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The Pande family or Pande dynasty (also spelled as Pandey or Panday) (; or ) was a
Chhetri Chhetri (Kshetri, Kshettri, Kshetry or Chhettri), ( ; IAST: ''Kṣetrī'') historically called Kshettriya or Kshetriya or Khas are Nepali language, Nepali speaking people historically associated with the warrior class and administration, some of ...
political family with ancestral roots from Gorkha Kingdom that directly ruled Nepali administration affairs from the 16th century to 19th century as
Mulkaji ''Mulkaji'' () was the position of head of executive of Kingdom of Nepal The Kingdom of Nepal was a Hindu monarchy in South Asia, founded in 1768 through the unification of Nepal, expansion of the Gorkha Kingdom. The kingdom was also k ...
and
Mukhtiyar Mukhtiyar () was the position of head of government, head of executive of Kingdom of Nepal between 1806 and 1843. It was equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal. There were 7 Mukhtiyars appointed between 1806 and 1843. Meaning ''Mukhtiyar'' is for ...
(
Prime Minister A prime minister or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. A prime minister is not the head of state, but r ...
). This dynasty/family was one of the four noble families to be involved in active politics of Nepal together with the
Shah dynasty The Shah dynasty (), also known as the Shahs of Gorkha or the Royal House of Gorkha, was the ruling Chaubise Thakuri dynasty and the founder of the Gorkha Kingdom from 1559 to 1768 and later the unified Kingdom of Nepal from 1768 to 28 May ...
,
Basnyat family Basnyat/Basnet family or Basnyat/Basnet dynasty () was a Khas-Chhetri and a warlord clan family involved in the politics and administration of the Gorkha Kingdom and Kingdom of Nepal. This family got entry into Thar Ghar aristocracy group of G ...
and
Thapa dynasty Thapa dynasty or Thapa noble family ( ) also known as Dynasty of Borlang was a Chhetri political family that handled Nepali administration affairs from 1806 to 1837 A.D. and 1843 to 1845 A.D. as Mukhtiyar (Prime Minister). This was one ...
before the rise of the Rana dynasty. The Pande dynasty is the oldest noble family to hold the title of Kaji. This family was decimated from political power in 1843 CE in the political massacre by Prime Minister
Mathabar Singh Thapa Mathabar Singh Thapa (, 17981845) was the Prime Minister of Nepal and the Commander-In-Chief of the Nepalese Army from 25 December 1843 – 17 May 1845, until he was murdered by his nephew Jung Bahadur Rana. He was the first Mukhtiyar to title ...
as a revenge for his uncle Bhimsen's death in 1839. The family is descended from nobleman
Ganesh Pande Ganesh Pandey or Ganesa Pande (Nepali: गणेश पाण्डे वा गणेश पाँडे) Coronation of Dravya Shah Dravya Shah was the youngest son of Yasho Brahma Shah, Raja (King) of Lamjung and grandson of Kulamandan Shah ...
of the Gorkha Kingdom.
Kalu Pande Vamshidhar Pande () known by Alias Kalu Pande () was a Nepalese politician and general who was appointed as Kaji of The Gorkha Kingdom. He was born in 1713 A.D. in a Gorkha family. He was the commander of the Gorkhali forces during the Un ...
and
Tularam Pande Tularam Pande () was a Nepalese military personnel, diplomat and politician in the Gorkha Kingdom. He was a diplomat who served King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha. Two of his diplomatic missions were with Dolakha and Kathmandu while the latter ...
were descendants of Ganesh Pande. Pande dynasty and Thapa dynasty were the two chief political families who alternatively contested for central power in the Nepalese court politics. The Pande family was divided into two sections, Kala Pandes and Gora Pandes, who were always aligned to opposite political factions. The Pande aristocratic family of ''Gora'' (White) Pande section was connected to Thapa dynasty through daughter of Chief
Kazi Kazi may refer to: * Kazi (given name), * Kaji (Nepal), Nepalese prime ministerial position (later reduced to ministers) * Qadi or ''Kazi'' or ''Qazi'', an Islamic legal scholar and judge * KAZI, an FM radio station in Austin, Texas * Kazi (com ...
Ranajit Pande Ranajit Pande () was a Nepalese politician, military personnel and courtier in the Kingdom of Nepal. He was a member of the Gora Pande clan of Gorkha. He became Mulkaji of Nepal for a brief period in 1804 A.D. Family He was born as the second ...
, Rana Kumari who was married to ''Kaji'' General
Nain Singh Thapa Nain Singh Thapa or Nayan Singh Thapa () (died late 1806 or early 1807) was a Nepalese Kaji (minister) and a military general. He died in the offensive campaign of Kangra from bullet injury. He was the owner of the Thapathali Durbar temple compl ...
and to Rana dynasty through Nain Singh's son-in-law
Bal Narsingh Kunwar Bal Narsingh Kunwar or Balanarsingh Kanwar (; 2 February 1783 - 24 December 1841) posthumously referred as Bal Narsingh Kunwar Rana was a Kaji, military officer and governor in the Kingdom of Nepal. He was born to Kaji Ranajit Kunwar of the ...
. The Pande family of ''Kala'' (Black) Pande section was maritally linked to
Basnyat Family Basnyat/Basnet family or Basnyat/Basnet dynasty () was a Khas-Chhetri and a warlord clan family involved in the politics and administration of the Gorkha Kingdom and Kingdom of Nepal. This family got entry into Thar Ghar aristocracy group of G ...
through Chitravati Pande who married ''Kaji''
Kehar Singh Basnyat Kehar Singh Basnyat () or Kehar Singh Basnet was a Nepalese military commander and war hero who laid down his life in the Unification battles of Nepal. He was born in the illustrious clan of Shreepali Basnyats as a member of Kshettriya (warrior) ...
.


