Thapa

Thapa
थापा

Portrait of a Thapa Bhimsen Thapa, Thapa surname is associated with warriorhood[1]
Pronunciation	[t̪ʰāpā]
Origin
Language(s)	Sanskrit
Meaning	Warrior[1]
Other names
Derivative(s)	Thapa Kaji, Thapa Kshetri/Chhetri, Bagale Thapa, Rajputs
See also	Basnet, Rana, Karki, Khadka

Thapa (pronunciation:[t̪ʰapa]) is an Indo-Aryan surname belonging to the Chhetri/Rajput caste (Kshatriya) in Nepal and parts of Northern India.[2][3] It is also used by the Magar tribes, a Sino-Tibetan speaking ethnicity.

To get the surname 'Thapa', one must have three previous generations who died in battle. It is a mark of valour, a surname granted by the king.

Thapa was a Paikelā (warrior) rank of the medieval Khasa Kingdom. Other Paikelās include Khaḍgās, Rānās and Buḍhās.^[1]: 89 It is proved through many inscriptions in the present day region of Old Khas Kingdom. Yasu Thapa, Dasu Thapa and Raj Thapa were known warriors from the herostone pillars.^[1]: 90 One of the herostone inscription of Thapa warrior:

Be it auspicious. Yasu Thāpā, son of Bhimadev, established the herostone in 1256 Śaka Era.... Be it auspicious. Dhāmu Khaḍgā, son of Bhimadev established the herostone in 1256

— Śaka Era...^[1]: 89

The above inscription also proved that Thapa and Khadka (Khadga) were mere military ranks that was born by sons of same father in the country of Khas people.

Khas Thapa are patrilineal groups descended from Khas people . They are popularly known as Thapa Kshatriya or Thapa Kaji. This group was divided into many clans like Bagale Thapa, Godar, Hriksen", ',^[2] Punwar (Pawar), Suyal^[3] Lamichhane, and "Mugali"^[4]

Kshatriya Thapa dynasty were one of the four noble family to be involved in active politics of Nepal together with Rana dynasty, Basnyat/Basnets and Pandes,^[5] and ruled between 1806 and 1837 and 1843 to 1845, as prime ministers.^[6] Thapas played important role in Unification of Nepal and had held many prestigious post in the Malla Court and Bijayapur Court.^[7] 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.^[8] 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.^[9]

Thapa family were strengthened in the Royal court by including family members of another Thapa Bharadar Amar Singh Thapa.^[10] Bada (Elder) Kaji Amar Singh Thapa was a legendary military commander and National Hero of Nepal.^[11][12] Thapas have important role in Anglo-Nepalese War where British colonial power the East India Company had major loss at First Campaign.^[11] 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.^[11] 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.^[13] Since the Shahs have ruled over Nepal, Chhetri Thapas have been struggling against Pandeys, Kunwars, Basnyats and other Chhetris to takeover the royal court of Nepal.^[13]

Bagale Thapa (Nepali:बगाले थापा) is a prominent clan within Khas Thapa.^[2] Bagale Thapas were skillful at both warfare and administration.^[14] They claim Aatreya Gotra in the Gotra system of Hinduism.^[15][16]

The genealogy traces the lineage of all Bagale Thapas to male progenitor (Mūlapuruṣa) King Kalu Thapa Kshatri, who first ascended to the throne at Kāndāmālikā on Saka Era 1111.^[17] The DDC of Myagdi district also confirms historical evidence of rule of Thapa dynasty of Takam State (1246-1545 B.S.) by founder Kalu Thapa, whose dynasty continued for 300 years only to be defeated by Dimba Bam Malla to form bigger Parbat State.^[18]

Amar Singh Thapa, the war hero of Anglo-Nepalese war belongs to this clan.^[15] Similarly, Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa, the most revered among Thapas (who was also an autocratic usurper) also belongs to this clan. His nephew Mathabarsingh Thapa was the seventh Prime Minister of Nepal. Roshi Thapa Kaji^[2][19]

Godar Thapa is a clan within Chhetri Thapa Kaji of Khas origin.^[2] They claim Kashyap Gotra in the Gotra system of Hinduism.^[16][3] During the Kushan Empire, "Godar" served as the royal title. It's also suggested that they are a variation of the Shivbansi Godara Jat clan of India. The Godar Thapas have made significant contributions to Nepali history. They courageously fought alongside Prithivi Narayan Shah during the unification campaign, providing invaluable assistance. Additionally, they bravely engaged and triumphed against the British forces. Notably, their victory against Kinloch marked the first successful resistance against the British in Asia, led by the Godar Thapa. Furthermore, the Godar Thapas assert their lineage to the rulership and establishment of kingdoms in certain regions of Nepal during the Khas Empire.

Styles: Thapa, Thapa kaji, Kaji Saheb, Shamsher Thapa, Jung Thapa .

