16 Oct 2006
Dear people from the Magar Study center
My Name is Philip Scheffner. I am a filmmaker from Berlin, Germany.
Right now I am working on a documentary film project with the title “The Halfmoon Files”.
In this context I would like to ask you a question – but first I would like to give you some idea about the film project:
The film is trying to find out more about several soldiers who served in the Indian army during WW1 in France and Belgium (Western front)
They were captured by the German troops and have been detained in a POW camp in Wünsdorf, close to Berlin, Germany.
German Scientists recorded their voices on Shellac Records in 1916.
These recordings are still existing in an archive at the Humboldt University, Berlin.
The Film project takes these existing sound recordings as a starting point to collect information about the biographies of the people who are speaking and to search for today living family members and relatives of the soldiers.
So that their voices will not remain “scientific” data in an archive – but testimonies of real people.
People who had a personal history, who had fears and wishes, and a family waiting back home.
A family which – till today – most probably has no idea that there is a sound recording of their great-grandfather existing in a German archive.
One of the soldiers i am looking for was concidered to be a Magar.(so the data of the scientists say)
His name was Bhawan Singh. He was born in Almora and went to the Mission High school.
Later he joined the army in Lansdown (don’t know which regiment)
His cast is mentioned as “Pun”. It is also said that he belongs to a “good” family -which meant that they must have been relatively wealthy…. The soundfile i have is spoken in the language “Khas”. In his text he is speaking about various forms of ghosts.
He is mentioning three different ghosts there: one which is like a rag lying on the street and catching the feet of people passing by. one, which has its eyes in the chest and eating up people. one which is living in the ,mountains with his dog” – also eating up people. Maybe these stories also belong to a mythology of a certain community…
I would like to ask if you have any idea how i could find out more about Bhawan Singh. Maybe you know somebody in Almora who could be helpful or some scientist who is a specialist in Gurkha languages and who could be of any help. I could also send you the soundfile as an mp3 if you want to.
I am planning to go to India in November and try to see if i can find out more….
If you have any ideas or suggestions I would be really thankful!
Thanks a lot for your efforts with kind regards
philip scheffner
– pong Kröger & Scheffner GbR Philip Scheffner Skalitzer Str. 62 10997 Berlin fon / fax +49-30-61076098 mobile: +49-177-2551966 email: <info@pong-berlin.de> www.pong-berlin.de?
18 Oct 2005
Monika Kovacs <monika_kovacs@hotmail.co.uk> wrote: ?
Dear Sir/Madam,
I was reading about Magars on your website and I understand that they are
Mongolian in origin.
I am Hungarian (we call ourselves Magyar) and – as you are probably aware my
people originally come from East of the Urals.
I can’t help noticing how similar the two names are and geographically
thousands of years ago the two nations would not have been that far from
each other. Do you think there is a relation?
Hope you can help my curiousity, I look forward to hearing from you.
Yours sincerely,
Monika Kovacs?
Dear Monica Kovas, ?
Thanks for the email. As you are struck with the similarity of the words Magar and Magyar so are many of us here in Nepal. This curiosity further led people here to establish Nepal-Hungary Friendship Association on 30 April 996 in Kathmandu. The Chairman of this Association is Mr. Tek Bahadur Thapa, former Secretary of Ministry of Home. ?
The objectives of the Association were to promote cultural, literary, sports, arts as well as youth programs to create congenial atmosphere among the peoples of both countries, conduct seminar, colloquium and lecture program to have better understanding of both countries, and to promote study to trace out the affinity between Magar ethnic group of Nepal and Magyar tribe of Hungary. This Association has published five volumes of Nepal-Hungary Friendship Association Bulletin so far. ?
Similarly it is known that a Hungary-Nepal Friendship Society was also established in Hungary on 2 July 1996. Mr. Elek Woynarovich and Mr. K. J. Baral (retired Inspector General of Police, Nepal) were both elected as honorable presidents. The Chairman, General Secretary was Mr. Ferenc Lovass and Sarolta Boda respectively. The address of this Society was BL Studio, 1054 Budapest, Garibaldi u. 7. 1/5a. Hungary. Tel 36-1-131-68-39, Fax 36-1-141-03-05. I understand that Mr. Ferenc Lovass along with his team was here in Kathmandu on film shooting mission with an objective of studying the possibility of close proximity in between Magar and Magyar. ?
I know not much about their findings but there are still some activities going on towards achieving the objectives set forward by the Association in Nepal. I look forward to strengthen both these institutions of Hungry and Nepal to more arduous research like activities to unearth any relationship in between these communities. The fields for research could be language, art, religion and culture. ?
Please let me know about any findings from your part. Thanks for visiting our web site and the interest shown in such anthropological matters. ?
Dr. Govind Prasad Thapa
Chairman
Dear all Magarbandhus,
Please read my earlier email on this subject as under. Sorry for the inconvenience.?
This mail may not be of interest to many of you but since it is a matter of academic discussion I hereby write few facts WHAT I FOUND ON MUKUNDA SEN OF PALPA and KING ARAMUDI.?
1. According to Eden Vansittart, in The Gurkhas, (p. 15-16) “ The sixth and last king of this dynasty, by name of Hari Deva, had at this time ( about 1100 A.D.) a Magar in his service, who through the machinations of the ministers, was dismissed. This man returned to his home and praised Nepal as having houses with golden roofs and golden pranalis or dharas. The Magar Raja, by name Mukunda Sena, a brave and powerful monarch, having heard of this, came to Nepal from the west with a large number of mounted troops, and subdued Hari Deva, the son of Rama Sinha Deva.”?
