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The Rana dynasty (Nepali: राणा शासन​, Rāņā shāsana) ruled the Kingdom of Nepal from 1846 until 1951, reducing the Shah monarch to a figurehead and making Prime Minister and other government positions hereditary. The dynasty is descended from one Bal Narsingh Kunwar of Kaski who moved to Gorkha in the early 18th century and entered the service of Raja Nara Bhupal Shah around 1740, and of Bhimsen Thapa (1775-1839 who is counted among the National heroes of Nepaland was the maternal granduncle of Jung Bahadhur and his brothers.

Janga Bahadur Kunwar (Nepali: जंग बहादुर कुँवर) began the dynasty. He came to power through the 1846 Kot massacre (Nepali: कोत पर्व, Kot Parwa) where 36 members of the palace court including the Prime Minister and a relative of the King Chautariya Fate Janga Shah were murdered on the orders of the ambitious junior Queen. These were unstable times and Janga Bahadur brought stability to the country by putting himself firmly in control something even the junior Queen had not anticipated. He took the title Rana ("king"), the honorific Shrī Tīn (Nepali: श्री ३) meaning his name was preceded by Shrī-Shrī-Shrī, and was accorded 19-gun salutes by the British Raj. However Shah kings were Shrī Pānch (Nepali: श्री ५) -- Shrī-Shrī-Shrī-Shrī-Shrī—called Maharājdhirāj (Nepali: महाराजाधिराज), "king of kings", and given 21-gun salutes. Junga Bahadur's sons and brothers inherited the title Rana and took it as their family name instead of Kunwar.

After Junga Bahadur's death his brother Ranodip Singh Rana took the Prime Ministership and title of Maharaja as per Junga's established wishes, which unlike the Kingship where the eldest son was to inherit the throne,the Rana dynasty was to be firmly established with the eldest male member of the Rana family at the helm and not the eldest son. This Jung and his brothers thought was the best way to secure a long reign as they had seen too much instability with the different queens trying to influence the King into making their sons the next King. IN his seminal book and doning the cap of a third party observer and interpreter William Digby, a British Writer chronicles the brutal killing of Ranodip Singh by his ignominous brothers Bir Shamshere etc.and the British policy of Divide and Rule^[1]in the most insightful manner. It depicts the treachery of Ranodip's trusted lieutenant Bir Shamshere and his stab in the back. Its a true account of what transpired and how the events changed the history of Nepal. Therefore Maharaja Ranodip and Jagat Jung, known as "Mukhiya Jarnel" both were murdered by Bir Shamshere and his brothers in order to usurp the throne of Nepal. It was one of the most brutal depiction of the inhuman killings and subsequent refusal by the british to help the General's family whose patriarch was once the most trusted and obedient supporter of the British Casuse in India thereby helping the British in dousing the flames of revolt of 1857. Presently if someone carries the name Shumshere Jang Bahadur Rana, then they come from Dhir Shumshere's lineage (Jang Bahadur's youngest brother). Two of Jung Bahadur's sons Gen. Ranabir Jung and Commander-in-Chief Gen. Padma Jung Bahadur Rana KIH Gold Medal 1877 were escorted to Allahabad. Gen. Ranabir Jung later attempted to reclaim his position, after having raised an army, but was thwarted and finally killed in battle. Ranabir Jungs descendants with the title Bir Jung Bahadur are very widespread, and live in Kathmandu, Dehra Dun, Delhi, Kolkata, Australia and The UK while Ranodip Singh's desecendents live in Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Many Rana daughters,were/are married to the Nepalese royal family and various Maharajas of Indian Principality States. Similarly many sons, are married to the Nepalese royal familiy and Princesses of Indian Royal Houses. Maharaja Sir Jung Bahadur Rana of Kaski & Lamjung himself started the process of marrying Rana Gentlemen and Ladies to the Indian Royal Households in mid 1800 AD. [http://www.royalark.net/Nepal/lamb3.htm Commander-in-Chief Gen. The shortest serving Rana Prime Minister was Dev Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana who ruled for two months in 1901, he was deposed by his brothers because of his reformist ideas. Known as "The Reformist" for his progressive policies, he proclaimed universal education, began to building schools, took steps to abolish slavery, and introduced several other social welfare schemes^{[citation needed]}. He also made improvements to the arsenal at Nakkhu (south of Kathmandu) and started The Gorkhapatra newspaper. Dev Shumsher felt guilty for what had transpired during the coup, also a key incident happened during the coup which affected him deeply. He was held at gunpoint by General Dhoj Narsingh Rana, but was allowed to live and forgiven. For this, he felt a lot of guilt and asked for the exiled family members to return to Nepal. This brought him to a clash with his immediate brothers.

The Ranas were acclaimed and given much prestige and a 19-gun salute by British as well. All with the exception of Deva Shamsher received knighthoods.

The Rana dynasty developed into a powerful and wealthy family clan and some Ranas are still very influential in the country today taking higher positions in Nepal Army. To keep the power and influence the Rana family formed a close alliance with the Shah dynasty via marriage.

