History of Limbuwan
Encyclopedia
The History of Limbuwan is characterised by the close interaction of Limbuwan
with its neighbours; independent and semi independent rule characterized by autonomy
for most of its time.
From the time of King Sirijunga Hang to King Mahendra of Nepal
, Limbuwan enjoyed the Kipat system of land and semi or full autonomy. Limbuwan was also similar to the rest of Nepal during the medieval ages due to the presence of ten independent or semi independent Limbu
kingdoms with a strong knitted alliance
. Yakthung Pan or Limbu language
with its four major dialect
s has always been a major language in Limbuwan. The Kirant Mundhum
religion is the major indigenous religion, with Tibetan Buddhism
and Nepali Hinduism
gaining significant ground in various times is Limbuwan history.
Present day Limbuwan comprises land south of the Himalaya Mountains, east of the Arun
and Kosi
rivers, west of the Sewalungma mountain range (Kanchenjunga), Singalila
Mountain ranges and the Mechi River. Limbuwan territory is also called Pallo Kirant by people living to the west of the Arun River, in the Kathmandu valley and other Nepalese people.
Limbuwan and her history have never been covered much by the government of Nepal in its academic text books where the focus was upon the history of the Kathmandu valley only (also called Nepal valley or simply Nepal). Although Limbuwan is a part of Nepal now; it was ruled independently up to 1774 AD, and even now, the history of Limbuwan remains unknown to many people of Limbuwans. People of Limbuwan and Nepalese
citizens in the present context of federalism and autonomy in Nepal don’t understand that out of all the territories annexed by the Kings of Gorkha
, Limbuwan was the only territory that was actually incorporated to the Kingdom of Nepal by the means of collective Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty
with the Kings of ten Kingdoms of Limbuwan and their ministers. Under the terms of the treaty, Limbuwan and her kings would accept the King of Nepal as their overlord and stay under the same Nepalese flag but Limbuwan and her people were supposed to be completely autonomous with non interference from the Kingdom of Nepal. However, over the period of Shah dynasty, Limbuwan was gradually stripped of its original treaty rights. Therefore, the people of Limbuwan today are the most vocal proponents of federalism
with autonomy
in Nepal.
and historian
s claim that the fossil records
show that people lived in Nepal around 30-40 thousand years ago. The first people of Limbuwan
and Eastern Nepal could have been that batch of people too. The first people to live permanently and call Limbuwan their home were the Kirant
people. These Mongoloid people are believed to have moved into Nepal from the east from Assam
valley and beyond around 6-8 thousand years ago. They practiced shifting cultivation and moved with their domesticated pigs and other animals along the lower, warmer hills. The same people moved on to western Nepal
and eventually conquered the Kathmandu valley to establish the first Kirant civilization of Nepalese history. They spoke the language of their Tibeto-Burman Ancestry and practiced animistic
religion.
King Jitedasti became the seventh Kiranti King in central Nepal around 580 BC. Kirant chiefs under King Jitedasti in the present day Limbuwan area revolted against him and ceased to see him as their overlord. During that period all the Kirant chiefs used to pay monetary tribute
and rendered military service to the Kirant kings of the Kathmandu valley. The system was much similar to the feudal system in medieval Europe. After the revolts, the Kirant chiefs of eastern Nepal elected Bhauiputahang as their new king. King Bhauiputahang built his capital in Phedap and ruled eastern Nepal which comprised present day Limbuwan.
While central Nepal was ruled by Kings of the Kirant Dynasty, Limbuwan in east Nepal was also ruled by kings of Kirant dynasty, (the ancestors of present Kirant Limbu people). King Bhauiputahang was renowned in the Limbuwan and eastern parts of Nepal
, while King Jitedasti sat on the throne in the Kathmandu valley.
King Parbatak of Limbuwan / Eastern Nepal (Circa 317 BC)
A descendent of King Bhauiputahang, King Parbatak was a son of King Jeitehang and ruled Limbuwan
around 317 BC. During that period, King Parbatak was the most powerful kings of the Himalayan region and present day Nepal
. King Parbatak was allied with Chandra Gupta Maurya of Magadha
, and also assisted him in his military campaigns in the Nanda
kingdom. During his father King Jiete’s rule, Alexander the great had invaded India
and established his satraps in Punjab
and Sindh
. King Parbatak assisted King Chandra Gupta Maurya in driving the Greek
Satraps Seleucus (Military governor) away from Punjab and Sindh. For King Parbatak’s assistance to Chandra Gupta, he gave lands of northern Bihar
to King Parbatak and many Kiranti people migrated to northern Bihar during that period. They became known as Madhesia Kirant
People, or Limbus of Kashi Gotra. King Parbatak Hang is also mentioned by Magadha historians as an ally of Maurya Emperor.
King Samyuk of Limbuwan / Eastern Nepal (Circa 125 BC)
After seven generations of King Parbatak, King Samyuk sat on the throne of Limbuwan
/ Eastern Nepal
. He was unpopular among the descendants of Madhesia Kirant people (descendents of those who lived in Bihar since King Parbatak’s time). Under the leadership of Bazdeohang, people revolted against King Samyuk and overthrew him. The Kirant chiefs elected Bazdeo as the new King of Limbuwan.
After the revolution of the Kirant people of the Limbuwan area, the Kirant chiefs of the region elected the rebel leader Bazdeohang as their king. He made his capital at Libang and started his own dynasty
. He was followed by twelve other kings of his dynasty.
King Sangkhadeo I
King Sangkhadeo II
King Dewapour
King Bhichuuk
King Ghangtuk
King Sotumhang
King Limdung
King Lijehang
King Mapunhang
King Dendehang
King Kundungjapa
King Kundungjapa of Limbuwan
The last king of the Bazdeo dynasty had four sons, Mundhungge, Sandhungge, Kane Hang and Kochu Hang. It is said that Kochu Hang migrated to North Bengal
and established his own kingdom, Kochpiguru from where the term Koch is derived. After the death of King Kundungjapa, Limbuwan fell into chaos and anarchy, each chief ruling their own areas independently.
was ruled by eight chiefs and their descendants, none of them rose to become powerful enough to subdue all and none came to prominence. During this period, people migrated in and out of the Limbuwan region and around the 6th century AD, a group of people from the Shan-Makwan areas in China
and Burma moved to Assam in India and eventually to the Limbuwan area in Nepal. The assimilation of the original Kirants of Limbuwan, the migrants from Tibet, the Mongols and the tribes from the Bihar
area and finally the migrant people of Shan-Makwan gave birth to the new nation of Limbuwan, nationality of Limbu and the Limbu culture.
The revolution of the Kiranti People in Limbuwan
During the latter years of the rule of the eight Kiranti chiefs, the population of Limbuwan multiplied and families increased in number. Feeling that this was a threat, the eight rulers started to suppress the people. When the descendants of the Shan Mokwan people, (the latest immigrants to Limbuwan) could not stand this any longer they devised a plan to overthrow the eight chiefs. They met at Ambe Pojoma and decided to revolt against the eight chiefs. The rebel leaders erected three stone pillars and planted three mango
trees around them. After sprinkling holy waters, the rebel leaders and the rebel army took an oath that everyone would fight against the tyrant chiefs and would not return home until they had beaten the rulers. The meeting place of Ambe Pojoma still exists to this day, and the battle of eight chiefs is incorporated in Limbu
Mundhum ever since.
After knowing that the rebellion was breaking out in their country; the eight rulers raised their own army and aimed at massacring and displacing people of Shan-Mokwan descent. The great civil war broke out between the eight rulers of Limbuwan and the rebels of Limbuwan. The army of eight rulers were defeated in every village by the rebels. All the eight rulers were either killed or chased away from Limbuwan territory.
and the western boundary at the Dudhkoshi
River. Later the boundaries of Limbuwan came to rest at the Arun river in the west and Kanchenjunga mountain and the Mechi river in the east.
The meeting of rebel leaders decided to name the recently acquired country Limbuwan as it was won by the strength of a bow and arrow. [ Li = Bow, ambu = acquire in the Limbu language] They also decided to divide Limbuwan into ten districts or kingdoms and place ten kings to rule each kingdom. They also agreed to defend Limbuwan from any external threat by rendering military assistance from all the ten Kingdoms. They changed the name of their nationality to Yakthumba. Originally at the beginning only the Kings of Limbuwan were called Limbus and the people of Limbuwan were called Yakhthungba, but over time all the people of Limbuwan started calling themselves Limbu
. Thus, the term Limbu and Yakthungba became synonymous.
This Period in Limbuwan history corresponds to the Lichhavi and Malla
Dynasty periods in the Nepal Valley.
The Ten Rulers, Their Kingdoms and their forts.
1. Samlupi Samba Hang...........King of Tambar and..................his capital Tambar Yiok.
2. Sisiyen Shering Hang.........King of Mewa and Maiwa kingdoms and his capital Meringden Yiok.
3. Thoktokso Angbo Hang.........King of Athraya and.................his capital Pomajong.
4. Thindolung Khokya Hang.......King of Yangwarok and...............his capital Hastapojong Yiok
5. Ye nga so Papo Hang,.........King of Panthar and.................his capital at Yashok and Phedim.
6. Shengsengum Phedap Hang......King of Phedap and..................his capital at Poklabung.
7. Mung Tai Chi Emay Hang.......King of Ilam and....................his capital at Phakphok.
8. Soiyak CHENJONG Hang,............King of Miklung (Choubise) and......his capital at Shanguri Yiok.
9. Tappeso Perung Hang,.........King of Thala and...................his capital at Thala Yiok.
10. Taklung Khewa Hang,........King of Chethar and.................his capital at Chamling Chimling Yiok.
In the beginning of 7th century AD, King Mung Mawrong Hang came to prominence in the terai lands of Limbuwan, ( present day Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa area). He cleared much of the forest area in the present day Rangeli east of Biratnagar and built a town there. Since the Ten Kings of Limbuwan had sovereignty over the terai lands through Kingdom of Ilam and Kingdom of Bodhey (Choubise), they assembled a collective Limbuwan force and chased King Mawrong from Rongli area.
Mawrong went to Tibet and took refuge in Khampa Jong, but he still had aimbition to rule all of Limbuwan. When Limbuwan was ruled by ten Kings and when King Mawrong came to prominence, Tibet was ruled by King Tsrong Tsen Gempo. Mawrong went on to ally with Tibetan King Tsrong Tsen Gempo, managed to get Bhutia tribes of Khampa jong to assist him and planned on attacking Limbuwan from the north. King Mawrong attacked Limbuwan, the ten kings of Limbuwan brought their forces and fought decisive battle through Hatia, Walungchung and Tapkey passes in the Himalayas. Ten Kings of Limbuwan lost and King Mawrong rose as the over lord of Limbuwan. The ten Kings of Limbuwan still continued to rule their original places as subordinate to King Mung Mawrong.
King Mawrong also started a festival among Kirant people called “Namban”, where people celebrate the gathering of harvest every year and it falls on the last week of December.
King Mawrong had no male heir so he died and one of his ministers took over and became King Mokwan San. After a brief period King Uba Hang came to prominence in Limbuwan area.
Following the death of King Mawrong, Uba Hang became powerful and renowned in Limbuwan area. He subdued the Limbuwan area which was under King Mokwan San and became King. He is known for introducing new faith among Limbu people and bringing changes to the Kirant mundhum religion. He taught his subjects to worship the great spirit of Tagera Ningwafumang with flowers and fruits, but not with sacrifice and blood.
He built Chempojong fort and palace in Ilam. He introduced the festival of Tong Sum Tong Nam, held every three years in honour of Limbu Ancestor goddess Yumasammang and supreme god Tagera Ningwafumang. This Tong Sum Tong Nam festival is still held in Panchthar district of Nepal and is called Trisala Puja in Nepali language
.
King Mabo Hang (ruled 865-880AD)
King Mabo Hang succeeded his father King Uba Hang in Limbuwan. He ruled Limbuwan for 15 years with the title of Thakthakkum Mabo Hang. He was well respected and known in Limbuwan and many also believed him to be the reincarnation of god. He moved his capital from Chempo Jong in Ilam to Yasok Jong in Panchthar
.
King Muda Hang
After the death of Mabo hang his son Muda hang succeeded to the throne, but he was a weak king and unlike his father and grandfather he was not able to subdue all the rulers of ten Limbuwan. The ten rulers of Limbuwan declared independence in their own districts and began ruling independently. There was anarchy and chaos in Limbuwan
as the rulers and clan chiefs tried to establish their own hagemony over Limbuwan. Thus Limbuwan disintegrated, and Lasa Dynasty kings were reduced to being only kings of Panchthar
area and the southern Limbuwan.
King Wedo Hang
In the Chaos and integration of Limbuwan
, King Muda hang was succeeded by his son Wedo Hang. He ruled from Hellang palace in Panthar. In Panchthar district King Muda Hang was fighting Nembang hang Chief, the same chief fought with king wedo hang as well. When chief Nembang hang failed to defeat he plotted King Wedo Hang’s assassination, he married his sister Dalima to King Wedo Hang to be close to Hellang Palace. King Wedo Hang was murdered by his enemies while he was sleeping. Queen Dalima, sister of Nembang chief was pregnant with King Wedo’s child at the time of the murder. Chief Pathong Hang sat on the throne of Hellang palace ruling present day Panchthar area. Queen Dalima left Hellang palace and went on to live in Chempojong palace in Ilam. Chempojong palace was the ancestral home of the Lasahang dynasty kings built by King Uba Hang.
