Bal Narsingh Kunwar
Bal Narsingh Kunwar (2 February 1783 - 24 December 1841) was the father of Jung Bahadur Rana. He was also the personal bodyguard of King Rana Bahadur Shah. He killed Sher Bahadur Shah, immediately after Sher Bahadur Shah committed the assassination of Rana Bahadur Shah. For this, he was awarded the hereditary post of Kaji by Bhimsen Thapa.
Early Years
Bal Narsingh Kunwar was born in 1783.[1] He was the eldest son of Ranjit Kunwar, who was an important tactician in the Gorkha expansion under Bahadur Shah. At the age of 17, he left to Banaras along with Rana Bahadur Shah to Benaras.
Lineage
Bal Narsingh Kunwar was the son of Ranjit Singh Kunwar. His second wife, who was also Bhimsen Thapa's niece had given birth to seven sons in the period of eleven years; Jang Bahadur Rana, Bam Bahadur Rana, Badri Narsingh Kunwar, Krishna Bahadur Kunwar, Ranodip Singh Kunwar, Jagat Shamsher and Dhir Shamsher. Jung Bahadur Rana (formerly Kunwar), was the founder of Rana dynasty in Nepal.
Rise to Power
When Rana Bahadur Shah returned to Nepal in 1804, with Bhimsen Thapa as his principal advisor, Bal Narsingh Kunwar was given the post of Sardar and attached to the force under Amar Singh Thapa, which was then dispatched to Kumaon. However, the true rise of power of Bal Narsingh Kunwar occurred in 1806, when Rana Bahadur Shah was killed by his step-brother Sher Bahadur Shah. Bal Narsingh Kunwar, immediately struck down Sher Bahadur Shah on the spot with his Khukuri with help from Bam Shah. After Bhimsen Thapa arrived on the scene, and Sher Bahadur Shah showed some signs of revival, he finished him with a final sword strike. Then associating their political rivals with Sher Bahadur Shah's plot, Bhimsen Thapa and Bal Narsingh Thapa were able to clear all their political adversaries and hence, truly rise to power. For this, Bal Narsingh Thapa was given the hereditary post of Kaji.
Fall from Power
When Bhimsen Thapa was accused of the murder of King Rajendra's son, he was also seen as a supporter of Bhimsen Thapa, and along with him was purged of his property, post and title. The Kunwar family remained active to release Bhimsen Thapa from prison, which he achieved later in the year 1837, he regained his office, and a minor post, while Mathabarsingh Thapa fled to India. Bal Narsingh Kunwar died of natural causes on 24 December 1841.[2]
Legacy
Bal Narsingh Kunwar's ancestors were said to be the descendants of Tatta Rana of Chittaur. He was also the father of Jung Bahadur Rana, who was the founder of Rana aristocracy in Nepal.
References
- The Ancestors of Jung Bahadur Rana, History, Propaganda and Legend Vol.14, August 1987 - http://himalaya.socanth.cam.ac.uk/collections/journals/contributions/pdf/CNAS_14_03_01.pdf