Dahal () is a Nepali surname of Khas origin, and also prevalent in some regions of India mainly in West Bengal, Uttarakhand and Northeast, and few parts of Bhutan. The Dahals belong to the Indo-Aryan ethinic group, within the gentry class including Brahmin (high priest), Chhetri (ruling) or Rajput (i.e. Royal clan) castes in accordance to traditional Hindu classification system. The caste system in Nepal is still intact today despite legal reforms in 1964. As Dahals belong the Khas Arya group, they are denied a quota and reservations in civil services and other sectors in Nepal due to their history of socio-political dominance. The Dahals traditionally represented one of the highest ranking clergies or pujaris in Nepali Hindu religion, and due to their high education status they also influenced secular affairs. Dahals are Upadhyaya Brahmins unless they marry to a different cast. All Dahals are Hindu by origin unless they convert themselves to other religion. In modern Nepali society, Dahals are dominant as politicians, business and thought leaders, such as the current Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal and media tycoon Bhusan Dahal. Notable people Pushpa Kamal Dahal (born 1954), Nepali politician, current Prime minister of Nepal, chairman of the Nepal Communist Party Bhusan Dahal (born 1966), Nepali media tycoon Dayaram Dahal, Nepali film director Bhim Prasad Dahal (born 1954), Leader of Sikkim Democratic Front Renu Dahal - Nepalese politician, current mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City Shailendra Kumar Upadhyay Dahal, Former Minister, Nepali Ambassador and UN Representative Chandra Devi Dahal (born 1986), Nepali woman footballer Nara Bahadur Dahal (born 1960), Nepali long-distance runner Prince Dahal (born 2004), badminton player from Nepal Ramesh Dahal (born 1978), Nepali songwriter and lyricist Mahesh Raj Dahal (born 1972), Ambassador of Nepal to Australia Biswonath Upadhyay Dahal, Former Chief Justice of Nepal Bhuvan Kumar Dahal (born 1964), CEO Nepal Sanima Bank Ltd Govinda Prasad Dahal born 1968, Province Forest Director, Karnali Province Images See also Khas people Khas Kingdom Rajput Boston Brahmins References Surnames of Nepalese origin Khas surnames