindu culture in mid-mountains and Tibetan culture in the northern part of the Far-Western Region can be seen and experienced.

Physical Condition Physical ,the far western development region is also divided into 3 physiall region: Terai in south, hill in middle amd mountains in the north. Mountain regions have many high mountain peak. Yhey are:Mt.Api,Saipal,Nampa,Yokapahad and Lasa.