King Chemjong Hang
The fifth King of Lasa Dynasty was King Chemjong hang. He was born in Chempojong palace in Ilam where his mother was living. When he was born his mother kept him in disguise by dressing him up as a girl, fearing that Chief Pathong Hang’s people would come and murder him. She told him that his father’s enemy would destroy him if they were to find his true identity. He grew up to be a wise and strong individual under the disguise as a girl. His mother had told him of his late father’s followers in the northern part of Limbuwan. He then made his way there and made alliances with the chiefs. He made a surprise attack while everyone at Hellang palace was celebrating the marriage of one of the district chiefs. After his capture of Hellang palace, he made his identity clear to all those present and they accepted him as the true ruler and heir of late King Wedo Hang. Since he had no real name and that he was born in the old palace of Chempojong, the chiefs assembled decide to name him Chemjong Hang and thus it became his name. He once again tried to unite all of Limbuwan
and succeeded in extending from present day Panchthar
, Illam
, Dhankuta
, Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa. Back in those days Morang composed of lower terai lands of Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa. While northern Limbuwan still laid in fragments.
during the Kirant era in Nepal.
Unification of Northern Limbuwan
During the anarchic period of King Muda Hang, King Sirijunga became powerful enough to subdue all of Limbu chiefs under his control.
Famous Sirijunga Forts
King Sirijung constructed two big forts at present day Sirjung in Terhathum district and Chainpur in Sankhuwasabha district. The forts were named Sirjunga fort and the remains of the structures still stand today.
King Sirijunga Script
King Sirijunga is also known for deveolping and introducing Sirijunga script to the Limbus, which is still in use today. The Mundhum, Kirant Limbu religious text of Mundhum states that King Sirijunga was asked by Nisammang (Limbu god of learning) to accompany her to the base of mount Phoktanglungma. The goddess took him to the deepest of the caves in the mountain and gave him the stone slab consisting of writings. There he was also blessed with power of knowledge and the goddess taught him how to read and write that language and told him to spread the scriptures to his people. Then King came back to his palace and started teaching the script and knowledge to Limbu people.
Kipat Land system of King Sirijunga
King Sirijunga is also known for his famous land reform law. He introduced a Kipat land system, where by he divided lands to the chiefs of each clan or village and vested them with the full power over his land. The chief’s powers didn’t extend beyond his borders and chiefs were expected to extend full military support from his village during the time of war to all the Kings of Limbuwan for the protection of Limbuwan. One of the important charactersitics of Kipat system was that, neither chief nor his people were allowed to sell their lands to any outsiders or any non clan members. Non clan members were only allowed to rent the land for the period of time and was not supposed to permamnently take the land ownership. The land was to be divided equally among every sons and unmarried daughters. He also decreed that all the chiefs of villages had to have a council called Chumlung of four members to assist him in ruling the villages. The Chief presided over all the clan/village meetings and festivals. He also had enough powers so that his decisions were considered final. Ever since the time of King Sirijunga, Limbu people of Limbuwan have been enjoying special Kipat rights over their lands. No one could take away the Kipat lands and the lands belonged communally to specific clan. Kipat land system devised by King Sirijunga of Limbuwan gained popularity in other Kirant areas in Nepal as well. The Kipat Land System was used by people of Kirant Rai, Kirant Sunuwar and even Tamang
people. Following King Sirijunga all the rulers of Limbuwan area up to King Mahendra had promised to uphold the special laws and custom of the Kipat system of Limbuwan during or right after their coronation.
once again is ruled by ten Kings of ten Kingdoms of Limbuwan, this period lasts from 915 AD to 1584 AD. All the ten Kingdoms formed after the great revolution of Limbuwan in 6th century AD stays the same. The current state of Limbu nation, culture, language and ethnicity is believed to have taken shape during this period.
During this period, the lowlands of Limbuwan, (present day terai lands of Sunsari,Morang and Jhapa) collectively known as Morang since the time of King Mung Mawrong Hang, develops as its own Kingdom in its own right. In the beginning of 1400 AD, Morang Kingdom patriates from Kingdom of Ilam and Kingdom of Mikluk Bodhey (Choubise) and starts ruling on its own. Morang Kingdom’s borders were set at Kankai river in the east, Koshi river in the west, Shanguri fort in the north and Jalal garh in India in the south. King Sangla Ing becomes the first king of Lowland Limbuwan kingdom of Morang after 900 years since it last had its own king. He builds alliances with the other Kings of Limbuwan and remains in good terms. He builds his kingdom at Varatappa and rules from there. King Sangla Ing is succeeded by his son Pungla Ing, who later converts into Hinduism and changes his name to Amar Raya Ing.
King Pungla Ing; (becomes Amar Raya Ing )
King Kirti Narayan Raya Ing
King Ap Narayan Raya Ing
King Jarai Narayan Raya Ing
King Indhing Narayan Raya Ing
King Bijay Narayan Raya Ing
The last King of the Ing Dynasty Kings of Morang Kingdom Bijay Narayan built a good friendship with the King of Phedap, Murray Hang Khebang. He then advised King Bijay Narayan to build a new town after his name and thus Bijaypur town was settled. The Bijaypur town, near present day Dharan City
remained the capital of Morang Kingdom and that of all of Limbuwan until 1774 AD. King Bijay Narayan then persuaded King Murray Hang Khebang of Phedap to stay in Bijaypur and assist him in ruling Morang Kingdom as his prime minister. King Murray Hang Khebang agreed to the proposal and his title of prime minister became a hereditary position for him and his descendants. In this way King Bijay Narayan Raya Sanglaing effectively made King Murray Hang his prime minister and Murray Hang’s son Bajahang Raya Khebang ruled the Kingdom of Phedap under his father. King Bijay Narayan also gave the title of Raya, “King”, to Murray Hang. Since then, King Murray Hang Khebang became the first prime minister of Limbuwan and second King of Limbuwan to hold the Hindu title of “Raya”.
Over time, the relationship between King Bijay Narayan Raya Sanlgaing and his prime minister Murray Hang Khebang soured. The king accused Murray Hang of raping his daughter and sentenced him to death. Hearing the sad news of Murray Hang’s betrayal by the King of Morang, his son King Bajahang Khebang decided to punish the King of Morang. He went to Makwanpur and asked for the help of King Lo Hang Sen of Makwanpur. King Lohang Sen of Makwanpur with the help of the Kirant force conquored Bijaypur in 1608 AD. King of Phedap Bajahang Khebang who had come to take revenge of his father’s death died on the battle field and at the same time, King Bijay Narayan also died of natural causes. King Lohang Sen of Makwanpur then appointed King Bajahang Khebang’s son and Murray Hang’s grandson, Bidya Chandra Raya Khebang, as the prime minister of the Morang Kingdom and gave him autonomy to rule Morang. Lohang Sen returned to Makwanpur and King Bidya Chandra Raya Khebang went to Lhasa
to get recognition as the real King of Limbuwan. King Bidya Chandra successfully gets the Royal document with the seal of Dalai Lama recognition of him as the ruler of all of Phedap and Morang. In the mean time, the rest of the kingdoms of Limbuwan were ruled by their own kings.
, independent Limbu Kings of Tambar Kingdom, Yangwarok Kingdom, Panthar Kingdom and Ilam Kingdom allied with the Sikkimese King thus effectively dividing Limbuwan in half. From the enthronement of King Puncho Namgyal of Sikkim in 1641 AD to 1741 AD, the eastern and northern Limbuwan
kings allied with the Kings of Sikkim.
" and that is how the name Sikkim came into being. The original name of Sikkim was Mayel in the Lepcha language, Chungjung in the Limbu language and Denjong in the Bhutia language. King Tensong was succeeded by his son and third king Chhyagdor Namgyal. During his time, Bhutan attacked Sikkim and occupied it for eight years. With the help of Tibetans he regained his throne. He died in 1716 AD and was succeeded by his son, King Gyurmi Namgyal. In 1733 AD King Gyurmi Namgyal of Sikkim died childless, then his minister declared himself the King of Sikkim under the title of “Tamding Gyalpo” and started ruling from the throne of Rabdentse palace. He ruled from 1738-1741 AD. This threw the Limbu alliance with Sikkim into disarray as other ministers had placed the infant king on the throne. In the mean time in 1741 AD, a Limbu scholar named Srijunga Sing Thebe of Yangwarok Kingdom of Limbuwan came to western Sikkim to teach Limbu script and literature to the Kirant people of western Sikkim. The Tibetan Tachhang Lamas of Pemayangtse monastery feared the Limbu Sirijunga Xin Thebe’s actions. They killed him by tying him to a tree and shooting him to death with arrow
s. This caused anger in Limbuwan and the kings of all the Kingdoms of Limbuwan that had allied with the King of Sikkim in 1641 AD broke off the ties and stopped regarding the Kings of Sikkim as their overlords and allies. Thus the Namgyal dynasty
ended in Limbuwan in 1741 AD and after breaking off ties with Sikkim, the four Limbu Kings and their Kingdoms remained neutral and independent.
began with the conquest of Morang kingdom by King Lo Hang Sen to avenge the death of the prime minister of Morang.
King Lo Hang Sen (1609-1661 AD)
Following the enthronement of King Lo Hang Sen to the throne of Morang Kingdom at Bijaypur, Limbuwan also entered the phase of Hindu
influence. All the Kings of Limbuwan, their ministers, and their chiefs started changing their original Kirant Limbu names into Hindu names. The King Lo Hang Sen ruled from 1609 to 1641 AD and managed to get all the Kings of Limbuwan who were not allied with Sikkim
on his side. He promised the Limbu people and their chiefs that the practice of Kipat Land System, Limbu language, culture and way of life that had practice for thousand of years would always be protected. He also promised to Kings of Limbu kingdoms that they would get full autonomy and power to rule their own kingdoms. Thus, this way King Lo Hang Sen managed to become the King of Kings in Limbuwan and takes the title of Maharajadhiraj. He appointed three Limbu ministers to his court in Makwanpur. In the mean time, the Kingdom of Morang with its capital Bijaypur was ruled by the descendents of King Murray Hang Khebang, the Prime Ministers during the Sanglaing Dynasty.
King Harihar Sen (1661–1684 AD)
King Harihar Sen, the grandson of Lo Hang Sen succeeded his grandfather to the throne of Morang. He extended Morang up to Gondwara in Bihar, gave himself the title of “Hindupati Maharaj”, and built a new palace in Chanjitpur in lower Morang. He placed his grandson Bidhata Indra Sen on the throne of Morang. This was not liked by Hahrihar Sen’s sons so the civil war broke out. In this chaotic struggle, Subha Sen, the younger son of King Harihar Sen turned out victorious and started ruling Morang.
King Subha Sen ruled Morang for 22 years, in the mean time King Bidhata Indra Sen was also ruling Morang. Both King Subha Sen and Bidhata Indra Sen were then tricked into coming to the palace of the Nawab of Purnea, who then betrayed them and sent them to the Mughal Emperor in Delhi
. Both the Uncle and Nephew Kings died in the hands of the Mughal
Emperor. After finding out about this betrayal, Queen Padmidhata Induraj Rajeswari, wife of King Bidhata Indra Sen, called upon all the allies of Morang Kingdom. All the nine Kings of Limbuwan were called upon by the queen to assist her in punishing the Nawab of Purnea.
Queen Padmidhata Induraj Rajeswari Sabitra Sen (1706-1725 AD)
The Kings ruling nine Kingdoms of Limbuwan at that time were, Chemjong King, Pasenama King, Lingdom King, Khewa King, Sukmi King, Makkhim King, Vaji King, Gabha King, and Shah Hang King. They were titled Roy by the Sen Kings of Morang, Roy was equivalent of King.
Another war of revenge broke out with the united forces of Limbuwan under the command of Chemjong King and the Nawab of Purnea at Jalal Garh. Limbuwan forces turned out victorious; their leaders established the boundary at Jalal Gurh in the south.
The Kings of Limbuwan then decided to bring the capital city of Morang back to Bijaypur from Chanjitpur. The kings place Queen Padmidhata Indurajrajeswari on the throne of Bijaypur. Meanwhile, the same Khebang dynasty kings of Phedap served as Prime minister of Morang and other Limbus serves as ministers and chautariayas.
In 1721 AD, about fifteen years after the War of Revenge with the Nawabs of Purnia, Limbuwan established friendly and trading relations with the Kingdom of Purnea in the south. King Pasenama, who was also a minister of Morang, went to Purnea and established the bilateral relationship.
King Mahipati Sen (1725-1761 AD)
After almost twenty years of reign, Queen Padmidhata died. Kings of Limbuwan and their minsters assembled and elected Mahipati Sen of Makwanpur, son of late King Subha Sen as the King of Morang and placed him on the throne in Bijaypur. He effectively became King of Kings of Limbuwan or Maharajadhiraja of Limbuwan. Mahipati Sen was a weak King, he had no legitimate issue, but had eighteen illegitimate sons. Kamadatta Sen, the eldest of the illegitimate sons would succeed King Mahipati Sen of Morang and Maharajadhiraj of Limbuwan.
King Kamadatta Sen (1761-1769 AD)
During the reign of King Mahipati Sen, the prime minister of Morang was King Bichitra Chandra Raya Khebang of Phedap Kingdom. When Mahipati Sen died, he didn’t allow Kamadatta Sen to be the full ruler of Morang Kingdom because he thought Kamadatta was illegitimate. During this time, the Sen Kings had given much of the terai lands of Morang to the Limbu Kings and chiefs for their personal jagir believing that they would not revolt against them.
The feud between King Kamdatta Sen and his Prime Minister grew as the tensions of the power struggle increased; Prime Minister Bichitra Chandra Raya Khebang was succeeded by his son, Buddhi Karna Raya Khebang. Buddhi Karna pursued his father’s policy of disengaging Kamadatta Sen from state affairs. Then finally Kamadatta Sen has had enough, came to Bijaypur and occupied the throne and expelled Buddhi Karna from Morang. Buddhi Karna went to Rabdentse palace in Sikkim to get help.
