Thapa

Thapa (थापा pronunciation:t̪ʰāpā) is the surname commonly used by Nepali people belonging to the Chhetri caste of Khas group, an Indo-Aryan ethno-linguistic group and Magar people, a Sino-Tibetan ethno-linguistic group. Kshetri Thapa of Kshatriya Varna are addressed as Thapa Kaji while Thapa Magar are addressed as general Magar.Kshatriya Thapa dynasty were one of the four noble family to be involved in active politics of Nepal together with Shah dynasty, Basnyat/Basnets and Pandes before rise of Rana dynasty. and ruled between 1806 to 1837 and 1843 to 1845. Thapas played important role in Unification of Nepal and had held many prestigious post in the Malla Court and Bijayapur Court. This family grew prominent during the rule of King Prithvi Narayan Shah and were established as dominant faction during reign of King Rana Bahadur Shah. After the assassination of King Rana Bahadur Shah, Bhimsen Thapa rose to the event killing all his enemies and catapulting the Thapa family as most dominant faction in the Royal Court of Nepal.[[File:Bhimsen-thapa-painting (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|Bhimsen Thapa, First Mukhtiyar of Nepal, leading member of [[Thapa dynasty]]]]Thapa family were strengthened in the Royal court by including family members of the another Thapa Bharadar Amar Singh Thapa. Bada (Elder) Kaji Amar Singh Thapa was a legendary military commander and National Hero of Nepal. Thapas have important role in Anglo-Nepalese War where Colonial Power British India Company had major loss at First Campaign. Colonel Ujir Singh Thapa was sector commander at Jitgadh, Kaji Ranajor Singh Thapa at Jaithak, Sardar Bhakti Thapa at Deuthal, Colonel Ranabir Singh Thapa at Makawanpurgadhi and Bada Kaji (Elder Kaji) Amar Singh Thapa at Malaon. Bhimsens nephew PM Mathabarsingh Thapa was known for his charisma from whom Jung Bahadur Rana rose to power. Thus, the state of administrative Thapa rule in Nepal is politically termed as Thapadom.Kshetri Thapa was divided into clans (subgroups) like Bagale Thapa, Godar Thapa, Deoja Thapa, Thakuryal Thapa, Mugali(Lamichhane) Thapa, Kalikote Thapa, Suyal Thapa, Punwar Thapa, Khulal Thapa, Sonal Thapa, Bhandare Thapa, Achhami Thapa, Ghimire Thapa, Maharaji Thapa, Patkheti Thapa, Gaunle Thapa and others. Modern day Thapas are prominent in wide professions. Manjushree Thapa, an English language author is known for Forget Kathmandu: An Elegy for Democracy (2005), was shortlisted for the Lettre Ulysses Award in 2006. Gagan Thapa, a popular 40-year-old minister is in the Nepalese cabinet. Ujwal Thapa, the President of Bibeksheel Nepali is a leading youth activist and entrepreneur.

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