[This is based on the ‘Notes on Gurkhas’ and ‘Notes on Nepal’ of Eden Vansittart written in 1890 and published in 1895]?
2. Similarly, John T. Hitchcock in his The Magars of Banyan Hill( p. 4 ) writes, “…….it was in this southern area, anciently called the Bara Mangranth, that Magar first made their appearance in written history. During the twelfth century, they sacked the Kathmandu Valley that long had been the seat of urban, civilized culture in Nepal.” [This is based on the study conducted in 1960-62 by the writer]?
3. According to Rajaram Subedi in Baisi Rajyako Etihasik Rupredha (p. 38)Mukunda Sen was a Thakuri.?
4. According to Dr. Jagdish Chandra Regmi in his Nepalko Baidhanik Parampara Mani Mukunda Sen was a Thakuri king who ruled in 1540-1575 AD.?
5. According to Francis Buchanan Hamilton in his An Account of the Kingdom of Nepal and of the territories annexed to this dominion by the House of Gurkhas(first published in 1819) Mukunda Sen was a Thakuri king who came from Chitaur.?
6. Let me quote some stanzas from Vol I, Book IV of MA Stein’s Kalhana’s Rajatrangini: A chronicle of the Kings of Kasmir. Pp 170–172?
531. King Aramudi, who ruled Nepal, and who possessed of wisdom and prowess, wished to prevail over him by cunning.?
532. When that [king, i.e. Jayapida] had entered his land, he did not pay homage, but retired with his army to a great distance.?
533. While he ( Jayapida), eager for conquest, thus pursued him, he defeated one ruler after the other without having to undertake special expeditions……?
537. Then on the [opposite] river bank, which was on the king’s right, there was [seen] Aramudi in position, displaying his army together with his royal parasol.?
538. When Jayapida saw that [king’s] mighty force, he flamed up, just as the fire when fed with liquefied butter.?
539. As he saw before him the water of the river only knee-deep, and [hence] offering no obstacle, he stepped into it to cross, angry as he was, and unacquainted with the country in which he had not been before.?
540. When the reached mid[-stream], the river, which was near the sea, was filled by the tide rising at an unexpected hour, and became unfordable.?
541. Then the king’s army, with its mass of men, elephants, and horses, was washed away by the swollen river, and destroyed in a moment.?
542. The king, whose ornaments and clothes were torn off by the breaking waves, was carried far away by the flood, while cutting through the billows with his arms.?
543. The pitiable cries of one army, the other triumphant shouts of the other, and the din of the river’s, spread uproar in all directions.?
544. And the quick[foe]from other bank dragged out and captured Jayapida by means of [men] who stood ready with [inflated]skins, and[thereupon] celebrated a feast……?
546. He[Aramudi] placed Jayapida in the hands of trusted jailors, in a castle which was [built] of stones on the bank of the Kalagandika, and very high.?
563. When the clever [minister] had obtained the consent of the duped [Aramudi], he went to the imprisoned King Jayapida.?
578. The king first fell into the emotions of astonishment and affection, then [threw himself] into the current of the streams, and reached the opposite bank.?
579. As soon as he had reached his army, he at once invaded the kingdom of Nepal, and destroyed it completely, together with its ruler.?
580. While his jailors did not even know that he had escaped from the prison, he had turned that kingdom into [a thing of the past], which survives only in stories. I am attaching all mails received and sent on this issue.?
Dr. GP Thapa 13 JULY 005?
Dear sir,
I am a Nepali Professor doing research in Korea. Now I am planning to write a paper entitled – KHAM MAGARS, POLITICAL IDEOLOGY AND THE TRAUMA OF ARMED SUPRESSION: TRACES FROM MEMORY OF MAGAR HISTORY IN NEPAL to submit in an international seminar organized by the Institute of Social History. This theme basically intends to write on the Ropali Magars and their participation in Maoist insurgency. I want to lay major focus on supression as well as political thinking os the Magars.
Since your center is devoted to study Magar, I hope you may be of some help to me. If possible provide some information on material or pls mail any related material via email.
I will be very much obliged for your help.
Thank you very much
Prof. Dr. Shanker Thapa
The Academy of Korean studies,
Seongnam-si
Seoul, KOREA, 16/6/2005 ?
Dear Dr. Shankar Thapa, ?
Namaste. I am happy to receive your mail concerning your interest to prepare a paper on Magars of Rolpa and Rukum. I personally thank you for your initiatives. Although Magar Studies Center does not have very good background literature on these issues, yet there are some reading materials on Kham Magar–especially the . I advise you to browse through internet and I am sure you will find some information. You can also go to USAID home page and find out the synopsis of the study report which they had solicited. I would also suggest you to talk to two persons–former minister Balaram Gharti Magar, Ph.5523100, and Bom Kumari Budha Magar, Ph. 4312310. They will give you information about Rolpa and adjoining districts.They may also give you some insights into the causes and effects of insurgency. There are also few books released which scan over the root causes of insurgency. Deepak Thapa’s A kingdom under siege, Dr. Chuda B. Shrestha’s Nepal: coping with Maoist insurgency, Dr. Bishnu Upreti’s Management of social and natural resources, conflict in Nepal; Realities and alternatives are some of the books which I have read. There is one another book of Nischal Nath Pandey on this issue which I have not read yet. I shall try my best to feed with more information. By the way I find your subject very interesting but a bit broad to accomodate in a paper with limited time frame. Any way all the best. Can you tell us more about yourself? Just out of anxiety. Thanks. ?