Notable among the Rana Prime Ministers were Jung, Bir, Chandra and Juddha, who together established the first formal written laws, formal schools, hydro plant, industries and banks in Nepal.

Rana Prime Ministers[link]

Nine Rana rulers took the hereditary office of Prime Minister. All were styled self proclaimed King of Lamjung and Kaski.

1. Shree 3 Jung Bahadur Rana, GCB, GCSI (18 June 1816–25 February 1877)

   Ruled 1846 to 25 February 1877. Received the hereditary rights to the title of Rana and a salute of 19 guns from the British.

2. Shree 3 Renaudip Singh aka Ranodip Singh Rana, KCSI (3 April 1825–22 November 1885

   Ruled 25 February 1877 to 22 November 1885.

3. Shree 3 Bir Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCSI (10 December 1852–5 March 1901)

   Ruled 22 November 1885 to 5 March 1901.

4. Shree 3 Dev Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana (17 July 1862–20 February 1914)

   Ruled 5 March to 27 June 1901, when as a result of his progressive nature, he was deposed by his relatives and sent into exile in India.

5. Shree 3 Chandra Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCB, GCSI, GCMG, GCVO, Kaisar-i-Hind (8 July 1863–26 November 1929)

   Ruled 27 June 1901 to 26 November 1929.

6. Shree 3 Bhim Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCSI, GCMG, KCVO (16 April 1865–1 September 1932)

   Ruled 26 November 1929 to 1 September 1932.

7. Shree 3 Juddha Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCB, GCSI, GCIE (19 April 1875–20 November 1952)

   Ruled 1 September 1932 to 29 November 1945, whereupon he abdicated in favor of his nephew.

8. Shree 3 Padma Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCSI, GBE, KCIE (5 December 1882–11 April 1961)

   Ruled 29 November 1945 to 30 April 1948, whereupon he abdicated in favor of his cousin.

9. Shree 3 Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCB, GCIE, GBE (23 December 1885–6 January 1967)

   Ruled 30 April 1948 to 18 February 1951, at which date he was divested of his titles and exiled to India.

External links and Sources[link]

• ^[2] William Digby-Friend in need:1857, Friendship forgotten:1887
• Lambjang and Kaski - Brief History at Royalark.
• Old pictures of Nepal from Rana Dynasty

References[link]

See also[link]

• Shah dynasty
• History of Nepal

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Lakhan Thapa Magar (1835–1877) was a Nepali revolutionary known as "the first martyr of Nepal"^[1] He has been labeled such by the Nepali Magar ethnic group as he was the one who first resisted to the government in Nepal namely: the rule of the Rana dynasty 1846 -1950. He rebelled against the rule of Jang Bahadur Rana. He was supported by his close friend Jay Shingh Chumi Rana Magar. Lakhan Thapa declared himself king of his free state. Jayashingh Chumi was his minister. Lakhan Thapa established his capital in Bungkot Gorkha with a three-storied palace and his own army with parade ground . He propagandized his political ideology to destroy the Jung Bahadur Rana regime, to form a free state and army.^[2]

Early life[link]

He was born in Kahule Bhangar of Gorkha district, west Nepal in 1835. No further documentation is available on his education and career, however, some Nepalese historians write he was a social organizer and promising leader of the ethnic indigenous group of people. He was a follower of Josmani Saint sect of religion.^[3] He has also been portrayed as peasant's leader^[4]

Kot Massacre of 1846[link]

The mysterious killing of General Gagan Singh, followed the Kot Massacre of 1846 that catapulted the Ranas into power to last 104 years. The reigning queen wanted to know the murderer of General Gagan Singh. General Abhiman Singh Rana Magar, who was the first General or Commander-in-Chief of Nepal Army^[5] had known who the killer was. Jung Bahadur Rana, therefore shot him at his chest and the dying General Abhiman Singh Rana Magar, shouted, "Junge was the killer of Gagan Singh"("गगन सिंहको हत्त्यारा जंगे नै हो"). It is understandable that Junga Bahadur Rana had to finish all nobles in the royal house and other in the country, that included ethnic leaders like Lakhan Thapa to secure his position. His iron-fisted rule scared people in the country.

Resistance[link]

Lakhan Thapa Magar, a man of great courage could not tolerate it. He organized some youths from his area and began to protest against the government. Later Jung Bahadur Rana knew it and sent his troops to Gorkha. The troops captured and hanged him to death with his friend Ajay Singh Chumi Magar. Some historians write the government captured 50 youths and hanged all of them along with Lakhan Thapa. But one of the descendants of Jung Bahadur Rana has otherwise opted to dismiss Thapa's martyrdom.^[6] But all renowned historians of Nepal have attested that Lakhan Thapa was hanged to death.^[7] Junga Bahadur Rana had risen to power with brutal massacre of the nobles of Nepal Durbar. The Kot Massacre was the beginning of 'black days' of Nepalese history. Junga Bahadur Rana was a ruthless ruler. It can't be even imagined such a cruel ruler, who had risen to power through conspiracy and bloodbath would have left anyone unharmed, who had opposed him so vigorously for the first time.

