Sankhuwasabha District ( ) is one of 14 districts of Koshi Province of eastern Nepal. The district's area is 3,480 km2 with a population of 159,203 in 2001 and 158,742 in 2011. The administrative center is Khandbari.

Bordering districts are Bhojpur, Tehrathum, Dhankuta, Solukhumbu and Taplejung in Koshi Province. Tingri County of Shigatse Prefecture in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China borders to the north. History Sankhuwasabha is a historically important region of eastern Nepal, situated around the Arun River and the Himalayan routes connecting Nepal with Tibet. Its indigenous historical foundation is closely associated with various Kirati communities, including different Rai groups such as Yamphu ,Lohorung, Mewahang, and Kulung, as well as the Yakkha and Limbu.Gaenszle, Martin (2000). Origins and Migrations: Kinship, Mythology and Ethnic Identity among the Mewahang Rai of East Nepal.Linkha, Tika Ram — “Mewa Khola Toponym is a Historical Document…” In the northern highlands, Lhomi/Shingsawa, Bhote and Sherpa communities developed distinct Himalayan cultures and maintained historical links with Tibet through trade, religion and cultural exchange.During the medieval period, the Sen–Vijayapur kingdom exercised regional political influence in eastern Nepal, while local Kirati chiftens retained considerable autonomy. With the eastward expansion of the Gorkha kingdom under Prithvi Narayan Shah, Chainpur and surrounding areas were incorporated into the expanding Nepalese state and later became important military and administrative centres.Kailash — “The Discourse and Practice of Kipat” Sankhuwasabha also has significant archaeological potential. In Chainpur Bazaar, approximately 600-year-old bricks, possibly dating to the 14th century, were discovered in 2019. However, further scientific excavation and dating are required before connecting them to a particular Kirati or Sen royal structure.The district became strategically important during the Nepal–Tibet War of 1791–92. The Kharta–Chainpur route formed an important military axis, and after Qing China intervened, Chinese-Tibetan forces also advanced toward Nepal through this northern route.The Kathmandu Post — “600-year-old bricks recovered in Chainpur”, 27 May 2019

Geography and climate Climate Zone Elevation Range % of Area Lower Tropical below 300 meters (1,000 ft)  0.4% Upper Tropical 300 to 1,000 meters1,000 to 3,300 ft. 10.0% Subtropical 1,000 to 2,000 meters3,300 to 6,600 ft. 24.8% Temperate 2,000 to 3,000 meters6,400 to 9,800 ft. 23.3% Subalpine 3,000 to 4,000 meters9,800 to 13,100 ft. 12.8% Alpine 4,000 to 5,000 meters13,100 to 16,400 ft.  8.4% Nival above 5,000 meters 20.4%

The Arun River enters from Tibet at an elevation of about 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) and flows south across the district, forming one of the world's deepest valleys relative to 8,481 meter Makalu to the west and 8,586 meter Kangchenjunga to the east.

Demographics

At the 2021 Nepal census, Sankhuwasabha District had 39,118 households and a population of 158,041. 7.55% of the population was under 5 years of age. Sankhuawsabha had a literacy rate of 79.89% and a sex ratio of 986 females per 1,000 males. 108,038 (68.36%) lived in urban areas.

Religion: 40.42% were Hindu, 28.84% Kirati, 26.74% Buddhist, 3.21% Christian, 0.45% Bon and 0.07% others.

As their first language, 44.11% of the population spoke Nepali, 9.62% Tamang, 6.86% Kulung, 5.52% Sherpa, 4.83% Limbu, 3.87% Yamphu, 3.10% Rai, 3.09% Yakkha, 2.83% Magar Dhut, 2.50% Bhote and 2.30% Gurung as their first language. In 2011, 46.1% of the population spoke Nepali as their first language.

Divisions Sankhuwasabha District is divided into the following subdivisions: Local BodyNepaliTypePopulation (2021)BhotkholaभोटखोलाRural municipality6,438ChainpurचैनपुरMunicipality26,799ChichilaचिचिलाRural municipality6,477Dharmadeviधर्मदेवीMunicipality16,053KhandbariखाँदबारीMunicipality35,565MadiमादीMunicipality13,273MakaluमकालुRural municipality13,424PanchkhapanपाँचखपनMunicipality16,348SavapokhariसभापोखरीRural municipality9,970SilichongसिलीचोङRural municipality10,296

See also Arun Valley Tumlingtar Airport khadbari Panchkhapan Chainpur

References

External links