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#REDIRECT [[Madheshi people]]
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[[File:Terai nepal.jpg|thumb|alt=See caption|Aerial view of paddy field]]
'''Madhesh''' is a politicized term for a region in the eastern [[Terai]] of [[Nepal]].<ref name=Kabir>{{Cite book |author=Kabir, H. |year=2013 |title=Education, Nationalism, and Conflict in Plural Society in Nepal: Terai Region in the Post-Maoist Context |url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Humayun_Kabir19/publication/304499228_Education_Nationalism_and_Conflict_in_Plural_Society_in_Nepal_Terai_Region_in_the_Post-Maoist_Context/links/5771d66708ae842225ac2b45.pdf |publisher=Hiroshima University Partnership Project for Peace Building and Capacity Development. Discussion Paper Series Vol. 19 |location=Hiroshima}}</ref> Madhesh identity is primarily associated with the [[Hindu]] [[caste]] groups of the [[Maithili language|Maithali]] and [[Bhojpuri language|Bhojpuri]] speaking people living in the Nepal Terai who share language, lifestyle, dress, cuisine and culture with [[Indian people]] of [[Uttar Pradesh]] and [[Bihar]].<ref name=Hachhethu2007>{{cite book |author=Hachhethu, K. |year=2007 |chapter=Madheshi nationalism and restructuring the Nepali state |title=International Seminar on Constitutionalism and Diversity in Nepal |location=Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu |publisher=Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies |pages=1–12 |chapterurl=http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.694.9316&rep=rep1&type=pdf}}</ref> The idea of an autonomous Madhesh province, stretching across the Nepal Terai, has been advocated by several Nepali political parties since 2007, which also organised violent demonstrations to call attention to their demands.<ref>{{cite book |author=Hangen, S. |year=2007 |title=Creating a "New Nepal": the ethnic dimension |publisher=East-West Center |location=Washington}}</ref>

This region, along with modern-day northern and eastern [[Bihar]], has historically been part of the cultural [[Mithila (region)|Mithila]] region stretching between the [[Gandaki River]] in the west and the [[Mahananda River]] in the east, the [[Shiwalik Hills]] in the north and the [[Ganges]] in the south.<ref name=Jha1997>{{cite book |author=Jha, M. |year=1997 |chapter=Hindu Kingdoms at contextual level |title=Anthropology of Ancient Hindu Kingdoms: A Study in Civilizational Perspective |chapterurl=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0i94Z5C8HMC&lpg=PA30&pg=PA27#v=onepage&q&f=false |pages=27–42 |publisher=M.D. Publications Pvt. Ltd |location=New Delhi}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Mishra, V. |year=1979 |publisher=Mithila Prakasana |location=Allahabad |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?redir_esc=y&id=8FBuAAAAMAAJ&focus=searchwithinvolume&q=area+of+mithila |title=Cultural Heritage of Mithila | accessdate=28 December 2016 | pages=13}}</ref> It extends into the eastern Nepal Terai.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Ishii, H. |year=1993 |title=Seasons, Rituals and Society: the culture and society of Mithila, the Parbate Hindus and the Newars as seen through a comparison of their annual rites |journal=Senri Ethnological Studies 36 |pages=35–84 |url=https://minpaku.repo.nii.ac.jp/?action=repository_action_common_download&item_id=3055&item_no=1&attribute_id=18&file_no=1}}</ref><ref name=Kumar2000>{{cite journal |author=Kumar, D. |year=2000 |title=Mithila after the Janakas |journal=The Proceedings of the Indian History Congress 60 |pages=51–59}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The word ''madhesh'' is thought to be derived from the [[Sanskrit]] मध्य देश ''madhya desh'' meaning ''middle country'', which refers to "the central region, the country lying between [[the Himalayas]] and the [[Vindhya Range|Vindhya mountains]]" of India.<ref name=Kabir/><ref>{{cite book |author=Apte, V. S. |year=1957–1959 |title=Revised and enlarged edition of Prin. V. S. Apte's The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary |location=Poona |publisher=Prasad Prakashan |chapter=मध्य madhya |chapterurl=http://dsalsrv02.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.4:1:3347.apte}}</ref>

