Kaji (title)
The title of a kaji or kazi in the Nepalese aristocracy of the 19th century roughly corresponded to that of a high-ranking official, governor or minister.
It is considered to be higher in rank than the title of Sardar , but ranked below the Sahibju (this was given to senior members of the royal family).
The title, which was already in use in the 16th century, when the so-called Mul-Kaji (Supreme Kaji) held an office at the end of the 18th century , which corresponded to that of a head of government, was particularly valued . The first mulkaji was Abhiman Singh Basnyat , who was appointed top of four kajis. His successors from 1794 were Kirtiman Singh Basnyat and Bakhtawar Singh Basnyat, while the greatest influence was already in these years with Damodar Pandi , who only ruled as Mulkaji between 1803 and 1804. In 1804, Ranajit Pandi (Mulkaji) and Bhimsen Thapa (second kaji) were appointed supreme kajis , while the former king Rana Bahadur Shah ruled with absolute power on behalf of his son. In 1806 Rana Bahadur created the new title Mukhtiyar , which was continued by Bhimsen Thapa after his death and was replaced forty years later by the (hereditary) title of Prime Minister.
The title of kaji as well as that of sardar was awarded more frequently in the following period, it was one of the highest titles that a non-member of the royal family could achieve. In 1843 there were twelve kajis in the Nepalese government, serving as governors, ministers, military commanders or, in one case, special ambassadors in China .
In addition to the Mulkaji , other Kaji ranks historically existed. With the 20th century the title became obsolete, but it is still used in some cases as part of the name or as an honorary designation.