Chief Scientific Documentation Coordinator, Nepal Heritage Documentation Project (NHDP), Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Affiliations:

Nepal Heritage Documentation Project (NHDP) - Heidelberg Center for Transcultural Studies & Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

Documents on the History of Religion and Law in Pre-modern Nepal - Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities

ŚāŚākta Traditions Research Program - Oxford Center for Hindu Studies

Education:

2013–2017: Ph.D. in Classical Indology, Ruprecht Karls University, Heidelberg

2005–2008: M.A. (Sanskrit Literature and Buddhist Philosophy), Nepal Sanskrit University, Kathmandu

2002–2005: B.A. (Sanskrit Literature and Buddhist Philosophy), Nepal Sanskrit University, Kathmandu

Fellowships:

Oct. 2017–Dec. 2017: Shivadashani Fellowship, Oxford Center for Hindu Studies (OCHS), Oxford

April 2013–March 2017: Ph.D. scholarship, “Asia and Europe in a Global Context” cluster, Heidelberg University

Book:

2024. Homicide Law in 19th-Century Nepal: A Study of the Mulukī Ains and Legal Documents.heiUP: Heidelberg. DOI:https://doi.org/10.17885/heiup.1276.

2021. [with Simon Cubelic and Axel Michaels] The Mulukī Ain of 1854: Nepal’s First Legal Code. heiUP: Heidelberg.

Articles:

2018. “Documented Evidence Relating to the Implementation of the Mulukī Ain in Mid-19th-Century Nepal”. In: Studies in Historical Documents from Nepal and India, ed. by Simon Cubelic, Axel Michaels, and Astrid Zotter. heiUP: Heidelberg, 293–327.

2017. [with Manik Bajracharya and Simon Cubelic] “Reporting Across Borders in a Time of Turmoil: Eight Reports from Lokarama”ṇa Upādhyāya from the year 1837–1844”. In: Abhilekha 34: 138–172.

2017. [with Simon Cubelic] “The Nepalese Monarchy in an Age of Codification: Kingship, Patriotism, and Legality in the Nepalese Code of 1854.” In: Transnational Histories of the “Royal Nation”, ed. by Milinda Banerjee, Charlotte Backerra, and Cathleen Sarti. Cham: Springer International Publishing, 67–86.

2016. [with Manik Bajracharya and Simon Cubelic] “Reporting Across Borders: Four Reports from Lokarama”ṇa Upādhyāya from the year 1831–1837”. In: Abhilekha 33: 120–133.

2015. [with Manik Bajracharya and Axel Michaels] “Six 19th- and 20th-Century Documents on Elephants from the National Archives of Nepal.” In: Abhilekha 32: 96–105.

2012. “Acyutāṣṭṭakavyākhyā by Vācaspati Panta: A Testimony to Nepalese Scholarship”. In: Abhilekha 28: 90–103.