The [[Urdu]] word {{Nq|ترائي}} ''tarāʼī'' means "lands lying at the foot of a watershed" or "on the banks of a river; low ground flooded with water, valley, basin, marshy ground, marsh, swamp; meadow".<ref>{{cite book |author= Platts, J. T. |year= 1884 |chapter= ترائي तराई tarāʼī |chapter-url=http://dsalsrv02.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.2:1:3349.platts |title= A dictionary of Urdu, classical Hindi, and English |publisher= W. H. Allen & Co., London}}</ref> The [[Nepali language|Nepali]] word {{lang|ne|तराइ}} ''tarāi'' means "the low-lying land, plain" particularly "the low-lying land at the foot of the Himālayas".<ref>{{cite web |author= Turner, R.L. |year=1931 |url= http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.1:1:1880.turner |title= A Comparative and Etymological Dictionary of the Nepali Language |publisher= K. Paul, Trench, Trubner, London}}</ref> The [[Hindi]] word {{lang|sa|तराई}} ''tarāī'' means "foot-hill".<ref>{{cite web |author=Bahri, H. |year=1989 |title= Learners' Sanskrit-English dictionary — Siksarthi Nepal-Angrejhi sabdakosa. |url= http://dsal.uchicago.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.0:4282.bahri |publisher= Rajapala, Delhi}}</ref>{{climate chart
|Biratnagar, 26°N, 87°E
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|source=[http://www.levoyageur.net/weather-city-BIRATNAGAR-AIRPORT.html Levoyageur]
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{{climate chart
|Janakpur, 31°N, 77°E
|6.1|20.4|33
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|23.3|32.7|308
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|10.5|27.3|9
|6.7|22.1|22
|source=[http://www.worldweather.org/066/c00526.htm World Weather Information Service]
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== History ==
[[File:1814 Thomson Map of Northern India and Nepal - Geographicus - IndiaNepal-t-1814.jpg|200px|thumb|1814 map by John Thomson depicting northern India and Nepal.]]
Before the [[Unification of Nepal]], the [[Chaudandi|Kingdom of Chaudandi]] was ruled by a scion of the [[Palpa district|Palpa Kingdom]], and controlled the Terai districts of Saptari, Siraha, Dhanusa, Mahottari and Sarlahi.{{sfn|Pradhan|2012|p=4}} The [[Makwanpur district|Makwanpur Kingdom]] controlled the central Terai region.{{sfn|Pradhan|2012|p=4}} The [[History of Limbuwan|Bijayapur Kingdom]] ruled [[Sunsari]], [[Morang]] and [[Jhapa]] districts.{{sfn|Pradhan|2012|p=4-5}}
From c. 1786 onwards, the [[Shah dynasty|Shah rulers]] appointed government officers in the eastern Terai districts of Morang, Saptari, Mahottari, Bara, Parsa and Rautahat to levy taxes, collect revenues and capture [[Indian elephant|elephants]] and [[Indian rhinoceros|rhinos]].<ref name=Regmi1972>{{cite journal |author=Regmi, M. C. |year=1972 |title=Notes On The History Of Morang District |journal=Regmi Research Series 4 |issue=1 |pages=1–4, 24–25 |url=http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:jSwmI6bF5UEJ:scholar.google.com/}}</ref><ref name=Regmi1988>{{cite journal |author=Regmi, M. C. |year=1988 |title=Chautariya Dalamardan Shah's venture; Subedar in Eastern and Western Nepal; A special Levy in the Eastern Tarai Region |journal=Regmi Research Series 20 |issue=1/2 |pages=1–180 |url=http://scholar.googleusercontent.com/scholar?q=cache:JDjzcBnfpvwJ:scholar.google.com/}}</ref>
They also conquered land in the eastern Terai that belonged to the [[Kingdom of Sikkim]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Bagchi, R. |year=2012 |title=Gorkhaland: Crisis of Statehood |publisher=Sage Publications |location=New Delhi |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=xbGICwAAQBAJ&lpg=PP1&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>
Since the late 18th century, they encouraged Indian people to settle in the eastern Terai and supported famine-stricken [[Biharis|Bihari]] farmers to convert and cultivate land.<ref name=Dahal1983>{{cite journal |author=Dahal, D.R. |year=1983 |title=Economic development through indigenous means: A case of Indian migration in the Nepal Terai |journal=Contribution to Nepalese Studies |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=1–20 |url=http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/contributions/pdf/CNAS_11_01_01.pdf}}</ref>