Kamadatta Sen turns out to be a worthy ruler and established good relations with everyone. He declared that all the Limbu Kings of Limbuwan, their ministers and chiefs to be of his own lineage and that they were to be treated as his own family. He also married Princess Thangsama Angbohang, sister of King of Athroya in Limbuwan. He appointed King Shamo Raya Chemjong of Miklung Bodhey Kingdom (Choubise) to be his Prime Minister and requested him to come to his palace in Bijaypur and manage his country. He once again guaranteed autonomy and Kipat to all the people and Chiefs of Limbuwan. He established friendly relations with the King of Bhutan, King of Sikkim and Tibet. King Dev Zudur of Bhutan
even sent his representatives to King Kama Datta Sen’s coronation. Morang and Limbuwan already had good relations with the Kingdom of Purnea in the south and he also developed good relations with King Ranjit Malla of Bhaktapur.
Thus with his appeasement policies to the people of Limbuwan
and good relations with the neighbouring states of Limbuwan, he gained much confidence and popularity in Limbuwan.
Meanwhile, in 1769 AD, the exiled and unhappy Prime minister of Morang, Buddhi Karna planned a conspiracy to assassinate King Kama Datta Sen. The assassins successfully ambushed and killed King Kama Datta Sen in Morang on his way to a meeting.
The Era of Divided Limbuwan
King Buddhi Karna Raya Khebang of Morang ( 1769-1773 AD)
After the assassination of Kama Datta Sen, Buddhi Karna came to Bijaypur and became the last King of Morang and Limbuwan. But after hearing of the death of King Kama Datta Sen, all the states that made up Limbuwan and their allies split up. No Kings of Limbuwan had allegiance to Buddhi Karna anymore. He seriously needed able ministers and chiefs to assist him in ruling Morang and all of Limbuwan. He sent people to look for King Shamo Raya Chemjong of Miklung Bodhey Kingdom to help him.
During this time,
King Shridev Roy Phago............................King of Maiwa Kingdom,
King Raina Sing Raya Sering.......................King of Mawa Kingdom,
King Ata Hang.....................................King of Phedap Kingdom,
King Subhawanta Libang ...........................King of Tambar Kingdom,
King Yong Ya Hang.................................King of Yangwarok Kingdom,
King Thegim Hang..................................King of Panthar Kingdom,
King Lingdom Hang.................................King of Ilam Kingdom,
King Shamo Roya Chemjong Hang.....................King of Miklung Bodhey (Choubise, included southern Panther)
King Khewa Hang...................................King of Chethar (included Dasmajhiya, Jalhara and Belhara areas)
king Buddhi Karna Raya Khebang....................King of Morang (included present day Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa areas)
King Shamo Raya Chemjong was responsible for leading the Kings of Limbuwan and chiefs of Limbuwan in signing a treaty with the King of Gorkha. King Shamo Chemjong was also the Prime minister of Morang Kingdom and effectively ruled Morang when King Buddhi Karna was away from Bijaypur to seek help from the British. King of Ilam
, King Lingdom’s son was the last King of Limbuwan to sign a treaty with the King of Gorkha.
The Limbuwan Gorkha War
ended in 1774 AD following a treaty between the King of Gorkha and Kings of Limbuwan and their ministers in Bijaypur, Morang.
The major role that King Prithivi Narayan played in Limbuwan history was the incorporation of Limbuwan
lands into his Gorkha
Kingdom. Following this, the Gorkha Empire became Nepal. The former ten Kingdoms of Limbuwan were divided into seventeen districts; the former Kings became subbas under the new King and were granted autonomy, which was eroded over time. Kipat rights included ownership of rice fields, pasture fields, forests, water sources, rivers and mineral resources. While the rest of Nepal had the “Raikar” system of land ownership, only Limbuwan had the state sanctioned “Kipat” system. The policy of autonomy to Limbuwan by the Gorkha
King was to ensure that Limbus always stayed loyal to him. Thus it would be easier for the Gorkhas to both conquer Sikkim and subdue Limbu brotherns Kirant
Khambu (Rais) of Majh Kirant at the same time. This was an exemple of the divide and rule policy of the Shah rulers.
The Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 CE ended the Limbuwan Gorkha wars.
The Gorkha
Bhardars, Abhiman Singh Basnet
, Parath Bhandari, Kirti Singh Khawas and Bali Bania on behalf of Gorkha raja Prithivi Narayan Shah, agreed to take an oath and swear on “Noon pani” (salt-water) promising that Gorkha
raja would never confiscate Limbus’ Kipat land( self autonomous land) nor destroy them. If he confiscated their Kipat land and destroyed them, then the god, upon whom Gorkha Raja had sworn and put faith in, would destroy him, his descendants and his kingdom. At this swearing ceremony, a big copper cauldron was brought in front of Gorkha and Limbu representatives and one pathi (eight pounds) of salt was put into it. Limbu
ministers then poured water into it and stirred properly to mix the salt with water. Then the ministers asked the Gorkha bhardars to extract salt out of the water. They answered that salt had mixed and had become impossible to extract from the water.
The Limbu
ministers then said,” Although the salt has melted and it is impossible to extract it from the water, yet the water has become tasteful. You, the Gorkhas, are like water and we the Kirant Limbu people, are like salt. You Gorkhas people want us to melt in you, but you will not remain as before. When we mix or amalgamate with you, then you Gorkhas will be more exalted than before. But, if you betray us by taking our right of Kipat land, then what oath will you take for not violating this agreement?” The Gorkha bhardars, on behalf of Gorkha raja took a handful of salt water in their hands and swore that the Gorkha raja would never betray them by forfeiting the Kipat land (self governing autonomous land). If the Gorkha
King did so, his descendants would melt like salt and disappear from the world. The Gorkha Bhardars, then questioned the Kirant Limbu
ministers, saying if they will betray the Gorkha raja by violating “Noon pani’ agreement what oath would they take for never violating such an agreement. The Kirant
Limbu
ministers took a handful of salt water and swore that they would never go against the Gorkhali King. If they did so then their descendants would also melt like salt and disappear from the world.
After making such agreement on salt-water (sacred and important elements), the Gorkha bhardars on behalf of Gorkha raja, gave the following Treaty paper or Lal Mohor to the Limbu ministers of Bijaypur.
Translation of the agreement between the Limbu ministers of Morang kingdom and King Prithvi Narayan Shah
of Gorkha
Kingdom in 1774 AD:
“Let this be our agreement that I want to have you as the members of my own family. My religious mind is good. You are under my protection from now. By my power, your country is now mine but you are still ours. I will take the responsibility of progress and protection of your families. I will retain your rights to anything you possess. You keep in contact with my officers, help them and enjoy your land with full right as long as it exists. You are different from Nau lakh Rai, because their kings will be displaced. You who call yourselves Kings are not destroyable. I know your policy and good intentions.”
“The Kingdom of Sikkim
had not come to terms with us. My officers have come to your land with full instructions. You will come to now everything through them. You agree with them and enjoy your land individually in a manner as mentioned above. I, hereby, agree to abide by the above mentioned terms of agreement of never taking your land by force and destroying you. I swear on the copper plate and say that if I violate the above mentioned promises, then let the God upon whom I and my family depend and worship, destroy my descendents and my kingdom. I have written the above mentioned agreement and hereby hand it over to the above mentioned Limbu
brothers on this day of twenty second shrawan of Sambat eighteen hundred and thirty one at our capital city of Kantipur
may it be blessed and fortunate.”
When the Allies of Morang Kingdom heard the news of agreement between the Gorkha and Morong kingdoms, the Limbu
rulers of Mewa Kingdom, Phedap Kingdom, Maiwa Kingdom and Tambar Kingdom also came to Bijaypur (present day Dharan
) to join the alliance with the Gorkha King under the same terms and conditions of the treaty. The rulers of the regions Papo Hang, Thegim Hang and Nembang Hang under the leadership of Chemjong Hang (ShriShun rai) decided to join the Gorkha King on the same conditions.
Thus the Limbuwan-Gorkha War came to an end in 1774 AD with all the principalities of Limbuwan
joining Gorkha Kingdom except the King of Yangwarok ( Kingdom of Yangwarok consists of present day parts of Taplejung
, Panchthar
) and King of Ilam
Hangsu Phuba of Lingdom Family.
King Rana Bahadur Shah ( 1777- 1799 AD)
The grandson of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, King Rana Bahadur Shah’s role in Limbuwan was limited to arming the former Kings of Limbuwan, now the Subbas and chiefs, to fight against Sikkim. He called them to Kathmandu and under the charge of four former Kings of Limbuwan, the King of Gorkha handed about 107 guns, 935 swords and 825 bows to raise a Limbu army and fight against Sikkim.
King Girvana Juddha Bikram Shah ( 1799-1816 AD)
Following the occupation of Sikkim west of Teesta River, Nepal was again plunged into a war with Tibet and eventually with China
. During the war with Tibet, Sumur Lama of Tibet
had taken refuge in Kathmandu, when Nepal refused to hand him back to China, the war broke out with Nepal and Tibet. At that time, the Chinese had incited the people of Limbuwan to revolt against their Gorkha King. General Tung Thang sent guns, gun powder, cannons and other weapons to Limbus in Limbuwan. It was said that about 1000 pathis of gunpowder and 500 pathis of lead were went to Limbus.
Rebellions in Limbuwan
In 1867, Dashain was boycotted in Dhankuta in protest at eroding the Limbuwan peoples’ cultural rights. The state government forced people of Limbuwan to celebrate Dashain or else they had to bear the consequences. This was unacceptable to the people of Limbuwan, so a revolt started in Dhankuta and spread out. Gorkha rulers soon suppressed the protest and there were two deaths.
In 1870, the Limbu language
suppression policy of the Ranas led to another uprising in Limbuwan. Limbu script or education in the Limbu language was thought of as anti nationalistic so the state adopted the policy of suppressing all ethnic and aboriginal languages and cultures of Nepal. Many Limbus were either executed or chased away from their motherland.
King Tribhuwan (1913–1955 AD)
King Tribhuwan’s rule saw several changes in the system of Kipat in Limbuwan. Although Ranas had taken away the rights of forest and other mineral rights of the Kipat system, worse was to come. In 1913 AD, the government brought in legislation that stated that any new lands that were brought under cultivation in Limbuwan would be turned into a Raikar land. This was specifically designed to target the new farm lands that had been carved out from the forest and pasture areas. But once again, that was against the spirit of Gorkha Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD whereby the State was supposed to let Limbus use their lands in their own way according to the Kipat system. According to Treaty of 1774 and the Kipat system, if forest land was to be turned into farm land, with the consent and approval of the Subha and Chumlung of the area, then it was not supposed to be an issue to the state. Besides, forests and pasture lands along with river and water bodies with mineral rights were enshrined in the Kipat system. In 1917, the Rana government’s unilateral legislation stated that Kipat lands of Limbuwan could be turned into “Raikar” lands if the Limbu owners couldn’t pay off loans within six months. This was totally against the Treaty of 1774 AD, which specifically stated that the lands of Limbuwan east of Arun River could never be transferred to the Raikar system. Up to 1920 the Subha and their Chumlung also had power to hold courts according to tradition in their jurisdiction.
Limbus of Ilam rose up in resistance
Similarly in 1926, the Rana government introduced the Panchayat system of government in Limbuwan, accordingly these Panchayat systems replaced the Subha and Chumlung system of government in Limbuwan which was also held up by the Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD. Limbus of Ilam rose in resistance against the government policies of gradually nibbling away the rights given them by the 1774 treaty. Thus in this way State tried to eat away the autonomy and the rights of Limbu people of Limbuwan. The most interesting and unfair part of this whole saga was that, never were any Limbu Subha or Chumlung members asked nor were their opinion taken into any consideration. Treaties and agreements are signed or dissolved with the agreement of two sides, but the Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD was never consulted and the state unilaterally displaced the people of Limbuwan. In the mean time, the government of Nepal continued its encouragement of mass immigration of non Limbu and non Kirant people into Limbuwan to exploit Kipat lands.
In 1950-51 AD, when there was political movement going on in rest of Nepal, there was also a Limbu/Kiranti insurgency going on in Limbuwan demanding more political rights.
King Mahendra (1955–1972 AD)
There was always a tradition from the time of Ten Limbu Kings, that whenever a new King was crowned or a new government was formed, the delegation of Subha and Chumlung members would go to the capital city and voice their concerns. In 1960, a delegation of Limbu Subhas from Chumlungs across Limbuwan region went to Kathmandu to remind the King about the Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD and also to get guarantees about the rights of Limbuwan. Following his meeting with the Limbuwan delegation, the King issued royal decrees stating the “Traditional rights and privileges of Limbu people in Limbuwan will be protected”, in reference to the treaty.
In 1964 King Mahendra and his government introduced the Land Reform Act, where by the government was to confiscate any land holdings that exceeded 1.8 hectares. This was applied to all of Nepal, but Limbuwan
was a different case because lands of Limbuwan once again were under Kipat system and not Raikar system. The land could not have been sold or owned personally other than Kipat holders anyways, it was communal belonging to a clan or group of people. But once again, going against the spirit of the 1774 Treaty, eroding democratic values and neglecting the people of Limbuwan, the government did not consult with the original people of Limbuwan or the Treaty of 1774 AD and went ahead with their land surveying in Limbuwan. King Prithvi Narayan Shah had agreed that he would not survey, designate or take away lands of Limbuwan from the original people.
Limbuwan Rebellion against the Land Reform Act 1964
Soon after the introduction of the Land Reform Act, Subhas of Limbuwan and many other Limbu individuals raised the issue and implications of the Land Reform Act on Limbuwan and the existing Treaty. Limbus clearly knew that this was another act to erode the “treaty protected traditional” rights of the Limbu people over their lands. The situation was tense as the very next day, the immigrant non-Limbu tenants of Kipat lands who had been paying rent over a period of time, could be declared to own the land. The very existence of the Limbu people, its culture, tradition and autonomy was in danger. King Prithvi Narayan Shah had promised to Limbus that he wouldn’t survey the Lands of Limbuwan, because he didn’t own them but only the people of Limbuwan did. Similarly after the 1964 Land reforms act, King Mahendra had promised a delegation of Limbuwans that he would not take away their lands but he died without accomplishing this and failed to save the Limbu peoples’ autonomy.
