ShresthaŚrēṣṭha is a Nepalese surname meaning "noble” or "great" in Sanskrit or "warrior" in Nepal Bhasa.[1] Shrestha is one of the eponym surnames used by those belonging to the caste of Shresthas who prior to the unification of modern Nepal formed the ruling and administrative Kshatriya castes in the court of the Malla kings of Nepal.[2] They also counted among them the trading and business Vaishya castes, and were the pre-eminent traders in between Nepal and Tibet. After the unification of Nepal, many Shresthas took up business and trading since their former positions as administrators and courtiers of the royal Malla court was supplanted by the invading Gorkha forces mainly of the Khas tribe.[3] Language, Culture and ReligionThe word "Shrestha" was derived from Sanskrit term Shista meaning 'noble' or 'decent'. Shresthas (or Syasya) served as administrators and courtiers during the rule of the Malla Newar kings that ruled Nepal for 600 years – known as the "Golden Era" of Nepal – when much of the cultural and architectural development of Nepal took place. They took a prominent role in the governance and administration of the nation and fought against the Gorkha invasion. They also bravely contributed to protect their country Nepal from external powers like the Mughal. Notable peoplePolitics and civil administration
Arts, literature and culture
References
 This page lists people with the surname Shrestha.
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