The Terai and the [[Siwalik Hills]] were heavily forested with [[Shorea robusta|sal]] before heavy logging began in the 19th century, particularly for use as railroad sleepers of [[Rail transport in India|Indian]] [[railway]] by the [[British Raj]]. The Inner Terai valleys historically were agriculturally productive but endemic to [[malaria]]. Some parts were left forested by official decree during the [[Rana dynasty]] as a defensive perimeter. The British believed that plainsmen would generally die if they stayed in the malaria-infested region between June and November. British travellers to Kathmandu traveled as quickly as possible from the border at [[Raxaul]] in order to reach the hills before nightfall.<ref name="Guneratne02">{{Cite book |author=Guneratne, A. |title=Many tongues, one people: the making of Tharu identity in Nepal |place=Ithaca, New York |publisher=Cornell University Press |year=2002 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=T7FWQ6dzYZQC&lpg=PP1&pg=PP1#v=onepage&q&f=false}}</ref>

Since the late 1940s, the term 'Madhesh' was used by politicians in the Nepal Terai to differentiate between interests of the people of the Terai and of the hills.<ref name=Miklian2008>{{cite book |author=Miklian, J. |year=2008 |title=Nepal’s Terai: Constructing an Ethnic Conflict. South Asia Briefing Paper #1 |location=Oslo |publisher=International Peace Research Institute |url=http://www.ashraya-nepal.com/documents/Nepals_Terai_(South_Asia_Briefing_Paper_1).pdf}}</ref>
In the 1950s, the regional political party [[Nepal Terai Congress]] advocated more autonomy for the Terai, recognition of Hindi as a national language and increasing employment opportunities for Madhesi people.<ref name=Kabir2012>{{Cite book |author=Kabir, H. |year=2012 |title=The rise of new regional political force in Madhes and its consequence in post-conflict Nepal |publisher=Hiroshima University Partnership Project for Peace Building and Capacity Development. Discussion Paper Series Vol. 15 |location=Hiroshima |url=}}</ref>

Acquisition of land assets was linked to citizenship issues. After the fall of the Shah Dynasty and promulgation of the Interim Constitution of 2006, many Nepali Madheshi as well as Indian Madheshi people received citizenship. Due to loose regulations, it is said that thousands of Indian nationals were able to get citizenship. <ref>http://kantipur.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2017-06-22</ref>