Ancestral Background

Ganesh Pande Ganesh Pandey or Ganesa Pande (Nepali: गणेश पाण्डे वा गणेश पाँडे) Coronation of Dravya Shah Dravya Shah was the youngest son of Yasho Brahma Shah, Raja (King) of Lamjung and grandson of Kulamandan Shah ...
was the first ''Kaji'' (Prime Minister) of King
Dravya Shah Dravya Shah (; 1559–1570) was the first King of the Gorkha Kingdom in Nepal. He was the father of Purna Shah, king of Gorkha. Dravya Shah's accomplices were Bhagirath Panta, Ganesh Pandey, Keshav Bohara, Narayan Arjyal, Sarveshwar Khanal, and ...
of Gorkha Kingdom established in 1559 A.D. The Pandes were considered as Thar Ghar aristrocratic group who assisted in the administration of Gorkha Kingdom. ''Kaji''
Kalu Pande Vamshidhar Pande () known by Alias Kalu Pande () was a Nepalese politician and general who was appointed as Kaji of The Gorkha Kingdom. He was born in 1713 A.D. in a Gorkha family. He was the commander of the Gorkhali forces during the Un ...
(1714–1757) who belonged to this family became a war hero after he died at the
Battle of Kirtipur The Battle of Kirtipur ( Nepal bhasa : कीर्तिपुरयाउ युद्ध) occurred in 1767 during the Gorkha conquest of Nepal, and was fought at Kirtipur, one of the principal towns in the Kathmandu Valley. Kirtipur was t ...
. These Pandes were categorized with fellow
Chhetri Chhetri (Kshetri, Kshettri, Kshetry or Chhettri), ( ; IAST: ''Kṣetrī'') historically called Kshettriya or Kshetriya or Khas are Nepali language, Nepali speaking people historically associated with the warrior class and administration, some of ...
''Bharadars'' such as Thapas, Basnyats and Kunwars. The inscription installed by son of
Tularam Pande Tularam Pande () was a Nepalese military personnel, diplomat and politician in the Gorkha Kingdom. He was a diplomat who served King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha. Two of his diplomatic missions were with Dolakha and Kathmandu while the latter ...
, ''Kapardar'' Bhotu Pande, on the Bishnumati bridge explains their patrilineal relationship to
Ganesh Pande Ganesh Pandey or Ganesa Pande (Nepali: गणेश पाण्डे वा गणेश पाँडे) Coronation of Dravya Shah Dravya Shah was the youngest son of Yasho Brahma Shah, Raja (King) of Lamjung and grandson of Kulamandan Shah ...
, Minister of
Drabya Shah Dravya Shah (; 1559–1570) was the first King of the Gorkha Kingdom in Nepal. He was the father of Purna Shah, king of Gorkha. Dravya Shah's accomplices were Bhagirath Panta, Ganesh Pandey, Keshav Bohara, Narayan Arjyal, Sarveshwar Khanal, and Ga ...
, the first King of Gorkha Kingdom. The lineage mentions Ganesh Pande's son as Vishwadatta and Vishwadatta's son as Birudatta. Birudatta had two sons Baliram and Jagatloka. Tularam and Bhimraj were sons of Baliram and Jagatloka respectively. ''Kaji''
Kalu Pande Vamshidhar Pande () known by Alias Kalu Pande () was a Nepalese politician and general who was appointed as Kaji of The Gorkha Kingdom. He was born in 1713 A.D. in a Gorkha family. He was the commander of the Gorkhali forces during the Un ...