Gpthapa, 17/6/2005 ?
?
A SHORT NOTE ON KING ARAMUDI AND OTHER MAGAR RULERS OF KALI GANDAKI REGION ?
– B. K. Rana
rana1616@yahoo.com?
Aramudi was a ruler of Kali Gandaki Region approximately in the later half of 8th century AD. He seems to have ruled a strong kingdom in Kali Gandaki Region, possibly around the present-day Palpa of west Nepal. Or Palpa may have been the kingdom ruled by King Aramudi himself and also by his descendants in later centuries. Jayapid [782-813 AD], a king of Kashmir invaded Kali Gandaki Region, a traditional homeland of the Magars of Nepal. Aramudi resisted the invasion and virtually defeated Jayapid killing his minister Dev Sharma. A dejected, Jayapid is said to have also invaded Nepaldesh – the present-day Kathmandu Valley. However, the invasion as such is not well substantiated. ?
Rajtarangini is the oldest written authority for the history of various dynasties that ruled Kashmir from the earliest period until Shaka Year of 1070[1]. It reads “Atha Aramudi iti prashiddha mayabi Nepaldeshasya Raja[2]” These words describe Aramudi as a powerful king of Nepaldesh. This line wide opens two avenues to discuss, either Aramudi had actually ruled over Kathmandu valley also or the Rajatarangini writer had problem in differentiating between Kali Gandaki Region and Nepaldesh. From the decline of Lichhivis until the beginning of Malla rule, Nepal’s history enters a dark phase in which only Aramudis’s rule can be historically attested. Therefore historians treat Aramudi as the only ‘shining star’ of the dark phase of Nepalese history. The Magars of Nepal as well as other historians[3] believe Aramudi was a Magar King. Unfortunately, very little has been explored on Aramudi’s life and achievements.?
Later on, different kingdoms[4] around River Kali Gandaki like: Rishing, Ghiring, Argha, Khachhi, Gulmi, Dhor, Satung, Paiung, Bhirkot, Gharung Mishikot, Isma emerged and were ruled by Magar Kings. In those days, such twelve small kingdoms were collectively called ‘Barha Magarat’ – a Confederation of Twelve Magar Kingdoms. There an interesting folklore on how the twelve Magar Kingdoms were founded, expanded and ruled by twelve Magar sons of a powerful Magar King of the Magarat, the western part of Nepal. This folklore is popular also among different Magar settlements in the Athar Magarat[5] – the Kham Magar Language speaking region[6] in Nepal. Each year, people celebrate a festival of Barhakune Tal[7] in Ghorahi of Dang district to commemorate the founding of Twelve Magarat[8].?
Palpa has always remained a home of the Magars. It is densely populated by the Magars. It appears that Palpa was a Magar kingdom, founded on the formidable strength and valour of Magars and their majority. The Magars of Palpa are still in majority today. It was a powerful kingdom in those days. The Kingdom of Palpa and Sen Kings have also played a major role in the history of modern Nepal. ?
Ratna Sen was the last King of Chhitaurgarh, Rajasthan in India. When attacked by the enemies, his oldest son, Jaya Sen fled the country and took shelter in Prayag of Uttar Pradesh. Jaya Sen’s descendants while again chased by the Muslims fled to Ribdikot through Butwal in western plains of Nepal. Later on they seem to have taken shelter also in Rishing and Ghiring of Tanahu. ?
Rudra Sen, one of King Jaya Sen’s descendants, is said to have defeated the Palpali King. But a bewildered reader can not find in the books of Nepalese history who that vanquished Palpali King actually was? This is a case that totally matches with the history of Khadga Magar King[9] who was also killed in 1560 by Drabya Shah to found Shah Dynasty in Gorkha and rule Nepal until today. The Palpali King also should have been none other than a Magar himself or one of the King Aramudi’s descendants who was defeated by Ratna Sen.?
One of the Rudra Sen’s descendants, King Mukunda Sen is described as a ‘Sen Magar’ in Naradsmriti Granth[10] He waged war against Nepal [Kathmandu Valley] twice in 1521 BS and on Chaitra 11, 1522 BS. He is described as Magar Rajadhiraj Mukunda Sen.[11] The Gopal Rajvamsavali also cites Sens as Magars. There are some Sen Magars in Nepal today.?
End note: Whatever be the relationships with King Mukunda Sen, other Kings or ruling Shah Kings, definitely makes no difference to the Magars who are suffering from widespread discrimination in the country today.?
[1] AD 1148 or BS 1204?
[2] Rajtarangini: Kasmireitihas page 99. ?
[3] Prof. Jagadish Chandra Regmi and Prof. Raja Ram Subedi believe Aramudi as Magar King of Kali Gandaki Area.?
[4] I prefer using kingdoms to principalities?
[5] Literally, a confederation of eighteen Magar principalities?
[6] Dang, Salyan, Pyuthan, Rukum, Rolpa etc. districts of present Nepal.?
[7] Twelve-cornered pond in Dang Valley?
[8] Folklore on Barha Magrat and Baisbaju.?
[9] The Gorkha Vamshavali, the genealogy of ruling Shah Kings?
[10] Ministry of Education and Sports, Keshar Library, Kathmandu.?
[11] His Majesty Magar King Mukunda Sen.?
…………………?
Below is a portion of the email BK Rana sent me and Mr Trilok Singh Thapa on 6 July 2003 in relation to King Aramudi, Magar King?