The reasons why Kipat system in Limbuwan became a problem for the State and Hindu settlers
1) The state had no authority over Kipat Lands in Limbuwan.
2) The state could not generate revenue or make use of Lands in Limbuwan because Limbus owned the rights to rivers, waters, forests, mines and minerals.
3) The Limbu Kipat owners can anytime ask their tenants to move away from their Kipat lands.
4) Due to its strategic location and being far away from the capital, the state had to exert its control over the people of Limbuwan by mass immigrating Hindu
settlers to keep rebellious Limbus in check.
Before the Land Reform Act, of Nepal’s total cultivable land, almost 95% or about 2.1 million hectares of land was under the Raikar system, and 2% or about 40000 hectares of land was under Guthi organisation. Only 3% or 77000 hectares of land was under the Kipat system. The main difference once again was that, all the lands of Nepal was owned by the state and given by the state to people for ownership under the Raikar system. Raikar lands had ownership documents given by the state and most importantly Raikar lands could be sold to anyone. Whereas in the Kipat system, communal/clan authorities owned the lands, Kipat lands were not granted because of the royal or state authority, the owner owned it because he or she belonged to a clan that owned the land for ever. Lands in Limbuwan were never conquered by the state and because the treaty existed that upheld the Kipat rights, it was illegal for the same state and authority that promised to uphold the privilege on one hand to take it away, piece by piece, by the other hand. Regmi states that the King and State had no authority over Kipat lands, communal authority was supreme.
In the treaty of 1774, Prithvi Narayan Shah swore that “in case we confiscate your lands, may our ancestral gods destroy our kingdom and descendents” Regmi further claims that this oath was restated by every other monarch after King Prithvi Narayan. Every new King promised and pledged to maintain Kipat rights but they on the other hand sponsored those policies that slowly eroded the Kipat rights.
King Birendra (1972-2001 AD)
The Panchayat regime adopted the old policy of “One country one king, one language one culture”. It was sponsored by the state and Nepali language and Hindu religion was imposed on everyone. The existence of other religions, customs, languages and traditions were looked down upon and not encouraged. Since the implementation of the Land Reforms Acts, there had been protests and dissatisfacion towards the state for mismanaging, mistreating and most importantly betraying the Limbus. In 1968, a Limbu delegation that had gone to express their dissatisfaction over the single handed Treaty violation were jailed and tortured. Similarly the pioneers of the Limbuwan Liberation Front Party were jailed and tortured for three years for distributing pamphlets and trying to educate Limbus about their own rights. In 1972, some other Limbuwan Liberation members took a delegation to the new King Birendra and tried to revive the Limbuwan Autonomy issue but were soon suppressed.
The restoration of democracy came in 1990 following election. The Limbuwan Liberation Front, being the first Party to raise the Limbuwan issue and Limbuwan Autonomy and the rights of the Limbu people based on the Limbuwan Gorkha Treaty of 1774 AD, was denied permission by the Nepal Election Commission to run in the election while several religious Hindu fundamentalist parties were allowed to run.
and Limbuwan concerned parties became the first group to voice their pain. They organised a first peaceful strike to let the people of Nepal know how unfairly they had been treated and how far they were willing to go for justice. August 7–9 in 2007 was the first of many peaceful strikes and protest programs of the Federal Limbuwan State Council and other parties. The demand remains as before, the true autonomy based on 1774 AD and recognition of indigenous rights.
Understanding the sentiments of the people of Limbuwan, various political parties such as Maoists and others included Federalism in their manifestoes.
United Nations Draft Declaration on the rights of Indigenous People has also brought new hopes on legally achieving the rights that people of Limbuwan lost unfairly. Kirant Yakthung Chumlung, an organisation of Limbu people has come up with a policy and views on going forward with the Kipat and land issues of Limbuwan.
will become one of the Federal Province or State within the framework of the Nepalese Constitution and Nepalese Unity. As the people of Limbuwan are coming out of the dark shadows of the repressive past, Limbus and people of Limbuwan aspire to bring new hope, new development and new future to a Land that has existed so long with such an old history.
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
with its neighbours; independent and semi independent rule characterized by autonomy
Autonomy
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision...
for most of its time.
From the time of King Sirijunga Hang to King Mahendra of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, Limbuwan enjoyed the Kipat system of land and semi or full autonomy. Limbuwan was also similar to the rest of Nepal during the medieval ages due to the presence of ten independent or semi independent Limbu
Limbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
kingdoms with a strong knitted alliance
Alliance
An alliance is an agreement or friendship between two or more parties, made in order to advance common goals and to secure common interests.See also military alliance and business alliance.-International relations:...
. Yakthung Pan or Limbu language
Limbu language
Limbu is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Kashmir and Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India, by the Limbu community. Virtually all Limbus are bilingual in Nepali....
with its four major dialect
Dialect
The term dialect is used in two distinct ways, even by linguists. One usage refers to a variety of a language that is a characteristic of a particular group of the language's speakers. The term is applied most often to regional speech patterns, but a dialect may also be defined by other factors,...
s has always been a major language in Limbuwan. The Kirant Mundhum
Kirant Mundhum
Kirat Mundhum is the religion of the Kirat people of Nepal. The practice is also known as Kirat Veda, Kirat Veda, Kirat-Ko Veda or Kirat Koved. According to some scholars, such as Tom Woodhatch, it is a blend of animism , Saivite Hinduism, and Tibetan Buddhism...
religion is the major indigenous religion, with Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism is the body of Buddhist religious doctrine and institutions characteristic of Tibet and certain regions of the Himalayas, including northern Nepal, Bhutan, and India . It is the state religion of Bhutan...
and Nepali Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
gaining significant ground in various times is Limbuwan history.
Present day Limbuwan comprises land south of the Himalaya Mountains, east of the Arun
Arun
Arun is a local government district in West Sussex, England. It contains the towns of Arundel, Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, and takes its name from the River Arun, which runs through the centre of the district.-History:...
and Kosi
Koshi River
The Kosi River or Koshi —also Saptakoshi for its seven Himalayan tributaries—is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India. Some of the rivers of the Koshi system, such as the Arun, the Sun Kosi and the Bhote Koshi, originate in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China...
rivers, west of the Sewalungma mountain range (Kanchenjunga), Singalila
Singalila Ridge
The Singalila Ridge is a North - South running mountain ridge in Northwestern West Bengal, India.The district of Ilam falls on the western part of this ridge and the northern ridge ends up in Sikkim Part of the Himalayas, it separates other mountain ranges of West Bengal from other Himalayan...
Mountain ranges and the Mechi River. Limbuwan territory is also called Pallo Kirant by people living to the west of the Arun River, in the Kathmandu valley and other Nepalese people.
Limbuwan and her history have never been covered much by the government of Nepal in its academic text books where the focus was upon the history of the Kathmandu valley only (also called Nepal valley or simply Nepal). Although Limbuwan is a part of Nepal now; it was ruled independently up to 1774 AD, and even now, the history of Limbuwan remains unknown to many people of Limbuwans. People of Limbuwan and Nepalese
Nepali people
Nepali people can refer to:*People of Nepal*Ethnic Nepalis of Indian citizenry residing in Gorkhaland area of West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and other parts of India.* Indian Gorkhas*Lhotshampas of Bhutan.*Nepali diaspora the world over....
citizens in the present context of federalism and autonomy in Nepal don’t understand that out of all the territories annexed by the Kings of Gorkha
Gurkha
Gurkha are people from Nepal who take their name from the Gorkha District. Gurkhas are best known for their history in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments, the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Nepalese Army. Gurkha units are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife...
, Limbuwan was the only territory that was actually incorporated to the Kingdom of Nepal by the means of collective Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty
Treaty
A treaty is an express agreement under international law entered into by actors in international law, namely sovereign states and international organizations. A treaty may also be known as an agreement, protocol, covenant, convention or exchange of letters, among other terms...
with the Kings of ten Kingdoms of Limbuwan and their ministers. Under the terms of the treaty, Limbuwan and her kings would accept the King of Nepal as their overlord and stay under the same Nepalese flag but Limbuwan and her people were supposed to be completely autonomous with non interference from the Kingdom of Nepal. However, over the period of Shah dynasty, Limbuwan was gradually stripped of its original treaty rights. Therefore, the people of Limbuwan today are the most vocal proponents of federalism
Federalism
Federalism is a political concept in which a group of members are bound together by covenant with a governing representative head. The term "federalism" is also used to describe a system of the government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and...
with autonomy
Autonomy
Autonomy is a concept found in moral, political and bioethical philosophy. Within these contexts, it is the capacity of a rational individual to make an informed, un-coerced decision...
in Nepal.
Pre-history
AnthropologistsAnthropology
Anthropology is the study of humanity. It has origins in the humanities, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. The term "anthropology" is from the Greek anthrōpos , "man", understood to mean mankind or humanity, and -logia , "discourse" or "study", and was first used in 1501 by German...
and historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
s claim that the fossil records
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
show that people lived in Nepal around 30-40 thousand years ago. The first people of Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
and Eastern Nepal could have been that batch of people too. The first people to live permanently and call Limbuwan their home were the Kirant
Kirant
Kirat or Kirati are indigenous ethnic groups of the Himalayas extending eastward from Nepal into India, Burma and beyond. They migrated to their present locations via Assam, Burma, Tibet and Yunnan in ancient times...
people. These Mongoloid people are believed to have moved into Nepal from the east from Assam
Assam
Assam , also, rarely, Assam Valley and formerly the Assam Province , is a northeastern state of India and is one of the most culturally and geographically distinct regions of the country...
valley and beyond around 6-8 thousand years ago. They practiced shifting cultivation and moved with their domesticated pigs and other animals along the lower, warmer hills. The same people moved on to western Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
and eventually conquered the Kathmandu valley to establish the first Kirant civilization of Nepalese history. They spoke the language of their Tibeto-Burman Ancestry and practiced animistic
Animism
Animism refers to the belief that non-human entities are spiritual beings, or at least embody some kind of life-principle....
religion.
Bhauiputahang Dynasty
King Bhauiputahang of Limbuwan - First Independent King of Limbuwan (circa 580 BC)King Jitedasti became the seventh Kiranti King in central Nepal around 580 BC. Kirant chiefs under King Jitedasti in the present day Limbuwan area revolted against him and ceased to see him as their overlord. During that period all the Kirant chiefs used to pay monetary tribute
Tribute
A tribute is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. Various ancient states, which could be called suzerains, exacted tribute from areas they had conquered or threatened to conquer...
and rendered military service to the Kirant kings of the Kathmandu valley. The system was much similar to the feudal system in medieval Europe. After the revolts, the Kirant chiefs of eastern Nepal elected Bhauiputahang as their new king. King Bhauiputahang built his capital in Phedap and ruled eastern Nepal which comprised present day Limbuwan.
While central Nepal was ruled by Kings of the Kirant Dynasty, Limbuwan in east Nepal was also ruled by kings of Kirant dynasty, (the ancestors of present Kirant Limbu people). King Bhauiputahang was renowned in the Limbuwan and eastern parts of Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
, while King Jitedasti sat on the throne in the Kathmandu valley.
King Parbatak of Limbuwan / Eastern Nepal (Circa 317 BC)
A descendent of King Bhauiputahang, King Parbatak was a son of King Jeitehang and ruled Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
around 317 BC. During that period, King Parbatak was the most powerful kings of the Himalayan region and present day Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. King Parbatak was allied with Chandra Gupta Maurya of Magadha
Magadha
Magadha formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas or kingdoms in ancient India. The core of the kingdom was the area of Bihar south of the Ganga; its first capital was Rajagriha then Pataliputra...
, and also assisted him in his military campaigns in the Nanda
Nanda
Nanda is a surname of Punjabis . Nanda is a Tarkhan , Ahluwalia and Kamboj surname. All the clans of Tarkhan , Lohar, Gujjar, Kamboj, Ahluwalia tribes have a close genetic and ancestral relationship with each other, and together they form the Khatri/Rajput caste.-Among Kamboj people:*Nanda is a...
kingdom. During his father King Jiete’s rule, Alexander the great had invaded India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and established his satraps in Punjab
Punjab region
The Punjab , also spelled Panjab |water]]s"), is a geographical region straddling the border between Pakistan and India which includes Punjab province in Pakistan and the states of the Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and some northern parts of the National Capital Territory of Delhi...
and Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
. King Parbatak assisted King Chandra Gupta Maurya in driving the Greek
Greeks
The Greeks, also known as the Hellenes , are a nation and ethnic group native to Greece, Cyprus and neighboring regions. They also form a significant diaspora, with Greek communities established around the world....
Satraps Seleucus (Military governor) away from Punjab and Sindh. For King Parbatak’s assistance to Chandra Gupta, he gave lands of northern Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
to King Parbatak and many Kiranti people migrated to northern Bihar during that period. They became known as Madhesia Kirant
Kirant
Kirat or Kirati are indigenous ethnic groups of the Himalayas extending eastward from Nepal into India, Burma and beyond. They migrated to their present locations via Assam, Burma, Tibet and Yunnan in ancient times...
People, or Limbus of Kashi Gotra. King Parbatak Hang is also mentioned by Magadha historians as an ally of Maurya Emperor.
King Samyuk of Limbuwan / Eastern Nepal (Circa 125 BC)
After seven generations of King Parbatak, King Samyuk sat on the throne of Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
/ Eastern Nepal
Nepal
Nepal , officially the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, is a landlocked sovereign state located in South Asia. It is located in the Himalayas and bordered to the north by the People's Republic of China, and to the south, east, and west by the Republic of India...
