page_title: Alcohol in Nepal
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Alcohol in Nepal / History
caption_attribution_description: Woman brewing raksi (Nepali whisky)
context_page_description: Alcohol is not illegal in Nepal. The mixed society, coupled with caste and multiple ethnic results in extremely complex social behaviour. Based on the caste and religion, there are two types of people in Nepal depending upon alcohol uses. The group of people who do not drink or use alcohol are called Tagadhari, and the other group who drink alcohol are called Matawali. Generally, the Brahmins and Kshatriyas are the Janai wearer and do not drink alcohol, but with the exception of Matwali Chhetries of Karnali who are permitted to use alcohol. Matwali uses alcohol for their traditional purposes and generally brew alcohol by themselves. People such as Thakalis, Gurung, Tamang, Newars use alcohol freely.
  Traditionally, in the group of Matwali, males are allowed to drink freely while women are somewhat restricted to use alcohol.
context_section_description: In Hindu culture, alcohol is often described as Soma. In the epic of Ramayana and Mahabharata, there are mentions of drinking alcohol by god and goddesses as a recreational food. In ancient and medieval Nepal, the Kirats, Shakyas, Lichhavis, etc. had already made a trade relationship with Tibet, India, and China from where drinking culture probably entered Nepal. The Lele inscription of Shivadev I and Amshuverma dated 526 AD mentioned alcohol as Paniyagosthi. In the inscription of Jayalambha dated 413AD, the word Karanapuja is used referring to the alcohol; the inscription was found near Pashupatinath Temple.
  The Christian Father Ippolito Desideri, who travelled Nepal about 1720, had a written account of a pungent-smelling liquor made from millet. He also mentions arac, a drink made from wheat or rice.
  In modern Nepal, the Maluki Aain of 1854 categorically classified Nepalese society into five categories. One of them was the Tagadhari who were not allowed to drink, while the remaining four were allowed to drink. In the modern constitution, however, there is no such distinction and everyone is equally allowed to use alcohol-based on their personal preference.
caption: Traditional brewing
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