National Heroes of Nepal

Great Personalities of Nepal 

Many national figures of Nepal with marvellous talent have taken birth in Nepal. Such personalities who have given significant, unique and praiseworthy contributions to the nation are known as national figures. The government of Nepal has declared such great people as the Luminaries (Rastriya Vibhuti ). The contributions of our eminent national personality standing to their credit are briefly described in the following paragraph.

1. King Janak

King Janak was an ascetic king of Mithila (present Janakpur). He was a follower of Bramha. He used to give more importance to the soul (Atma) than the body (Deha) . He wanted to spread this message all over his kingdom. He used to discuss with great intellectuals like Maitreyi, Gargi, Yagyavalkya, etc. about the importance of scriptures and religion in his palace. For this reason, he was known as Videha and Rajarshi. Thus, he became successful to popularize the name and fame of Nepal. He developed Mithila as the center of intellectual discourses. He made cultural and religious value of Mithila popular in the world.

2.Sita

King Janak's daughter Sita or Janaki was an ideal lady. She was married to Ram Chandra, the eldest son of Dasarath, King of Ayodha. She was an idealistic, wise and praiseworthy lady. Sita is always remembered for her ideal as a devout and faithful woman. She is an inspiring example for Nepalese women. Sita is worshipped as as goddess by Hindus as an incarnation of Goddess Laxmi. She is also famous as Dhartiputri and Janaki. She is known for her dedication, self-sacrifice, courage and purity.

3.Gautam Buddha

Gautam Buddha (Siddhartha Gautam) was born in 563 BC in Lumbini, Nepal. In the quest of mystery of the world's sorrow and suffering, he left his royal luxuries, wife and a young son. After long meditation and hardship, he concluded that the truth of life is peace, justice and non-violence which he followed and taught to the people all over the world. He became the promoter of peace in the world. His teachings later took the form of Buddhism, one among world's major religions. He is called the " Light of Asia" . He preached the world with the message of Panchasheel that "Do not steal, do not lie, do not hurt by arms, do not consume intoxicants and do not practice sexual misbehavior". He is known as the angel of peace in the world.

4. Amshuverma

Amshuverma was a famous king of Lichchhavi period. He was a learned king. According to the travel account of Huen Tsang , a Chinese traveller, Amshuverma had written a book entitled 'Sabda Vidhya' which made him popular even outside the country. The Kailaskut palace built by him was an example of superb work of contemporary art and architecture. He maintained good relation with India, China and Tibet and saved the country from foreign invasion. He made all round development in Nepal during his rule. Because of his praiseworthy works, Lichchhavi period is called the golden age.

5. King Ram Shah

Ram Shah was a famous King of Gorkha. He was best known for the reforms he introduced in his state in socio-economic,  legal and religious field. A new system of measurements was introduced by him to improve the trade in his state. He introduced a standard system of weight, scale and measurements. Mana, Pathi, Dhak, Taraju, etc. were introduced by him. He fixed the rate of interest. He was famous for his good governance and justice. He had systematized the irrigation system and had made rule for punishing the criminals. He managed such efficient system of justice that the saying ' Nyaya Napaye Gorkha Janu' (If you are deprived of justice, go to Gorkha) became popular.

6. King Prithvi Narayan Shah

Prithvi Narayan Shah was the king of Gorkha . During his rule, Nepal was fragmented into small kingdoms called Baise and Chaubise Rajya. At the same time British India Company was ruling in India and wanted to conquer Nepal . Prithvi Narayan Shah started to unify the small kingdoms and unified almost half of present Nepal.  He extended Nepal's eastern border to Mechi River and made Nepal a strong country. He was the builder of independent and  sovereign Nepal. He was a great politician, valiant commander, a successful and far-sighted leader, founder of non-aligned foreign policy and protector of traditional culture. He used to respect the intellectuals and had a good judicial administration. He is truly called the founder of modern Nepal.

7. Araniko

Araniko was a great architect of Nepal. He was born in Patan of Kathmandu valley. He was given the name 'Balabahu'.  During the period of Abhaya Malla, on the demand of Chinese emperor Kublai Khan, a group of artist was sent to Tibetan capital Lhasa under the leadership of Araniko. He built several pagoda style  monasteries in Lhasa. The Chinese emperor was impressed by his talent. Araniko was made one of the ministers of his court and given the title " The controller of imperial studies" by the Chinese emperor. He was an artist, sculptor, architecture and a scientist. Dozens of sculptures made by him are still there in China. He constructed a pagoda style Silver Chaitya in Chinese capital Beijing and Golden Chaitya in Tibet. He was honoured with the title of 'Minghoi' (great talent) after his death by the Chinese government. He popularized the Nepalese art all over the world and proved Nepal to be the home of brilliant artists and creators.

