Newars are old inhabitants of Kathmandu Valley. Though it involves multiple schools of thoughts and concepts regarding origin of Newars or about the original Newars, general concept of a Newar, particularly for a foreigner, is that of a person who posses in many ways somewhat Mongoloid features in their physical construction and language. Others believe that Newars are a mixed society of people who have evolved in close contact with and between two races and cultures namely Indo- Aryans and Mongolians, which is reflected in varying degrees in features and cultures of various ethnic groups of Newars. History of Kathmandu valley reveals that it used to be an abode of great evolution of a civilization of its own kind and originality. The valley Kathmandu was actually known as Nepal in those days. People of all kinds and ethnic groups coming from the north and the south settled down in this valley at various centuries. All of them seem to have emerged into local situations and culture and adopted local language as well. It is, therefore, appropriate to state that Newar is not a particular race or ethnic group, but a nation. But, in the present day context when Kathmandu valley is only a small part of expanded Nepal, Newars represent a small sector of the total population and, therefore, the connotation of the term Newar has accordingly changed.
Newars are generally traders, educationalists and skilled craftsmen. They play important roles in administrative, cultural, social and political life of the Kingdom of Nepal. Formerly in the initial periods of the history of Kathmandu valley, Newars used to be Buddhists by faith, but later on Hindu religion and culture gradually influenced sections of population and also got converted into Hindus. A mixed society of Hindus and Buddhists evolved together for centuries ruled by a Hindu or a Buddhist king at various periods of time. As a result, Hindus and Buddhists live together peacefully under almost inseparable common cultural heritage. Professional division of people among Newars was initiated by a Malla King named Jayasthiti Malla which still has impact in the economic life of Newars. Priests, Traders, Carpenters, metal workers, sculptors, brick makers, masons, butchers and many other kinds of craftsmen are still holding their hereditary professions.
Newars are the indigenous peoples of the Kathmandu Valley, they are also found in the neighboring hill settlements as well as in the towns and cities of almost all the districts of Nepal. They are prominent in business, agriculture and craftsmanship. Their population exceeds 1.3 million and do have their own language, rich literature, culture and so on with a written and recorded history of 2,5000 years. During those centuries they developed their impeccable culture and arts into a great civilization having survived during the various reigns of the Gopala, Kirat, Licchavi and Malla dynasties. The Shah dynasty finally amalgamated the Newar nation state in their unification drives resulting into a greater and modern Nepal.