. He was unpopular among the descendants of Madhesia Kirant people (descendents of those who lived in Bihar since King Parbatak’s time). Under the leadership of Bazdeohang, people revolted against King Samyuk and overthrew him. The Kirant chiefs elected Bazdeo as the new King of Limbuwan.
Bazdeo Dynasty
King Bazdeohang of Limbuwan (circa 125 BC on)After the revolution of the Kirant people of the Limbuwan area, the Kirant chiefs of the region elected the rebel leader Bazdeohang as their king. He made his capital at Libang and started his own dynasty
Dynasty
A dynasty is a sequence of rulers considered members of the same family. Historians traditionally consider many sovereign states' history within a framework of successive dynasties, e.g., China, Ancient Egypt and the Persian Empire...
. He was followed by twelve other kings of his dynasty.
King Sangkhadeo I
King Sangkhadeo II
King Dewapour
King Bhichuuk
King Ghangtuk
King Sotumhang
King Limdung
King Lijehang
King Mapunhang
King Dendehang
King Kundungjapa
King Kundungjapa of Limbuwan
The last king of the Bazdeo dynasty had four sons, Mundhungge, Sandhungge, Kane Hang and Kochu Hang. It is said that Kochu Hang migrated to North Bengal
North Bengal
North Bengal is a term used for the northern parts of Bangladesh and West Bengal. The Bangladesh part denotes the Rajshahi Division. Generally it is the area lying west of Jamuna River and north of Padma River, and includes the Barind Tract. The West Bengal part denotes Cooch Behar, Darjeeling,...
and established his own kingdom, Kochpiguru from where the term Koch is derived. After the death of King Kundungjapa, Limbuwan fell into chaos and anarchy, each chief ruling their own areas independently.
The Era of Eight Kings
From the time of the last king of the Bazdeo dynasty, LimbuwanLimbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
was ruled by eight chiefs and their descendants, none of them rose to become powerful enough to subdue all and none came to prominence. During this period, people migrated in and out of the Limbuwan region and around the 6th century AD, a group of people from the Shan-Makwan areas in China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
and Burma moved to Assam in India and eventually to the Limbuwan area in Nepal. The assimilation of the original Kirants of Limbuwan, the migrants from Tibet, the Mongols and the tribes from the Bihar
Bihar
Bihar is a state in eastern India. It is the 12th largest state in terms of geographical size at and 3rd largest by population. Almost 58% of Biharis are below the age of 25, which is the highest proportion in India....
area and finally the migrant people of Shan-Makwan gave birth to the new nation of Limbuwan, nationality of Limbu and the Limbu culture.
The revolution of the Kiranti People in Limbuwan
During the latter years of the rule of the eight Kiranti chiefs, the population of Limbuwan multiplied and families increased in number. Feeling that this was a threat, the eight rulers started to suppress the people. When the descendants of the Shan Mokwan people, (the latest immigrants to Limbuwan) could not stand this any longer they devised a plan to overthrow the eight chiefs. They met at Ambe Pojoma and decided to revolt against the eight chiefs. The rebel leaders erected three stone pillars and planted three mango
Mango
The mango is a fleshy stone fruit belonging to the genus Mangifera, consisting of numerous tropical fruiting trees in the flowering plant family Anacardiaceae. The mango is native to India from where it spread all over the world. It is also the most cultivated fruit of the tropical world. While...
trees around them. After sprinkling holy waters, the rebel leaders and the rebel army took an oath that everyone would fight against the tyrant chiefs and would not return home until they had beaten the rulers. The meeting place of Ambe Pojoma still exists to this day, and the battle of eight chiefs is incorporated in Limbu
Limbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
Mundhum ever since.
After knowing that the rebellion was breaking out in their country; the eight rulers raised their own army and aimed at massacring and displacing people of Shan-Mokwan descent. The great civil war broke out between the eight rulers of Limbuwan and the rebels of Limbuwan. The army of eight rulers were defeated in every village by the rebels. All the eight rulers were either killed or chased away from Limbuwan territory.
The Era of Ten Limbu Kings (550 AD to 1609 AD)
Thus, with unity and strength, the Kirant people of Shan Mokwan origin defeated their rulers. After their victory, the rebel leaders assembled once again at their holy place Ambe Pojoma. The leaders fixed the northern boundary to be in Tibet, the southern boundary in JalalGarh in Bihar, the eastern boundary at the river TeestaTeesta River
River Teesta or Tista is said to be the lifeline of the Indian state of Sikkim, flowing for almost the entire length of the state and carving out verdant Himalayan temperate and tropical river valleys. The emerald-coloured river then forms the border between Sikkim and West Bengal before joining...
and the western boundary at the Dudhkoshi
Koshi River
The Kosi River or Koshi —also Saptakoshi for its seven Himalayan tributaries—is a trans-boundary river flowing through Nepal and India. Some of the rivers of the Koshi system, such as the Arun, the Sun Kosi and the Bhote Koshi, originate in the Tibet Autonomous Region of China...
River. Later the boundaries of Limbuwan came to rest at the Arun river in the west and Kanchenjunga mountain and the Mechi river in the east.
The meeting of rebel leaders decided to name the recently acquired country Limbuwan as it was won by the strength of a bow and arrow. [ Li = Bow, ambu = acquire in the Limbu language] They also decided to divide Limbuwan into ten districts or kingdoms and place ten kings to rule each kingdom. They also agreed to defend Limbuwan from any external threat by rendering military assistance from all the ten Kingdoms. They changed the name of their nationality to Yakthumba. Originally at the beginning only the Kings of Limbuwan were called Limbus and the people of Limbuwan were called Yakhthungba, but over time all the people of Limbuwan started calling themselves Limbu
Limbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
. Thus, the term Limbu and Yakthungba became synonymous.
This Period in Limbuwan history corresponds to the Lichhavi and Malla
Malla (Nepal)
The Malla Dynasty was a ruling dynasty of Nepal from the 12th to the 18th century. Malla kings of Nepal visited Lumbini in the 11th and 12th century. It was during their reign the people living in and around the Kathmandu Valley began to be called as "Newars" . The Mallas were the ruling clan of...
Dynasty periods in the Nepal Valley.
The Ten Rulers, Their Kingdoms and their forts.
1. Samlupi Samba Hang...........King of Tambar and..................his capital Tambar Yiok.
2. Sisiyen Shering Hang.........King of Mewa and Maiwa kingdoms and his capital Meringden Yiok.
3. Thoktokso Angbo Hang.........King of Athraya and.................his capital Pomajong.
4. Thindolung Khokya Hang.......King of Yangwarok and...............his capital Hastapojong Yiok
5. Ye nga so Papo Hang,.........King of Panthar and.................his capital at Yashok and Phedim.
6. Shengsengum Phedap Hang......King of Phedap and..................his capital at Poklabung.
7. Mung Tai Chi Emay Hang.......King of Ilam and....................his capital at Phakphok.
8. Soiyak CHENJONG Hang,............King of Miklung (Choubise) and......his capital at Shanguri Yiok.
9. Tappeso Perung Hang,.........King of Thala and...................his capital at Thala Yiok.
10. Taklung Khewa Hang,........King of Chethar and.................his capital at Chamling Chimling Yiok.
Kings of Ten Limbuwan
King Mung Mawrong HangIn the beginning of 7th century AD, King Mung Mawrong Hang came to prominence in the terai lands of Limbuwan, ( present day Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa area). He cleared much of the forest area in the present day Rangeli east of Biratnagar and built a town there. Since the Ten Kings of Limbuwan had sovereignty over the terai lands through Kingdom of Ilam and Kingdom of Bodhey (Choubise), they assembled a collective Limbuwan force and chased King Mawrong from Rongli area.
Mawrong went to Tibet and took refuge in Khampa Jong, but he still had aimbition to rule all of Limbuwan. When Limbuwan was ruled by ten Kings and when King Mawrong came to prominence, Tibet was ruled by King Tsrong Tsen Gempo. Mawrong went on to ally with Tibetan King Tsrong Tsen Gempo, managed to get Bhutia tribes of Khampa jong to assist him and planned on attacking Limbuwan from the north. King Mawrong attacked Limbuwan, the ten kings of Limbuwan brought their forces and fought decisive battle through Hatia, Walungchung and Tapkey passes in the Himalayas. Ten Kings of Limbuwan lost and King Mawrong rose as the over lord of Limbuwan. The ten Kings of Limbuwan still continued to rule their original places as subordinate to King Mung Mawrong.
King Mawrong also started a festival among Kirant people called “Namban”, where people celebrate the gathering of harvest every year and it falls on the last week of December.
King Mawrong had no male heir so he died and one of his ministers took over and became King Mokwan San. After a brief period King Uba Hang came to prominence in Limbuwan area.
The Era of Lasahang Dynasty
King Uba Hang ( ruled 849-865 AD )Following the death of King Mawrong, Uba Hang became powerful and renowned in Limbuwan area. He subdued the Limbuwan area which was under King Mokwan San and became King. He is known for introducing new faith among Limbu people and bringing changes to the Kirant mundhum religion. He taught his subjects to worship the great spirit of Tagera Ningwafumang with flowers and fruits, but not with sacrifice and blood.
He built Chempojong fort and palace in Ilam. He introduced the festival of Tong Sum Tong Nam, held every three years in honour of Limbu Ancestor goddess Yumasammang and supreme god Tagera Ningwafumang. This Tong Sum Tong Nam festival is still held in Panchthar district of Nepal and is called Trisala Puja in Nepali language
Nepali language
Nepali or Nepalese is a language in the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family.It is the official language and de facto lingua franca of Nepal and is also spoken in Bhutan, parts of India and parts of Myanmar...
.
King Mabo Hang (ruled 865-880AD)
King Mabo Hang succeeded his father King Uba Hang in Limbuwan. He ruled Limbuwan for 15 years with the title of Thakthakkum Mabo Hang. He was well respected and known in Limbuwan and many also believed him to be the reincarnation of god. He moved his capital from Chempo Jong in Ilam to Yasok Jong in Panchthar
Panchthar
Panchthar is the headquarters of Panchthar District in the Mechi Zone of northern Nepal....
.
King Muda Hang
After the death of Mabo hang his son Muda hang succeeded to the throne, but he was a weak king and unlike his father and grandfather he was not able to subdue all the rulers of ten Limbuwan. The ten rulers of Limbuwan declared independence in their own districts and began ruling independently. There was anarchy and chaos in Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
as the rulers and clan chiefs tried to establish their own hagemony over Limbuwan. Thus Limbuwan disintegrated, and Lasa Dynasty kings were reduced to being only kings of Panchthar
Panchthar
Panchthar is the headquarters of Panchthar District in the Mechi Zone of northern Nepal....
area and the southern Limbuwan.
King Wedo Hang
In the Chaos and integration of Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
, King Muda hang was succeeded by his son Wedo Hang. He ruled from Hellang palace in Panthar. In Panchthar district King Muda Hang was fighting Nembang hang Chief, the same chief fought with king wedo hang as well. When chief Nembang hang failed to defeat he plotted King Wedo Hang’s assassination, he married his sister Dalima to King Wedo Hang to be close to Hellang Palace. King Wedo Hang was murdered by his enemies while he was sleeping. Queen Dalima, sister of Nembang chief was pregnant with King Wedo’s child at the time of the murder. Chief Pathong Hang sat on the throne of Hellang palace ruling present day Panchthar area. Queen Dalima left Hellang palace and went on to live in Chempojong palace in Ilam. Chempojong palace was the ancestral home of the Lasahang dynasty kings built by King Uba Hang.
King Chemjong Hang
The fifth King of Lasa Dynasty was King Chemjong hang. He was born in Chempojong palace in Ilam where his mother was living. When he was born his mother kept him in disguise by dressing him up as a girl, fearing that Chief Pathong Hang’s people would come and murder him. She told him that his father’s enemy would destroy him if they were to find his true identity. He grew up to be a wise and strong individual under the disguise as a girl. His mother had told him of his late father’s followers in the northern part of Limbuwan. He then made his way there and made alliances with the chiefs. He made a surprise attack while everyone at Hellang palace was celebrating the marriage of one of the district chiefs. After his capture of Hellang palace, he made his identity clear to all those present and they accepted him as the true ruler and heir of late King Wedo Hang. Since he had no real name and that he was born in the old palace of Chempojong, the chiefs assembled decide to name him Chemjong Hang and thus it became his name. He once again tried to unite all of Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
and succeeded in extending from present day Panchthar
Panchthar
Panchthar is the headquarters of Panchthar District in the Mechi Zone of northern Nepal....
, Illam
Illam
Illam is a malayalee lineage system used for classification and identification of castes in Kerala, South India. The House of Namboothiries are also called the Brahmaalayam or Mana...
, Dhankuta
Dhankuta
Dhankuta is a hill town of Nepal located along the geographical coordinates- 26° 59' 0" N / 87° 20' 0" E, with about 20,000 inhabitants, located in the Dhankuta District in the eastern part of Nepal. Until about 1963 Dhankuta Bazaar was the administrative headquarters for the whole of...
, Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa. Back in those days Morang composed of lower terai lands of Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa. While northern Limbuwan still laid in fragments.
The Era of King Sirijunga (880-915 AD)
King Galijunga who ruled the Yangwarok Kingdom of Limbuwan during the time of King Uba Hang; Ubahang was Galijunga’s overlord at the period. Then King Muda hang became weak and started losing control of all of Limbuwan, the grandson of King Galijung, Sirijunga rose into power in the northern Limbuwan area. King Sirijunga’a ancestors had ruled the Kathmandu valleyKathmandu Valley
The Kathmandu Valley , located in Nepal, lies at the crossroads of ancient civilizations of Asia, and has at least 130 important monuments, including several places of pilgrimage for the Hindus and the Buddhists. There are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within this valley.-Etymology:The city of...
during the Kirant era in Nepal.
Unification of Northern Limbuwan
During the anarchic period of King Muda Hang, King Sirijunga became powerful enough to subdue all of Limbu chiefs under his control.