Selected Editions and Translations of Nepalese Documents

• Anonymous. 1848 (VS 1904). To arjī re the emperor's order to destroy a Hindu temple after a Muslim boy was killed, Edited and translated by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Christof Zotter and Rabi Acharya. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34873)
• Anonymous. 1857 (VS 1914). A letter regarding the health of members of the royal family and the arrest of counterfeiters in Banepā, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Axel Michaels. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34872)
• Anonymous. 1861 (VS 1918). An unverified copy of a phāraka for an expiation fee paid by Rājakumārī Pãḍenī Kṣatryānī, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36932)
• Anonymous. 1861 (VS 1918). A verified copy of a phāraka re, an expiation fee paid by Rājakumārī Pãḍenī Kṣatryānī, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36933)
• Anonymous. 1861 (VS 1918).A copy of patiyā-pūrjī issued to Rājakumārī Pãḍenī Kṣatryānī, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36934)
• Anonymous. 1871 (VS 1928). A letter granting water expiation to nine members of Pṛthī Bahādura Pā̃ḍ's family; Edited and translated by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2016 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/10865)
• Aravindanātha Gajuryāc. 1821 (VS 1878). A Letter to General Bhīmasena Thāpā requesting a study allowance, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Axel Michaels. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2018 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.44579)
• KṛṣṇāNanda Lohanī. Undated. To arjī from Kṛṣṇānanda Lohanī reporting on a horoscope reading, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Manik Bajracharya. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2019 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/336)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (vs. 1894). To arjī re the arrival of Prince Henry of the Netherlands in Calcutta, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34487)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1838 (vs. 1857). To arjī providing a political report from Calcutta, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34488)
• Dīpanārāyaṇa Śā1835 (VS 1892). To arjī acknowledging receipt of a copperplate and a letter, ed./tr. by Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Manik Bajracharya. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36923)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1840 (vs. 1897). A report on efforts to provide materials regarding a meeting between Raṇajit Siṃha and Lord Auckland to the palace, as well as British reactions to an alleged Nepalese border violation, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda, with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34489)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāc. 1838 (1895 VS). To arjī A Conversation with James Prinsep, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda, with Rabi Acharya. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34490)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1842 (vs. 1899). To arjī re the governor general’s departure from Calcutta, a meeting with the governor general’secretary and the British victory in the Battle of Kabul, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda, with Pabitra Bajracharya and Rabi Acharya. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34491)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (vs. 1894). To arjī re the departure of Governor-General Auckland, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36820)
• Lokaramaṇa UpādhyāYeah, Devarṣi Upādhyāya, Nāhāra Siṃ Thāpā and Śālīgrāma Siṃ. 1832 (VS 1888). A letter regarding the British fondness for puppet theater, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36821)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (vs. 1894). To arjī a meeting with the governor-general, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36822)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1840 (vs. 1897). To arjī re the delivery of diplomatic documents and military events in Afghanistan, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda, with Yogesh Budhathoki. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34493)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (vs. 1894). To arjī reporting from Calcutta, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36823)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1844 (vs. 1900). A Report on Political Developments in Sindhia Following the Gwalior Campaign of 1843, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda, with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34494)
• Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya. 1837 (vs. 1894). A letter regarding political, military, and geographical information on the British presence in South Asia, ed./tr. by Manik Bajracharya, Simon Cubelic, and Rajan Khatiwoda, with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.34495)
• Ratnakumārī Pãḍenī Kṣetryānī. 1886 (VS 1943). A written power of attorney granted to Bakhat Bāhādura Kṣatrī, ed./trans. by Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2019 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/9412)
• Rājakumārī Pãḍenī Chetryānī. 1886 (VS 1943). A written power of attorney granted to Vedanārān Pādhyā, ed./trans. by Rajan Khatiwoda. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2019 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/9413)
• RāJendra Vikrama Śā1822 (VS 1879). A lāLamohara reconfirming the Magars' exemption from Maryoaputāli, cākacakui, etc., ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Christof Zotter. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/858)
• RāJendra Vikrama Śā1823 (VS 1879). A lāLamohara granting land to Jayanta Khatrī for temple maintenance and the worship of Bhāleśvara, ed. by Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36989)
• RāJendra Vikrama Śāha. 1833 (VS 1889. A lāLamohara updating a VS 1864 land grant to Bānu Pādhyā Dāhāla, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2018 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.44589)
• RāJendra Vikrama Śā1846 (VS 1903). A pañjāpatra requesting Cautarīyā Bhīma Vikrama Śāha, etc., to return to Kathmandu, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic and Christof Zotter. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.30312)
• Surendra Vikrama Śāha. 1875/76 (VS 1932). A lāLamohara confirms the sale of a sunābirtā belonging to Bhāju Dhan and Pāḍau Siṃ Lākhe, ed. by Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36990)
• Surendra Vikrama Śā1858/59 (VS 1915). A lāLamohara confirms the sale of a sunābirtā belonging to Harkamāna Siṃ Śreṣṭha, ed. by Simon Cubelic and Rajan Khatiwoda with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36991)
• Surendra Vikrama Śā1870 (VS 1927). A lāLamohara acknowledging Rūpalāl The Mahanta of Basahiyā Maṭh, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Ramhari Timalsina. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/1399)
• Śamaśera Bahādura Pā̃ḍc. 1877 (VS 1934). A jabānabandī submitted to the Adālata Bandobasta Aḍḍā; ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Manik Bajracharya. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://abhilekha.adw.uni-heidelberg.de/nepal/editions/show/24220)
• Śamaśera Bahādura Pā̃ḍe. [1877 (VS 1934)]. A complaint regarding the Rājakumārī Pãḍenī case; ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Simon Cubelic. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2018 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.39466)
• Śonśera Bahādura Pā̃ḍc. 1886 (VS 1942). A deposition submitted by Śonśera Bahādura Pā̃ḍe to the Koṭiliṅga court, ed./tr. by Rajan Khatiwoda in collaboration with Manik Bajracharya. Heidelberg: HAdW Documenta Nepalica), 2017 (https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.36931

Rajan Khatiwoda currently serves as Chief Scientific Documentation Coordinator for the Nepal Heritage Documentation Project (NHDP) at the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities (HAdW). He is also the Honorary Director of the Kathmandu Office of the Śākta Traditions Project, which is run by the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies (OCHS), and a Research Fellow at OCHS affiliated with the Śākta Traditions research program.

Khatiwoda studied Classical Indology at Heidelberg University, where he received his Ph.D. in 2017. His dissertation examines the formation and enforcement of the Mulukī Ain, Nepal’s first legal code, promulgated in 1854. From 2013 to 2016, he was part of the Cluster’s Project A14,“Transcultural Legal Flows in 18th- and 19th-Century South Asia.” Since 2014, Khatiwoda has been a research associate at the South Asian Institute, Heidelberg University, and the Research Unit“Documents on the History of Religion and Law of Pre-modern Nepal,” Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. Previously, he worked as a research assistant and cataloger for the Nepalese-German Manuscript Cataloguing Project (NGMCP) and the Nepal Research Centre (NRC) in Kathmandu for nine years (2004–2013).