Khas Empire

The Khas Empire (Nepali language:खस साम्राज्य) is the empire formed under Malla King (different than Malla kings of kathmandu valley) at the end of 10th century.It was the most powerful empire existed so far in Nepalese history. This was the place where the Nepali language and culture originated. The earliest examples of Devanagari script from the 13th Century were found here. These archaeological sites are located in Jumla, Surkhet and Dailekh districts.After late 13th century the Khas empire collapsed and divided into Baise Rajya (22 principalities) in Karnali-Bheri region and 12 principalities in Gandak region (Among Chaubise rajyas- 24 principalities 12 were Khas and 12 were Magar Rajyas).

The 22 principalities were

Jumla , Doti , Jajarkot , Bajura , Gajur , Biskot , Malneta,  Thalahara , Dailekh , Dullu , Duryal , Tulsipur -Dang , Salyan , Chilli , Phalawagh , Jehari , Darnar , Atbis , Gotam , Majal , Gurnakot and Rukum .

And the 24 principalities were 

Gorkha , Lamjung , Tanahun , Kaski Nuwakot , Dhor , Satahun , Garahun , Rishing ,Ghiring , Paiyun , Parbat , Galkot , Palpa , Gulmi ArghaKhanchi, Musikot , Isma , Dhurkot , Bajhang , Bhirkot , Pyuthan and Butwal.

Ancient Khasa Kingdom of Nepal

The Khasa Kingdom was one of the ancient kingdom of Nepal. There is no exact date when this empire came into existence but is mentioned in Puranas several times. As per the Hindu Text in ancient Nepal there were different kingdoms.

Parvata Kingdom, Nepa Kingdom , Videha Kingdom, Virata Kingdom, Kirata Kingdom, and Khasa Kingdom

Khasa Kingdom was (arguably) in western part of present day Nepal.

The Khasas along with the Tusharas, the Yavanas, the Darvabhisaras, the Daradas, the Sakas, the Kamathas, the Ramathas, the Tanganas the Andhrakas, the Pulindas, the Kiratas were mentioned as fierce prowess, the Mlecchas, the Mountaineers tribes who fought for Duryodhana. (8,51,18-19)

उग्राश्च क्रूरकर्माणस्तुखारा यवनाः खशाः | दार्वाभिसारा दरदाः शका रमठतङ्गणाः || (8,51,18) अन्ध्रकाश्च पुलिन्दाश्च किराताश्चोग्रविक्रमाः | म्लेच्छाश्च पार्वतीयाश्च सागरानूपवासिनः || (8,51,19)

The Khas people were fierce warrior. According to Gopal bamsabali ancient Khasa Kingdom defeated Kathmandu (aka Nepal at that time) 13 times. Initially the Khas Kings were Buddhist. Later they adopted Hinduism.

Recorded evidence of 12-14th century shows that Khas Empire came into power at end of 10th century. This 'Khas Empire' is a different state than 'Khasa Kingdom' as maintained in Mahabharat. The time frame of 'the Empire' is 11th-14th century AD whereas 'the kingdom' was involved in Kurukshetra war whose estimated dating is 6000 BCE to 500 BCE according to different claims. But the root of both states are same. The kingdom was disbanded earlier due to some reasons and united back again in end of 10th century.

Dullu of Khas Empire

Dullu is the capital of the vast Khas Empire (11-14th century) situated at sinja valley, which later became that of the small kingdom of Dullu (15th century-1960), is located at the center of a religious space remarkable for the presence of numerous natural gas flames revered as divine manifestations. There is no doubt that setting up the capital in this place was a responde to a desire for legitimacy and the development of a particular form of royalty related to renouncement. We will explore the current configuration of the sacred area and the myths associated with it, as well as the few elements of the history of the Malla empire in our possession, to show that the ritual configuration as seen today was already in existence during the Malla period and to highlight the complex relationships maintained between the palace and the temples, whose roles were interchanged regularly.Kingdom of Dullu, one among 22 states which was the original successor of Khas empire, became sub national kingdom of Nepal after the unification. Later King Mahendra annexed it into Nepal in 1960.

Migration of Khas

Originating from modern day Central Asia, the Khas people are said to have migrated from their ancestral land towards the Himalayan region of southern Asia (Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Nepal) in ancient times. The modern day Khas include Chhetri, Bahun, Kami, Thakuri, Sarki, Sannyasi, Badi, Damai, Gaine and others. The period of their migration remains ambiguous and stretches back to the pre-christ era. In Nepal, the Khas people first settled around present day Karnali region. The Malla kings formed the famous Khas empire, which ruled Khasan region from the eleventh century before collapsing and splintering into local dominions during the fourteenth century.

Known Kings of Khas Empire

Naagraj (नागराज),

Chaap (चाप),

Chapilla (चापिल्ल),

Krashichalla (क्राशिचल्ल) ,

Kradhichalla (क्राधिचल्ल),

Krachalla (क्राचल्ल) (1189-1223),

Jitari Malla (जितारी मल्ल),

Ashok Chlla / Malla (अशोक चल्ल) (1223–87),

Ripu Malla (रिपु मल्ल) (1312–13) Nephew of Jitari Malla,

Aditya Malla (आदित्य मल्ल) (end of Rule Nagraj Clan),

Punya Malla (पुन्य मल्ल) son in law of Aditya Malla,

Prithvi Malla (पृथ्वी मल्ल) had no son,

Surya Malla (सूर्य मल्ल) Son of Ripu Malla, Nagraj clan back to rule