Shreepali

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The Shreepali Basnyat are a Chhetri clan from the Saipal area in Nepal’s Far West who rose to power in the Gorkha district during Nepal’s unification. They trace their roots to the Khasa Kingdom and later became influential in the royal court and army, especially in Gorkha.

In the days of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Shreepali Basnyats were among the leading military forces in Gorkha. An important alliance formed between the Basnyats and the Pandeys through marriage, strengthening their ties to the royal family. Shivaram Singh Basnyat was a noted commander of Gorkha’s forces, and his son Kehar Singh Basnyat married Chitra Devi, the daughter of Kalu Pandey. Chitra Devi even built a Narayan temple in honor of her father-in-law Shivaram Singh. Kehar Singh played a key role in uniting the western districts and Kathmandu Valley but died in the Battle of Satahun.

Shivaram’s third son, Abhiman Singh Basnyat, became the first Commander-in-Chief of a united Nepal after the death of Kalu Pandey, during the effort to capture Kirtipur. Abhiman’s brothers were Naahar Singh and Kehar Singh, and their youngest brother Dhaukal Simha Basnyat became the Kumaun governor and was the first owner of the Narayanhity Palace. Abhiman died at 56 in 1857 B.S. while he was sent to Morang and Sunsari, a move seen as unfair for his age and status.

The Basnyats lived close to the royal palace, moving with the king to Basantapur and residing in areas like Indra Chowk and Ason. In 1833 B.S., Abhiman built the Maan Mandir in Ason, known today as Tilanga Ghar. For a long time, the Basnyats shared great power in the royal court alongside the Pandeys and Thapas. After a power struggle began when Bhimsen Thapa rose to power, the Basnyats sided with the Pandeys and helped push the Thapas from influence.

Notable members of the Shreepali Basnyat include Shivaram Singh Basnyat, Kehar Singh Basnyat, Abhiman Singh Basnyat, Kirtiman Singh Basnyat, and Bakhtawar Singh Basnyat.