The Founding Ancestor: Ranma Kha — An Introduction
The Tharu — Indigenous People of Nepal
Since ancient times, the Tharu community has been living in the Terai region of the Kingdom of Nepal, from the eastern border of Mechi to the western border of Mahakali. Centuries ago, this entire region was covered with dense forests. In those days, whoever entered these forests would contract malaria. Because of this, no one else could settle in these forested areas. However, the Tharu people lived here because malaria did not affect them. This has been investigated and it has been found — or proven — that the blood of the Tharu people has the natural resistance to fight malaria. Because of this, other communities could not settle in these dense forests out of fear of malaria, while the Tharu people have been living here since ancient times. Even today, Tharu people are settled across 22 districts of this region. This is why the Tharu people are recognized as the indigenous people of Nepal. Their language, culture, lifestyle, social behavior, food habits, physical features, and clothing being distinctly different from other communities is the reason the Tharu are regarded as the indigenous people of Nepal.
Ranma Kha — Gaiya Baba (Cattle Grandfather)
Within the Tharu community, there are many clans and lineage groups. In this present genealogy, the lineage of the 'Ranma Kha' clan is documented. According to the elders of the Ranma Kha lineage, Ranma Kha was born in what is now Akbarpur Bhagwatpur village of Saptari district. At that time, almost every Tharu household kept a large number of cows and buffaloes. These animals were taken to graze in the forests and open lands. The temporary settlement where large numbers of cattle were kept and grazed was called a 'Bathan' (cattle camp). Ranma Kha and his friend Jasmat Kha used to graze their cattle together. Their Bathan was located in the area of what is now Bairyahi village (Shambhunath Municipality, Ward No. 8) of Saptari district. At that time it was an extremely dense forest, filled with dangerous wild animals such as tigers, bears, leopards, and others. Ranma Kha was a very strong, brave, and fearless man, and so he used to keep his cattle camp deep in the forest along with his friend. Because he spent his days grazing cows and buffaloes, the descendants of Ranma Kha call him 'Gaiya Baba' (Cattle Grandfather).
One day during their time at the Bathan, Gaiya Baba disappeared into the forest — meaning he was lost. His cattle returned to the camp on their own by evening without him. His friend Jasmat Kha searched for him and informed everyone. Mahadev (Ranma Kha Baba's father) / Sahadev (Ranma Kha Baba's uncle) along with everyone searched through the dense forest — cutting through grass, thorns, and leaves — as far as they could go, but he was nowhere to be found. In the end, they found Gaiya Baba's large walking stick, his kharam (wooden sandals), his jama (cloth), his gamcha (towel), his chimta (tongs), his batua (bag), and his chilam-khaini (pipe and tobacco) at the base of a tree — but Baba himself was not found. His cows and buffaloes were taken home by the children and family members. A few days after Baba disappeared, travelers and locals passing by that tree began urinating and defecating near it, and around that same time, the Bairyahi forest area began experiencing Baghaur (tiger attacks) day after day. Every day, someone's cow, buffalo, or goat was being taken away by tigers. The people could not leave their homes; it became a great calamity. Then the people of the village remembered Ranma Kha Baba and prayed to him. Baba then appeared as a deity, possessing someone in a trance (Syaha), and gave the reason for the tiger menace, demanding his worship. When the people performed the worship, the tiger attacks stopped. From that day on, the people of the Bairyahi area began worshipping him every year. From that day until today, whenever any household in that area faces grief or misfortune, or when any village suffers from tiger attacks, cholera, or deaths, people remember Ranma Kha Baba and seek his blessing to resolve their suffering.
The Sacred Shrine of Ranma Kha Baba
The original sacred shrine (Gahwar Than) of the founding ancestor Ranma Kha Baba was established in the mango grove of what is now Birpur village, in the Bairyahi locality, under the name Dihwar Than. The descendants of Ranma Kha in the Bairyahi locality regularly perform worship at this shrine. People offer bulls as sacrifice according to their capacity. In the name of Ranma Kha Baba, fresh milk from cows and buffaloes is offered at the shrine daily. Currently, the entire Ranma Kha clan gathers together and celebrates with great festivity on Baisakh 1st (the Sirwa festival), offering worship, sacrificing bulls, receiving prasad, and seeking Baba's blessings.
The Sacred Shrine of Ranma Kha Baba
Descendants of Ranma Kha
The descendants of Ranma Kha are now settled across many villages — in Saptari district in Dangrahee, Kachandaha, Bengri, Pramanpur, Lakshanpatti, Kanakpur, Baluwa, Fulhara, Kushaha, and Baksaha; in Siraha district in Sisauni and Barchhbar; in Morang and Sunsari districts in Madhesha Bhaura, Baklauri, and Lalpur Bhora; and in Udaypur district in Belha village.
In closing, having shared this much about the Ranma Kha clan, I wish for this lineage to continue to grow and flourish. If anyone has further information about this clan, they are most welcome to contribute and it will be included.
Dev Narayan Chaudhary (Dangrahee, Saptari)
Chief Committee President