Caste categories diverged from the four varnas of the classical Vedic model and instead had three categories to accommodate the tribal peoples between the pure and impure castes. These were further classified into five hierarchies with the following order precedence.(Harka Gurung 2005:3,Occasional Papers in Sociology and Anthropology)
- Thagadhari, (Wearer of holy cord)
- Matwali
- Namasyane Matwali (Non-enslavable alcohol-drinkers)
- Masyane Matwali (Enslavable alcohol drinkers)
- Pani nachalne choichoto halnu naparne, (Impure but touchable castes)
- Pani nachalne chiochoti halnu parne, (Impure and Untouchable castes)
These categories imply that Thagadhari (Wearer of holy cord) remains in the highest hierarchy in the Nepali caste system followed by Matwali, (Non-enslavable alcohol-drinkers) and enslavable alcohol drinkers, touchable caste and lastly untouchable.
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