The
Khambu Rais or
Rais are one of the most ancient indigenous ethnolinguistic groups of
Nepal, the Indian State of
Sikkim and
Darjeeling Hills. They were
Rai meaning king (Rai means King in old Khas kura). Once someone was recognized as a ruler,
Hindus awarded them the title Rai . The title of Rai instead
khambu kirant people who used to live in wallo kirant and majh kirant for particular reason. The
Rai are the
Khambu. Then the post
Rai was provided to the topmost leaders of the region. They were given the power to collect land tax. That's why sometimes
Rai people are called
jimmi or
jimmi-wal. The Rai belong to the
Kirati group or the Kirat confederation that includes
Limbu,
Sunuwar,
Yakkha and
Dhimal ethnic groups.