Thapa

Thapa is the surname of a large social group of people, predominantly Chhettris as well as Magars, from Nepal. Over a period of time, this community has spread to other countries of the world, especially India.

The surname Thapa in Tibetan means 'man at the border'. Thapa Magars come from the upper part of Nepal to lower parts of Tibet. Thapa Chetteris are one of the largest groups of the Thapas and are mixed. Mugali Thapa refers to Lamichhane Thapas who were settled in the village of Muga, Dhankuta District. They are said to have descended from the warriors who came to eastern Nepal with the fighting forces of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. One of the former Prime Ministers of Nepal Surya Bahadur Thapa is a "Mugali" Lamichhane Thapa. Another kind "Bagale" Thapa is believed to be originated from Gurkha. Amar Singh Thapa, Bhimshen Thapa, Mathwar Sinhg Thapa and most recently army chief Dharma Palbar Singh Thapa are bagale Thapas.

People with surname Thapa include:

  • Bhimsen Thapa First Nepalese Prime minister
  • Amar Singh Thapa Commander of Western front in Anglo-Nepalese War
  • Bhakti Thapa, Commander of Western front in Anglo-Nepalese War
  • Ujir Singh Thapa, Commander of Mid-Western front(Butwal-Palpa) in Anglo-Nepalese War
  • Ranjur Thapa, Commander of Central front(Jit garh) in Anglo-Nepalese War
  • Mathwar Singh Thapa, Ex Prime Minister and Commander in-chief of Nepalese Army
  • Netra Bahadur Thapa, Victoria Cross holder-2 Battalion 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles(1944: Locale -Burma)
  • Sher Bahadur Thapa, Victoria Cross holder-9th Gurkha Rifles (1944: Locale-San Marino, Italy )
  • Lakhan ThapaMagar, Martyr
  • Major General Bhagwan Singh Thapa, Rai Bahadur Sahib, Commander Kashmir State Forces, I.O.M (Indian Order of Merit), Resident of Srinagar, Kashmir State (India).
  • Col. Lacchman Singh Thapa, Adjutant Quarter Master General, Kashmir State Forces, Resident of Srinagar, Kashmir State (India).
  • Brigadier Sher Jung Thapa, Mahavir Chakra (MVC), Indian Army, resident of Dharmasala, Himachal Pradesh, (India).
  • Master Mitrasen Thapa, Napali folk singer, social worker, resident of Bhagsu/Dharmasala, (India).
  • Major Dhan Singh Thapa, Pramvir Chakra (PVC), Indian Army, resident of Simla, Himaachal Pradesh (India).
  • Manjushree Thapa, Nepalese author
  • Arun Thapa singer
  • Surya Bahadur Thapa, Chetri Ex-Prime minister of Nepal
  • Sunil Thapa, Film actor (Hindi-Ek duje ke liye/Nepali-more than 25 films)
  • Jharna Thapa, Nepalese Actress.
  • Bipana Thapa, Nepalese Actress.
  • Dharma Thapa Ex-Home Minister of Nepal
  • Nihal Thapa A football player for Crossfire F.C. in the United States.