was the son of Bhimraj. Bhotu Pande mentions Tularam, Baliram, and Birudatta respectively as his ancestors of three generations. However, Historian
Baburam Acharya Baburam Acharya ( Nepali: बाबुराम आचार्य) (1888–1971 AD) was a Nepalese historian and literary scholar. He is known as the historian laureate () of Nepal. The four part biography of King Prithivi Narayan Shah, founder ...
contends a major flaw in the inscription.
Ranajit Pande Ranajit Pande () was a Nepalese politician, military personnel and courtier in the Kingdom of Nepal. He was a member of the Gora Pande clan of Gorkha. He became Mulkaji of Nepal for a brief period in 1804 A.D. Family He was born as the second ...
, the second son of Tularam was born in 1809
Vikram Samvat Vikram Samvat (ISO: ''Vikrama Saṁvata''; abbreviated VS), also known as the Vikrami calendar is a Hindu calendar historically used in the Indian subcontinent and still also used in several Indian states and Nepal. It is a lunisolar calendar ...
. Baburam Acharya assumed 25 years for each generation where he found Vishwadatta to have been born in 1707
Vikram Samvat Vikram Samvat (ISO: ''Vikrama Saṁvata''; abbreviated VS), also known as the Vikrami calendar is a Hindu calendar historically used in the Indian subcontinent and still also used in several Indian states and Nepal. It is a lunisolar calendar ...
. Thus, on this basis, he strongly concluded that Vishwadatta could not have been the son of
Ganesh Pande Ganesh Pandey or Ganesa Pande (Nepali: गणेश पाण्डे वा गणेश पाँडे) Coronation of Dravya Shah Dravya Shah was the youngest son of Yasho Brahma Shah, Raja (King) of Lamjung and grandson of Kulamandan Shah ...
, who was living in 1616
Vikram Samvat Vikram Samvat (ISO: ''Vikrama Saṁvata''; abbreviated VS), also known as the Vikrami calendar is a Hindu calendar historically used in the Indian subcontinent and still also used in several Indian states and Nepal. It is a lunisolar calendar ...
, when Drabya Shah was crowned King of Gorkha. He points that the names of two more generations seem to be missing. Historian Baburam Acharya speculates that Ganesh Pande was a
Brahmin Brahmin (; ) is a ''Varna (Hinduism), varna'' (theoretical social classes) within Hindu society. The other three varnas are the ''Kshatriya'' (rulers and warriors), ''Vaishya'' (traders, merchants, and farmers), and ''Shudra'' (labourers). Th ...
, however, there was no conclusive evidence to the claim. He makes the assumption based on the claim of ancestry from Ganesh Pande by Pande Brahmins of Upamanyu gotra. He further assumes that Baliram and Jagatloka were Brahmins due to their Brahmin-looking name and assumes Tularam and Bhimaraj as Chhetri. Pandes of the Gorkha Kingdom were categorized with fellow
Chhetri Chhetri (Kshetri, Kshettri, Kshetry or Chhettri), ( ; IAST: ''Kṣetrī'') historically called Kshettriya or Kshetriya or Khas are Nepali language, Nepali speaking people historically associated with the warrior class and administration, some of ...
''Bharadars'' such as Thapas, Basnyats and Kunwars.


