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Thapa

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Not to be confused with Thapar.
This article is about Nepali surname Thapa. For other uses, see Thapa (disambiguation).
Thapa
Pronunciation[t̪ʰāpā]
Language(s)Nepali, Doteli, Magar, Kumaoni, Hindi
Origin
Language(s)Khas language[1]
Word/nameKarnali,[1] Nepal
MeaningWarrior[1]
Other names
Derivative(s)Thapa Kaji, Thapa Magar, Thapa Kshatri/Chhetri
See alsoBasnet, Pande, Rana, Karki, Khadka

Thapa (Nepali: थापा pronunciation:[t̪ʰāpā]) is the surname commonly used by Nepali people belonging to the Chhetri caste of Khas group, an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group and Magar people, a Sino-Tibetan ethno-linguistic group.[2][3] Kshetri Thapa of Kshatriya Varna are addressed as Thapa Kaji while Thapa Magar are addressed as general Magar.[4]

Kshatriya Thapa dynasty were one of the four noble family to be involved in active politics of Nepal together with Shah dynasty, Basnyat/Basnets and Pandes before rise of Rana dynasty.[5] and ruled between 1806 to 1837 and 1843 to 1845.[6] Thapas played important role in Unification of Nepal and had held many prestigious post in the Malla Court and Bijayapur Court.[2] This family grew prominent during the rule of King Prithvi Narayan Shah and were established as dominant faction during reign of King Rana Bahadur Shah.[7] After the assassination of King Rana Bahadur Shah, Bhimsen Thapa rose to the event killing all his enemies and catapulting the Thapa family as most dominant faction in the Royal Court of Nepal.[8]

Bhimsen Thapa, First Mukhtiyar of Nepal, leading member of Thapa dynasty

Thapa family were strengthened in the Royal court by including family members of the another Thapa Bharadar Amar Singh Thapa.[9] Bada (Elder) Kaji Amar Singh Thapa was a legendary military commander and National Hero of Nepal.[10][11] Thapas have important role in Anglo-Nepalese War where Colonial Power British India Company had major loss at First Campaign.[10] Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa was sector commander at Jitgadh, Kaji Ranajor Singh Thapa at Jaithak, Sardar Bhakti Thapa at Deuthal, Colonel Ranabir Singh Thapa at Makawanpurgadhi and Bada Kaji (Elder Kaji) Amar Singh Thapa at Malaon.[10]

Amar Singh Thapa, a National Hero of Nepal

Bhimsen's nephew PM Mathabarsingh Thapa was known for his charisma from whom Jung Bahadur Rana rose to power. Thus, the state of administrative Thapa rule in Nepal is politically termed as Thapadom.[4]

Kshetri Thapa was divided into clans (subgroups) like Bagale Thapa, Godar Thapa, Deoja Thapa, Thakuryal Thapa,[12] Mugali(Lamichhane) Thapa, Kalikote Thapa, Suyal Thapa, Punwar Thapa, Khulal Thapa, Sonal Thapa, Bhandare Thapa, Achhami Thapa, Ghimire Thapa, Maharaji Thapa, Patkheti Thapa, Gaunle Thapa and others.[13]

Manjushree Thapa, a Canadian essayist

Modern day Thapas are prominent in wide professions. Manjushree Thapa, an English language author is known for Forget Kathmandu: An Elegy for Democracy (2005), was shortlisted for the Lettre Ulysses Award in 2006.[14] Gagan Thapa, a popular 40-year-old minister is in the Nepalese cabinet.[15] Ujwal Thapa, the President of Bibeksheel Nepali is a leading youth activist and entrepreneur.[16]

Khas Kshatri Thapa

Bagale Thapa

Main article: Bagale Thapa
Mathabar Singh Thapa, a nobleman from Bagale Thapa clan

Bagale Thapa (Nepali:बगाले थापा) is a prominent clan within Khas Thapa.[17] Bagale Thapas were skillful at both warfare and administration.[18] They belong to Aatreya Gotra in the Gotra system of Hinduism.[19][20] Amar Singh Thapa, the war hero of Anglo-Nepalese war belongs to this clan.[19] Similarly, Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa, the most revered among Thapas also belongs to this clan. His nephew Mathabarsingh Thapa was the seventh Prime Minister of Nepal.[17][21]

Puwar Thapa

Bhakti Thapa, a nobleman from Puwar Thapa clan

Puwar Thapa is a clan of Thapa Chhetri. Bhakti Thapa, a war commander at Anglo-Nepalese war, belonged to this clan. The Puwar Thapa society is demanding their patron Bhakti Thapa be declared a martyr.[22]

Godar Thapa

Godar Thapa is a clan within Khas Chhetri Thapa.[17] They belong to Kashyap Gotra.[20]

Magar Thapa

Lakhan Thapa Magar, First Martyr of Nepal; an ethnic Magar

Thapa Magar/Magar Thapa were believed to have come from upper Tibet region as a wild guess given their physique but it is still not been verified firmly about their origin. They fall under Magar ethnic group of Mongolian Tibeto-Burman Family Group. They speak Tibeto-Burman language Magar language as Mother Tongue. Thapa Magar are not addressed as "Thapa" but as "Magar".[4]

Famous Thapa Magars include Arun Thapa, Lakhan Thapa Magar, Biraj Thapa Magar, Victoria Cross holders like Kulbir Thapa, Lalbahadur Thapa and Netrabahadur Thapa.

Thapas have marital links with Maratha Chhattari royals of Baroda State. Pyar Jung Thapa's daughter, Pragya Shree was married to former King of Baroda State Pratap Singh Rao Gaekwad's grandson Pratapsinh Sangramsinh Gaekwad.[23][24]

Notable people with the surname Thapa

Main article: List of people with surname Thapa

References

  1. ^ a b c Adhikary, Surya Mani (1997). The Khasa Kingdom: A trans-Himalayan empire of the middle age. Nirala Publications. p. 210. ISBN 8185693501.
  2. ^ a b Pradhan 2012, p. 21.
  3. ^ Bista, Dor Bahadur (1980). People of Nepal (4 ed.). Ratna Pustak Bhandar. pp. 2–4.
  4. ^ a b c Manjushree Thapa. "THAPADOM:The day of Thapa has returned". Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  5. ^ Joshi & Rose 1966, p. 23.
  6. ^ Joshi & Rose 1966, p. 25.
  7. ^ Pradhan 2012, p. 21-22.
  8. ^ Pradhan 2012, p. 16.
  9. ^ Pradhan 2012, p. 26.
  10. ^ a b c http://nepalarmy.mil.np/history.php?page=two
  11. ^ "National heroes of Nepal". Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  12. ^ Pradhan 2012, p. 22.
  13. ^ "Chhetri Thapa clans". Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  14. ^ "Forget Kathmandu: An Elegy for Democracy". Open Democracy.
  15. ^ https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/partnership-academic-institutions-key-health-minister-gagan-thapa/
  16. ^ http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/news/2016-07-21/youths-stage-symbolic-protest-against-601-mps-photo-feature.html
  17. ^ a b c Pradhan 2012, p. 22.
  18. ^ Regmi 1978, p. 28.
  19. ^ a b Hamal 1995, p. 191.
  20. ^ a b "Nepali surnames, clans and gotra". Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  21. ^ "Thapa Personalities". Retrieved 2017-03-24.
  22. ^ https://thehimalayantimes.com/kathmandu/plea-to-declare-bhakti-thapa-a-martyr/
  23. ^ Thapas and Maratha Chhattaris marital ties
  24. ^ Thapas, Ranas and Indian Chhattaris ties

Sources

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