Salyan was one of the Baise Rajya, a confederation of 22 petty kingdoms in the Karnali (Ghagra) region.

[citation needed] Salyan derives from the Nepali word sallo which means pine tree or conifer.

The Babai River flows through the southwestern Siwaliks section after draining Dang Valley.

[4] Ethnicity/caste: 57.1% were Khas/Chhetri, 15.1% Magar, 11.8% Kami, 3.5% Sanyasi/Dasnami, 3.5% Thakuri, 3.0% Damai/Dholi, 2.6% Hill Brahmin, 1.8% Sarki, 0.6% Newar, 0.3% Badi, 0.1% Gaine, 0.1% Gurung, 0.1% Kumal, 0.1% Musalman, 0.1% other Terai and 0.1% others.

Topographic sheets at 1:25,000 scale covering 7.5 minutes latitude and longitude map the Terai and Middle Mountains.