Sindhuli District

Sindhuli District (Nepali: सिन्धुली जिल्लाListen^ⓘ) is a district of Bagmati Province in Nepal. The district, with Kamalamai (Sindhulimadhi) as its headquarters, covers an area of 2,491 km² (962 sq mi). It is divided into nine local bodies with two municipalities and seven rural municipalities. As per the 2021 census, Sindhuli District has a population of 300,026.^[1]

Sindhuli district is composed of inner Terai and hilly areas. It borders 10 other districts. The district is famous for the historic Sindhuli Gadhi Fort and iconic BP Highway. Sindhuli is also known for the production of Junar (sweet orange).^[2]

According to the former administrative divisions of Nepal, Sindhuli fell under Janakpur Zone in Central Development Region. Sindhuli Gadhi was the headquarter of the district till 1967 A.D (2023 B.S).

Various accounts are associated with the naming of Sindhuli District and there is no definite evidence explaining how the place got its name “Sindhuli (सिन्धुली)”.

• One belief is that the name "Sindhuli" originated from the name of King Sindhul (सिन्धुल), who ruled this area in ancient times.^[2]
• About 11 kilometers from the district headquarter Sindhulimadhi, at an elevation of 1,077 meters above sea level, lies Siddhababa (सिद्धबाबा) Temple. Sindhuli Valley, the area surrounding Sindhulimadhi used to be referred as Siddhasthali (सिद्धस्थली), named after this temple. The word “Siddhasthali” later became distorted over time and eventually evolved into “Sindhuli”.^[2]
• Before the unification of Nepal, Sindhuli was the part of the Makawanpur Kingdom, which was ruled by kings of the Sen dynasty. Sindhuli Valley was the hunting and fishing area for those rulers and their officials. The fishing was done by creating a small structure in the river, called Duwali (दुवाली). Locally, the fishing Duwali used by the Sen kings used to be referred as Sen Ko Duwali (सेनको दुवाली), which meant Sen's Duwali. When spoken quickly, it became Senduwali (सेनदुवाली). Gradually the word got distorted into "Senduli (सेनदुली)", and eventually became “Sindhuli.”
• This region has the presence of intense forest. An indigenous group (Tamangs) were predominant in this region and their way of living was dependent on agriculture and forest resources. These indigenous people call Singthuwa (सिङ्थुवा) for cutting down tree and Singthuji (सिङ्थुजी) for collecting timber. Over time due to gradual deviation in the pronunciation, the region got its name "Sindhuli".

Sindhuli has been a trade route between the Terai and Kathmandu Valley since ancient times.^[1] Before the unification of Nepal, Sindhuli was the part of Makawanpur Kingdom, ruled by kings of the Sen dynasty.

The location has a huge historic significance. The Sindhuli Gadhi in Sindhuli is the place where British soldiers were defeated for the first time in Asia in 1767 A.D. The army under the leadership of Captain Kinloch came to help the then ruler of Kathmandu - Jai Prakash Malla against the attack of Prithvi Narayan Shah. The Gorkhali soldiers were familiar with the terrain and used it to their advantage. Despite being outmatched by the British Army's advanced weaponry, the Gurkhas fought bravely and ultimately defeated the British. The British retreated, leaving behind their weapons. In addition to being a historically significant place, it is known for its scenery and natural resources. However, in recent years, due to a lack of maintenance, the district mainly preserves remnants of the past.

During Rana Rule, Sindhuli was the part of East No. 2 (पूर्व २ नम्बर) District. ^[2] Sindhuli as a district came into existence in 1962 A.D (2019 B.S) with Sindhuli Gadhi as its headquarter, when Nepal was divided into 75 districts and 14 zones. In 1967 A.D (2023 B.S), the district headquarter was moved to Sindhulimadhi.