Relation between Kalu and Tularam

As per Historian
Baburam Acharya Baburam Acharya ( Nepali: बाबुराम आचार्य) (1888–1971 AD) was a Nepalese historian and literary scholar. He is known as the historian laureate () of Nepal. The four part biography of King Prithivi Narayan Shah, founder ...
, Tularam was a brother (
first cousin A cousin is a relative who is the child of a parent's sibling; this is more specifically referred to as a first cousin. A parent of a first cousin is an aunt or uncle. More generally, in the lineal kinship, kinship system used in the English-s ...
) of Bhimraj, the father of
Kalu Pande Vamshidhar Pande () known by Alias Kalu Pande () was a Nepalese politician and general who was appointed as Kaji of The Gorkha Kingdom. He was born in 1713 A.D. in a Gorkha family. He was the commander of the Gorkhali forces during the Un ...
. However, Historian
Rishikesh Shah Rishikesh Shah (May 16, 1925 – November 13, 2002) was a Nepalese writer, politician and human rights activist.
Damodar Pande Damodar Pande () (1752 – March 13, 1804) was the Mulkaji, Mulkaji of Nepal (equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal) from 1803 until March 1804 and the most influential Kaji from 1794 to his execution on March 13, 1804. He is also arguably ref ...
was appointed as one of the four ''Kajis'' by King
Rana Bahadur Shah Rana Bahadur Shah, King of Nepal (; 25 May 1775 – 26 April 1806) was King of Nepal, he succeeded to the throne after the death of his father, King Pratap Singh Shah. He ruled under the regencies of his mother, Queen Rajendra Rajya Lakshmi D ...
after removal of Chautariya
Bahadur Shah of Nepal Prince Bahadur Shah () was the youngest son of King Prithvi Narayan Shah of modern Nepal. He became the regent of Nepal for a brief period after the death of his predecessor Queen Rajendra Laxmi and accelerated his father's campaign for the conq ...
on 1794. Damodar was most influential and dominant in the court faction irrespective of post of Chief Kazi (Mulkazi) being held by
Kirtiman Singh Basnyat Kirtiman Singh Basnyat () was Mul Kaji (Chief Minister) of the Royal Court of Nepal from 1794 to his death on 28 September 1801. He was a military commander of the Nepalese Army. Military career He fought in the Sino-Nepalese War and various oth ...
. Pandes were the most dominant noble family. Later due to continuous irrational behaviour of King
Rana Bahadur Shah Rana Bahadur Shah, King of Nepal (; 25 May 1775 – 26 April 1806) was King of Nepal, he succeeded to the throne after the death of his father, King Pratap Singh Shah. He ruled under the regencies of his mother, Queen Rajendra Rajya Lakshmi D ...
, situation of civil war arose where Damodar was the main opposition to the King. He was forced to flee to the British-controlled city of
Varanasi Varanasi (, also Benares, Banaras ) or Kashi, is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world.* * * * The city has a syncretic tradition of I ...
in May, 1800 after military men parted with influential ''Kaji'' Damodar. After Queen Rajrajeshwari finally managed to assume the regency on 17 December 1802, later in February she elected
Damodar Pande Damodar Pande () (1752 – March 13, 1804) was the Mulkaji, Mulkaji of Nepal (equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal) from 1803 until March 1804 and the most influential Kaji from 1794 to his execution on March 13, 1804. He is also arguably ref ...
as the ''Mul Kaji'' (Chief Kaji).
Damodar Pande Damodar Pande () (1752 – March 13, 1804) was the Mulkaji, Mulkaji of Nepal (equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal) from 1803 until March 1804 and the most influential Kaji from 1794 to his execution on March 13, 1804. He is also arguably ref ...
, Pande family and faction, were responsible for treaty with British which incensed exiled King Rana Bahadur. The Treaty of 1801 was also unilaterally annulled by the British on 24 January 1804. The suspension of diplomatic ties also gave the Governor General a pretext to allow the ex-King Rana Bahadur to return to Nepal unconditionally. Troops sent by Kathmandu Durbar changed their allegiance when they came face to face with the incoming ex-King Rana Bahadur. Damodar Pande and members of Pande factions were arrested at Thankot where they were waiting to greet the ex-King with state honors and take him into isolation. After Rana Bahadur's reinstatement to power, he ordered Damodar Pande, along with his two eldest sons, who were completely innocent, to be executed on 13 March 1804; similarly some members of his faction were tortured and executed without any due trial, while many others managed to escape to India. Among those who managed to escape to India were Damodar Pande's sons
Karbir Pande Kaji Karbir Pande () was one of the sons of ''Mulkaji'' Damodar Pande. After King Rana Bahadur's reinstatement to power, he ordered the execution of Damodar Pande, along with his two eldest sons, who were completely innocent, to be executed on ...
and
Rana Jang Pande Rana Jang Pande () was the 3rd Prime Minister of the government of Nepal and the most powerful person in political scenario in three decades from the aristocratic Pande clan. He was one of the sons of Mukhtiyar Kaji Damodar Pande. He served as t ...
.