Another historian and then Director General of Nepal Government's Department of Archaeology has written^[8] that Jung Bahadur Rana's tyrannic rule had reached its optimum limit; people had suffered beyond imagination. Therefore, Thapa began to organize people against the government. Taking some ex-army-men into his organization, Thapa began a rebellion from Bunkot, Kahule Bhangar in Gorkha. People overwhelmingly supported Thapa's movement. His organization grew leaps and bounds. In the meantime, government secret service agents reported what Thapa was doing against the Rana regime. That was a 'first ever political movement against any Nepalese government' which was totally corrupt and tyrannic, extremely unpopular and fundamentally against the public interest. Jung Bahadur Rana thought, he must stop the rebellion or else he had no future. So, Jung Bahadur sent his troops to crush the rebellion. While Lakhan Thapa and his seven friends were in a secret meeting, the government army got into there and captured all of them. The troops searched and found 60 guns and other arms and ammunition also. Thapa and other captives, arms and ammunition were brought into Kathmandu.

Jung Bahadur thought to eliminate Thapa and other rebels and ordered to hang them. After sometime, Thapa was hanged in front of his residence in Bungkot and rest other seven were hanged near Manokamana temple.^[9]

Death[link]

Lakhan Thapa was hanged to death by the central Rana government on February 27, 1877. Some historians draw parallel between Lakhan Thapa and Bhagat Singh (Punjabi: ਭਗਤ ਸਿੰਘ بھگت سنگھ,]) (28 September 1907[7] – 23 March 1931) of India.

Family tree[link]

Lakhan Thapa's Siblings:

• Ram Thapa (older brother) and;
• Dhana Mala sister.

When the regime hanged Thapa to death, his family fled Gorkha. His wife and children took refuge in Rumjatar, east Nepal at some Limbu household for sometime and then again to Darjeeling, India.

• Thapa's wife and Children : Both his wife and son's name is not known.

• Martyr Thapas' Grandson: His grandson was Karbir Thapa Magar who had a son: Hem Dal Thapa and a daughter (name unknown). n Hem Dal Thapa had a son Padam Bahadur Thapa and daughter Shuva Kumari Thapa.

Padam Bahadur Thapa has two sons: Binod Thapa Magar, Bidhan Thapa Magar and four daughters: Shakun Thapa, Rukmini Thapa, Malati Thapa and Sudha Thapa. They all live in Darjeeling today.

Shuva Kumari Thapa has also two sons Rohit Thapa Magar, Shyam Thapa Magar and four daughters: Pawitra Thapa, Sumitra Thapa, Sabita Thapa and Lalita Thapa.

Shuva Kumari Thapa was in Kathmandu in 2002.She was honoured by Martyr Lakhan Thapa Memorial Foundation amidst a function in Kathmandu, Nepal.^[10]

Notes[link]

References[link]

• Baidhya, Tulsiram, Vijay Kumar Manandhar and Premsingh Basnyat. 2009. Military History of Nepal (Part 2). Kathmandu: Army Headquarters.
• Bhandari, Dhundi Raj: नेपालको आलोचनात्मक इतिहास Nepalko Aalochanatmak Itihas (A Critical History of Nepal)
• Gurung, Hark - 1998: Nepal : Social Demography and Expression.
• Lecomte-Tilouine, Marie - Oxford University Press - 2008: Hindu Kingship, Ethnic Revival and Maoist Rebellion in Nepal
• Rana, B. K. : Martyrs, Martyrdom and martyr Lakhan Thapa
• Rana, B. K. 2003: संक्षिप्त मगर इतिहास Sanchhipta Magar Itihas (A Concise History of Magars)
• Rana, Promod Sumsher - 1978 : Rana Nepal - An Insider's View
• Sharma, Bal Chandra : नेपालको ऐतिहासिक रुपरेखा Nepalko Aitihasik Ruprekha (Glimpses of Nepalese History)
• Sharma, Janak Lal -1964 : जोसमनी सन्त-परम्परा र साहित्य - २०२० -Josmani Sanit-Parampara Ra Sahitya 1964 - Josmani Saint Tradition and Literature - 1964.
• Singh, Bhim Bhaktaman - 2005: Nepal
• Whelpton, John 1991: Kings, Soldiers and Priests: Nepalese Politics and the Rise of Jung Bahadur Rana, 1830 -1857

External links[link]

• Magar Morcha
• True Tribute to Martyrs
• Celebration of Martyrs’ Day In Nepal
• Martyrs, Martyrdom and Martyr Lakhan Thapa
• Martyrs, Freedom Fighters and Brave Children of Nepal
• Hindu Kingship, Ethnic Revival and Maoist Rebellion in Nepal:
• Even today, Lakhan Thapa is remembered as the first Nepali martyr
• Martyrs, Martyrdom and Martyr Lakhan Thapa
• THE HISTORY OF THE MESSIANIC AND REBEL KING LAKHAN THAPA MAGAR : UTOPIA AND IDEOLOGY AMONG THE MAGARS