Family of Amar Singh Thapa

The family of Badakaji Amar Singh Thapa[note 1] (1751 - 1816) was a noble Chhetri family in the central politics of Kingdom of Nepal as well as former military aristocracy of Gorkha Kingdom. The family of Bhimsen Thapa and the family of Amar Singh Thapa were two Bagale Thapa families[1][2] and part of larger Thapa caucus at the central politics of the Kingdom of Nepal.[3]

This article is about the family of Elder Amar Singh Thapa. For the family of Junior Amar Singh Thapa (born 1759), see Thapa dynasty.
Family of Amar Singh Thapa (Elder)
Nishankalika flag of Bagale Thapa clan, Amar Singh’s ancestral clan
Current regionGorkha & Kathmandu
Earlier spellingsBagale Thapa
Place of originSiranchowk, Gorkha
Members
Connected members
Connected familiesKunwar family
TraditionsKshatriya (Chhetri)
Estate(s)Siranchowk of Gorkha
Bagh Bhim Singh Thapa was the first national military commander of this family.

The patriarch of this family is Ranjai Thapa of Siranchowk whose son Bagh Bhim Singh Thapa became a military commander of Gorkha Kingdom and died in the battle of Palanchowk. Bhim Singh's son and the most prominent member of this family, Amar Singh Thapa went on to become overall commander (in capacity of Mukhtiyar) of Kumaon, Garhwal and its West region in the Kingdom of Nepal. Amar Singh's sons and grandsons were influential Bharadars (state-bearing officers), politicians, ministers and military commanders in the Kingdom of Nepal. The family was also maritally connected with Kunwar family of Gorkha. Amar Singh Thapa was the father-in-law of Chandrabir Kunwar, the nephew of Gorkhali Sardar Ramakrishna Kunwar. Through Chandrabir, Amar Singh had grandsons of national recognition; Balbhadra Kunwar, a famed warrior of the Battle of Nalapani and Birbhadra Kunwar, a Bharadar (state bearing officer).

Significance
Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa, Overall Commander of Western region of Kingdom of Nepal

This family was the another influential Bagale Thapa family serving in the royal court with Bhimsen Thapa family, due to their consolidation of power in the central authority.[4] Bhimsen Thapa, also a member of Bagale Thapa clan,[5] added the sons of Amar Singh Thapa in the royal court to increase the influence of Thapa caucus.[3]

Immediate family

Children

Bada Amar Singh had ten sons from four wives as per the Thapa genealogy: Ranabir, Ranasur, Ranadhoj, Ranabhim, Ranajor, Bhaktabir, Ramdas, Narsingh, Arjun Singh, and Bhupal Singh.[6] The Office of the Nepal Antiquary also mentions sons of Amar Singh as Ranajor, Bhaktavir, Ramdas, Ranasur, Ranabir, Arjun, Narsingh and Bhupal.[7] The genealogical table produced by Kumar Pradhan shows the sons of Bada Amar Singh as - Ranadhoj, Bhaktabir, Narsingh, Ramdas and Ranajor, all of whom were Kaji at some point.[8]

Ranadhoj Thapa
Further information: Ranadhoj Thapa
Outer cover of letter sent by Badakaji Amar Singh Thapa to PM Bhimsen Thapa and his own son Ranadhoj Thapa in Kantipur (Kathmandu)[9]

Ranadhoj Thapa was deputy Prime Minister of Nepal during the administration of Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa.[10] As per Historian Dilli Raman Regmi, he was the eldest son of Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa, supreme commander of Western front.[10] He was functioning deputy to Mukhtiyar (Prime Minister) during the well known Anglo-Nepalese war.[9] Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa had to share administrative authority with him.[10] He retired as Kaji of Nepal in the year 1831 A.D.[8]

Ranajor Thapa
Further information: Ranajor Thapa

He was governor of Kumaun and Garhwal and commander of Jaithak Fort during Anglo-Nepalese war at Battle of Jaithak.[11][12] He was born to General Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa.[8]

Arjun Singh Thapa

Arjun Singh Thapa referred as Arjan Singh was a son of Amar Singh and a military Captain. He took retirement in 1838 and returned to Nepal.[13]

Bhupal Singh Thapa

Bhupal Singh Thapa was a son of Amar Singh.[13] In April 1840, Bhupal Singh Thapa who was in command of Nepalese troops at Doti.[14] He was ordered to lead a diplomatic mission to Lahore.[14]

