Samant or Sawad (or Saund, Saud) were the feudal kings of the Doti region, which was formed after the disintegration of Katyuri kingdom of Uttarakhand and far western region of Nepal during the 13th century.
The Saud title was given by the Raika king. During the reign of Raika king, Saud were ranked after king. it is known as the warrior kshatriya caste and found widely in Garhwal, Kumaon and Far-western region of Nepal. Some Sawad/Saund were migrated to Kalikot,Kailali and Kanchanpur district from Doti, Achham, Bajura, Bajhang, Dadeldhura, Darchula and Baitadi District of Nepal.
They use twenty surnames according to place. 1. Malasi Malla Samant (Claims as a Suryavanshi rajput) 2. Sunkoti Samant 3. Gora Samant 4. Katyuri Samant 5. Karudel Samant 6. Tebhare Samant 7. Timal Samant 8. Paltel Samant 9. Siyabani (Sobarna) Samant 10.Kuskota Samant 11.Vanasi Samant 12.Amel Samant 13.Ghighidel Samant 14.Suma Samant 15.Deupadi Samant 16.Hari Samant 17.Puri Samant 18.Aalvi Samant 19.Vaalvi Samant 20.Sukili Samant