Bisht (surname)

Bisht (IPA: [bɪʃʈ]) is a surname found in the Indian states of Uttarakhand^[1] and Himachal Pradesh.^[2] Bisht was a title given by kings to nobles, derived from the Sanskrit vishisht ("distinguished"). The term "Bisht" originally referred to someone who held a land grant from the government.^{[citation needed]} The Bisht families in Uttarakhand were chiefly Thokdars^[3](Zamindars) of Thuljat^[a] origin.^[1] In Uttrakhand, Bishts are generally Kshatriya as well as Brahmins in certain parts of East Uttrakhand. In Nepal, Bisht was adopted as a surname by Raute and Raji people.^[2] Bishta, as Bista, used as a surname by Khas people,^[4] group under the caste Chhetri.^[5][6]