Resurrection of Pandes

During the
Anglo-Nepalese War The Anglo-Nepalese War (1 November 1814 – 4 March 1816), also known as the Gorkha War or Nepal-Company War, was fought between the Gorkhali army of the Kingdom of Nepal (present-day Nepal) and the forces of the British East India Company ...
,
Rana Jang Pande Rana Jang Pande () was the 3rd Prime Minister of the government of Nepal and the most powerful person in political scenario in three decades from the aristocratic Pande clan. He was one of the sons of Mukhtiyar Kaji Damodar Pande. He served as t ...
had informed
Ranabir Singh Thapa Ranabir Singh Thapa () also spelled Ranbir, Ranavir or Ranvir also known by the late ascetic name Swami Abhayananda () was a Nepalese army general, prominent politician and minister of state. In 1837, he became acting Mukhtiyar (equivalent to Prim ...
that the British would be off guard during Christmas. Following this advice, Ranabir Singh was able to obtain a major victory during a battle in Parsa. This won the Pandes the trust of Ranabir Singh, which eventually led to their pardon by King Girvan and subsequent return to Nepal. In November 1834, Ranjung Pande, the youngest son of
Damodar Pande Damodar Pande () (1752 – March 13, 1804) was the Mulkaji, Mulkaji of Nepal (equivalent to Prime Minister of Nepal) from 1803 until March 1804 and the most influential Kaji from 1794 to his execution on March 13, 1804. He is also arguably ref ...
, petitioned the king to restore the lands and properties of the Pande family. To the surprise of the court, the king accepted the petition. The king, however, had not taken immediate action on this request. With royal support, Ranjung immediately sent a request to the Chinese
Amban Amban (Manchu language, Manchu and Mongolian language, Mongol: ''Amban'', Standard Tibetan, Tibetan: ་''am ben'', zh, t=昂邦, Uyghur language, Uighur:''am ben'') is a Manchu language term meaning "high official" ( zh, t=大臣, p=dàchén ...
in
Lhasa Lhasa, officially the Chengguan District of Lhasa City, is the inner urban district of Lhasa (city), Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region, Southwestern China. Lhasa is the second most populous urban area on the Tibetan Plateau after Xining ...
requesting they restore the families historical relation in Tibet. He had also accused
Bhimsen Thapa Bhimsen Thapa ( (August 1775 – 29 July 1839)) was a Nepalese statesman who served as the ''Mukhtiyar'' (equivalent to prime minister) and de facto ruler of Nepal from 1806 to 1837. He is widely known as the List of Prime Ministers of Nepal, l ...
of supporting the British which at the time were one of China's main enemies. After this, the Amban had then requested to the king that Ranjung be sent as a diplomat to
Peking Beijing, previously romanized as Peking, is the capital city of China. With more than 22 million residents, it is the world's most populous national capital city as well as China's second largest city by urban area after Shanghai. It is l ...
in the next diplomatic quinquennial year. By 1836,
Rana Jang Pande Rana Jang Pande () was the 3rd Prime Minister of the government of Nepal and the most powerful person in political scenario in three decades from the aristocratic Pande clan. He was one of the sons of Mukhtiyar Kaji Damodar Pande. He served as t ...
was stationed as a captain in the army in Kathmandu. He was aware of the disunity between Samrajya Laxmi and
Bhimsen Thapa Bhimsen Thapa ( (August 1775 – 29 July 1839)) was a Nepalese statesman who served as the ''Mukhtiyar'' (equivalent to prime minister) and de facto ruler of Nepal from 1806 to 1837. He is widely known as the List of Prime Ministers of Nepal, l ...
; and thus he had secretly expressed his loyalty to Samrajya Laxmi and had vowed to help her in bringing Bhimsen down for all the wrongs he had committed against his family. Factions in the Nepalese court had also started to develop around the rivalry between the two queens, with the Senior Queen supporting the Pandes, while the Junior Queen supporting the Thapas. Pandes spread news of child born out of an adulterous relationship between
Mathabar Singh Thapa Mathabar Singh Thapa (, 17981845) was the Prime Minister of Nepal and the Commander-In-Chief of the Nepalese Army from 25 December 1843 – 17 May 1845, until he was murdered by his nephew Jung Bahadur Rana. He was the first Mukhtiyar to title ...
and his widowed sister-in-law and the resulting public disgrace forced Mathabar to leave Kathmandu and reside in his ancestral home in Pipal Thok, Borlang, Gorkha. The weakening of power of Thapas in absence of Mathabar and Bhimsen in Kathmandu helped King
Rajendra Bikram Shah Rajendra Bikram Shah (; 3 December 1813 – 10 July 1881) was King of Nepal. His reign saw the rise of the Ranas; in 1846, Jung Bahadur Rana came to power as prime minister and the next year, Rajendra was forced to abdicate in favor of his son ...
to establish a new personal battalion, Hanuman Dal, and by February 1837, both
Rana Jang Pande Rana Jang Pande () was the 3rd Prime Minister of the government of Nepal and the most powerful person in political scenario in three decades from the aristocratic Pande clan. He was one of the sons of Mukhtiyar Kaji Damodar Pande. He served as t ...