8. Amar Singh Thapa

Amar Singh Thapa, loyal and patriotic in nature fought bravely with the British East India Company of India during 1814-16 AD war. It was he who extended the boundary of the western Nepal up to Kangada and the Ravi River through  Kumanun, Gadhwal, Amar Singh Thapa had fought during the unification of the Baise and Chaubise states. Despite a  great allurement of British General Ochterlony, he fought unselfishy. When Nepal chose to sign the Sungauli Treaty, he became highly distressed and went to Gosainkunda where he lived until his death.

9. Bhimsen Thapa

Bhimsen Thapa was the first Prime Minister of Nepal. He was a good administrator and a brave warrior. He was a true patriotic against the British imperialism. He brought about many reforms in his regime in the social, economic and military fields. In spite of the efforts of his opponents to harm him, he earned a good name for his love for nationalism. He ruled Nepal for 31 years as the Prime Minister. He had continued the unification of Nepal and extended the western border to Sutlaj. His good vision, patriotism and purity were highly appreciated by then king.  Once, king Rana Bahadur had said, " The country will not sink if I die but will sink if Bhimsen dies". Likewise, Chandra Shamsher had said , " Nepal would no more  be there if  Bhimsen Thapa was not born". He was a clever diplomat. He also modernized  the Nepalese army.

10. Balbhadra Kunwar

Balbhadra Kunwar was a great warrior of Nepal. During the Anglo-Nepal war he took the entire defence of Nalapani fort. A 20 years old young commander. Balbhadra Kunwar , though less equipped , fought very bravely against the strong British forces and had supervised a successful  defence of the fort for long. During the war, he had only 600 troops including women and children whereas the British had 3500 soldiers with modern weapons like guns and cannons. Even then the British could not defeat Balbhadra Kunwar . Highly impressed by his courageous defence, the British force erected memorial stone and carved words of honour on it : As  a tribute of respect for our gallant adversary BULBUDER, commander of the fort and HIS BRAVE GORKHAS. He did not surrender in front of the British force but exhibited extraordinary Nepalese bravery.

11. Bhanubhakta Acharya

He translated a Hindu epic, Ramayan into simple common Nepali language in a poetry form. He started to write poems in Nepali language and proved that poems could be written in Nepali language also. He has a great contribution in the field of Nepali literature. His several books in Nepali language like Bhaktamala, Badhu Shiksha, Prashnottari, etc. made Nepalese literature rich and prosperous. He made Nepali language simple and errorless. He unified Nepalese people in terms of language. Thus, he became the pioneer poet of Nepal and is known as Aadikabi.

12.  Motiram Bhatta

Motiram Bhatta is known as Yubakkabi. He was the one who introduced Bhanubhakta to Nepalese society. He collected the poems written by Bhanubhakta and published them. Motiram Bhatta has written many poems and Gajals in Nepali language. He was a singer also. He printed the Ramayan translated by Bhanubhakta and made them available to the common people. Without him, Bhanubhakta's contribution would not exposed and realized. Motiram Bhatta died at young age of 30.

13. King Tribhuwan 

King Tribhuwan played the key role in the movement launched in Nepal for democracy. He joined the people's revolt against tyrannical regime of Ranas and left his palace after the risk of losing his life and throne. He is considered as a national hero of Nepal as he contributed to make the democratic movement a success. Because of his support in the Anti-Rana Movement, democracy was introduced on 7th falgun, 2007 BS in Nepal.

14. Shankhadhar Sakhwa

Shankhadhar sakhwa was the founder of Nepal Sambat. He was a lower caste Newar merchant. It is believed that he collected gold from the sands of Bishnumati River in order to free the poor people of Kathmandu from their debt. In 936 BS  he started the Nepal Sambat in order to commemorate the incident. Shankhadhar Sakhwa was included in the list of national heroes on 2nd Mangsir 2056 BS.

15. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa

Pasang Lhamu Sherpa is the first Nepalese woman to climb the summit of Mt.Everest. She climbed  Mt. Everest on 10th Baishakh 2050 BS. She was buried in an avalanche while descending Mt. Everest and hence lost her life. She is a source of inspiration for all Nepalese women for their courage to rise from their level and perform adventurous activities to glorify the nation. She has glorified the name and fame of our country in the world. Her name was included in the list of national heroes on 9th Baishakh, 2059 BS.

16. Mahaguru Falgunanda

Falgunanda was born of Limbu parents on 25th Kartik, 1942 BS in Illam. He is well-known as Mahaguru ( the great teacher) especially among the Limbu communities. He is remembered for his outstanding socio-cultural and religious messages in the Limbu ethnicity. His messages were related to nonviolence and religion. He had adopted a ten-point 'Dharma Muchulka' for the ethnic, economic, social and religious reforms in the Limbu community. In his preaching, he has advised to avoid bad practices like gambling, smoking, taking alcohol, jealousy, anger, murder, telling lie, etc. He has advised to respect father, mother, teachers, study hard, serve the people, etc. He implemented rules and policies such as establishing a temple and school in every village, educating Kirant community, treating sons and daughters equally. He was declared as a 16th national hero of Nepal on 16th Mangsir, 2006 BS.