=== Timeline ===
*1951: [[Nepal Terai Congress]] party formed<ref name=Kabir2012/>
*1952: Nepal Citizenship Act promulgated<ref name=Dahal1983/>
*1956: Nepalese government started malaria eradication<ref name=Regmi1994>{{cite journal |author=Regmi, R. R. |year=1994 |title=Deforestation and Rural Society in the Nepalese Terai |journal=Occasional Papers in Sociology and Anthropology |volume=4 |pages=72–89}}</ref>
*1957: Imposition of Nepali as sole language for education sparked protests
*1960s: Terai Liberation Front established
*1963: Nepalese police killed Ramji Mishra, the leader of Terai Liberation Front
*1964: New Citizenship Act entitled immigrants to receive Nepali citizenship if they were engaged in business and could read and write [[Nepali language]]<ref name=Dahal1983/>
*1964: ”Land Reformation Act” promulgated; massive land seized from Madheshis
*1967: Royal Nepalese Army killed Raghunath Raya Yadav, the leader of Terai Liberation Front
*1969: Chairman of Terai Liberation Front Satyadev Mani Tripathi killed
*1983: Nepal Sadbhavana Council formed under Gajendra Narayan Singh to raise Madheshi issues
*1989: Nepal failed to renegotiate trade and transit treaties with India; India imposes sanction across “open border”
*1990: New constitution promulgated<ref name=Lawoti2010>{{cite book |author=Lawoti, M. |chapter=Evolution and growth of the Maoist insurgency |chapterurl=https://books.google.com/books?id=KtGNAgAAQBAJ&lpg=PA30&ots=sC5mZFQEgL&pg=PA3#v=onepage&q&f=false |pages=3–30 |editors=Lawoti, M., Pahari, A. K. |year=2010 |title=The Maoist Insurgency in Nepal. Revolution in the Twenty-first Century |publisher=Routledge |location=London and New York |isbn=1135261687}}</ref>
*1995: High Level Citizenship Commission found 3&nbsp;million people without citizenship<ref name=Lawoti2010/>
*1996: Maoists launched insurgency<ref name=DahalGhimire2012>{{cite journal |author=Dahal, D.R. and Ghimire, Y. |year=2012 |title=Ethnic Federalism in Nepal: Risks and Opportunities |journal=Georgetown Journal of International Affairs |pages=71–78}}</ref>
*2000: Madheshi Liberation Front formed <ref name=Kabir2012/>
*2007 Jan–Feb: Madhesh agitation<ref name=DahalGhimire2012/>
*2011 January: [[UN]] peace monitoring mission ended
*2015: Promulgation of new [[constitution of Nepal]]

== Ethnic groups ==
The [[Tharu people]] and [[Dhimal|Dhimals]] are the traditional inhabitants of the Terai forests. They used to be semi-nomadic, practicing [[shifting cultivation]] and collecting wild fruits, vegetables and [[medicinal herbs]].<ref name=mclean99>{{cite journal |author=McLean, J. |year=1999 |title=Conservation and the impact of relocation on the Tharus of Chitwan, Nepal |journal=Himalayan Research Bulletin |volume=XIX |issue=2 |pages=38–44 |url=http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1628&context=himalaya}}</ref> Several Tharu subgroups are still scattered over most of the Terai. A large Tharu populations resides in the central Terai. Kochila Tharus and Dhimal are predominant in the eastern Terai.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Krauskopff, G. |year=1995 |title=The Anthropology of the Tharus: An Annoted Bibliography |journal=Kailash |volume=17 |issue=3/4 |pages=185–213}}</ref> They have been living in this region for many centuries and reputedly have developed a resistance to [[malaria]]. Following the malaria eradication program using [[DDT]] in the 1960s, a large and heterogeneous non-Tharu population from Nepalese hills, [[Bhutan]] and [[India]] settled in the region.<ref name="terrenato88">{{Cite journal |author=Terrenato, L., Shrestha, S., Dixit, K.A., Luzzatto, L., Modiano, G., Morpurgo, G., Arese, P. |title=Decreased malaria morbidity in the Tharu people compared to sympatric populations in Nepal |journal=Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology |volume=82 |issue=1 |year=1988 |pages=1–11 |pmid=3041928}}</ref>

