| Type: | District |
| Doti District | |
| Native Name: | डोटी जिल्ला |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Sudurpashchim Province |
| Parts Type: | Municipality |
| Parts Style: | coll |
| Established Title: | Established |
| Seat Type: | Admin HQ. |
| Seat: | Silgadhi |
| Leader Title: | Head |
| Leader Title1: | Deputy-Head |
| Leader Title2: | Parliamentary constituencies |
| Leader Title3: | Provincial constituencies |
| Government Type: | Coordination committee |
| Governing Body: | DCC, Doti |
| Area Total Km2: | 2025 |
| Population Total: | 211,746 |
| Population As Of: | 2011 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Blank Name Sec1: | Main Language(s) |
| Blank Info Sec1: | Doteli |
| Blank Name Sec2: | Major highways |
| Timezone1: | NPT |
| Utc Offset1: | +05:45 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal Codes |
| Area Code Type: | Telephone Code |
Doti District (Nepali: [[:ne:डोटी जिल्ला|डोटी जिल्ला]] in Nepali pronounced as /ɖoʈi/), part of Sudurpashchim Province, is one of the 77 districts of Nepal. This district, with Silgadhi as its headquarters, covers an area of 2025km2 with a population of 207,066 in 2001 and increasing marginally to 211,746 in 2011.[1]
Doti was a medieval kingdom of Kumaon. It was founded by Niranjan Malla Dev, the last son of the Katyuri dynasty and younger brother of Abhay Pal of Askot. Previously, the area between Ramganga in the west and the Karnali River in the east was under the control of the Raikas (rulers of the Doti kingdom, alternately Kumaun or Rainka Maharaj).[2]
Ancient Doti was a part of Kumaon Kingdom, Now remaining Kumaon region is part of Uttrakhand a state in modern-day india, Nepal's neighboring country. Kingdom of Kumaon lost Doti during the expansion of Nepal Kingdom in 1790. It was formed after the Katyuri Kingdom's disintegration during the 13th century.[3] Doti was one of eight different princely states formed after the disintegration, and all claim Katyuri heritage.[4] The seven other known states are:
The Katyuri Kingdom's dissolution is attributed to the invasion of Khas Kings Ashoka Challa and Krachalla, from the Karnali zone (Dullu) in 1191 and 1223 respectively.[5] Later, the whole land between Ramganga in the west (Uttarakhand) and the Karnali in the east (which divides the far western region from other parts of Nepal), came under the Raikas' rule — after the establishment of the Katyuri's dynastic Raikas Doti. Brahma Dev Mandi at Kanchanpur; a district within Mahakali, was established by Katyuri King Brahma Dev.
Historical evidence [6] of the following raikas has been discovered:
The historic place of war between the Doti Kingdom and Gorkha kingdom during the period of Expanding Kingdom of Nepal in 1790, is Nari-Dang which lies on the bank of the Seti River and Dumrakot was the base of the Doti Kingdom during the fighting against the Gorkhalis.[12]
Doti was captured by Gorkha forces, and the Gorkha rulers went on to destroy several historical sites in Doti — attempting to cover its legendary bravery and tenacity.[12] The Dotyali people were also subject to ethnic prejudice, and were frequently excluded from government jobs and offices of state.[12] Somehow in 1950, a few Dotyalis established their identities as national heroes based solely on their courage, daring, and contribution to their country.[12] Noted among them are Martyr Dashrath Chand Ministry of Home Affairs, Martyr Bhim Dutta Pant Ministry of Home Affairs, and K.I. Singh,[13] [14] a revolutionary leader who later became prime minister.
Dotiyali is the local language spoken in the Doti region; the far western region of Nepal, which is similar to the Kumauni language, a language spoken by people of Kumaon, a state in modern-day india, Nepal's neighboring country. According to Rahul Sankrityayan, Dotiyali is the dialect of the Kumauni language which was brought to Doti by a section of the Katyuri dynasty of Kumaun which had ruled over Doti until 1790.[12] The Doti kingdom was formed after the Katyuri kingdom had broken up into eight different princely states of different sections of the Katyuris. However, in Nepal it is considered as a Nepali dialect; though Local intellectuals and people of Doti, those who are speaking Dotiyali language that they are increasingly demanding their language to be recognized as one of the national language of Nepal.[15]
| Climate Zone | Elevation Range | % of Area | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Tropical | below 300 meters (1,000 ft) | 0.1% | |
| Upper Tropical | 300 to 1,000 meters 1,000 to 3,300 ft. | 22.2% | |
| Subtropical | 1,000 to 2,000 meters 3,300 to 6,600 ft. | 58.8% | |
| Temperate | 2,000 to 3,000 meters 6,400 to 9,800 ft. | 17.6% | |
| Subalpine | 3,000 to 4,000 meters 9,800 to 13,100 ft. | 1.2% |
At the time of the 2011 Nepal census, Doti District had a population of 211,746. Of these, 91.2% spoke Doteli, 6.8% Nepali, 1.0% Magar, 0.4% Kham, 0.1% Achhami, 0.1% Maithili, 0.1% Tharu and 0.2% other languages as their first language.[16]
Ethnicity/caste: 57.7% were Chhetri, 12.3% Kami, 7.9% Hill Brahmin, 4.6% Damai/Dholi, 3.5% other Dalit, 3.5% Thakuri, 3.4% Magar, 2.4% Sarki, 1.4% Badi, 1.1% Lohar, 0.5% Newar, 0.5% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 0.2% Kumal, 0.1% Gurung, 0.1% Majhi, 0.1% Musalman, 0.1% Tamang, 0.1% other Terai, 0.1% Tharu and 0.2% others.[17]
Religion: 99.0% were Hindu, 0.8% Buddhist, 0.1% Christian and 0.1% Muslim.[18]
Literacy: 55.2% could read and write, 3.4% could only read and 41.3% could neither read nor write.[19]
The district consists of nine municipalities, out of which two are urban municipalities and seven are rural municipalities. These are as follows:[20]
Prior to the restructuring of the district, Doti District consisted of the following Village development committees: