Magar vs Kirat
How closely related are Magars &
Kirats to each other? Are Magars part of Mahakirati group?
Understanding the relation between these
two groups is not only the key to understand Nepal history but the history of
Magars itself. I personally think that these answers will help in understanding
Magars history & ancestors in much better way. The history which was always
look from the perspective of Khas Aryans & Bahuns.
My main reference of the subject is from
the book “Kirat-Limbu Sanskriti” written by Navraj Subba. When I say Kirat here
I consider Rai, Limbu, Sunuwar etc under this word. (Whether other groups come
under this group or not is the topic of another debate). One thing I have liked
about this book is writer has taken the reference of another writer’s book
which was written in past related to the Kirats. In the book he has mainly
focused on the journey of Kirat & Limbu. However, the he has shown relation
between Kirat to Babylon civilization, I am not so in line with him. He has taken
the reference of Kirat Mudhum (Kind of their history & mythology) &
some words that resembles with Babylon civilization.
In this what I want to add is that Kirat may
have Babylon connection but saying Kirat originated or Kirat ancestors were
from Babylon is too much of the bold claim. However, my understanding says that
Kirati is actually have Northen connection they should have this route
Siberia-Mongol-China-Tibet instead of Babylon-Iran-central Asia-India route.
One of the main factors that contradict Nawraj Subba’s theory is the physical appearance
of Kirats only. Now the next question is how does Kirati Mudhum has high resemblance
with Gangetic or Aryan people. My answer is because the Mudhum & ancestry
is written by Aryans. One thing we have to understand is that Aryans were
literate & they were good in keeping ancestry record, which can be seen today
also. There is a possibility that few elite Bahuns may have aligned with Kirats,
who were already settled in Eastern Himalayans North of present-day Bihar. And
this alignment doesn’t happen with Kirat only, this was the general trend at era.
It happened in India when Aryans came, it happened in China when Buddhist monk visited
China & so is with Muslim Clergy & Christan missionary. The Aryans I am
talking about is high class Aryans, who always use to look for new kingdom
where they can spread their influence & establish themselves on high
position. The same this which happens with Islam & Christianity in Medieval
period. One of the finest example is influence of Hinduism & now Christianity
on Magars in current period.
Here, few people may ask then what about
their scripture. Scripture & books written was always the blends of myths
& reality, to make or show reality some out of the world thing or superior
than other. That what those literate people were mastered in & in return
they use to get lot of respect & high position in king’s court. One thing I
want to mention here is that Kirats were influenced by Aryan Brahmins at very
early stage, the stage when these clergymen spreading in Gangetic plain, that’s
the reason we can see the mention of Kirat people in Mahabharata also.
Now lets comeback to our main topic. As
Nawraj Subba has mentioned that in Kirati Mudhum, Magar group is mentioned as
part of the Mahakirati group. Its possible, how much weight is there in this
claim, I will say very substantial. There are two things that connects today’s
Magar with today’s Kirat:
1. Physical
appearance
2. Language
Second thing mentioning of Magar group in
Kirati Mudhum under Mahakirati group also establish that all the groups mentioned
in the Mahakrati group were already living in present day Nepal.
Next question comes is how closely related
we both groups are. Then my answer will be very much. We are as closely related
as how Dravidians of South India are, how Hans, Manchu, Tibetans are related in
China. Though technically every human being (Homo Sapiens) has come from a
single mother. Here, we are talking about present day groups, I can definitely
say that Magar & Kirat had more close common ancestry as compared to Magar
& Gangetic people or South Indian Dravidian.
There are few mentions of Magars in Kirat
history, but one thing was clear at Mahabharat era also Magars were already had
a different identity. Identity of their own as Magars.
What are the other common features between
Magars & Kirats.
1.
Tantra philosophy
may have come from Kirant root, though in ancient time all religion has deep
root in Tantra even Hinduism & Buddhism (particularly Tibetan Budhism). Dhami
& jhakri is common n both groups.
2. Maghe Sankranti
is main festival of Kirats. It is celebrated as victory over Kathmandu by King
Yalambar. Maghe Sankranti is also celebrated as Kirati new year. Maghe
Sankranti is also the main festival of Magars, but the thing is we still don’t
know why it’s the major festival of Magars. We might find the answer in Kirat
history.