[[Maithils]], [[Bhojpuri]], [[Awadhi]], [[Kisan people]], [[Danuwar]] and [[Satar]] also reside in the region. Maithils inhabit eastern Madhesh, Bhojpuris inhabit the centre, and Awadhis inhabit the western part. Bantawa people reside largely in two districts of eastern Terai, and several migrant [[Chepang people]] also live in the central and eastern Terai.<ref name="e16">Lewis, M. P. (ed.) (2009). [http://archive.ethnologue.com/16/show_language.asp?code=mai Maithili] [https://www.ethnologue.com/language/bho Bhojpuri] [https://www.ethnologue.com/language/awa Awadhi] [http://archive.ethnologue.com/16/show_language.asp?code=bap Bantawa] [http://archive.ethnologue.com/16/show_language.asp?code=cdm Chepang]. Ethnologue: Languages of the World. Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Texas: SIL International.</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=Gurung, G. |year=1989 |title=The Chepangs: A Study in Continuity and Change |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=RmBuAAAAMAAJ&q=chepang+migrated+into+terai&dq=chepang+migrated+into+terai&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwitp5mnx5fSAhXBUBQKHR8OBscQ6AEIITAC |location=Kathmandu |publisher=S. B. Shahi |pages=125}}</ref> People from the mid-hills have moved to the Terai plains including [[Brahmin]], [[Chhetri]] and [[Newar]] during the rule of [[Mahendra of Nepal|King Mahendra]]. High [[Ethnicity and caste in Nepal|caste]] migrants from the hills have purchased or otherwise obtained large landholdings. Together with the traditional Tharu landlords, they constitute the upper level of the economic hierarchy, which in the rural parts of the Terai is determined to a large extent by the distribution and the value of agriculturally productive land. The poor are the landless, or near landless, Madheshi [[Dalit]]s, including the [[Musahar]] and [[Chamar]], as well as the traditional fishermen, the [[Mallaah]], and some of the Hill Dalits. In particular the Musahars rarely get work other than hard farm labor.<ref name="hatlebakk07">Hatlebakk, M. (2007). [http://www.norway.org.np/NR/rdonlyres/0993F5660B3548A98F819167B4FD596C/72944/http___wwwcmi.pdf ''Economic and social structures that may explain the recent conflicts in the Terai of Nepal'']. Norwegian Embassy, Nepal</ref>

== Economy ==
The Terai is the most productive region in Nepal, with the majority of the country's industries. Agriculture is the basis of the economy.<ref>{{Cite book |author=Sharma, R. P. |title=Nepal: A Detailed Geographical Account |place=Kathmandu |publisher=Pustak-Sansar |year=1974}}</ref> Major crops include [[rice]], [[wheat]], [[pulses]], [[sugarcane]], [[jute]], [[tobacco]], and [[maize]]. In the eastern districts from Parsa to Jhapa they support agro-based industries: jute factories, sugar mills, rice mills and tobacco factories.

== Cuisine ==
Madhesh is the most agriculturally productive region of Nepal{{Citation needed|date=July 2017}}, consisting largely of flat and fertile land, coupled with hot and humid weather, making it good for farming. A surplus of rice, wheat, sugarcane, lentils and various other crops are produced in the Madhesh and transported to other parts of the country – the majority of what is eaten in the Valley comes from the Madhesh.

'''Vegetables'''

The price of seasonal vegetables can be exceptionally low in the Madhesh. Even the less fortunate families prepare three or four varieties as part of their meal. Perhaps this is the reason why gundruk (fermented vegetables) and Mashyauras (dried veggies), the beloved Nepali favorite, are less eaten in the Madhesh. Since vegetables are incredibly cheap and readily available in the Madhesh, deep-fried vegetable fritters called pakoras are commonly eaten; this dish can be eaten as a snack or even with meals. Madheshis also make a wider variety of pakoras than the traditional onion or eggplant, with almost any vegetable being used in a pakora, even green leaves.

'''Influences'''

The culinary culture in Madhesh is largely influenced by the adjacent regions of India, such as Bihar and Bhojpur, where roti (unleavened flatbread) is a staple food item. Likewise, everyday food in Madhesh encompasses a variety of whole grain flatbreads such as wheat roti, corn roti, various kinds of parathas (flatbread with stuffing), maduwa (barley flatbread) and litti (gram flour flatbread). Furthermore, special varieties of bread are prepared during festivals and feasts – for example, thekuwa (bread cookie made out of wheat flour) and bhusuwa (flatbread made out of rice flour) are the two special festival treats prepared during Chaat, the biggest festival of Madhesh. Some other Indian-influenced dishes include malpuwa (sweet wheat fritter), dahi bara (lentil dumpling topped with a savory gravy of yoghurt, tamarind and spices) and mithais (sweets).

