The Tharu community, known as Bhumiputra, is the indigenous population of Dang. The bond between the Tharu people and their land is ancient; they have been cultivating it for generations yet remain landless. This enduring struggle is coupled with a history of oppression and injustice inflicted by landlords.

The Tharu community has actively battled malaria in the Tarai, while others sought refuge in the hills and mountains. However, the Tharu people remained in the Tarai, confronting the disease. They ensured the lands remained suitable for cultivation. Only after malaria was eliminated did individuals from other castes move down from the hills to the Tarai. Eventually, the land fell into the hands of these newcomers, while the Tharu community, who had long been connected to the land, became known as Kamaiyas and Kamlaris.

The community, long affected by oppression and injustice, is rich in cultural diversity. Despite facing numerous challenges, they are dedicated to preserving their heritage. As modernity advances, the threat to their traditional arts and culture grows. To combat this, the Tharu Cultural Protection Center was founded. Located in Chakhaura, Dangishiran Rural Municipality-3, the museum has become a vital hub for safeguarding the Tharu community’s history and cultural identity.

Tharu Cultural Protection Center has emerged as a tourist destination. It offers an educational and engaging experience for vacationers. Visitors can explore every aspect of Tharu culture and history here. Entering the museum gives you the feeling of stepping into a Tharu village with a glimpse of their traditional kitchen. The museum also highlights the Tharu community’s challenges over the years, presenting these issues through symbolic, pictorial, and artistic expressions.

The museum has made it easy to understand the history, food, lifestyle, art, culture and life of the Tharu community. The traditional songs, dances, paintings, statues, maps, costumes, jewellery, housing, animal husbandry, and conventional materials of the community make the museum worth visiting. Traditional houses, designed for Guruva (religious leaders) and deities, mirror the Tharu villages.

Statues and maps illustrate the governance of the Tharu kings. In front of the museum are statues of Tharu kingdom leaders and a map depicting their realm. This setup offers insights into the Tharu kingdom’s history. King Dangshiran, recognised as the leader of the Tharu community, is thought to have ruled over Dang. Consequently, a statue of King Dangshiran has also been installed in the museum. The museum has been operational since October 2019.

Shanta Chaudhary, vice-chairperson of the museum management committee, said 600 to 1,000 people visit the museum daily. “It is very crowded on holidays,” she said. “There are more than 500 idols here. Many people are interested in observing all areas, including the idols and taking photos wearing Tharu costumes.” The museum also has accommodation facilities with Tharu dishes. “You can eat the food that the Tharu community eats, making you feel like you are living in a Tharu village,” Chaudhary said. “Some people also come to stay because they can sit and watch Tharu culture in a secluded and peaceful place.”

The museum has been built in an area of ​​5 bighas. It has assets worth about one billion, said Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary, a provincial MP and former chief minister of Lumbini Province, who led the museum’s construction. He also mentioned that the museum has hired 25 employees.

He added that this will be a key centre for studying Tharu culture. “To truly understand the Tharu caste, visiting a village won’t suffice; modern concrete houses have changed the landscape,” he explained. Guides will provide insights about the museum, educating tourists on Tharu culture. Located 10 kilometres west of Tulsipur Bazaar, the museum can be reached within 20 minutes, situated near the Tulsipur-Purandhara-Botechaur road with regular transport access.

The museum has gathered antique jewellery, clothing, and materials from the Tharu community. Chaudhary said that acquiring these items is quite challenging. “We visited Tharu villages in various districts to collect old jewellery, garments, and other artefacts,” he explained, “In some locations, these old items are not utilised anymore, and there is a lack of awareness about traditional practices.” This museum aims to safeguard the history of all Tharu castes in Nepal, showcasing their diverse culture and heritage.

Nima Poudel of Lamahi Municipality-4, who visited the museum, said that it was easy to understand the history, culture and lifestyle of the Tharu tribe. Various structures have been built in the museum with the help of the Lumbini Provincial Government. The museum also exhibits Tharu documentaries, films and songs. Ashok Tharu, an expert on Tharu culture, worked to prepare the necessary pictures, statues, and materials for the museum.

“Dang is the historical root of the Tharu caste. There is also a notable history of Tharu migration from Dang to regions like Banke, Bardiya, Kailali, and Kanchanpur,” explained Tharu. “In Nepal, the Tharu caste showcases various languages, costumes, and cultures that vary by location.” He emphasised that the museum reflects the varied aspects of the Tharu caste, including its numerous sub-castes and languages. The traditional costumes also vary based on regional influences, all of which are represented in the museum exhibits.

Fine arts student Mithu Tharu worked on making paintings and sculptures. He said that many historical aspects were learned by displaying the history and culture of the Tharu community through sculptures.

At one time, the Tharu community was known as the Kamaiya and Kamlari caste. After the government announced the Kamaiya liberation in 2001 and the Kamlari liberation in 2013, the Kamaiya and Kamlari system was legally ended.

Based on government data from 2001, there are 18,288 freed Kamaiya families across five districts in the Western Tarai. Specifically, 1,426 families reside in Dang, 1,342 in Banke, 6,949 in Bardiya, 5,926 in Kailali, and 3,012 in Kanchanpur.

According to the Freed Kamlari Development Forum, there are currently 12,769 Mukt Kamlari in the Western Tarai. Of these, the highest number is 4,074 in Kailali, followed by 3,658 in Dang and 3,203 in Bardiya. Similarly, there are 1,167 in Kanchanpur; the lowest number is 667 in Banke.

With the end of the Kamaiya and Kamlari system, the Tharu community has been awakening and empowered. According to the National Census 2022, out of the total population of 674,993 in Dang, the Tharu caste population is 178,381 or 26.4 percent. This is the second-largest caste population in the district. The highest number of Chhetris in the district is 26.6 percent.

Out of the total Tharu population, 84,009 are males in the district. This is 26.2 percent of the total male population of 320,573. Similarly, there are 91,988 Tharu women. This is 26 percent of the total number of women, 354,420.

Similarly, 6.2 percent of the total population in Nepal is Tharu. This is the fourth largest ethnic group. The population of Tharu in the country is 18,07,124. Of these, 880,513 are males, and 926,611 are females.