“…..I suggest you both to encourage some young Magar enthusiast to carry out possible research on King Aramudi- the Magar King of Kaligandaki region. Kalhan’s Rajatarangini [the Chronicle of the Kings of Kasmir] part iv, stanza 531 and thereafter, state his as –the King Aramudi……………..”?
…………………………………………………………..?
ON MAGAR AND MUKUNDA SEN OF PALPA
Dear Ranaji,
Thanks for the information. You have got plenty of information on the history of Magars and the people of Nepal. I have been sending so many emails to my collegues here but I have received very few replies. May be it is because of their ignorance or lack of interest. It is high time we realize that wishing Magars to be well developed will not be sufficient we will have to work hard and dedicate. I think it is because of our such nature that very little have been done since 2011 BS when Magars tried to get united to re-establish themselves.
Dr. Govind Prasad Thapa
Post Box 12451, Kathmandu, Nepal
Web Site: http://crimejustice.blogspot.com
________________________________________________________________________
Original Message
From: Rana 1616
To: Rana 1616
Sent: Friday, April 15, 2005 8:32 PM
Subject: ON MAGAR AND MUKUNDA SEN OF PALPA – Please Check It 2?
1) According to Bal Chandra Sharma [NEPALKO AITIHASIK RUPREKHA] Ratna Sen was the last King of Chhitaurgarh, Rajasthan, India.
2) His oldest son Jaya Sen fled and took shelter in Prayag. Jaya Sen’s descendants while again chased by the Muslims arrived ‘Rib+di+kot’, neighboring kingdom of Palpa via Butwal, Rishing and Ghiring. [Magar Kings are cited as ‘Bhure Takure Rajas’ by historians].
3) Sharma has also written that Rudra Sen defeated Palpali King. But who was that Palpali King? Magars? How did the lone Rudra Sen fight with the Palpali King? There is no mentioning at all. Sharma’s history is a biased one, lacks foundation. Unclear history !
4) MUKUNDA SEN is described as a Sen Magar in Naradsmriti Granth [Keshar Library, Kathmandu]. He had attacked Kathmandu twice in 1521 BS. And in Chaitra 11, 1522 BS he attacked and annexed Kirtipur. He is described as MAGAR RAJADHIRAJ MUKUNDA SEN.
5) GOPAL RAJVANSHAVALI also cites SENS as MAGARS. There are some SEN MAGARS in Nepal today.
6) KUSUNDA ORIGIN MYTH: Once upon a time there was a king who had three sons. Upon the death of the father the first son became king. Whatever he did everything turned out unsuccessful. So the second son went to him and argued, “Whatever you did that came out bad so you are no longer King. You live in the jungle begging and hunting”. This is how the oldest son became Kusunda. The second son in turn became the king. Everything he did resulted in good. The king went to offer a pig to Chandi deity. He didn’t find a person to kill the pig. The third son said ‘I will kill it’. And he killed it. The descendants from third son became Magars. The descendants of the second son became Thakuris. [This version seems to be influenced by Shikhar Nath Subedi’s “Thargotra Prabaravali”, a booklet published from Banaras India, could be found in some bookshops in Bhotahiti, Kathmandu].
7) RAJTARANGINI AND ARAMUDI : It is the oldest written authority for the history of various dynasties which ruled KASHMIR from the earliest period down to the time of the author who began to write his chronicle in SHAKA YEAR 1070 [AD 1148 , BS 1204] “Atha Aramudi iti prashiddha mayabi Nepaldeshasya Raja” [AD 782 – 813] [KASMIREITIHAS pp 99]. Prof. Raja Ram Subedi and Prof. Jagadish Chandra Regmi believe Aramudi as Magar King of Kali Gandaki Area.
8) MAGGWAR BISHAYA: [Nepal Sambat 221 or BS 1157] “Shree Dhanap Nayak Shree Shoab Rane”. Mahesh Raj Panta and Aishowryadhar Sharma recognize him as RANA MAGAR. Dhan Bzra Bazrachayra also recognized Shohab Rane as Rana Magar.
9) ‘VIRSTAMBHA’ – MEMORIAL IN DULLU DAILEKH : Thapa Magars are cited as rulers suggesting that they were also in great numbers. Prof. Ram Niwas Panday believes Khas are descendants of Thapa Magars of Dullu Dailekh. Khas are also known as Thakuris.
10) F. B. Hamilton, Dor Bahadur Bista, Rhisikesh Shah believe Kings as the Magars. Eden Vansitart, Percival Landon, John Whelpton, Jiro kawakita, Brian H. Hodgson also have written the same way.
11) Whatever be the relationship with MUKUNDA SEN or the King makes no difference to the MAGARS of today.
Sincerely,
BKR
———————————————————————————————-?
BK Rana responds?
Dear Dr. Thapa,?
Analyzing linguistic and cultural attributes of Magars of Palpa, some five years ago, I had written in a handout that Mukunda Sen could be a Magar by his ethnic identity. The handout was prepared in light of ongoing activism on Magar Identity for National Population Census of 2058.?
Back in 2039 BS, I was for a week in Palpa Argali [Argauli] on an Intensive Agricultural Research Project conducted by APROSC/HMG Ministry of Agriculture. At that time, I had been able to meet with some Magars who claimed they were the descedants of King Mukunda Sen. They said “Mani’ Mukunda Sen instead of Mukunda Sen.?