Madheshis are also known to prepare their food using relatively large amounts of spices and oil. Madheshis also consume a lot of mithais and sugarcane (which is extensively grown in the Madhesh). Mithais are an essential part of the culture and almost all families make them at home. Madhesis have a tradition of offering them to their guests – they are a symbol of hospitality. Many foods are prepared at certain times of the year, including mithais – for example, teel ko laddu (sesame seed ball cake) is specially prepared during the festival of [[Maghe Sankranti]]. This festival falls in the winter, and sesame seeds are believed to generate heat in the body. Similarly, kasar (rice flour laddu/ball cake) and lai (laddu made with puffed rice called muri) are often made during Chaat. These festival treats are offered to the gods and then eaten as prashad (God's blessing). Since agriculture and animal farming are intimately linked to each other, there is also a large variety of dairy products available in the Madhesh Region. Yoghurt is consumed every day for its digestive properties and cooling effects. On the other hand, Madheshis consume less animal meat as compared to people from the hills, the Himalayas and even the inner Terai. In village, people rarely eat chicken or buffalo meat. However, people do consume the meat of pigeon and duck. Meat is a rare indulgence in Madheshi cuisine.

'''Fish'''

While meat is not a favorite indulgence in Madhesh, fish is often eaten. Many different fish curries are prepared in the Madhesh.
The Tharus, one of the indigenous ethnic groups of inner Madhesh, mainly eat fish and rice. This is due to the location of many Tharu settlements next to rivers. In Tharu culture, fish is quintessential – it is used in weddings, ceremonies, festivals and other special occasions. Tharus live very close to nature and their food items are also derived from nature; it is believed that it keeps an ecological balance. Most Madheshi-Tharu dishes are rice based. Rice is molded into various shapes and steamed to make dhikari, an essential festival treat. Moreover, a special kind of sticky rice called anadi is steamed and served. Tharu food can be divided into two categories – ordinary everyday food consisting of rice, lentils, vegetables and fish, and special food items that are mostly prepared and consumed during feasts, festivals and other special occasions. Special Tharu food items include pakuwa (barbecued meat), gughi (dried shrimp) and an assortment of tina (vegetables).
However, these foods are gradually disappearing from the diet of the original inhabitants. The younger generation are more inclined towards industrial food – primarily due to advertisements and the need for fast, convenient food. The older generation still seems to be attached to their traditional cuisines.

== Cultural sites ==
*[[Janakpur]] is a centre for religious and cultural tourism.<ref name="Samiti">Rastriya Samachar Samiti (2004). [http://thehimalayantimes.com/business/more-indian-tourists-visit-janakpurdham/ "More Indian tourists visit Janakpurdham"]. Himalayan Times, 17 January 2004.</ref>
*Salhesh Garden – The garden of [[King Salhesh]] is located in [[Siraha]] district of Nepal near [[Lahan]]. The garden includes a plant that flowers only once a year. During this time a great festival occurs here.{{cn|date=April 2017}}
*[[Kankalini Temple]]
*Gadhi Mai Temple

== Politics ==
The [[Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha]] is a separatist organisation founded in 2004 by Jay Krishna Goit with the aim of gaining independence for the Terai region from Nepal.<ref>"Terrorist Organization Profile: Janatantrik Terai Mukti Morcha (JTMM)". National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START).</ref> Organisation members have been responsible for various acts of [[terrorism]] including bombings and murders.<ref>http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/nepal/timeline/2004.htm</ref>
Other armed groups have appeared, and also demanded secession through violent means including the Terai Army, Madhesh Mukti Tigers and the Tharuwan National Liberation Front.