Sindhuli District consists of a diverse landscape that includes the Mahabharat Hills and Chure Hills, with majority of the district lying in Inner Terai region. Thus, the district is classified as Inner Terai District. Forests cover two-thirds of the district's total area.^[2]

Mahabharat Hills (Lower Himalayan Range) occupy the northern belt of the district.^[2] The highest point of the district, Phikkal Peak with an elevation of 2,386 meters above sea level, lies in this region.^[3]

The middle section of district is composed of the Inner Terai region. This region includes river valleys and plains such as Sindhuli Valley, Kamala Plain, Marin Plain and Tinpatan Valley Plain.^[4] The majority of the district's population reside in this region.

The southern belt is occupied by Chure (Sivalik) Hills.^[2] These hills are covered with dense forest and separate the rest of the district from outer (main) Terai.

Sindhuli District has a total of 149 large and small rivers. Majority of rivers originate from Mahabharat Hills, with some from Chure Hills. Major rivers include Kamala, Marin, Chadaha, Gwang (Gaumati), Thakur Khola, Kyan Khola and Bitijor Khola.^[2]The Sunkoshi River flows along the northern border of the district while the Bagmati River flows along its western border.

Sindhuli District is administered from headquarter Sindhulimadhi, Kamalamai. District Administration Office (DAO), under Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for administration, as well as maintaining law and order in the district. DAO is headed by Chief District Officer (CDO).^[6]District Coordination Committee (DCC) maintains coordination among local bodies, and with provincial and federal government.

Sindhuli District Court has jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases within the district.^[7] 13 post offices are functioning in the district which comes under the Sindhuli District Post Office (DPO) with 45900 as its postal code.

The district consists of nine local bodies, out of which two are Municipalities and seven are Rural Municipalities. These are as follows:^[8][1]

There were total of 55 Village Development Committees (VDCs) in Sindhuli till 1997. After the formation of Kamalamai Municipality in 1997, the number of VDCs got reduced to 53. In 2014, Dudhauli Municipality was formed and the number of VDCs got further reduced to 50. On 10 March 2017, the existing VDCs were abolished and incorporated into Municipalities and Rural Municipalities.

Sindhuli District is divided into two Parliamentary constituencies and four Provincial constituencies.^[9]

At the time of the 2021 Nepal census, Sindhuli District had a population of 300,026. 8.04% of the population is under 5 years of age. It has a literacy rate of 72.59% and a sex ratio of 1040 females per 1000 males. 141,223 (47.07%) lived in municipalities.^[13]

Ethnicity wise: Hill Janjatis were the largest group, making up 57% of the population. Tamangs were the largest Hill Janjatis making 26.7% of population, with Magars being 14.1% of the population. Chhetri and Bahun made up 20% of the population.^[11]

At the time of the 2021 census, 52.35% of the population spoke Nepali, 25.13% Tamang, 8.11% Magar, 6.61% Danuwar, 2.08% Nepal Bhasha, 1.80% Maithili and 1.10% Sunuwar as their first language.^[12] In 2011, 48.1% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.^[14]

Agriculture is the primary economic activity in the Sindhuli district. Crops like rice, maize, wheat, potatoes, millet as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables are grown in fertile Inner Terai region.^[1]

Sindhuli is popular for the production of Junar (sweet orange), botanically known as Citrus Sinensis. The district is the leading producer of Junar in Nepal. Because of this, Sindhuli is also known as Junar Ko Jilla (District of Junar). The fruit is cultivated in the Mahabharat Hill Range between the altitude of 800 meters and 1300 meters. Junar farming in Sindhuli provides good source of cash income to farmers.^[16]

Apart from agriculture, people are also engaged in rearing livestock like poultary, cattle, goats and buffaloes. A significant number of households are dependent on remittances from abroad.

Sindhulimadhi serves as the commercial hub of the district.^[1] Other economic centers include Bhiman, Dudhauli and Khurkot.

