Jhapa District

Jhapa’s history is a multi-layered heritage of ancient archaeology, Kirat , Morang politics, Sen/Vijayapur influence and indigenous Terai communities

Kichakbadh, in Bhadrapur, is a major archaeological site. Excavations have uncovered brick structures, walls, pottery, metal objects, ornaments and other remains. Archaeological studies broadly associate the site with the Śuṅga–Kuṣāṇa period, while reported dating places important remains at around 2,200 years ago (approximately 120–200 BCE). This demonstrates ancient organised settlement in the Jhapa–Morang Terai.^{[4] [5]}

Local tradition identifies Kichakbadh with Kichaka and Bhima of the Mahabharata, but archaeology has not conclusively proven this identification.

Jhapa belonged to the wider Morang–eastern Nepal historical landscape, where Kirat cultural traditions connected the eastern hills and plains. In later periods, the region became associated with Sen/Vijayapur political authority and local Kirat/Limbu leadership. However, the exact administrative boundaries of these historical states remain debated.^[6]

The history of Jhapa must also include its indigenous Terai peoples, particularly Dhimal, Rajbanshi/Koch, Meche, and other communities, whose historical presence and cultural traditions are fundamental to the region.^{[7] [8]}

During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, malaria, forests, state land policies, agricultural expansion, migration and cross-border trade transformed Jhapa’s population and landscape.

Jhapa is the easternmost district of Nepal and lies in the fertile Terai plains. It is part of the Outer Terai. Jhapa borders Ilam in the north, Morang in the west, the Indian state of Bihar in the south and the Indian state of West Bengal to the southeast and east. Geographically, it covers an area of 1,606 km² (620 sq mi) and lies on 87°39’ east to 88°12’ east longitude and 26°20’ north to 26°50’ north latitude.^[9]

Jhapa receive 250 to 300 cm of rainfall a year, mostly during the monsoon season in the summer, and its hilly northern area receives more rainfall than the south.^[10] The maximum temperature recorded is 42.5 °C in summer and 1 °C in winter.^[11] The lowest elevation point is 58 meters which is the lowest land in Nepal and the highest elevation point is 500 meters from mean sea level.^[9]

Jhapa consists of 15 administrative divisions including eight municipalities and seven rural municipalities. Each division has wards according to the demographic and geographic size. These are:

At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Jhapa District had a population of 998,054. 23.25% of the population is under 5 years of age. It has a literacy rate of 82.83% and a sex ratio of 1085 females per 1000 males. 704,357 (70.57%) lived in municipalities.^[13]

Jhapa District has an average population density of around 619 per square kilometer. The district population growth rate is 1.93%. However, the growth is balanced and in-migration is rapidly increasing day to day into the district. At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Jhapa District had a population of 994,090 making it the 4th largest district in Nepal after Kathmandu, Morang and Rupandehi.

Being at the cross-roads of the eastern hills and the eastern Terai, Jhapa has huge ethnic diversity with 110 castes/ethnic groups represented. The largest communities are Bahun and Chhetri. Other communities include the Janajati Limbu and other Kirati peoples, Dalit communities like Kami and Damai, as well as Tamang, Newar and Magar and Adivasi communities like the Rajbanshi/Tajpuriya, Gangai or Ganesh, Santal, Tharu and Dhimal in the Terai.^[14]

As their first language, 61.47% of the population spoke Nepali, 8.54% Rajbanshi, 5.43% Limbu, 4.18% Maithili, 3.22% Santali, 2.01% Tamang, 1.82% Rai, 1.79% Gangai, 1.31% Tajpuriya and 1.06% Magar as their first language.^[15] In 2011, Nepali was spoken by 55.82% of the population as their first language.^[16]

Religion: 79.10% were Hindu, 9.38% Kirati, 4.94% Buddhist, 3.33% Muslim, 2.60% Christian, 0.63% Prakriti and 0.02% others.^[17]

Jhapa borders the Indian state of Bihar to the south and the Indian state of West Bengal to the east. Jhapa is an eastern entry point of Nepal from India. Kakarbhitta-Mechinagar border lies in Jhapa and is an important trade point for Nepal.

Among 77 districts, Jhapa has a literacy rate of 75.2%, higher than the national average.^[18] There are enough primary schools, secondary schools, high schools and colleges available both from private sector and the government. One such school is Shree Adarsh Vidya Mandir Higher Secondary School.

Jhapa district is home to notable personalities including one former prime minister and two former deputy prime ministers.

• KP Sharma Oli, former prime minister of Nepal and chairman of CPN (UML)
• Bishwa Prakash Sharma, general secretary of Nepali Congress
• Rajendra Prasad Lingden, chairman of Rastriya Prajatantra Party
• Krishna Prasad Sitaula, former Home minister and senior leader of Nepali Congress
• Radha Krishna Mainali, senior Communist leader
• CP Mainali, chairman of CPN (ML) and former Deputy prime minister of Nepal
• Devendra Dahal, former Ministry, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Member of National Assembly.
• Ananta Tamang, National Football Player, All Nepal Football Association