Grandchildren

The number of grandchildren of Amar Singh is unknown. However, some of his grandsons were prominent in Nepalese politics, administration and military commandership. His grandson through Ranadhoj Thapa were Ripu Mardan Thapa and Badal Singh Thapa, who also served as Kaji of Nepal.[8] His another grandson, Surat Singh Thapa, was appointed to post of Kaji in 1832 A.D. to retaliate growing Darbar politics after which he became joint-chief signatory in each government papers with Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa.[15][8] His grandsons through daughter Ambika Devi and son-in-law Chandravir Kunwar were influential Bharadars too. Balabhadra Kunwar, son of Chandravir and hero of the Battle of Nalapani, was a grandson of Amar Singh.[16] Similarly, Birbhadra Kunwar, a military commander in Kumaun, was also grandson of Amar Singh through Chandravir.[17]

Ripu Mardan Thapa

Ripu Mardan Thapa was a commander of Anglo-Nepalese war at Battle of Nalapani. He fought alongside his cousin Balbhadra Kunwar, another grandson of Bada Amar Singh.[18] He sustained an injury in his right arm from an enemy shell.[19] He was later appointed as Commander of a military company in Bhirkot. [20]

Balbhadra Kunwar
Further information: Balbhadra Kunwar
Balabhadra Kunwar, son of Chandravir and hero of the Battle of Nalapani

Balbhadra Kunwar (30 January 1789 – 13 March 1823) was a Nepalese military commander who popularly led the Battle of Nalapani.[21] Balabhadra Kunwar was highly praised for his military skill for the defence of the Nalapani fort.[22]

Birbhadra Kunwar

Birbhadra Kunwar was military commander in Kumaun[17] and Kangra front (1809 A.D.)[23] as well as governor of Garhwal.[24]

Ancestry
Further information: Bagale Thapa
Coat of arms of Bagale Thapa clan

He was a member of Bagale Thapa clan.[2]

Parents

Amar Singh's father Bhim Sen,[8] also known as Umrao Bagh Bhim Singh Thapa was a military commander who died in the battle of Palanchowk in 1759 AD.[2][25] He is also known as Tiger of Siranchowk.[25] His mother as per the Thapa genealogy is Uma Devi.

Grandparents

Amar Singh was grandson of Ranjai [of Sirhanchowk].[8]

Genealogical table
Main article: Bagale Thapa

The Thapa genealogy mentions following ancestors of Amar Singh:[6]

16. Anirudra Thapa
8. Dhanjai Thapa
4. Ranjai Thapa
2. Bhim Singh Thapa
1. Amar Singh Thapa
3. Uma Devi

Other relatives
Further information: Kunwar family

Chandrabir Kunwar

Chandrabir Kunwar married a sister of Kaji Ranajor Thapa[18] and was a son-in-law of Bada Amar Singh Thapa[17][23] Chandra Bir was appointed as Subba (i.e. governor) of Pyuthan in around 1844/45 Vikram Samvat.,[22] governor of hill, Madhesh and Bhot divisions of Doti region 1864 V.S.[26] and Subba (governor) of one-third territories of Garhwal[24] on 1862 Vikram Samvat.[27][28]

Later Descendants

Jharana Thapa, a popular Nepalese actress was married to Sunil Thapa, an eighth patrilineal descendant of Bada Kaji Amar.[29]

References

Footnote
  1. Not to be confused with the Amar Singh Thapa (born 1759).

Note
  1. Pradhan 2012, p. 22.
  2. Hamal 1995, p. 191.
  3. Pradhan 2012, p. 26.
  4. Whelpton, John (1991). Kings, soldiers, and priests: Nepalese politics and the rise of Jang Bahadur Rana, 1830-1857. Manohar Publications. ISBN 9788185425641.
  5. Whelpton 1991, p. 21.
  6. https://issuu.com/laxmanthapa/docs/bagale
  7. ONA 1978.
  8. Pradhan 2012, p. 195.
  9. "Cover with the seal of Amar Singh Thapa". Bilder-aus-nepal.de. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  10. Regmi 1975, p. 178.
  11. Singh 2013, p. 64.
  12. Prinsep 1825, p. 94.
  13. Gupta 1978, p. 380.
  14. SGPI 1988, p. 54.
  15. Pradhan 2012, p. 148.
  16. Acharya 1971, pp. 3-5.
  17. Dabaral 1987, p. 51.
  18. Acharya 1971, p. 3.
  19. Pant 1978, p. 188.
  20. Pant 1978, p. 193.
  21. http://kathmandupost.ekantipur.com/printedition/news/2012-01-31/bulbudder-and-the-british.html
  22. Acharya 1971, p. 5.
  23. Regmi 1987b, p. 150.
  24. Regmi 1988a, p. 46.
  25. Acharya 1972, p. 145.
  26. Regmi 1986c, p. 185.
  27. Regmi 1987a, p. 48.
  28. Pauw 1971, p. 47.
  29. "ampnews/2013-12-15/6239". nepal.ekantipur.com. Retrieved 2017-06-11.

Books
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