and his brother, Ranadal Pande, had been promoted to the position of a ''Kaji''; and Ranajang was made a personal secretary to the King, while Ranadal Pande was made the governor of Palpa. Ranajang, the leader of Pandes, was also made the chief palace guard, the position formerly occupied by Ranabir Singh and then Bhimsen which curtailed Bhimsen's access to the royal family and reduced Thapas from the power. After the incarceration of the Thapas in the poisoning case in 1837, a new government with joint ''Mukhtiyars'' was formed with
Ranga Nath Poudyal Ranga Nath Poudyal Atreya () popularly known as Ranganath Pandit was the List of Prime Ministers of Nepal, Mukhtiyar of Nepal from 1837 December to 1838 August and in 1840 November for about 2–3 weeks. He was the first Brahmin Prime Minister of ...
as the head of civil administration, and Dalbhanjan Pande and Ranajang Pande as joint heads of military administration. This appointment established the Pandes as the dominant faction in the court, and they started to make preparations for war with the British in order to win back the lost territories of Kumaon and
Garhwal Garhwal may refer to the following topics associated with Uttarakhand, India: Places *Garhwal Himalaya, a sub-range of the Himalayas *Garhwal Kingdom, a former kingdom *Garhwal District (British Garhwal), a former district of British India * Ga ...
. While such war posturing was nothing new, the din the Pandes created alarmed not just the Resident Hodgson but the opposing court factions as well, who saw their aggressive policy as detrimental to the survival of the country. After about three months in power, under pressure from the opposing factions, the King removed Ranajang as ''Mukhtiyar'' and Ranganath Paudel, who was favorably inclined towards the Thapas, was chosen as the sole ''Mukhtiyar''. Fearful that the Pandes would re-establish their power, Fatte Jang Shah, Rangnath Poudel, and the Junior Queen Rajya Laxmi Devi obtained from the King the liberation of Bhimsen, Mathabar, and the rest of the party, about eight months after they were incarcerated for the poisoning case. However, Ranganath Poudel, finding himself unsupported by the King, resigned from the ''Mukhtiyari'', which was then conferred on
Pushkar Shah Pushkar Shah is a Nepalese peace and democracy activist and adventurer. On November 29, 1998 he set off from Dolakha Town, Nepal at the age of 25, for a world bicycle trek. His goal was to spread a message of peace and hope. He has cycled aroun ...
; but Puskhar Shah was only a nominal head, and the actual authority was bestowed on Ranajang Pande. Sensing that a catastrophe was going to befall the Thapas, Mathabar Singh fled to India while pretending to go on a hunting trip; Ranbir Singh gave up all his property and became a
sanyasi ''Sannyasa'' (), sometimes spelled ''sanyasa'', is the fourth stage within the Hindu system of four life stages known as '' ashramas'', the first three being '' brahmacharya'' (celibate student), '' grihastha'' (householder) and '' vanaprasth ...
, titling himself Abhayanand Puri; but Bhimsen Thapa preferred to remain in his old home in Gorkha. The Pandes were now in full possession of power; they had gained over the King to their side by flattery. The Senior Queen had been a firm supporter of their party; and they endeavored to secure popularity in the army by promises of war and plunder. At the beginning of 1839, Ranajang Pande was made the sole ''Mukhtiyar''. However, knowledge about Ranajang's war preparations and his communication with other princely states of India, fomenting anti-British sentiments, alarmed the Governor-General of the time,
Lord Auckland Baron Auckland is a title in both the Peerage of Ireland and the Peerage of Great Britain. The first creation came in 1789 when the prominent politician and financial expert William Eden was made Baron Auckland in the Peerage of Ireland. In 1 ...
, who mobilized some British troops near the border of Nepal. In order to resolve this diplomatic fiasco, Bhimsen was recalled from Gorkha releasing consfication after which he suggested some of the battalions under Ranajang's command to be given to other courtiers, thus severely weakening Ranajang's military power. After the ostracization of Thapas on fabricated cases with forged papers, Bhimsen, the leader of Thapas, attempted suicide due to indignity after hearing rumors of his wife to be publicly disgraced on 28 July 1839. Five months after Bhimsen's death, Ranajang Pande was again made Mukhtiyar (prime minister); but Ranajang's inability to control the general lawlessness in the country forced him to resign from prime minister's office, which was then conferred on
Pushkar Shah Pushkar Shah is a Nepalese peace and democracy activist and adventurer. On November 29, 1998 he set off from Dolakha Town, Nepal at the age of 25, for a world bicycle trek. His goal was to spread a message of peace and hope. He has cycled aroun ...
, based on Samrajya Laxmi's recommendation. Pushkar Shah and his Pande associates were dismissed, and Fatte Jang Shah was appointed Mukhtiyar (prime minister) in November 1840 due to British intervention. After the death of Senior Queen Samrajya Laxmi, the Nepalese court was split into three factions centered around the King, the Junior Queen, and the Crown Prince. Fateh Jang and his administration supported the King, the Thapas supported the Junior Queen, while the Pandes supported the Crown Prince. The resurgent Thapa coalition succeeded in sowing animosity between Fateh Jang's ministry and the Pande coalition, who were swiftly imprisoned.