Those Argali Magars appeared to me Mongoloid, strong built and tall, however, the naming of Sen kings are Sanskritized ones. Those Magars owned nice plots of irrigated land [Khet] in Palpa Argali.?
Sometime later I had asked Surendra S. Ranaji who told those were different Magars, however, he did not elaborate what Magars are the Argali Magars actually.?
One of the Kusunda origin myths also suggests that Magars and Thakuris [Sens, Shahs, Mallas] are brothers. I have not been able to find any mentioning of Sen king’s in Kalhan’s Rajtarangini.?
The conventional wisdom on Sen Thakuris is ‘Chhetris’ but lacks any scientific foundation. Dor Bahadur Bista, in a meeting in 1992, had told me Magars and Thakuris are brothers. His book ‘Fatalism and Development’ may be reviewed. But, Dr. Hark Gurung takes Bista’s elaboration otherwise.?
Sincerely yours,?
BKR ?
Magar Studies Center on Mani Mukunda Sen?
“MSC” < wrote”>magarstudiescenter@yahoo.com> wrote: – >From: MSC <magarstudiescenter@yahoo.com>
To: MSC <magarstudiescenter@yahoo.com>
Subject: Who was Mukunda Sen?
Date: Wed, 13 Apr 2005 05:31:19 -0700 (PDT)?
Dear Magarbandhus,
On 12 Apr 2005 a music CD entitled “Maulakali Gaindakotai ma” was released. During the deliberations it was said that Mani Mukunda Sen, the King of Palpa, had once camped in Nawalparasi jungle. His soldiers installed the “Maula” to perform Puja to Kali deity. Since that time people have been worshiping in that temple. But the detail information about the King is missing. Who exactly was Mukunda Sen? Magar? Or Thakuri? Some available information on this issue contradicts each other.
Is there any Magarbandhu who knows about it? Please share. But be careful there are information available which may not be true or not fact based.
Happy New Year and Happy Chaite Dasain.
Govind?
Magar and Bhirkot Kingdom?
Tue 30 nov 2004?
Bottom of Form?
Dear Stanley,?
Thanks. This is becoming very interesting. I shal try to find out more about the telescope. But i dont see any relationship with the Bhirkot. When i find some time i shall explore more about your field of interest. With best regards.?
Dr. GPThapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:?
28 November 2004?
Dear Dr. Thapa?
The information that your friend provided on the telescope is most interesting, however, I am more interested in obtaining the number on the telescope. The number gives much more detail to the telescope. ?I am sorry that the telesope lens was broken.? There are replacement lens for the telescope that I might be able to help in acqiring for it.?
As to my last email regarding Mrs. Bhinda Swari Malla Shah, I have ascertained that she is from the Bhaktapur Mallas. I suppose I was not clear regarding the information on her family. It is her mother Mrs. Jagat Malla of whom I do not have information on.?? I understand that she lived in Nepal and when Mr. Padma Malla returned from America she left Nepal and went to Calcutta? to be with him and that is where their chidren were born.? I do not know if Mrs. Jagat Malla had been a Rana, a Singh, a Shah, or whom prior to her marriage to Mr. Padma Malla.?
I understand that you are very busy. I do not wish to take up your time with my questions.??
I have received a second email from you regarding Mr. Anil Keshary Shah, the grandson of Mr. Tarak Bahadur Shah. You had sent me an email and an introduction to Mr. Shah to me some time ago as well.? ?I wrote to him with no success at all.? The same is true for Mrs. Samantha Shah who is the wife of Mr Ujjal Shah, brother to Mr. Anil Shah. Mrs. Bhinda Shah turned my questions over to Mrs. Samantha Shah who wanted to know my “base” address and not much else. I am afraid that this family is rather private, even though they are from a public family, including Mrs. Bhinda Shah.? Therefore, I will not bother with?seeking ?any more information regarding them for my research. I shall seek research on families that may actually have information on Bhirkot? and who actually want to know the history of their family, or give it up soon. I really can’t get involved with families who do not wish to be known?
?Again, I thank you for?your time and?effort on my behalf.?
Sincerely,?
Mr. J.F.Stanley??
Top of Form?
?
Fri 26 nov 2004?
Bottom of Form?
Dear Stanley,?
I take thhis opportunity to introduce?Mr. Anil Shah, General Manager of Nabil Bank, Kathmandu. Mr Shah is the grandson of Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah and son of Narayan Keshari Shah and Mrs Binda Shah (First lady Ambassador to Bangladesh and India). I received this information by courtesy of Manoj Shah. I am sure that Mr. Shah will be able to help you sort out many puzzles. I have also posted this mail to Mr. Anil Shah.?
Email: anilrati@wlink.com.np?
With reagards.?
Dr. GPThapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:?
6 August 2004
Dear Dr.Thapa:
I have not heard from Mr. Manoj Shah other than his email stating that King Tarak Bahadur Shah was his family member.? He told me that he was going to collect some data for me and alas, that was the last that I heard?? I have heard from other sources that the wife of Dr.Narayan Keshary Shah is? Blinda Swari Malla, daughter of Padma Sundar Malla who left for Japan in 1916 stayed 2 years and then left for America and the University of Michigan. he returned to Nepal and he had lost his caste because he had not gotten permission to cross the oceans. He built the The Morang Hydroelectric Company, with its 1,600 KW Sikharbas plant on the Chisang Khola, was established in 1939 to power Nepal’s first large industry, the Biratnagar Jute Mill. The major shareholders of this company were, of course, the ruling Ranas and their favourite officials. (Juddha Rana).? this was the site of the workers strike called for Nehru of India, King Tribuhvan, Prince Mahendra and Subaran Rana with the newly established Nepali Congress.?
