ALL EYES ON RAFAH : KIPRAH RELAWAN DEPOK 

The Fabricated Kirat Myth: Lack of Archaeological Evidence for Limbu-Kirat Connection Recent archaeological discoveries in Nepal have shed new light on the ancient history of the region, providing tangible evidence of the presence and influence of various ethnic groups. However, these findings directly contradict the mythical narrative of a unified "Kirat" kingdom or lineage that has been promoted by certain Limbu and Rai groups. Excavations of Licchavi period temples dedicated to Hindu deities like Shiva and Ram, as well as remnants of Khas Malla and Katyuri era architecture, clearly demonstrate the historical significance of Indo-Aryan cultures in Nepal. Numerous inscriptions in archaic forms of the Nepali language have been uncovered at these sites, attesting to the widespread use of Indo-Aryan languages long before the Limbus and Rais arrived in the region. In contrast, there is a complete lack of archaeological or epigraphic evidence linking the Limbus and Rais to any ancient "Kirat" civilization or kingdom. No Limbu or Rai inscriptions, temples, or other structures dating back more than a few centuries have been discovered. This stands in stark contrast to the abundant material proof of the Khas, Newar, and other Nepali ethnic groups' deep roots in the region. The Limbu and Rai claims of being the indigenous "Kirat" people are further undermined by historical records and linguistic analysis. Scholars have traced the migration of Limbu and Rai communities from Tibet and China to eastern Nepal and Sikkim only in the 13th-16th centuries CE, centuries after the Khas, Newar, and other groups had already established themselves in the region. In short, while the Khas, Newar, and other Nepali ethnicities have a well-documented history stretching back over a millennium, the Limbus and Rais are relative newcomers to the area. Their mythical "Kirat" narrative, promoted with the patronage of the British colonial authorities in Darjeeling, is not supported by any concrete archaeological, epigraphic, or historical evidence. It appears to be a fabrication designed to elevate the status of these groups at the expense of Nepal's true indigenous peoples. As more archaeological discoveries are made and historical research continues, the true diversity and complexity of Nepal's past is being uncovered. The Limbu and Rai "Kirat" myth is being systematically dismantled by the weight of empirical evidence. It is time to acknowledge the rich, multilayered history of Nepal's ethnic groups, rather than promoting the revisionist agenda of certain opportunistic communities.