=== Indian influence in Nepal Terai ===
After the [[Nepalese Constituent Assembly election, 2008|Nepalese Constituent Assembly election in 2008]], Indian politicians attempted to secure strategic interests in the Nepal Terai, such as hydropower energy, development projects, business and trade.<ref>Ojha, H. (2015). [http://thediplomat.com/2015/11/the-india-nepal-crisis/ The India-Nepal Crisis]. The Diplomat.</ref> The [[government of Nepal]] has accused India of imposing an undeclared [[2015 Nepal blockade|blockade in 2015]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nepal-pm-wants-india-to-lift-undeclared-blockade-1243695|title=Nepal PM Wants India to Lift Undeclared Blockade|access-date=2016-09-12}}</ref> India has denied the allegations, stating the supply shortages have been imposed by Madheshi protesters within Nepal, and that India has no role in it.<ref> http://www.bbc.com/hindi/india/2015/12/151203_sushmaswaraj_nepal_statement_rs_ps</ref > There is an ongoing movement for a "Free Mithila state" in Nepal.<ref name="google2">{{cite book |author=Burkert, C. |chapter=Defining Maithil Identity |chapterurl=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=n4FQMEiZcrIC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA245#v=onepage&q&f=false |title=Nationalism and Ethnicity in a Hindu Kingdom: The Politics and Culture of Contemporary Nepal |editor1=Gellner, D.|editor2=Pfaff-Czarnecka, J.|editor3=Whelpton, J. |date=2012 |publisher=Routledge |location=London and New York |isbn=9781136649561 |url=https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=n4FQMEiZcrIC&pg=PA245#v=onepage&q&f=false |pages=241–273}}</ref>
The [[Alliance for Independent Madhesh]] is an organisation led by [[CK Raut|C. K. Raut]] that aims to gain secession for the region from [[Republic of Nepal]].<ref>http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2012/05/21/nation/new-demand-for-madhes/235143.html</ref>

=== Border disputes ===
The most significant border dispute over the Indo-Nepal boundary in the Terai region is in the [[Susta]] area.<ref name=''thediplomat''>http://thediplomat.com/2014/09/india-and-nepal-tackle-border-disputes/</ref><ref>https://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/ampnews/2015-01-06/nepal-aims-to-settle-boundary-dispute-with-india-in-4-years.html</ref> In the Susta region, about 14,500 hectares of land is controlled by Indian forces, with support of the Seema Shashatra Bal (SSB).<ref name=''thediplomat''/>

==Humanitarian Works==
The [[Sitaram Kattel|Dhurmus Suntali Foundation]] handed over an integrated community containing 50 houses to the [[Musahar]] community of [[Bardibas]], [[Mahottari District]] at a cost of Rs. 63 million.<ref>http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2017-04-15/dhurmus-suntali-foundation-gifts-homes-to-musahar-community.html</ref>

== Notable people from Madhesh ==

=== Politics ===
*[[Matrika Prasad Koirala]], [[List of Prime Ministers of Nepal|Prime Minister of Nepal]] from [[Biratnagar]]
*[[B.P. Koirala]], [[List of Prime Ministers of Nepal|Prime Minister of Nepal]] from [[Biratnagar]]
*[[Girija Prasad Koirala]], [[List of Prime Ministers of Nepal|Prime Minister of Nepal]] from [[Biratnagar]]
*[[Man Mohan Adhikari]], [[List of Prime Ministers of Nepal|Prime Minister of Nepal]] from [[Biratnagar]]
*[[Madhav Kumar Nepal]], [[List of Prime Ministers of Nepal|Prime Minister of Nepal]] from [[Rautahat district]]
*[[Ram Baran Yadav]], first [[President of Nepal]]
*[[Yuvaraj Adhikari]], politician from [[Biratnagar jute mill strike]]
*[[Shailaja Acharya]], Nepali politician
*[[Bijaya Kumar Gachchhadar]], Nepali politician
*[[Upendra Yadav]], Nepali politician
*[[Lal Babu Pandit]], Nepali politician
*[[Mahesh Acharya]], Nepali politician
*[[Upendra Mahato]], NRN from Siraha
*[[Aditya Jha]], NRN from Madhesh
*[[Gagan Thapa]], Nepali politician from [[Morang District]]
*[[Gajendra Narayan Singh]] – Nepali politician and founder of [[Nepal Sadbhawana Party]].
*[[C. K. Raut]] – social activist and President of [[Alliance for Independent Madhesh]].