I heard that Mrs Blinda Malla Shah had two sons one of which married Subarna? Rana’s granddaughter, Rati. the other one married Samantha Rajya Laxmi Rana daughter of Late Tribhuvan Pratap Rana(son of Yog Bikram Rana) and Sachu Shah. and had a son this year by the name of Aditya Keshary Shah son b. February 2004.? I have not been able to locate Tribhuvan Pratap Rana, or Yog Bikram Rana or Sachu Shah.? I am still researching and when I have it together, I wll be happy to share all the information with your center.
Sincerely?
Mr. J.F.Stanley??
Fri 26 nov 2004?
Bottom of Form?
Dear Stanley,?
I requested one of my friends to go and gather information about the telescope. According to him?the telescope is made in Germany, 7-8 feet long, 5-8 feet high, 50-60 kilogram heavy, it can cover the range of 2000 kilometer. It was given by Adolf Hitler to Judha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana. His son Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana handed over it to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute in 1961 AD. These days the telescope is not in use because some students accidentally broke the glass of the instrument during experiment session.?
I hope it partially serves your purpose. I you want more information I can reach my friend again on telephone.?
?Last time this is what you wrote to me about Bindha Shah?”Mrs. Bhinda Swari Malla Shah has informed me of her immediate family that being of her father, :Padma Sundar Malla who married Jagat. I do not know what branch of the Shah, or Rana or Malla family she is from.? Mrs. Bhinda Shah’s brothers are ?Chitra Prakash Malla, ?Tej Prakash Malla, and ?Chatra Prakash Malla.They are Newars descending from the Kings of Bhaktapur.”?
?Yes, she belongs to Malla Newars of Bhaktapur.?
?I do not? have any family relationship with the Nain Singh Thapa. I belong to Magar–an ethnic Nationalities of Nepal.??
These days I am too busy. May be after some time I find time to look out information for your research. Will be in touch soon.?
?Dr. GPThapa?
?
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:?
?24?November 2004?
?Dear Dr. ?G P Thapa:?
?I? do not know if anyone from the Magar Studies Center is able to go, or does go, to Darjeerling, India and to the Himalyan Mountaineering Institute located there.? If there is someone who does go to Darjeerling, or if you know of someone who lives in Darjeerling, would you please do me a favor and ask them if they would be so kind as to go to the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute and look at the Large Telescope outside the HMI Center and get the number of the Telescope off of it, as well as any other writing on it and post it to me???The Number of the Telescope??is most important to me?and plays a part in the history of Nepal. I just have to have the number of the Telescope in order to authenticate it.? Do you think that it might be possible to get this number for me in a rather short time frame??
?I would be so grateful for this information.?
?I am still attempting to follow up some leads on the Bhirkot lineage of Shahs and will not give up on it.? As soon as I receive any information, I shall post you on it. You have been most kind and most helpful to me in my research.?? Dr. Thapa, are you related to ?General Nain Singh Thapa and his daughter, ?Ganesh Kumari Devi, who was the second wife of ?Narasingh Kunwar Rana.??
?Sincerely??
Mr. J.F.Stanley?
mon?8 nov 2004?
Dear Stanley,?
Thanks for the update.?I am extremely happy to find you more and more getting into the history of Magar kings. Be prepared to take pains–because it is not going to be an easy task. All the best. With best regards.?
Dr. GP Thapa
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:?
5 November 2004?
?Dear Dr. ?G P Thapa:?
?I have not forgotten you, kind Sir.? I have not had much cooperation on my research and it is taking me a bit of time to gather it together.? ??
However, through friends in London, I have discovered that Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah’s, father is ?Raja Tamra Dhowj Khand. Raja Tarak’s grandfather is ?Raja Lalit Bahadur Khand? b 18xx, descendant of Raja Khancha Khan and that is where I am yet again stuck.?
?According to the ?history of the Aalam Devi,? the genealogies go like this:?
??Bhattar Rhishi Raj Ranaji in Chittaurgadh, Indian?
Bhupati Ranaji Rao was the 33rd?lineage after Bhattar?Raja Manamath Ranjee Manorat Rai [Manamath Ranaji Rao]? Raja Bhupal Ranjee? he left Ujjain and went to Ridi in 1494.? He stayed in Ridi for some time and the he moved to Bhirkot.? Raja of Bhirkot?
Khancha Khan (Harihar Singh)? won Dhora.? (Baglung) Bhirkot, Satahun, Gahraun (Syangja).? Khancha Khan, a Thakuri king of the Chin Rangan clan.? was taking the Aalam Devi ( Kumari Devi, a Goddess, had to be carried at all times and never laid on the ground. A soldier laid down the Kumari Devi and she vanished.? A virgin boy was left at the temple and a virgin boy must always be there at the temple in case she reappears.)? with him during the time of extending his Kingdom. One night he took rest there where the temple lies today but the Dev concealed deep down into the earth. Conceal corresponds to ‘alap’ in local tongue and the revised version of ‘alap’ might be Aalam, it is said.
Later Khancha Khan maintained Aalam Devi as the Kul Devta of the
Royal family and Thakuris of Nepal till today.?
Jaina Khand?
Raja Lalit Bahadur Khand??
Raja Tamra Dhowj Khand?
Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah?
Rishikesh Shaha?
Narayan Keshary Shah?
Anil Keshary Shah?
