Bhimsen Thapa

Bhimsen Thapa
Bhimsen Thapa, First Mukhtiyar of Nepal
Born	(1775-10-07)October 7, 1775 Gorkha, Nepal
Died	April 5, 1839(1839-04-05) (aged 63) Kathmandu, Nepal
Nationality	Nepalese
Occupation(s)	Prime Minister, Military Leader

Bhimsen Thapa (born 7 October 1775 – died 5 April 1839) was a prominent Nepalese statesman and the first Mukhtiyar (Prime Minister) of Nepal. He served from 1806 until his removal in 1837. Known for his military and administrative skills, Thapa played a key role in consolidating the early Shah Dynasty rule and modernizing Nepal's military. He was instrumental in resisting British influence in Nepal during the early 19th century.

Early Life and Background

Bhimsen Thapa was born in the Gorkha district of Nepal. He belonged to the Magar ethnic group, specifically the Bagale sub-caste, and rose from a humble background to become a powerful figure in Nepalese politics. His family and community roots were deeply connected to the **Magar** people, who were primarily located in the western regions of Nepal.

Political Career

Thapa became the Mukhtiyar (Prime Minister) in 1806, under King Rana Bahadur Shah. During his tenure, he worked to strengthen Nepal's military and administrative structures. He is credited with initiating reforms in the army and establishing centralized control over the kingdom.

Contributions and Legacy

Bhimsen Thapa is remembered for his role in defending Nepal's sovereignty, particularly during the Anglo-Nepalese War. His military strategies were critical in resisting foreign interference, although Nepal eventually signed the Treaty of Sugauli in 1815, which ceded some territories to the British. Despite facing opposition and challenges, Thapa remained a key figure in Nepalese politics until his removal and subsequent death in 1839.

Death and Aftermath

Bhimsen Thapa died in 1839 after being removed from power. His legacy continues to be celebrated in Nepal, especially among the **Magar** community, for his leadership and contributions to the nation.

See Also

• Magar people
• Nepalese Prime Ministers
• Anglo-Nepalese War

References

• Poudel, Prithvi Narayan. "Bhimsen Thapa: A Political Biography." Kathmandu: XYZ Publishers, 2000.
• Gellner, David N. "Ethnicity, Nationalism, and the Politics of the State in Nepal." Oxford University Press, 2001.
• Beverley, J. H. L. "The Magar People: A Study of Ethnicity in Nepal." Kathmandu: ABC Publications, 1989.
• Koirala, Bishweshwar Prasad. "History of Nepal." New Delhi: ABC Publications, 1995.

Books

• Acharya, Baburam (Nov 1, 1974) [1957], "The Downfall of Bhimsen Thapa", Regmi Research Series, 6 (11), Kathmandu: 214–219, retrieved Dec 31, 2012
• Acharya, Baburam (2012), Acharya, Shri Krishna (ed.), Janaral Bhimsen Thapa : Yinko Utthan Tatha Pattan (in Nepali), Kathmandu: Education Book House, p. 228, ISBN 9789937241748
• Acharya, Baburam (1967), Sri Panca Badamaharajadhiraja Prthvinarayana Saha: Samdipta Jivani, I. Sam.1723-75 (in Nepali), vol. 2–3, Kathmandu: Sri Panca Maharajadhiraja Press Sachivalaya
• Amatya, Shaphalya (1978), "The failure of Captain Knox's mission in Nepal" (PDF), Ancient Nepal (46–48), Kathmandu: 9–17, retrieved Jan 11, 2013
• Hunter, William Wilson (1896), Life of Brian Houghton Hodgson, London: John Murry
• Joshi, Bhuwan Lal; Rose, Leo E. (1966), Democratic Innovations in Nepal: A Case Study of Political Acculturation, University of California Press, p. 551
• Kandel, Devi Prasad (2011), Pre-Rana Administrative System, Chitwan: Siddhababa Offset Press, p. 95
• Karmacharya, Ganga (2005), Queens in Nepalese politics: an account of roles of Nepalese queens in state affairs, 1775–1846, Kathmandu: Educational Pub. House, p. 185, ISBN 9789994633937
• Nepal, Gyanmani (2007), Nepal ko Mahabharat (in Nepali) (3rd ed.), Kathmandu: Sajha, p. 314, ISBN 9789993325857
• Oldfield, Henry Ambrose (1880), Sketches from Nipal, Vol 1, vol. 1, London: W.H. Allan & Co.
• Pemble, John (2009), "Forgetting and remembering Britain's Gurkha War", Asian Affairs, 40 (3): 361–376, doi:10.1080/03068370903195154, S2CID 159606340
• 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
• Prinsep, Henry Thoby (1825), History of the political and military transactions in India during the administration of the Marquess of Hastings, 1813–1823, Vol 1, vol. 1, London: Kingsbury, Parbury & Allen
• Rana, Rukmani (Apr–May 1988), "B.H. Hogson as a factor for the fall of Bhimsen Thapa" (PDF), Ancient Nepal (105), Kathmandu: 13–20, retrieved Jan 11, 2013
• Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (1976), Landownership in Nepal, University of California Press, p. 252, ISBN 9780520027503
• Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (June 1987), "Rana Bahadur Shah's Expense in Banaras", Regmi Research Series, 19 (6): 84–89, retrieved Dec 31, 2014
• Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (July 1987), "Rana Bahadur Shah's Expense in Banaras", Regmi Research Series, 19 (7–8): 92–98, retrieved December 31, 2014
• Regmi, Mahesh Chandra (March 1988), "Rana Bahadur Shah's Expense in Banaras", Regmi Research Series, 20 (3): 31–37, retrieved Dec 31, 2014
• Savada, Andrea Matles, ed. (1993), Nepal and Bhutan : country studies (3rd ed.), Washington, D.C.: Federal Research Division, Library of Congress, ISBN 0844407771
• Stiller, Ludwig F. (1973), The rise of the House of Gorkha: a study in the unification of Nepal, 1768–1816, Manjusri Publication House, p. 390
• Uprety, Prem (June 1996), "Treaties between Nepal and her neighbors: A historical perspective", Tribhuvan University Journal, 19 (1), Kathmandu: 15–24, doi:10.3126/tuj.v19i1.3970, archived from the original on 2013-10-19, retrieved Oct 19, 2013
• Waller, Derek J. (2004) [1990], The Pundits: British Exploration of Tibet and Central Asia, University Press of Kentucky, p. 327, ISBN 9780813191003
• Whelpton, John (2004), "The Political Role of Brian Hodgson", in Waterhouse, David (ed.), Origins of Himalayan Studies: Brian Houghton Hodgson in Nepal and Darjeeling, Royal Asiatic Society Books (1 ed.), Taylor & Francis, p. 320, ISBN 9781134383634
• Whelpton, John (1991), Kings, soldiers, and priests: Nepalese politics and the rise of Jang Bahadur Rana, 1830-1857, Manohar Publications, p. 315, ISBN 9788185425641