Sindhuli district especially Kamalamai Municipality has a good facility of education up to SEE levels. The quality of +2 levels too is fine here. Many private colleges run +2 commerce affiliated to NEB. However, the number of +2 science colleges are very few. Science college like Kamala Higher Secondary School is providing good practical based education to students of Sindhuli. This college has been serving as the central of excellence for all science students throughout Sindhuli Valley. There is also a secondary school for deaf children, where instruction is provided entirely through Nepali Sign Language, including free accommodation.

• Shree Navajyoti Deaf Secondary School, Jasedamar
• Lampantar English Boarding School, Chakmake Bazar, Sindhuli
• Sindhuli Academy
• New English Boarding School
• Kamala Higher Secondary School
• Siddhasthali English Boarding Secondary School
• Shree Jana Jyoti Higher Secondary School
• Bainkateshwor Higher Secondary School
• Gaumati Higher Secondary School
• Barun Devi Higher Secondary School
• Shree Deurali Lower Secondary School
• Shree Bhabishya Nirmata Siddhabba Higher Secondary School
• Kalimati Nimna Secondary School
• Siddhababa English Boarding School
• Scholars Academy
• New Star Academy
• Suryodaya Secondary English Boarding School
• Janata Higher secondary English Boarding School
• Shree Sindhuli Gadhi Public English School
• Sindhuli Vidhyashram Public Educational Trust
• Swiss Sindhuli Secondary English Medium School
• Aadhunik English Boarding School
• Shree prabhat higher secondary school
• Shree Jana Jagriti HSS, Bhiman
• Shining Moon Academy
• Shree Saraswati Secondary School, Dakaha
• Kamala Academic School, Bhiman
• Shree Kundeshwor Higher Secondary School, Besare Besi
• Shree Marin Academy Boarding School
• Shree Secondary School Kartike, Kapilakot
• Shree Kusheshwor Vidhya Peeth Secondary School, Sunkoshi-1, Dumja, Sindhuli

• Ma.Vi. Lampantar, Tinpatan 11, Lampiantar, Sindhuli

There are many colleges which facilitate higher education. There are a large number of colleges running courses with affiliation to universities of Nepal. Colleges like Sindhuli Multiple Campus fall under this category. Kamala Science Campus enables students to acquire Bachelor of Science courses (BSc.).

• Kamala Science Campus
• Sindhuli Multiple College
• Siddha Jyoti Siksha College
• Gaumati Multiple College
• Bhim Jyoti Campus
• Marin Multiple College
• Saraswati Campus Dakaha
• Lampantar multiple campus

There are also colleges to teach technical education. The technical subjects affiliated with CTEVT like Civil Overseer i.e. Sub Engineer, and Forestry are taught here. The district offers higher education in technical fields like B.Sc.ag (AFU) and B.Tech. IT (KU) .

• College of Natural Resource Management, Marin
• Sindhuli Community Technical Institute (SCTI)
• Kamala Janajyoti Secondary School
• Saraswati Secondary School Dakaha

• Sindhuli Gadhi Fort
• Hariharpur Gadhi Fort

• Kamalamai Temple (Maithan)
• Siddhababa Temple
• Kalimai Temple
• Bhadrakali Temple
• Langureshwar-Madhuganga Mahadev Cave
• Kusheshwar Temple
• Panchakanya Pokhari

Apart of historical and religious sites, the district also offers beautiful landscapes, including hills, rivers, and forested areas, ideal for hiking and ecotourism. The scenic route of BP Highway provides breathtaking views of hills and valleys.^[1]

• Chandra Prakash Gajurel a.k.a. CP Gajurel - Politician
• Haribol Prasad Gajurel - Politician, Former Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Development^[17]
• Krishna Prasad Koirala - Founder of politically prominent Koirala family, Father of Matrika, BP and Girija Prasad Koirala
• Prof. Dr. Krishnahari Baral - Lyricist, Poet and Professor at Tribhuvan University^[18]
• Bhojraj Kafle - Lyricist and Singer

• "Districts of Nepal". Statoids.
• UN map of VDC boundaries, water features and roads in Sindhuli

27°15′07″N 85°58′12″E / 27.252°N 85.97°E / 27.252; 85.97