Basnet

Basnet, sometimes spelled Basnyat, is a Nepali surname and clan name. In Nepali script the name is written as बस्नेत. It is associated with a historic martial clan within the Khas Arya groups and is traditionally linked to the Chhetri (Kshatriya) varna in Nepal’s social order.

Historically, Basnets were prominent in the medieval and early modern periods of Nepal. Members of Basnet families were active in military service, courtly administration, and governance, and they contributed to the military and political life of the Nepalese kingdoms. The Basnet name is therefore closely tied to Nepal’s tradition of warrior-lineage and state service, and individuals bearing the surname have been recorded in various leadership and administrative roles over the centuries.

Geographically, the Basnet surname is most common in Nepal, particularly in the hilly regions around the Kathmandu Valley, Gorkha, and Pokhara. It is also found among Nepali-speaking communities in India, notably in Sikkim and the Darjeeling area, as well as in diaspora communities abroad, including North America and Europe. Across generations, Basnet families have diversified into many professions, including civil service, politics, education, business, and the arts.

Variations of the name include Basnet and Basnyat, with the Devanagari script being बस्नेत. The name remains a recognizable part of Nepal’s historic and contemporary social and cultural landscape.