Ujjal Keshary Shah?
I have read ?Extract from ‘The Gurkhas’ of Eden Vansittart (based upon the ‘Notes on Nepal’, 1895 AD and ‘Notes on Gurkhas’ 1890 AD), Anmol Publications, New Delhi, Re-print 1993 (The spellings are original and not altered)? , where Dr. Hamilton states, “?The family of Gurkha, which now (1802) governs Nepal, although it pretends to come from Chitor, is in reality of the Magar tribe” and where he stated that the original home of the Magars was? around Bhirkot, Gulmi, ?Argha, Khachi, and Palpa.?? I have also read that King Prithvi Narayan Shah went to ?Benaras and ?changed his Gotra from `Bharadwaj’ into `Kasyap’.? Bharadwaj does not seem to have any Sutras listed with it, however, Kasyap does and I don’t know if this was his intention to do, that of obtaining a link to the Rishis who wrote Sutras.??
?Raja Tarak Bahadur Shah married Madaan ?Dibyeshwari Rajya Lakshmi? b. at Dhankota, October 1901 daughter of? Bir SJB Rana, eldest son of Dhir SJB Rana, 9th son of Bala Narsingh Rana.? Their daughter, Kamal, the sister to Rishikesh Shah, married Min SJB Rana, the ?17th son of Juddha SJB Rana and they had Anup who died in 1999 from a series of 3 devastating strokes in one day.?
?Mrs. Bhinda Swari Malla Shah has informed me of her immediate family that being of her father, :Padma Sundar Malla who married Jagat. I do not know what branch of the Shah, or Rana or Malla family she is from.? Mrs. Bhinda Shah’s brothers are ?Chitra Prakash Malla, ?Tej Prakash Malla, and ?Chatra Prakash Malla.They are Newars descending from the Kings of Bhaktapur.?
??I am currently working on that list and will post you as soon as possible.?
?Sincerely ??
Mr. J.F.Stanley?
?Tue 6 jul 2004Top of Form?
Dear Stabley,?
Thanks for your mail. Please write to Mr. Manoj Shah Email: manojshah70@hotmail.com concerning your research work. He is the right man for this. I shall be happy if we could do anything besides that. Thanks.?
MSC
Pakrav@aol.com wrote:?
June 30 2004
Dear Magar Studies Center:?
I have read your article on the magars most intently.? I understand that the Kingdom of Bhirkot was small and a tributary to the Raja of Jumla.? I am attempting to research the history of King Tarak Bahadur Shah and his family. I understand that Rishikesh Shaha the former Finance Minister of Nepal, the former Foreign Minister of Nepal, the first permanent Royal Nepal Ambassador to the United Nations and Ambassador to the United States, the former drafter of the 1962 Nepal Constitituion was his son.? I have learned that Dr. Narayan Keshary Shah is also King Tarak’s son and that Rishikesh Shaha had a son by the name of Prakrash who lives in New Jersey USA.? Dr. Narayan Shah has two sons, one Anil Keshary Shah married Rati Rana, daughter of Rakmar Rana and the other son, Ujjal Shah is living in the USA.? I do not have any information on the wfe of either Dr. Narayan Shah or Rishikesh Shaha or of King Tarak Shah.? If you have any infromation on the lineage of King Tarak and information on his family I would be deeply appreciative.
What now concerns me is that Dr. F. Hamilton in his 1819 book states that the people of Bhirkot were magars.? does this mean that King Tarak is a Magar of India and not a Rajput Prince of India?? Is Prithvi Narayan Shah’s family of Gorhka really Magars and not Rajput from Chittor?
will you help to clear this up as best as you can for me?? I thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Mr. J. F. Stanley?
?
This is a discussion in the net among three Nepali who happen to discuss about their root in Nepal.?
Mr. A:?
It is very heartening to find this website, to me it felt like I have touched the mother land of my forefathers and gave me light of hope in the search of my child hood quest. Please bear with me to read my story:?
I am born and brought up in Delhi. Now settled in Singapore with my family. My late father left Nepal when he was young man of 17 years, about sixty years before and never returned back, even for once. However, he kept the spirit of Nepal alive by telling me the fond stories from his child hood to man hood. I paid many visits to Nepal about ten years before when he was alive but my father never did and never told me why not. Now he is dead, and I am left with not much clues, all he did told me that he is from “Hajar Parvat” and his father’s name and his younger step brother’s name, I and my father had no clue about my father’s step brother and/or his family.
But after many visits to Nepal I could not find any village named hajar parvat, to me it seems that the village “Hajar Parvat” has become a district now, known as “Parvat Jilla”. Unfortunately, I can’t speak or understand Nepali, nor Magar Kura, very well and feel very shy about it too, so this is another big hurdle for me to do any research about it. I am very much interested to find out my roots in Nepal and would love to see my father’s birthplace. Any help, clue or information or story related to this place “Hajar Parvat” or “Parvat Jilla” regarding my quest would be highly appreciated.?
Mr. B:?
The motherland is always great and dear to all. Your mentioning below of the ‘Hajar Parvart’ should be ‘Char Hajar Parvat’ [Four Thousand Mountains] – I think. The current ‘Parvat Jilla’ was also called ‘Char Hajar Parvat’ until few decades back. You may try to find ‘Rana Magar’ settlements in Parvat district.?
Mr. A:?
