A genetic study on the Newars of Nepal Valley

The intergroup differences between the three groups of Newars of Nepal (Shrestha, Gubhaju and Jyapu) are not significant for any of the morphological and genetical characters studied. In body measurements the Newars on the whole are similar to other Nepali populations and to several populations of the western and northeastern Himalayas. In serological characters the Newars resemble the Nepalis as well as many of the Himalayan and Assam tribal populations. In mid‐phalangeal hair, phenyltheourea tasting ability and colour‐blindness the Newars are similar to several Cis‐Himalayan groups. In dermatoglyphic traits, the Newars are close to some Mongoloid populations of the Far East and several populations with Mongoloid affinities residing in the western Himalayas.