Family of Amar Singh Thapa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Family of Amar Singh Thapa (Elder) |
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Nishankalika flag of Bagale Thapa clan, Amar Singh’s ancestral clan
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| Current region | Gorkha & Kathmandu |
| Earlier spellings | Bagale Thapa |
| Place of origin | Siranchowk, Gorkha |
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| Connected families | Kunwar family |
| Traditions | Kshatriya (Chhetri) |
| Estate(s) | Siranchowk of Gorkha |
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Bagh Bhim Singh Thapa was the first national military commander of this family.
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The family of Badakaji Amar Singh Thapa (1751 - 1816) was a very important and respected family in the old Kingdom of Nepal. They were part of the Chhetri group, known for their bravery and leadership. This family, along with the family of Bhimsen Thapa, belonged to the Bagale Thapa clan. This clan was a powerful group in Nepal's government.
The family's story began with Ranjai Thapa from Siranchowk. His son, Bagh Bhim Singh Thapa, became a brave military commander for the Gorkha Kingdom. Sadly, he died fighting in the battle of Palanchowk. Bhim Singh's son, Amar Singh Thapa, became the most famous member of this family. He rose to become the top commander, like a chief minister (called a Mukhtiyar), for the western regions of Nepal. These areas included Kumaon and Garhwal.
Amar Singh's children and grandchildren also became influential leaders. They served as important officers (called Bharadars), politicians, ministers, and military commanders in Nepal. The family also had strong ties with the Kunwar family of Gorkha through marriage. For example, Amar Singh Thapa was the father-in-law of Chandrabir Kunwar. Chandrabir was the nephew of a Gorkhali leader named Sardar Ramakrishna Kunwar. Through Chandrabir, Amar Singh had grandsons who became nationally recognized heroes. One was Balbhadra Kunwar, a famous warrior from the Battle of Nalapani. Another was Birbhadra Kunwar, who was also an important officer.
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The Thapa Family's Importance
This family was a very influential Bagale Thapa family. They served in the royal court alongside the Bhimsen Thapa family. Both families gained a lot of power in the central government. Bhimsen Thapa, who was also a Bagale Thapa, brought Amar Singh Thapa's sons into the royal court. This helped to increase the influence of the Thapa group in Nepal's politics.
Amar Singh Thapa's Close Family
Historian Surya Bikram Gyawali says that Amar Singh Thapa was married to Dharmabati. He had nine sons: Surbir, Randhoj, Ran Singh, Ranjor, Bhakta Bir, Ram Das, Narsingh, Arjun Singh, and Bhupal. All of Amar Singh's sons played a part in the unification of Nepal. Other records show that Bada Amar Singh had ten sons from four wives. Their names were Ranabir, Ranasur, Ranadhoj, Ranabhim, Ranajor, Bhaktabir, Ramdas, Narsingh, Arjun Singh, and Bhupal Singh. Many of them became high-ranking officials called Kaji.
Amar Singh's Sons and Their Roles
Ranadhoj Thapa
- Further information: Ranadhoj Thapa
Ranadhoj Thapa served as the deputy Prime Minister of Nepal. He worked under Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa. Historian Dilli Raman Regmi states that Ranadhoj was the oldest son of Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa. During the famous Anglo-Nepalese war, he helped the Prime Minister manage the country. He retired as a Kaji of Nepal in 1831 A.D.
Ranajor Thapa
- Further information: Ranajor Thapa
Ranajor Thapa was a governor of the Kumaun and Garhwal regions. He was also the commander of Jaithak Fort during the Anglo-Nepalese war. He fought bravely at the Battle of Jaithak. Ranajor was a son of the great General Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa.
Arjun Singh Thapa
Arjun Singh Thapa, also known as Arjan Singh, was another son of Amar Singh. He was a military Captain. He retired from his military service in 1838 and returned to Nepal.
Bhupal Singh Thapa
Bhupal Singh Thapa was also a son of Amar Singh. In April 1840, Bhupal Singh Thapa was in charge of Nepalese troops in Doti. He was later given an important task to lead a diplomatic mission to Lahore.
Amar Singh's Grandchildren
We don't know the exact number of Amar Singh's grandchildren. However, some of them became very important in Nepal's politics, government, and military. His grandsons through his son Ranadhoj Thapa were Ripu Mardan Thapa and Badal Singh Thapa. Both of them also served as Kaji of Nepal. Another grandson, Surat Singh Thapa, became a Kaji in 1832 A.D. He even became a joint-chief signer on government papers with Prime Minister Bhimsen Thapa.
Amar Singh's grandsons through his daughter Ambika Devi and son-in-law Chandravir Kunwar were also influential. Balabhadra Kunwar, a son of Chandravir, was a national hero of the Battle of Nalapani. He was a grandson of Amar Singh. Similarly, Birbhadra Kunwar, a military commander in Kumaun, was also Amar Singh's grandson through Chandravir.
Ripu Mardan Thapa
Ripu Mardan Thapa was a commander during the Anglo-Nepalese war. He fought bravely at the Battle of Nalapani alongside his cousin Balbhadra Kunwar. He was injured in his right arm during the battle. Later, he was appointed as a Commander of a military company in Bhirkot.
Balbhadra Kunwar
- Further information: Balbhadra Kunwar
Balbhadra Kunwar (born 1789 – died 1823) was a Nepalese military commander. He is famous for leading the defense of the Nalapani fort during the Battle of Nalapani. He was highly praised for his military skills.
Birbhadra Kunwar
Birbhadra Kunwar was a military commander in Kumaun and on the Kangra front in 1809 A.D. He also served as the governor of Garhwal.
Other Family Connections
- Further information: Kunwar family
Chandrabir Kunwar
Chandrabir Kunwar married a sister of Kaji Ranajor Thapa. This made him the son-in-law of Bada Amar Singh Thapa. Chandrabir was appointed as a governor (called Subba) of Pyuthan around 1844/45 Vikram Samvat. He also served as governor of different regions of Doti and one-third of Garhwal.
Later Generations
Jharana Thapa, a well-known Nepalese actress, is married to Sunil Thapa. Sunil Thapa is an eighth-generation descendant of Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa. This makes their daughter, Suhana Thapa, a ninth-generation descendant.
