Thapa
थापा | |
---|---|
Portrait of Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa, a Thapa nobleman | |
Total population | |
7.13% of Nepal's population |
Thapa is the surname of a large social group of people, both Mongolian Magar and Aryan Chhetri people. The Thapa Magars (Mongolian Origin i.e. Tibetan-Nepal Origin) come from the upper part of Nepal. The Thapa Chhetris are of Indo-Aryan thought to have originated from Karnali Region. They were given hereditary title of Kaji with 4 other castes: Basnet, Pandey, Bista and Kunwar. The Thapas are among the oldest ethnic people in Nepal. Their ancestral homeland in Nepal extends from southern edges of the Himalayas to the Mahabharat Range foothills in the south and Karnali River basin to Gandaki river basin in the east.
According to 2011 Nepal census, they are the largest indigenous group in Nepal, constituting 7.13% of Nepal's population, which places them as largest family name in Nepal.
Thapa Chhetri
Chhetri Thapas are pure Aryans of Indo-European heritage. They speak Indo-European language Nepali language as mother tongue. They have Aryan features like Fair to Brown Skin, Tall Height, Large Eyes. They fall under "Tagaadhari" group because they wear Sacred Hindu Threads called 'Janai'. They do not consume alcoholic drinks. Meats of Goat, Sheep or Goat family (Mesh Jaati) are only the meats allowed to eat. They sacrifice Male Buffaloes to Goddess Kali during Kaalratri Puja on Dashain.
Thapa Chhetris were important Bhardar (Courtier) families. Chhetri Thapas were given titles like Landlords(Zamindaar), Mukhiya (Chieftain), Jimmal (Tax Collectors), Bada Hakim (Governor General), Pancha Pradhan (Head of Panchayat) during Shah rule till the 1950s. The Thapa Chhetris hails from Old Khas Kingdom in Karnali Zone and adjacent area Karnali in Nepal. They were powerful during the middle age in the Khasa kingdom. Currently many of the Thapa Chhetris are found in India Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Thapas are divided into many sub-castes which are the:
Aryan Chhetri Thapas are distinguished by different Gotra and origins(Utpati). Though some clans may share similar Gotra. They are:
Bagaaley Thapa
They have historical importance in Nepalese history. Their Gotra is Aatreya and ancestral deity is Bhimsen Panchakanya. Many Famous Heroes like PM Bhimsen Thapa, Military Leader Bada Kazi Amar Singh Thapa, PM Mathabarsingh Thapa, Army Chief Dharmapaal Barsingh Thapa belonged to this great Bagaaley Thapa Clan.
Godaar Thapa
Their Gotra is Kashyap. Sardar Bhakti Thapa and Victoria Cross holder Sher Bahadur Thapa belonged to this great Godaar Thapa Clan. With Bagaley Thapa, they have historical contributions.
Mugali/Lamichhane Thapa
Like all other Lamichhaneys(Basnets, Khadkas), their Gotra is Garga. 5 times Prime Minister of Nepal, Surya Bahadur Thapa belonged to this Mugali Thapa Clan.
Khulal Thapa
Like all other Khulals(Basnets,Khadkas), their Gotra is Dhananjaya.
Suyal Thapa
Other Chhetri Thapa Clans includes:
- Pawar Thapa
- Gaamle Thapa,
- Kala Thapa
- Ghimire Thapa
Magar Thapa
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. They have Mongoloid features like Fair Skin, Short Flat Nose, Small Eyes, Strong Jaw Bone and Sturdy Built Body. One of the bravest and strongest tribesmen, they were the inner core of Gorkha forces later but formerly ruled most of the western parts of Nepal.
Mongolian Thapa follow Magar culture with Buddhism and Hinduism.They perform Ghaatu-Naach like Magars and bury their dead ones.
Magar Thapa traditionally accepted agriculture, handicrafts and soldiers job as British Gorkha, Singapore Gurkha Police, Indian Gorkha as their profession. As Gorkha forces are differentiated into ethnicity, Magar are the largest sources of soldiers from Nepal due to fierce character and bulk population among tribesmen.
Famous Mongolian Thapas are Lakhan Thapa, 1st Martyr of Nepal. Victoria Cross holders like Kulbir Thapa, 1st VC holder and Netrabahadur Thapa are Mongolian Magar Thapas.
Notable people with the surname Thapa
- Bhimsen Thapa Mukhtiyar (Prime Minister) of Nepal. Saved Nepal from British, one of the National heroes of Nepal.
- BadaKaaji Amar Singh Thapa, Supreme Commander of Western front in Anglo-Nepalese War one of the National heroes of Nepal
- Sardar Bhakti Thapa, Commander of Western front in Anglo-Nepalese War, Killed in battle of Deuthal.
- Queen Tripurasundari of Nepal; Queen Consort of King Rana Bahadur Shah. Born as Lalita Kumari, daughter of Kaaji Nayan Singh Thapa
- Mathabar Singh Thapa, First Prime Minister of Nepal to wear crown and also was Commander in-chief of Nepalese Army.
- Surya Bahadur Thapa, 5 times Prime Minister of Nepal. Singlehandedly operated and protected Panchayat System in Nepal.
- Jana Kavi Keshari Dharmaraj Thapa, Poet and songwriter
- Dharmapaal Barsingh Thapa, Retired Army Chief
- Pyar Jung Thapa, Retired Army Chief
- Shyam Bhakta Thapa, Ex-Police Chief
- Arjun Bahadur Thapa, Secretary-General, SAARC (2014–present)
- Kamal Thapa, Former Home Minister, President of Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Monarchist and Hinduism centered Leader
- Gagan Kumar Thapa, Prominent youth leader from Nepali Congress and current Minister of Health
- Rapper Bullet Flo, born as Suraj Bikram Thapa
- Rekha Thapa, Nepali actress. Known for Himmat, Kismat
- Kulbir Thapa; 1st Nepali Victoria Cross holder
- Netrabahadur Thapa, Victoria Cross holder-2 Battalion 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles(1944: Locale -Burma)
- Sher Bahadur Thapa, Only Kshetri Victoria Cross holder 9th Gurkha Rifles (1944: Locale-San Marino, Italy )
- Colonel Gajraj Singh Thapa First person to introduce tea plantation in Nepal in around 1873 AD.[1] He is also the son in law of Jung Bahadur Rana
- Manjushree Thapa, Nepalese international author
- Arun Thapa, Magar singer
- Sunil Thapa, Film actor, a.k.a. Raate Kaila (Hindi-Ek duje ke liye, Mary Kom/Nepali-more than 25 films)
- Jharana Thapa, Nepalese actress.
- Bipana Thapa, Nepalese actress.
- Brigadier Sher Jung Thapa, Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Indian Army, resident of Dharmasala, Himachal Pradesh, (India).
- Major Dhan Singh Thapa, Pramvir Chakra (PVC), Indian Army, resident of Simla, Himaachal Pradesh (India).
References
- ↑ "G.S. Haly Company - Tea Revives the World - By Origin: Nepal". Gshaly.com. Retrieved 2015-07-27.