Famous Sirijunga Forts
King Sirijung constructed two big forts at present day Sirjung in Terhathum district and Chainpur in Sankhuwasabha district. The forts were named Sirjunga fort and the remains of the structures still stand today.
King Sirijunga Script
King Sirijunga is also known for deveolping and introducing Sirijunga script to the Limbus, which is still in use today. The Mundhum, Kirant Limbu religious text of Mundhum states that King Sirijunga was asked by Nisammang (Limbu god of learning) to accompany her to the base of mount Phoktanglungma. The goddess took him to the deepest of the caves in the mountain and gave him the stone slab consisting of writings. There he was also blessed with power of knowledge and the goddess taught him how to read and write that language and told him to spread the scriptures to his people. Then King came back to his palace and started teaching the script and knowledge to Limbu people.
Kipat Land system of King Sirijunga
King Sirijunga is also known for his famous land reform law. He introduced a Kipat land system, where by he divided lands to the chiefs of each clan or village and vested them with the full power over his land. The chief’s powers didn’t extend beyond his borders and chiefs were expected to extend full military support from his village during the time of war to all the Kings of Limbuwan for the protection of Limbuwan. One of the important charactersitics of Kipat system was that, neither chief nor his people were allowed to sell their lands to any outsiders or any non clan members. Non clan members were only allowed to rent the land for the period of time and was not supposed to permamnently take the land ownership. The land was to be divided equally among every sons and unmarried daughters. He also decreed that all the chiefs of villages had to have a council called Chumlung of four members to assist him in ruling the villages. The Chief presided over all the clan/village meetings and festivals. He also had enough powers so that his decisions were considered final. Ever since the time of King Sirijunga, Limbu people of Limbuwan have been enjoying special Kipat rights over their lands. No one could take away the Kipat lands and the lands belonged communally to specific clan. Kipat land system devised by King Sirijunga of Limbuwan gained popularity in other Kirant areas in Nepal as well. The Kipat Land System was used by people of Kirant Rai, Kirant Sunuwar and even Tamang
Tamang
The Tamangs are the ancient and original inhabitants of the mountains and plains of the Himalayan regions of Nepal and India. Their ancient capital being Yambu - modern day Kathmandu. They have their own distinct culture, language and religion. Their ancestral domain is popularly known as...
people. Following King Sirijunga all the rulers of Limbuwan area up to King Mahendra had promised to uphold the special laws and custom of the Kipat system of Limbuwan during or right after their coronation.
The period of Ten Kings after King Sirijunga
After the death of King Sirijunga, LimbuwanLimbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
once again is ruled by ten Kings of ten Kingdoms of Limbuwan, this period lasts from 915 AD to 1584 AD. All the ten Kingdoms formed after the great revolution of Limbuwan in 6th century AD stays the same. The current state of Limbu nation, culture, language and ethnicity is believed to have taken shape during this period.
During this period, the lowlands of Limbuwan, (present day terai lands of Sunsari,Morang and Jhapa) collectively known as Morang since the time of King Mung Mawrong Hang, develops as its own Kingdom in its own right. In the beginning of 1400 AD, Morang Kingdom patriates from Kingdom of Ilam and Kingdom of Mikluk Bodhey (Choubise) and starts ruling on its own. Morang Kingdom’s borders were set at Kankai river in the east, Koshi river in the west, Shanguri fort in the north and Jalal garh in India in the south. King Sangla Ing becomes the first king of Lowland Limbuwan kingdom of Morang after 900 years since it last had its own king. He builds alliances with the other Kings of Limbuwan and remains in good terms. He builds his kingdom at Varatappa and rules from there. King Sangla Ing is succeeded by his son Pungla Ing, who later converts into Hinduism and changes his name to Amar Raya Ing.
The Sanglaing Dynasty Kings
King Sangla Ing (First king of Ing Dynasty)King Pungla Ing; (becomes Amar Raya Ing )
King Kirti Narayan Raya Ing
King Ap Narayan Raya Ing
King Jarai Narayan Raya Ing
King Indhing Narayan Raya Ing
King Bijay Narayan Raya Ing
The last King of the Ing Dynasty Kings of Morang Kingdom Bijay Narayan built a good friendship with the King of Phedap, Murray Hang Khebang. He then advised King Bijay Narayan to build a new town after his name and thus Bijaypur town was settled. The Bijaypur town, near present day Dharan City
Dharan, Nepal
Dharan is a major city in eastern Nepal, in the Sunsari District, situated on foothills of Mahabharat Range with southern tip touching the edge of the Terai at an altitude of 1148 ft . It serves as a trading post between the hilly region and the plains of Terai region. It was once the...
remained the capital of Morang Kingdom and that of all of Limbuwan until 1774 AD. King Bijay Narayan then persuaded King Murray Hang Khebang of Phedap to stay in Bijaypur and assist him in ruling Morang Kingdom as his prime minister. King Murray Hang Khebang agreed to the proposal and his title of prime minister became a hereditary position for him and his descendants. In this way King Bijay Narayan Raya Sanglaing effectively made King Murray Hang his prime minister and Murray Hang’s son Bajahang Raya Khebang ruled the Kingdom of Phedap under his father. King Bijay Narayan also gave the title of Raya, “King”, to Murray Hang. Since then, King Murray Hang Khebang became the first prime minister of Limbuwan and second King of Limbuwan to hold the Hindu title of “Raya”.
Over time, the relationship between King Bijay Narayan Raya Sanlgaing and his prime minister Murray Hang Khebang soured. The king accused Murray Hang of raping his daughter and sentenced him to death. Hearing the sad news of Murray Hang’s betrayal by the King of Morang, his son King Bajahang Khebang decided to punish the King of Morang. He went to Makwanpur and asked for the help of King Lo Hang Sen of Makwanpur. King Lohang Sen of Makwanpur with the help of the Kirant force conquored Bijaypur in 1608 AD. King of Phedap Bajahang Khebang who had come to take revenge of his father’s death died on the battle field and at the same time, King Bijay Narayan also died of natural causes. King Lohang Sen of Makwanpur then appointed King Bajahang Khebang’s son and Murray Hang’s grandson, Bidya Chandra Raya Khebang, as the prime minister of the Morang Kingdom and gave him autonomy to rule Morang. Lohang Sen returned to Makwanpur and King Bidya Chandra Raya Khebang went to Lhasa
Lhasa
Lhasa is the administrative capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in the People's Republic of China and the second most populous city on the Tibetan Plateau, after Xining. At an altitude of , Lhasa is one of the highest cities in the world...
to get recognition as the real King of Limbuwan. King Bidya Chandra successfully gets the Royal document with the seal of Dalai Lama recognition of him as the ruler of all of Phedap and Morang. In the mean time, the rest of the kingdoms of Limbuwan were ruled by their own kings.
The Era of Divided Limbuwan (1609 to 1741 AD)
The death of King Bijay Narayan Sanglaing of Morang and the subsequent war of revenge by the King of Phedap led to the conquest of the Morang Kingdom of Limbuwan by Lo Hang Sen of Mokwanpur. This event led to the era of divided Limbuwan because the association of Limbuwan states did not exist any longer. Only a few of the ten Kingdoms of Limbuwan actually formed alliances with the Sen King and saw him as their overlord. In the mean time, in 1641 AD, when King Phuncho Namgyal became the King of SikkimSikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
, independent Limbu Kings of Tambar Kingdom, Yangwarok Kingdom, Panthar Kingdom and Ilam Kingdom allied with the Sikkimese King thus effectively dividing Limbuwan in half. From the enthronement of King Puncho Namgyal of Sikkim in 1641 AD to 1741 AD, the eastern and northern Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
kings allied with the Kings of Sikkim.
The Era of Namgyal Dynasty in Eastern and Northern Limbuwan (1641-1741AD)
From 1641 AD to 1741 AD for approximately a hundred years, the Limbu Kings of Tambar, Yangwarok, Panthar and Ilam kingdoms allied with the King of Sikkim and saw him as their overlord. During this time the other Kingdoms of Limbuwan were allied with the Sen King of Makwanpur. King Puncho Namgyal died in 1670 AD and was succeeded by his Son King Tensong Namgyal, who married three queens. The youngest queen was from Limbuwan, and her name was Queen Thungwa Mukma, daughter of the King of Yangwarok, Yong Ya Hang. King Tensong Namgyal of Sikkim built a new palace and asked his youngest queen to name it. She names it “Song Khim” meaning new home. Over time this name changed from "Songkhim" to "Sukkhim" to eventually "SikkimSikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
" and that is how the name Sikkim came into being. The original name of Sikkim was Mayel in the Lepcha language, Chungjung in the Limbu language and Denjong in the Bhutia language. King Tensong was succeeded by his son and third king Chhyagdor Namgyal. During his time, Bhutan attacked Sikkim and occupied it for eight years. With the help of Tibetans he regained his throne. He died in 1716 AD and was succeeded by his son, King Gyurmi Namgyal. In 1733 AD King Gyurmi Namgyal of Sikkim died childless, then his minister declared himself the King of Sikkim under the title of “Tamding Gyalpo” and started ruling from the throne of Rabdentse palace. He ruled from 1738-1741 AD. This threw the Limbu alliance with Sikkim into disarray as other ministers had placed the infant king on the throne. In the mean time in 1741 AD, a Limbu scholar named Srijunga Sing Thebe of Yangwarok Kingdom of Limbuwan came to western Sikkim to teach Limbu script and literature to the Kirant people of western Sikkim. The Tibetan Tachhang Lamas of Pemayangtse monastery feared the Limbu Sirijunga Xin Thebe’s actions. They killed him by tying him to a tree and shooting him to death with arrow
Arrow
An arrow is a shafted projectile that is shot with a bow. It predates recorded history and is common to most cultures.An arrow usually consists of a shaft with an arrowhead attached to the front end, with fletchings and a nock at the other.- History:...
s. This caused anger in Limbuwan and the kings of all the Kingdoms of Limbuwan that had allied with the King of Sikkim in 1641 AD broke off the ties and stopped regarding the Kings of Sikkim as their overlords and allies. Thus the Namgyal dynasty
Chogyal
The Chogyal were the monarchs of the former kingdoms of Sikkim and Ladakh, which were ruled by separate branches of the Namgyal family. The Chogyal, or divine ruler, was the absolute potentate of Sikkim from 1642 to 1975, when its monarchy was abrogated and its people voted to make Sikkim India's...
ended in Limbuwan in 1741 AD and after breaking off ties with Sikkim, the four Limbu Kings and their Kingdoms remained neutral and independent.
The Era of Sen Dynasty in Western and Southern Limbuwan (1609-1769AD)
From 1609 to 1769 AD for about 160 years, the Sen Kings of Makwanpur were nominal kings of Morang and allied to the other remaining five kings of Limbuwan. The era of the Sen Dynasty in LimbuwanLimbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
began with the conquest of Morang kingdom by King Lo Hang Sen to avenge the death of the prime minister of Morang.
King Lo Hang Sen (1609-1661 AD)
Following the enthronement of King Lo Hang Sen to the throne of Morang Kingdom at Bijaypur, Limbuwan also entered the phase of Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
influence. All the Kings of Limbuwan, their ministers, and their chiefs started changing their original Kirant Limbu names into Hindu names. The King Lo Hang Sen ruled from 1609 to 1641 AD and managed to get all the Kings of Limbuwan who were not allied with Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
on his side. He promised the Limbu people and their chiefs that the practice of Kipat Land System, Limbu language, culture and way of life that had practice for thousand of years would always be protected. He also promised to Kings of Limbu kingdoms that they would get full autonomy and power to rule their own kingdoms. Thus, this way King Lo Hang Sen managed to become the King of Kings in Limbuwan and takes the title of Maharajadhiraj. He appointed three Limbu ministers to his court in Makwanpur. In the mean time, the Kingdom of Morang with its capital Bijaypur was ruled by the descendents of King Murray Hang Khebang, the Prime Ministers during the Sanglaing Dynasty.
King Harihar Sen (1661–1684 AD)
King Harihar Sen, the grandson of Lo Hang Sen succeeded his grandfather to the throne of Morang. He extended Morang up to Gondwara in Bihar, gave himself the title of “Hindupati Maharaj”, and built a new palace in Chanjitpur in lower Morang. He placed his grandson Bidhata Indra Sen on the throne of Morang. This was not liked by Hahrihar Sen’s sons so the civil war broke out. In this chaotic struggle, Subha Sen, the younger son of King Harihar Sen turned out victorious and started ruling Morang.
King Subha Sen ruled Morang for 22 years, in the mean time King Bidhata Indra Sen was also ruling Morang. Both King Subha Sen and Bidhata Indra Sen were then tricked into coming to the palace of the Nawab of Purnea, who then betrayed them and sent them to the Mughal Emperor in Delhi
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
. Both the Uncle and Nephew Kings died in the hands of the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
Emperor. After finding out about this betrayal, Queen Padmidhata Induraj Rajeswari, wife of King Bidhata Indra Sen, called upon all the allies of Morang Kingdom. All the nine Kings of Limbuwan were called upon by the queen to assist her in punishing the Nawab of Purnea.
Queen Padmidhata Induraj Rajeswari Sabitra Sen (1706-1725 AD)
The Kings ruling nine Kingdoms of Limbuwan at that time were, Chemjong King, Pasenama King, Lingdom King, Khewa King, Sukmi King, Makkhim King, Vaji King, Gabha King, and Shah Hang King. They were titled Roy by the Sen Kings of Morang, Roy was equivalent of King.
Another war of revenge broke out with the united forces of Limbuwan under the command of Chemjong King and the Nawab of Purnea at Jalal Garh. Limbuwan forces turned out victorious; their leaders established the boundary at Jalal Gurh in the south.