Yes you are absolutely right!!! It is “Char Hajar Parwat” but after getting some funny remarks like “hey dude where do you get four thousand mountains in Nepal” I reduced Char or char hajar from the name originally told to me I am sure I asked wrong persons or in a wrong way. :(( May be it is normal for you but it is very important information for me to know that it is really “Char Hajar Parvat” which is now known as Parvat Jilla.?
Mr. C:?
I am also originally from Parbat district. I also wish to share some historical information with you. I am a student of history, specializing in Recent Nepalese History. Currently I am doing some research in USA. Your mentioning below of “Char Hajar Jilla” or “Char Hajar Parvat” can’t be found in any history books. That used to be in ‘folklore’ – ‘Jana Shruti or ‘Jana Bishwas’ only. There used to be “22 and 24 states” before the unification of kingdom of Nepal. Again there were ‘Barah Magarat’ or ‘Twelve Magar States’. Payuing was one of them. This ‘Paiyung’ falls within the present day Parvat district. Parbat, Baglung, Myagdi and Syangza districts may have been known as ‘Char Hajar Parvat’ you mentioned in the message. The southern part of Parvat district is mostly populated by Rana, Thapa, Ale, and Saru Magars. I would advise you to visit Chinnya Kharka in Triveni VDC, Chyuri Khalta, Kuvinde, Dadathok, Hosrangdi, Bhorle etc. VDCs in southern Parvat district. Or, you may also talk with my teacher Prof. Raja Ram Subedi at Tribuvan University, Kathmandu Nepal.?
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08/11/2009/13:29, website http://hkmagar.hkmagar.com/content/view/16/30/
There were only two Generals in Kashmir, during the entire history of Kashmir in colonial times.?One belonged to my Family THAPA (Magar) and other belonged to Burathoki (Chettri).I know almost everyone from the old families including? those of the generals and I can confirm that there was no general by name of Rana as a surname. I was posed this question many years ago by a person from Delhi and i am pleasantly surprised to find this same question being posed here.?
Regards.
Ashwin Thapa,
Dear Dr Thapa?
This lady’s ancestor was obviously with the J and K state forces at the turn of the 19th century. There are many Gorkhalis who are descendants of these forces, settled in Jammu. I shall try to find out. It might take sometime because they are not on e-mail. And tho Nepalis are very warm, hospitable and talkative when you meet them, they are poor letter writers and rarely reply to postal mails. And I am based in Delhi belonging to a Bhagsu-Dharamshala family-6th generation. But I will try.?
Regards, Jyoti Thapa?
?Dear Magarbandhus,?
Namaskar. It was on 17 April 2002 when I met Prof. Naela of Quetta, Pakistan in one of the seminar of UNESCAP at Blue Star. According to her- There was a General TIKA RAM RANA MAGAR in British Army in Kashmir in 1897 at Dal Lake. He had only two daughters and no sons. She was the grand daughter of that General. That means she was also a Magar.? Later, on 23 April 2002, she sent me an email in which she wrote, ? It is just to find a lost brother by meeting you, it is a very strong blood, fearless and headstrong, I?m proud of my Magar blood. I kissed the soil of Nepal before leaving. My mother was so excited to hear anything from Nepal, I told her that ?only one person I met having Magar blood is Govind and I can imagine that his mother resembles you very much?. Govind, me and my mother are not interested in material things, we have everything, a very good life with respect but sometimes we feel for our missing links with strong Gurkha blood that my granny missed a lot for all her life. I have written her story in my biography, I always insist fathers of our family to be friendly with their kids because my grandma was only 14 years old when she with more than 15 other children went on adventure to visit the first ever train started from Srinagar Kashmir to Amratsar Punjab it was 1899 or 1900, most of the kids lost in the way along with her. When police found her, she refused to go back to home she said, ?my father will kill me?. Any how older people of Quetta (Balochistan Pakistan) remember her as a generous, kind hearted and strong lady, when she died, orphans and widows gathered and said, ?today we have lost parents—? she was taking care of a lot of poor people without bringing it in anyone?s knowledge?.?
?She and her mother have only one wish?they want to find out their old place in Nepal and pay a visit. I had told her that I shall try to do that for her. I tried with the British Embassy records. I have also tried with many Magar relatives. I have also talked to Dr. Harka Bahadur Budha Magar. According to Dr. Budha Magar, there was a custom that a General?s quota was given to Magar in Kashmir State Army. At that time Karna Singh was the king of Kashmir. Dr. Budha also mentioned about the possibility of finding some thing more in Kaptan tol in Nautanawa, India, where still many Gurkhas live permanently with their families.?
?Dr. Kulesh Thapa wrote me, ?I had an opportunity to talk to one of the experts on this matter and he too seem to be of the opinion that there were no generals at that time in the then British army. Although there was a general Magar in the Kashmiri army and he settled in the banks of the Tabu river may be one of the tributaries of the Sutluj River. One of the grandsons of this general then came to Nautanawa and one of the Nepalese ?tol? is to this day known as the General tol because his grand father was a general. He also seems to be of the opinion that there were couple of settlements in the Quetta area and there was an earthquake during the time in that area in which a lot of the Nepalese were also killed. Most of the Magars recruited in that area were from the Magarat area i.e. the central area of the present day Nepal specially Syangja, Tanahu, Palpa, Baglung, Mygdi, etc. So, the chance of finding this unknown general is better in this area?.?
?Since then, due to lack of time, I have not been able to anything more about this mission. Now I request you all, especially Rana Magars, to help locate the ancestral place of the Professor Naela. Anything new found or discovered, please let me know. Thanks.?
Dr. Govind P. Thapa