• Madan Singh Thapa was the first king of Achham in the 5th century. Godar Thapas of Achham claim to be the descendants of Madan Singh Thapa

• Dilli Jung Thapa was a chief engineer and colonel of Nepalese Army.[1][4] He was the son of colonel Harsh Jung Thapa and grandson of governor (Badahakim) of eastern Nepal colonel Gajraj Singh Thapa, he was the chief designer of Nepal's first highway tunnel carved through the inner terai between Hetauda and Amlekhganj.^{[citation needed]}
• Colonel Gajraj Singh Thapa was the first person to establish tea plantation estates in Nepal around 1873. Thapa was born c. 1830 to Kaji Hemdal Singh Thapa. In 1860, he married Maharajkumari Badan Kumari Rana of Kaski and Lamjung, the eldest child of Sri Teen Jung Bahadur Rana. ^{[citation needed]}
• Kaji Birbhadra Thapa (Kaji during Bhupatindra Malla rule in Bhaktapur), Kaji Bir Bhadra Thapa, a distinguished Kaji of his time, held considerable sway and was bestowed with the grant of Kusadevi as a birta by King Bhupatindra Malla. This royal favor underscored Thapa's pivotal role in the administration and his esteemed status within the kingdom's hierarchy.
• Ratna Shumsher Thapa
• Queen Nanda Kumari
• Gehendra Shumsher Thapa was The Mayor of Kathamandu During Rana Regime, In office 1947-1953.
• Kaji hemdal singh Thapa
• Kaji colonel Keshar singh shamsher Thapa later Dewan
• Sardar Achal singh Thapa
• Sardar Shyam singh Thapa..
• Sardar Ram singh Thapa
• Dharmapaal Barsingh Thapa
• Pyar Jung Thapa(Nepali: प्यार जङ्ग थापा) was Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of Nepalese Army from 10 September 2003 to 9 September 2006 A.D during the Maoist insurgency. In 2006 A.D, he had discussed with Girija Prasad Koirala about opting out from the position of COAS for Rookmangud Katawal.[2] Later, Rookmangud succeeded Thapa.
• Bhesh Bahadur Thapa
• Sher Jung Thapa
• Yagya Bahadur Thapa
• Gagan Thapa
• Rajat Thapa
• Champasingh Godar Thapa
• Shree Prasad Thapa was one the most influential personality in the history of Nepal during the revolution of 2007 bs.
• Lieutenant colonel Chandra Jung Thapa, Founder of ANFA

Punwar Thapa (Nepali: पुँवर थापा) is another clan of Thapa Chhetri/Khasas. Punwar/ Panwar, a variant of Parmara dynasty, is a Rajput honorific claimed by different groups. Punwar Thapas claim their ancestry from Rajasthan, India. Sardar Bhakti Thapa a war commander at Anglo-Nepalese war, belonged to the Punwar Thapa clan. Punwar Thapa in Nepal has roots in Rainaskot, Lamjung District.

They Belong to Garg Gotra. They were residents of Western Nepal then later they came and settled in Sarangkot, Kaski. They served in various military campaigns during the unification and expansion of Nepal and settled in newly acquired regions of expanding kingdom. Sardar Ram Krishna Thapa, ancestor of Surya Bahadur Thapa, was appointed administrator of newly acquired eastern province and settled in Mugu, Dhankuta. His youngest brother, Dharma Raj Thapa, was sent to Tityang, Baglung and that's where his descendants can be found today. Only non Tibetan/Mongolian Victoria Cross winner of Nepal Sher Bahadur Thapa, Former 5 time Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa and Janakabi Dharmaraj Thapa are some notable people of this Khasa clan of Thapa Kaji. Poet Dharmaraj Thapa had published a Lamichhane Thapa genealogy in 1982.^[20]

Parajuli Thapas were mentioned in the legend of the Kunwar family.^[21] They waged a war against the King of Kaski who wanted the daughter of a nobleman Ahirama Kunwar without legal marriage (as a concubine).^[21] Ahirama Kunwar denied the request of the King and Parajuli Thapas successfully protected and helped Ahirama Kunwar to escape to Gorkha Kingdom with his two other sons, one being the later Gorkhali warlord Ram Krishna Kunwar.^[21]

The original home of the Magar people is Nepal and more population are around Gulmi, Argha, Khanchi, and Palpa Rukum Rolpa Piuthan .^[22] This bit of country was divided into twelve districts known as Barha Magarat (Confederation of Twelve Magar district) During the medieval period (17 century), the large area from Dhading to Sikkim was called the Magarat. A second Confederation of Eighteen Magar district known as Athara Magarat also existed which was primarily inhabited by Kham Magars.^[22] Magars who are the Magar language speaking group are the largest indigenous ethics group of Nepal whose presence are from east to west in Nepal. They have played vital role during reunification of Nepal.

Thapa magars is one of the seven tribes (clans) of the Magar community. In former days, any Magars who had lost three generations of ancestors in battle became a Rana Magar^[22] To name a few—other Thapa Magar clans include Saru-Thapa, Gaha-Thapa, Reshmi-Thapa and they are each further sub-divided into many sub-clans.^[23]

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.^[24][25]

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.^[26] Gagan Thapa, a popular 40-year-old minister is in the Nepalese cabinet.^[27] Ujwal Thapa, the President of Bibeksheel Nepali was a leading youth activist and entrepreneur.^[28]

• Pradhan, Kumar L. (2012), Thapa Politics in Nepal: With Special Reference to Bhim Sen Thapa, 1806–1839, New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, p. 278, ISBN 9788180698132
• Hamal, Lakshman B. (1995), Military history of Nepal, Sharda Pustak Mandir
• Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (1978), Regmi Research Series
• Joshi, Bhuwan Lal; Rose, Leo E. (1966), Democratic Innovations in Nepal: A Case Study of Political Acculturation, University of California Press, p. 551
• Wright, Daniel (1877), History of Nepal, ISBN 9788120605527

• Bagale Thapa Blogspot by Bhim Bahadur Thapa Kshatri
• Bagale Thapa Programme at Galkot, Baglung

Surname list

This page lists people with the surname Thapa.
If an internal link intending to refer to a specific person led you to this page, you may wish to change that link by adding the person's given name(s) to the link.