=== Media and Entertainment ===
*[[Udit Narayan Jha]], playback singer of Bollywood.
*[[Ram Krishna Dhakal]], singer from [[Nijgadh]]
*[[Rekha Thapa]], actress from [[Morang District]]
*[[Nikhil Upreti]], actor from [[Sarlahi District]]
*[[Biraj Bhatta]], Nepali/Bhojpuri actor from [[Kailali District]]
*[[Sugam Pokharel]], Pop singer from [[Morang District]]
*[[Nima Rumba]], singer from Terai
*[[Girish Khatiwada (NepHop)]], Hip-Hop artist from [[Biratnagar]]
*[[Yama Buddha]], Hip-Hop artist from [[Morang District]]
*[[Deepa Shree Niraula]], actress from [[Biratnagar]]

=== Writer and Litterateur ===
*[[Dhruba Chandra Gautam]], Nepali writer from [[Birgunj]]
*[[Bhawani Bhikshu]], writer from [[Kapilvastu district]]
*[[Vishnu Raj Atreya]], writer from [[Kapilvastu district]]
*[[Buddhi Sagar]], writer from [[Kailali district]]
*[[Suman Pokhrel]], writer from [[Morang district]]

=== Sports ===
*[[Hari Khadka]], former [[Nepal national football team]] captain from [[Jhapa district]]
*[[Mehboob Alam]], [[Nepal national cricket team]] player
*[[Bhola Silwal]], [[Nepal national football team]] player
*[[Binod Das]], Former captain of [[Nepal national cricket team]].
*[[Basanta Regmi]], [[Nepal national cricket team]] player from [[Rupandehi District]]
*[[Shakti Gauchan]], [[Nepal national cricket team]] player from [[Rupandehi District]]
*[[Anil Mandal]], [[Nepal national cricket team]] player.
*[[Ananta Tamang]], [[Nepal national football team]] player
*[[Bimal Gharti Magar]], [[Nepal national football team]] player
*[[Jitendra Mukhiya]], pace bowler of [[Nepal national cricket team]].
*[[Siddhant Lohani]], [[Nepal national cricket team]] player from [[Biratnagar]]
*[[Aarif Sheikh]], [[Nepal national cricket team]] player.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== See Also ==
* [[Province No. 2]]
* [[Madhesi people]]

== Further reading ==
*{{cite book |last=Gaige |first=F. |year=1975 |title=Regionalism and National Unity in Nepal |publisher=University of California Press |location=Oakland |isbn=9780520027282}}
*{{cite book |last=Chaudhary |first=D |year=2011 |title=Tarai/Madhesh of Nepal: an Anthropological Study |location=Kathmandu |publisher=Ratna Pustak Bhandar |isbn=9993387827}}
*{{cite book |last=Pradhan |first=K. L. |title=Thapa Politics in Nepal: with Special Reference to Bhim Sen Thapa, 1806–1839 |publisher=Concept Publishing Company |year=2012 | isbn=9788180698132 |location=New Delhi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7PP1yElRzIUC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false}}

== External links ==
*{{cite web|url=http://madhesh.com/|publisher=madhesh.com|title=Alliance for Independent Madhesh}}
*{{cite web|url=http://madhesh.org/|publisher=madhesh.org|title=Non-Resident Madheshis(NRM) Association}}
*{{cite web|url=http://healthylife.com.np/index.php/posts/content/6/A-Taste-of-Terai.html |publisher=healthylife.com.np |title=A Taste of Terai}}

{{Nepal topics}}

[[Category:Geography of Nepal]]
[[Category:Populated places in Mithila, Nepal]]
[[Category:Proposed states of Nepal]]

Latest revision as of 08:02, 17 August 2018

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