The Kings of Limbuwan then decided to bring the capital city of Morang back to Bijaypur from Chanjitpur. The kings place Queen Padmidhata Indurajrajeswari on the throne of Bijaypur. Meanwhile, the same Khebang dynasty kings of Phedap served as Prime minister of Morang and other Limbus serves as ministers and chautariayas.
In 1721 AD, about fifteen years after the War of Revenge with the Nawabs of Purnia, Limbuwan established friendly and trading relations with the Kingdom of Purnea in the south. King Pasenama, who was also a minister of Morang, went to Purnea and established the bilateral relationship.
King Mahipati Sen (1725-1761 AD)
After almost twenty years of reign, Queen Padmidhata died. Kings of Limbuwan and their minsters assembled and elected Mahipati Sen of Makwanpur, son of late King Subha Sen as the King of Morang and placed him on the throne in Bijaypur. He effectively became King of Kings of Limbuwan or Maharajadhiraja of Limbuwan. Mahipati Sen was a weak King, he had no legitimate issue, but had eighteen illegitimate sons. Kamadatta Sen, the eldest of the illegitimate sons would succeed King Mahipati Sen of Morang and Maharajadhiraj of Limbuwan.
King Kamadatta Sen (1761-1769 AD)
During the reign of King Mahipati Sen, the prime minister of Morang was King Bichitra Chandra Raya Khebang of Phedap Kingdom. When Mahipati Sen died, he didn’t allow Kamadatta Sen to be the full ruler of Morang Kingdom because he thought Kamadatta was illegitimate. During this time, the Sen Kings had given much of the terai lands of Morang to the Limbu Kings and chiefs for their personal jagir believing that they would not revolt against them.
The feud between King Kamdatta Sen and his Prime Minister grew as the tensions of the power struggle increased; Prime Minister Bichitra Chandra Raya Khebang was succeeded by his son, Buddhi Karna Raya Khebang. Buddhi Karna pursued his father’s policy of disengaging Kamadatta Sen from state affairs. Then finally Kamadatta Sen has had enough, came to Bijaypur and occupied the throne and expelled Buddhi Karna from Morang. Buddhi Karna went to Rabdentse palace in Sikkim to get help.
Kamadatta Sen turns out to be a worthy ruler and established good relations with everyone. He declared that all the Limbu Kings of Limbuwan, their ministers and chiefs to be of his own lineage and that they were to be treated as his own family. He also married Princess Thangsama Angbohang, sister of King of Athroya in Limbuwan. He appointed King Shamo Raya Chemjong of Miklung Bodhey Kingdom (Choubise) to be his Prime Minister and requested him to come to his palace in Bijaypur and manage his country. He once again guaranteed autonomy and Kipat to all the people and Chiefs of Limbuwan. He established friendly relations with the King of Bhutan, King of Sikkim and Tibet. King Dev Zudur of Bhutan
Bhutan
Bhutan , officially the Kingdom of Bhutan, is a landlocked state in South Asia, located at the eastern end of the Himalayas and bordered to the south, east and west by the Republic of India and to the north by the People's Republic of China...
even sent his representatives to King Kama Datta Sen’s coronation. Morang and Limbuwan already had good relations with the Kingdom of Purnea in the south and he also developed good relations with King Ranjit Malla of Bhaktapur.
Thus with his appeasement policies to the people of Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
and good relations with the neighbouring states of Limbuwan, he gained much confidence and popularity in Limbuwan.
Meanwhile, in 1769 AD, the exiled and unhappy Prime minister of Morang, Buddhi Karna planned a conspiracy to assassinate King Kama Datta Sen. The assassins successfully ambushed and killed King Kama Datta Sen in Morang on his way to a meeting.
The Era of Divided Limbuwan
King Buddhi Karna Raya Khebang of Morang ( 1769-1773 AD)
After the assassination of Kama Datta Sen, Buddhi Karna came to Bijaypur and became the last King of Morang and Limbuwan. But after hearing of the death of King Kama Datta Sen, all the states that made up Limbuwan and their allies split up. No Kings of Limbuwan had allegiance to Buddhi Karna anymore. He seriously needed able ministers and chiefs to assist him in ruling Morang and all of Limbuwan. He sent people to look for King Shamo Raya Chemjong of Miklung Bodhey Kingdom to help him.
During this time,
King Shridev Roy Phago............................King of Maiwa Kingdom,
King Raina Sing Raya Sering.......................King of Mawa Kingdom,
King Ata Hang.....................................King of Phedap Kingdom,
King Subhawanta Libang ...........................King of Tambar Kingdom,
King Yong Ya Hang.................................King of Yangwarok Kingdom,
King Thegim Hang..................................King of Panthar Kingdom,
King Lingdom Hang.................................King of Ilam Kingdom,
King Shamo Roya Chemjong Hang.....................King of Miklung Bodhey (Choubise, included southern Panther)
King Khewa Hang...................................King of Chethar (included Dasmajhiya, Jalhara and Belhara areas)
king Buddhi Karna Raya Khebang....................King of Morang (included present day Sunsari, Morang and Jhapa areas)
King Shamo Raya Chemjong was responsible for leading the Kings of Limbuwan and chiefs of Limbuwan in signing a treaty with the King of Gorkha. King Shamo Chemjong was also the Prime minister of Morang Kingdom and effectively ruled Morang when King Buddhi Karna was away from Bijaypur to seek help from the British. King of Ilam
Ilam District
Ilam district of 282,806. It is about 600 km from Kathmandu. The highest point is Sandakpur with an elevation of 3000m. Ilam attracts many researchers who come to study rare birds and the Red Panda...
, King Lingdom’s son was the last King of Limbuwan to sign a treaty with the King of Gorkha.
The Limbuwan Gorkha War
Limbuwan Gorkha War
The Limbuwan Gorkha war was a series of battles fought between the king of Gorkha and the rulers of various principalities of Limbuwan from 1771 to 1774 AD...
ended in 1774 AD following a treaty between the King of Gorkha and Kings of Limbuwan and their ministers in Bijaypur, Morang.
The Era of Shah Dynasty in Limbuwan
King Prithivi Narayan Shah ( 1768–1775 AD)The major role that King Prithivi Narayan played in Limbuwan history was the incorporation of Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
lands into his Gorkha
Gurkha
Gurkha are people from Nepal who take their name from the Gorkha District. Gurkhas are best known for their history in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments, the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Nepalese Army. Gurkha units are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife...
Kingdom. Following this, the Gorkha Empire became Nepal. The former ten Kingdoms of Limbuwan were divided into seventeen districts; the former Kings became subbas under the new King and were granted autonomy, which was eroded over time. Kipat rights included ownership of rice fields, pasture fields, forests, water sources, rivers and mineral resources. While the rest of Nepal had the “Raikar” system of land ownership, only Limbuwan had the state sanctioned “Kipat” system. The policy of autonomy to Limbuwan by the Gorkha
Gurkha
Gurkha are people from Nepal who take their name from the Gorkha District. Gurkhas are best known for their history in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments, the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Nepalese Army. Gurkha units are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife...
King was to ensure that Limbus always stayed loyal to him. Thus it would be easier for the Gorkhas to both conquer Sikkim and subdue Limbu brotherns Kirant
Kirant
Kirat or Kirati are indigenous ethnic groups of the Himalayas extending eastward from Nepal into India, Burma and beyond. They migrated to their present locations via Assam, Burma, Tibet and Yunnan in ancient times...
Khambu (Rais) of Majh Kirant at the same time. This was an exemple of the divide and rule policy of the Shah rulers.
The Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 CE ended the Limbuwan Gorkha wars.
The Gorkha
Gurkha
Gurkha are people from Nepal who take their name from the Gorkha District. Gurkhas are best known for their history in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments, the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Nepalese Army. Gurkha units are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife...
Bhardars, Abhiman Singh Basnet
Abhiman Singh Basnet
Abhiman singh Basnet was Nepali statesman during the reign of King Rajendra Bikram Shah. He is famous for the Tilanga Ghar at Ason, kathmandu, built by him. He was the first person to be killed in famous Kot Massacre....
, Parath Bhandari, Kirti Singh Khawas and Bali Bania on behalf of Gorkha raja Prithivi Narayan Shah, agreed to take an oath and swear on “Noon pani” (salt-water) promising that Gorkha
Gurkha
Gurkha are people from Nepal who take their name from the Gorkha District. Gurkhas are best known for their history in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments, the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Nepalese Army. Gurkha units are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife...
raja would never confiscate Limbus’ Kipat land( self autonomous land) nor destroy them. If he confiscated their Kipat land and destroyed them, then the god, upon whom Gorkha Raja had sworn and put faith in, would destroy him, his descendants and his kingdom. At this swearing ceremony, a big copper cauldron was brought in front of Gorkha and Limbu representatives and one pathi (eight pounds) of salt was put into it. Limbu
Limbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
ministers then poured water into it and stirred properly to mix the salt with water. Then the ministers asked the Gorkha bhardars to extract salt out of the water. They answered that salt had mixed and had become impossible to extract from the water.
The Limbu
Limbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
ministers then said,” Although the salt has melted and it is impossible to extract it from the water, yet the water has become tasteful. You, the Gorkhas, are like water and we the Kirant Limbu people, are like salt. You Gorkhas people want us to melt in you, but you will not remain as before. When we mix or amalgamate with you, then you Gorkhas will be more exalted than before. But, if you betray us by taking our right of Kipat land, then what oath will you take for not violating this agreement?” The Gorkha bhardars, on behalf of Gorkha raja took a handful of salt water in their hands and swore that the Gorkha raja would never betray them by forfeiting the Kipat land (self governing autonomous land). If the Gorkha
Gurkha
Gurkha are people from Nepal who take their name from the Gorkha District. Gurkhas are best known for their history in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments, the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Nepalese Army. Gurkha units are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife...
King did so, his descendants would melt like salt and disappear from the world. The Gorkha Bhardars, then questioned the Kirant Limbu
Limbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
ministers, saying if they will betray the Gorkha raja by violating “Noon pani’ agreement what oath would they take for never violating such an agreement. The Kirant
Kirant
Kirat or Kirati are indigenous ethnic groups of the Himalayas extending eastward from Nepal into India, Burma and beyond. They migrated to their present locations via Assam, Burma, Tibet and Yunnan in ancient times...
Limbu
Limbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
ministers took a handful of salt water and swore that they would never go against the Gorkhali King. If they did so then their descendants would also melt like salt and disappear from the world.
After making such agreement on salt-water (sacred and important elements), the Gorkha bhardars on behalf of Gorkha raja, gave the following Treaty paper or Lal Mohor to the Limbu ministers of Bijaypur.
Translation of the agreement between the Limbu ministers of Morang kingdom and King Prithvi Narayan Shah
Prithvi Narayan Shah
Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Nepal was the first king of the House of Shahs to rule Nepal. He is credited for starting the campaign for a unified Nepal, which had been divided and weakened under Malla confederacy. He was the ninth generation descendant of Dravya Shah , the founder of the ruling...
of Gorkha
Gurkha
Gurkha are people from Nepal who take their name from the Gorkha District. Gurkhas are best known for their history in the Indian Army's Gorkha regiments, the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas and the Nepalese Army. Gurkha units are closely associated with the kukri, a forward-curving Nepalese knife...
Kingdom in 1774 AD:
“Let this be our agreement that I want to have you as the members of my own family. My religious mind is good. You are under my protection from now. By my power, your country is now mine but you are still ours. I will take the responsibility of progress and protection of your families. I will retain your rights to anything you possess. You keep in contact with my officers, help them and enjoy your land with full right as long as it exists. You are different from Nau lakh Rai, because their kings will be displaced. You who call yourselves Kings are not destroyable. I know your policy and good intentions.”
“The Kingdom of Sikkim
Sikkim
Sikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
had not come to terms with us. My officers have come to your land with full instructions. You will come to now everything through them. You agree with them and enjoy your land individually in a manner as mentioned above. I, hereby, agree to abide by the above mentioned terms of agreement of never taking your land by force and destroying you. I swear on the copper plate and say that if I violate the above mentioned promises, then let the God upon whom I and my family depend and worship, destroy my descendents and my kingdom. I have written the above mentioned agreement and hereby hand it over to the above mentioned Limbu
Limbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
brothers on this day of twenty second shrawan of Sambat eighteen hundred and thirty one at our capital city of Kantipur
Kantipur
Kantipur TV is a television network of Kantipur Publication of Nepal. This Publication House has a number of other notable publications such as The Katmandu Post, and kantipur daily....
may it be blessed and fortunate.”
When the Allies of Morang Kingdom heard the news of agreement between the Gorkha and Morong kingdoms, the Limbu
Limbu people
The Yakthung or Limbu tribes and clans belong to the Kirati nation or to the Kirat confederation.They are indigenous to the hill and mountainous regions of east Nepal between the Arun and Mechi rivers to as far as Southern Tibet, Bhutan and Sikkim....
rulers of Mewa Kingdom, Phedap Kingdom, Maiwa Kingdom and Tambar Kingdom also came to Bijaypur (present day Dharan
Dharan, Nepal
Dharan is a major city in eastern Nepal, in the Sunsari District, situated on foothills of Mahabharat Range with southern tip touching the edge of the Terai at an altitude of 1148 ft . It serves as a trading post between the hilly region and the plains of Terai region. It was once the...
) to join the alliance with the Gorkha King under the same terms and conditions of the treaty. The rulers of the regions Papo Hang, Thegim Hang and Nembang Hang under the leadership of Chemjong Hang (ShriShun rai) decided to join the Gorkha King on the same conditions.
Thus the Limbuwan-Gorkha War came to an end in 1774 AD with all the principalities of Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
joining Gorkha Kingdom except the King of Yangwarok ( Kingdom of Yangwarok consists of present day parts of Taplejung
Taplejung
Taplejung is the headquarters of Taplejung District in the Mechi Zone of Nepal. It is located at 27°21'0N 87°40'0E with an altitude of 1441 metres ....