Ultimate Fall of Pandes

Under immense pressure from the Queen and the nobility, along with the backing from army and the general populace, the King in January 1843 handed the highest authority of the state to his Junior Queen, Rajya Laxmi, curtailing both his own and his son's power. The Queen, seeking support of her own son's claims to the throne over those of Surendra, invited eldest Thapa dynast
Mathabar Singh Thapa Mathabar Singh Thapa (, 17981845) was the Prime Minister of Nepal and the Commander-In-Chief of the Nepalese Army from 25 December 1843 – 17 May 1845, until he was murdered by his nephew Jung Bahadur Rana. He was the first Mukhtiyar to title ...
back after almost six years in exile. Upon his arrival in Kathmandu in April 1843, an investigation of his uncle Bhimsen's death took place, and a number of his Pande enemies were massacred. As for Ranajang Pande, he had by that time contracted mental illness and would not have posed any threat to Mathabar. Nevertheless, Ranajang was paraded through the streets and made to witness the execution of his family members, after which he was forced to commit suicide by poison.


Pande Palaces

As Thapathali was abode of the Thapas,
Lazimpat Lazimpat () is a residential area of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal Nepal, officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mainly situated in the Himalayas, but also includes parts ...
was abode of Pandes.
Lazimpat Durbar Lazimpat Durbar, Aka Agni Bhawan is a palace complex in Kathmandu, the capital of the Nepal. Initially build and occupied by ''Kaji'' Bir Keshar Pande but later palace area was occupied by Bir Shumsher JBR, as prime minister the executive head ...
was property of ''Kaji''
Bir Keshar Pande ''Kaji'' Bir Keshar Pande () a Nepalese politician, military personnel and courtier in the Kingdom of Nepal. He was member of the Gora Pande clan of Gorkha and the son of Kaji Ranajit Pande. Bir Keshar Pande was the owner of Lazimpat Durbar. As Th ...
. At the time of the
Kot massacre The Kot massacre () took place on 14 September 1846 when then Kaji Jang Bahadur Kunwar and his brothers killed about 30-40 civil officials, military officers and palace guards of the Nepalese palace court including the Prime Minister of Nepal ...
on 14 September 1846, ''Kaji''
Bir Keshar Pande ''Kaji'' Bir Keshar Pande () a Nepalese politician, military personnel and courtier in the Kingdom of Nepal. He was member of the Gora Pande clan of Gorkha and the son of Kaji Ranajit Pande. Bir Keshar Pande was the owner of Lazimpat Durbar. As Th ...
was massacred there and lazimpat Durbar was occupied by ''Kaji'' Col.Tribikram Singh Thapa, maternal uncle of Rana rulers.


Pande family members


Kala Pandes


Gora Pandes


Pande memorials and legacy

The burial ground on hill top of ''Kaji'' Kalu Pande is a popular hiking spot. It lies in
Chandragiri Chandragiri is a suburb and outgrowth of Tirupati and located in Tirupati district of the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. It is a part of Tirupati urban agglomeration and a major growing residential area in Tirupati It is the mandal headquarter ...
, western outskirts of Kathmandu from where Gorkha can be seen. ''Rastra Bhaktiko Jhalak: Panday Bamsa ko Bhumika'' (Transl. Glimpse of Patriotism: Role of Pande dynasty) is a book written on Pande dynasty by Sardar
Bhim Bahadur Pande Bhim Bahadur Pande () was a Nepalese diplomat, bureaucrat and historian. He served as Nepalese Ambassador to India from May 21, 1969 to May 24, 1972. ''Sardar'' Bhim Bahadur also served to Juddha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana during his youth. He help ...
.


