Shakya[1][2] is an Indian surname and is part of the broader
Kushwaha community including other surnames like
Maurya,
Kachhi,
Saini,
Koeri[3] etc, who collectively assert descent from Kusha, a son of the
avatar of
Vishnu,
Rama. This caste group is considered as one of the most numerous
OBC castes in the states of
Uttar Pradesh and
Bihar. It is estimated that they are distributed across the states, in almost all assembly constituencies.[4][5][6][7] In Uttar Pradesh, they have preponderance in
Etah Lok Sabha constituency.[8]
Shakya surname in Nepal
In Nepal, Shakyas function as
Vajrayana priests and are ranked higher in the caste hierarchy among
Newari community since they are believed to be the descendants of
Gautam Buddha himself.[9]
Notable people
Notable people with this surname, who may or may not be associated with the caste/clan are:
^"Peasants and Monks in British India". publishing.cdlib.org. Original Text from Peasants and Monks in British India "Kushvaha-kshatriya identity was espoused by agricultural communities well known throughout the Gangetic north for an expertise in small-scale vegetable and poppy cultivation. Prominent among them were Kachhi and Murao agriculturalists of central Uttar Pradesh, Kachhvahas of western Uttar Pradesh, and Koiris of Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh."
^Whelpton, John. A History of Nepal - John Whelpton. p. 31.
ISBN978-0521804707.
Surname list
This page lists people with the
surnameShakya. If an
internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that
link by adding the person's
given name(s) to the link.