Thapa

Thapa
थापा

Portrait of Bada Kaji Amar Singh Thapa, a Thapa nobleman
Total population
7.13% of    Nepal's population

Thapa is the surname of a large social group of people, both Mongolian Magar and Aryan Chhetri people. The Thapa Magars (Mongolian Origin i.e. Tibetan-Nepal Origin) come from the upper part of Nepal. The Thapa Chhetris are of Indo-Aryan thought to have originated from Karnali Region. They were given hereditary title of Kaji with 4 other castes: Basnet, Pandey, Bista and Kunwar. The Thapas are among the oldest ethnic people in Nepal. Their ancestral homeland in Nepal extends from southern edges of the Himalayas to the Mahabharat Range foothills in the south and Karnali River basin to Gandaki river basin in the east.

According to 2011 Nepal census, they are the largest indigenous group in Nepal, constituting 7.13% of Nepal's population, which places them as largest family name in Nepal.

Thapa Chhetri

Prime Minister Commander-in-Chief Mathabar Singh Thapa, a Chhetri Thapa

Chhetri Thapas are pure Aryans of Indo-European heritage. They speak Indo-European language Nepali language as mother tongue. They have Aryan features like Fair to Brown Skin, Tall Height, Large Eyes. They fall under "Tagaadhari" group because they wear Sacred Hindu Threads called 'Janai'. They do not consume alcoholic drinks. Meats of Goat, Sheep or Goat family (Mesh Jaati) are only the meats allowed to eat. They sacrifice Male Buffaloes to Goddess Kali during Kaalratri Puja on Dashain.

Thapa Chhetris were important Bhardar (Courtier) families. Chhetri Thapas were given titles like Landlords(Zamindaar), Mukhiya (Chieftain), Jimmal (Tax Collectors), Bada Hakim (Governor General), Pancha Pradhan (Head of Panchayat) during Shah rule till the 1950s. The Thapa Chhetris hails from Old Khas Kingdom in Karnali Zone and adjacent area Karnali in Nepal. They were powerful during the middle age in the Khasa kingdom. Currently many of the Thapa Chhetris are found in India Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Thapas are divided into many sub-castes which are the:

Aryan Chhetri Thapas are distinguished by different Gotra and origins(Utpati). Though some clans may share similar Gotra. They are:

Bagaaley Thapa

They have historical importance in Nepalese history. Their Gotra is Aatreya and ancestral deity is Bhimsen Panchakanya. Many Famous Heroes like PM Bhimsen Thapa, Military Leader Bada Kazi Amar Singh Thapa, PM Mathabarsingh Thapa, Army Chief Dharmapaal Barsingh Thapa belonged to this great Bagaaley Thapa Clan.

Godaar Thapa

Their Gotra is Kashyap. Sardar Bhakti Thapa and Victoria Cross holder Sher Bahadur Thapa belonged to this great Godaar Thapa Clan. With Bagaley Thapa, they have historical contributions.

Mugali/Lamichhane Thapa

Like all other Lamichhaneys(Basnets, Khadkas), their Gotra is Garga. 5 times Prime Minister of Nepal, Surya Bahadur Thapa belonged to this Mugali Thapa Clan.

Khulal Thapa

Like all other Khulals(Basnets,Khadkas), their Gotra is Dhananjaya.

Suyal Thapa

Their Gotra is Vashistha.

Other Chhetri Thapa Clans includes:

Magar Thapa

Magar Thapa were believed to have come from upper Tibet region as a wild guess given their physique but it is still not been verified firmly about their origin. They fall under Magar ethnic group of Mongolian Tibeto-Burman Family Group. They speak Tibeto-Burman language Magar language as Mother Tongue. They have Mongoloid features like Fair Skin, Short Flat Nose, Small Eyes, Strong Jaw Bone and Sturdy Built Body. One of the bravest and strongest tribesmen, they were the inner core of Gorkha forces later but formerly ruled most of the western parts of Nepal.

Mongolian Thapa follow Magar culture with Buddhism and Hinduism.They perform Ghaatu-Naach like Magars and bury their dead ones.

Magar Thapa traditionally accepted agriculture, handicrafts and soldiers job as British Gorkha, Singapore Gurkha Police, Indian Gorkha as their profession. As Gorkha forces are differentiated into ethnicity, Magar are the largest sources of soldiers from Nepal due to fierce character and bulk population among tribesmen.

Famous Mongolian Thapas are Lakhan Thapa, 1st Martyr of Nepal. Victoria Cross holders like Kulbir Thapa, 1st VC holder and Netrabahadur Thapa are Mongolian Magar Thapas.

Notable people with the surname Thapa

References

  1. ↑ "G.S. Haly Company - Tea Revives the World - By Origin: Nepal". Gshaly.com. Retrieved 2015-07-27.
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