Descendants

First Mandarin and Historian-diplomat Sardar
Bhim Bahadur Pande Bhim Bahadur Pande () was a Nepalese diplomat, bureaucrat and historian. He served as Nepalese Ambassador to India from May 21, 1969 to May 24, 1972. ''Sardar'' Bhim Bahadur also served to Juddha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana during his youth. He help ...
is the seventh lineal descendant of '' Kaji''
Kalu Pande Vamshidhar Pande () known by Alias Kalu Pande () was a Nepalese politician and general who was appointed as Kaji of The Gorkha Kingdom. He was born in 1713 A.D. in a Gorkha family. He was the commander of the Gorkhali forces during the Un ...
. Late Maj.Gen Sagar Bahadur Pande, Businessman Himalaya Bahadur Pande, Banker
Prithvi Bahadur Pande Prithvi Bahadur Pandé () is the chairman of Nepal Investment Mega Bank Limited (NIMB). He is one of the most renowned bankers of Nepal, a pioneer in the commercial banking sector, who took over the French managed Indo-Suez Bank and successfully o ...
, General Pawan Bahadur Pande, who retired as Number 2 of the Nepal Army, Dr.Shanta Bahadur Pande are the sons of First Mandarin, diplomat-historian Sardar
Bhim Bahadur Pande Bhim Bahadur Pande () was a Nepalese diplomat, bureaucrat and historian. He served as Nepalese Ambassador to India from May 21, 1969 to May 24, 1972. ''Sardar'' Bhim Bahadur also served to Juddha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana during his youth. He help ...
and eighth descendant of ''Kaji''
Kalu Pande Vamshidhar Pande () known by Alias Kalu Pande () was a Nepalese politician and general who was appointed as Kaji of The Gorkha Kingdom. He was born in 1713 A.D. in a Gorkha family. He was the commander of the Gorkhali forces during the Un ...
.


Gallery
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File:Kalu Pandey.jpg, Portrait of Kalu Pande File:Unification Campaign1.jpg, Kalu Pande during Unification Campaign File:कालु पाँडेको समाधिस्थल.jpg, Kalu Pande memorial park File:Rana Jang Pande.jpg, Rana Jang Pande, the last Pande leader File:Bhim Bahadur Pande.jpg,
Bhim Bahadur Pande Bhim Bahadur Pande () was a Nepalese diplomat, bureaucrat and historian. He served as Nepalese Ambassador to India from May 21, 1969 to May 24, 1972. ''Sardar'' Bhim Bahadur also served to Juddha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana during his youth. He help ...
, the 20th century Pande descendant Old Bhardar letter.gif, Letter sent to PM Bhimsen Thapa and Kazi Ranadhoj Thapa by (Pvt. seal L to R) Bakhat Singh Sardar,
Dalbhanjan Pande Dalbhanjan Pande or Dalabhanjan Pande () was a Nepalese minister, politician and military officer of the aristocratic Pande family. He had held ministerial positions and military offices. He jointly headed the military administration of Nepal in ...
(Pande Kazi), Ranabir Singh Thapa, Kaji Narsingh Thapa (Elder Amar Singh Thapa's another son) and sundry captains File:Kaji_Kalu_Pande_Statue.jpg, Kaji
Kalu Pande Vamshidhar Pande () known by Alias Kalu Pande () was a Nepalese politician and general who was appointed as Kaji of The Gorkha Kingdom. He was born in 1713 A.D. in a Gorkha family. He was the commander of the Gorkhali forces during the Un ...
statue at Dahachowk


See also

*
Basnyat family Basnyat/Basnet family or Basnyat/Basnet dynasty () was a Khas-Chhetri and a warlord clan family involved in the politics and administration of the Gorkha Kingdom and Kingdom of Nepal. This family got entry into Thar Ghar aristocracy group of G ...
* Rana dynasty *
Shah dynasty The Shah dynasty (), also known as the Shahs of Gorkha or the Royal House of Gorkha, was the ruling Chaubise Thakuri dynasty and the founder of the Gorkha Kingdom from 1559 to 1768 and later the unified Kingdom of Nepal from 1768 to 28 May ...


References


Bibliography

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Pande family Kshatriya communities Nepalese noble families Nepalese politicians Chhetri noble families Dynasties of Nepal Political families of Nepal 16th-century establishments in Nepal