, Panchthar
Panchthar
Panchthar is the headquarters of Panchthar District in the Mechi Zone of northern Nepal....
) and King of Ilam
Ilam District
Ilam district of 282,806. It is about 600 km from Kathmandu. The highest point is Sandakpur with an elevation of 3000m. Ilam attracts many researchers who come to study rare birds and the Red Panda...
Hangsu Phuba of Lingdom Family.
King Rana Bahadur Shah ( 1777- 1799 AD)
The grandson of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, King Rana Bahadur Shah’s role in Limbuwan was limited to arming the former Kings of Limbuwan, now the Subbas and chiefs, to fight against Sikkim. He called them to Kathmandu and under the charge of four former Kings of Limbuwan, the King of Gorkha handed about 107 guns, 935 swords and 825 bows to raise a Limbu army and fight against Sikkim.
King Girvana Juddha Bikram Shah ( 1799-1816 AD)
Following the occupation of Sikkim west of Teesta River, Nepal was again plunged into a war with Tibet and eventually with China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. During the war with Tibet, Sumur Lama of Tibet
Tibet
Tibet is a plateau region in Asia, north-east of the Himalayas. It is the traditional homeland of the Tibetan people as well as some other ethnic groups such as Monpas, Qiang, and Lhobas, and is now also inhabited by considerable numbers of Han and Hui people...
had taken refuge in Kathmandu, when Nepal refused to hand him back to China, the war broke out with Nepal and Tibet. At that time, the Chinese had incited the people of Limbuwan to revolt against their Gorkha King. General Tung Thang sent guns, gun powder, cannons and other weapons to Limbus in Limbuwan. It was said that about 1000 pathis of gunpowder and 500 pathis of lead were went to Limbus.
Rebellions in Limbuwan
In 1867, Dashain was boycotted in Dhankuta in protest at eroding the Limbuwan peoples’ cultural rights. The state government forced people of Limbuwan to celebrate Dashain or else they had to bear the consequences. This was unacceptable to the people of Limbuwan, so a revolt started in Dhankuta and spread out. Gorkha rulers soon suppressed the protest and there were two deaths.
In 1870, the Limbu language
Limbu language
Limbu is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Kashmir and Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India, by the Limbu community. Virtually all Limbus are bilingual in Nepali....
suppression policy of the Ranas led to another uprising in Limbuwan. Limbu script or education in the Limbu language was thought of as anti nationalistic so the state adopted the policy of suppressing all ethnic and aboriginal languages and cultures of Nepal. Many Limbus were either executed or chased away from their motherland.
King Tribhuwan (1913–1955 AD)
King Tribhuwan’s rule saw several changes in the system of Kipat in Limbuwan. Although Ranas had taken away the rights of forest and other mineral rights of the Kipat system, worse was to come. In 1913 AD, the government brought in legislation that stated that any new lands that were brought under cultivation in Limbuwan would be turned into a Raikar land. This was specifically designed to target the new farm lands that had been carved out from the forest and pasture areas. But once again, that was against the spirit of Gorkha Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD whereby the State was supposed to let Limbus use their lands in their own way according to the Kipat system. According to Treaty of 1774 and the Kipat system, if forest land was to be turned into farm land, with the consent and approval of the Subha and Chumlung of the area, then it was not supposed to be an issue to the state. Besides, forests and pasture lands along with river and water bodies with mineral rights were enshrined in the Kipat system. In 1917, the Rana government’s unilateral legislation stated that Kipat lands of Limbuwan could be turned into “Raikar” lands if the Limbu owners couldn’t pay off loans within six months. This was totally against the Treaty of 1774 AD, which specifically stated that the lands of Limbuwan east of Arun River could never be transferred to the Raikar system. Up to 1920 the Subha and their Chumlung also had power to hold courts according to tradition in their jurisdiction.
Limbus of Ilam rose up in resistance
Similarly in 1926, the Rana government introduced the Panchayat system of government in Limbuwan, accordingly these Panchayat systems replaced the Subha and Chumlung system of government in Limbuwan which was also held up by the Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD. Limbus of Ilam rose in resistance against the government policies of gradually nibbling away the rights given them by the 1774 treaty. Thus in this way State tried to eat away the autonomy and the rights of Limbu people of Limbuwan. The most interesting and unfair part of this whole saga was that, never were any Limbu Subha or Chumlung members asked nor were their opinion taken into any consideration. Treaties and agreements are signed or dissolved with the agreement of two sides, but the Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD was never consulted and the state unilaterally displaced the people of Limbuwan. In the mean time, the government of Nepal continued its encouragement of mass immigration of non Limbu and non Kirant people into Limbuwan to exploit Kipat lands.
In 1950-51 AD, when there was political movement going on in rest of Nepal, there was also a Limbu/Kiranti insurgency going on in Limbuwan demanding more political rights.
King Mahendra (1955–1972 AD)
There was always a tradition from the time of Ten Limbu Kings, that whenever a new King was crowned or a new government was formed, the delegation of Subha and Chumlung members would go to the capital city and voice their concerns. In 1960, a delegation of Limbu Subhas from Chumlungs across Limbuwan region went to Kathmandu to remind the King about the Gorkha-Limbuwan Treaty of 1774 AD and also to get guarantees about the rights of Limbuwan. Following his meeting with the Limbuwan delegation, the King issued royal decrees stating the “Traditional rights and privileges of Limbu people in Limbuwan will be protected”, in reference to the treaty.
In 1964 King Mahendra and his government introduced the Land Reform Act, where by the government was to confiscate any land holdings that exceeded 1.8 hectares. This was applied to all of Nepal, but Limbuwan
Limbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
was a different case because lands of Limbuwan once again were under Kipat system and not Raikar system. The land could not have been sold or owned personally other than Kipat holders anyways, it was communal belonging to a clan or group of people. But once again, going against the spirit of the 1774 Treaty, eroding democratic values and neglecting the people of Limbuwan, the government did not consult with the original people of Limbuwan or the Treaty of 1774 AD and went ahead with their land surveying in Limbuwan. King Prithvi Narayan Shah had agreed that he would not survey, designate or take away lands of Limbuwan from the original people.
Limbuwan Rebellion against the Land Reform Act 1964
Soon after the introduction of the Land Reform Act, Subhas of Limbuwan and many other Limbu individuals raised the issue and implications of the Land Reform Act on Limbuwan and the existing Treaty. Limbus clearly knew that this was another act to erode the “treaty protected traditional” rights of the Limbu people over their lands. The situation was tense as the very next day, the immigrant non-Limbu tenants of Kipat lands who had been paying rent over a period of time, could be declared to own the land. The very existence of the Limbu people, its culture, tradition and autonomy was in danger. King Prithvi Narayan Shah had promised to Limbus that he wouldn’t survey the Lands of Limbuwan, because he didn’t own them but only the people of Limbuwan did. Similarly after the 1964 Land reforms act, King Mahendra had promised a delegation of Limbuwans that he would not take away their lands but he died without accomplishing this and failed to save the Limbu peoples’ autonomy.
The reasons why Kipat system in Limbuwan became a problem for the State and Hindu settlers
1) The state had no authority over Kipat Lands in Limbuwan.
2) The state could not generate revenue or make use of Lands in Limbuwan because Limbus owned the rights to rivers, waters, forests, mines and minerals.
3) The Limbu Kipat owners can anytime ask their tenants to move away from their Kipat lands.
4) Due to its strategic location and being far away from the capital, the state had to exert its control over the people of Limbuwan by mass immigrating Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
settlers to keep rebellious Limbus in check.
Before the Land Reform Act, of Nepal’s total cultivable land, almost 95% or about 2.1 million hectares of land was under the Raikar system, and 2% or about 40000 hectares of land was under Guthi organisation. Only 3% or 77000 hectares of land was under the Kipat system. The main difference once again was that, all the lands of Nepal was owned by the state and given by the state to people for ownership under the Raikar system. Raikar lands had ownership documents given by the state and most importantly Raikar lands could be sold to anyone. Whereas in the Kipat system, communal/clan authorities owned the lands, Kipat lands were not granted because of the royal or state authority, the owner owned it because he or she belonged to a clan that owned the land for ever. Lands in Limbuwan were never conquered by the state and because the treaty existed that upheld the Kipat rights, it was illegal for the same state and authority that promised to uphold the privilege on one hand to take it away, piece by piece, by the other hand. Regmi states that the King and State had no authority over Kipat lands, communal authority was supreme.
In the treaty of 1774, Prithvi Narayan Shah swore that “in case we confiscate your lands, may our ancestral gods destroy our kingdom and descendents” Regmi further claims that this oath was restated by every other monarch after King Prithvi Narayan. Every new King promised and pledged to maintain Kipat rights but they on the other hand sponsored those policies that slowly eroded the Kipat rights.
King Birendra (1972-2001 AD)
The Panchayat regime adopted the old policy of “One country one king, one language one culture”. It was sponsored by the state and Nepali language and Hindu religion was imposed on everyone. The existence of other religions, customs, languages and traditions were looked down upon and not encouraged. Since the implementation of the Land Reforms Acts, there had been protests and dissatisfacion towards the state for mismanaging, mistreating and most importantly betraying the Limbus. In 1968, a Limbu delegation that had gone to express their dissatisfaction over the single handed Treaty violation were jailed and tortured. Similarly the pioneers of the Limbuwan Liberation Front Party were jailed and tortured for three years for distributing pamphlets and trying to educate Limbus about their own rights. In 1972, some other Limbuwan Liberation members took a delegation to the new King Birendra and tried to revive the Limbuwan Autonomy issue but were soon suppressed.
The restoration of democracy came in 1990 following election. The Limbuwan Liberation Front, being the first Party to raise the Limbuwan issue and Limbuwan Autonomy and the rights of the Limbu people based on the Limbuwan Gorkha Treaty of 1774 AD, was denied permission by the Nepal Election Commission to run in the election while several religious Hindu fundamentalist parties were allowed to run.
The Republican era and now in Limbuwan
Following the relinquishment of power by then King Gyanendra, the people of LimbuwanLimbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
and Limbuwan concerned parties became the first group to voice their pain. They organised a first peaceful strike to let the people of Nepal know how unfairly they had been treated and how far they were willing to go for justice. August 7–9 in 2007 was the first of many peaceful strikes and protest programs of the Federal Limbuwan State Council and other parties. The demand remains as before, the true autonomy based on 1774 AD and recognition of indigenous rights.
Understanding the sentiments of the people of Limbuwan, various political parties such as Maoists and others included Federalism in their manifestoes.
United Nations Draft Declaration on the rights of Indigenous People has also brought new hopes on legally achieving the rights that people of Limbuwan lost unfairly. Kirant Yakthung Chumlung, an organisation of Limbu people has come up with a policy and views on going forward with the Kipat and land issues of Limbuwan.
Future of Limbuwan
It is almost certain that LimbuwanLimbuwan
Limbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
will become one of the Federal Province or State within the framework of the Nepalese Constitution and Nepalese Unity. As the people of Limbuwan are coming out of the dark shadows of the repressive past, Limbus and people of Limbuwan aspire to bring new hope, new development and new future to a Land that has existed so long with such an old history.
See also
- LimbuwanLimbuwanLimbuwan is an area of the Himalaya historically made up of 10 Limbu kingdoms, all now part of Nepal. Limbuwan means "abode of the Limbus" or "Land of the Limbus". Limbus themselves call Limbuwan "Yakthung Laaje" or "the country of the Yakthungs"...
- Kiranti languagesKiranti languagesThe Mahakiranti or Maha-Kiranti languages are a proposed intermediate level of classification of the Tibeto-Burman languages. They are the languages most closely related to the Kiranti languages proper, which are spoken by the ethnic Kirat...
- Limbu Festivals
- Limbu languageLimbu languageLimbu is a Tibeto-Burman language spoken in Nepal, Bhutan, Sikkim, Kashmir and Darjeeling district, West Bengal, India, by the Limbu community. Virtually all Limbus are bilingual in Nepali....
- Limbu scriptLimbu scriptThe Limbu script is used to write the Limbu language. The Limbu script is an abugida derived from the Tibetan script.-History:According to traditional histories, the Limbu script was first invented in the late 9th century by King Sirijonga Haang, then fell out of use, to be reintroduced in the 18th...
- History of Limbuwan
- Limbuwan-Gorkha War
- Rambahadur LimbuRambahadur LimbuCaptain Rambahadur Limbu, VC, MVO is a Nepalese recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Rambahadur Limbu belongs to the Begha Clan of Limbu Nationality of Nepal. He retired with the honorary...
- SikkimSikkimSikkim is a landlocked Indian state nestled in the Himalayan mountains...
- Limbu Beverage TongbaTongbaTongba is a millet-based alcoholic beverage found in the far eastern mountainous region of Nepal and the neighbouring Darjeeling and Sikkim districts of India. It is the traditional and indigenous drink of the Limbu people of eastern Nepal....
- Limbu Clans and TribesLimbu Clans and TribesThe Limbu nation is made up of hundreds of clans. Each Limbu clans are classified under their Tribe or subnational entity or according to their place of origin. Some of the Tribes are Aakwajungo/Awajung, Phombo, Singthaba, Kurumbang, Kedem, Khajum, Nalbo, Huukpa, Samba etc...
, List of - Limbu Religious Text, MundhumMundhumMundhum is the ancient religious scripture and folk literature of the Kirat people of Nepal, central to Kirat Mundhum, the ancient, indigenous religion of Nepal. Mundhum means "the power of great strength" in the Kiranti languages...
- Limbu Festivals , Chasok TangnamChasok TangnamChasok Tangnam is the most important of Kirat Limbu festivals. This festival falls on a full moon day of the month of Senchengla or the Mangsir month of Nepali calendar. "Tangnam" simply means festival in Limbu language. Along with the resurgence of Limbu identity, culture and nationalism, Limbus...