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Introduction of Drabya Shah
Drabya Shah was the Founder Shah King of the Gorkha Kingdom who defeated its Khadka King in 1558 A.D. to introduce the Shah Dynasty in Gorkha. He was the younger Son of Yaso Bikram Shah and the Brother of Narahari Shah.
He ruled the Kingdom of Gorkha for 11 years until his eventual death after which his Son, Purna Shah became the King of Gorkha. He is compared to the likes of Ram Shah and Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Early Years of Drabya Shah
Drabya Shah was born as the youngest Son of Yasobikram Shah, the King of Lamjung. His elder Brother, Narahari Shah was destined to become the King of Lamjung. He also desired to be a King someday.
Hence, with his Father’s Permission, he attempted to start settlements in the Eastern Lands of the Marsyangdi River. He also constructed a Temple for the “Nath” Community with an Inscription.
Individuals from the western areas began to arrive at that new settlement. Around the same time, Drabya Shah’s new settlement welcomed Narayanadas Arjyal, Sarveshwar Khanal, Ganesh Pande, and Bhagirath Panth as residents. Keshav Bohra and Gangaram Rana also arrived and resided in the region where the monument of Nath was erected in order to accomplish the objective.
Conquest of Ligligkot
At the site of the Lord Nath idol, Drabya Shah constructed a structure with a stone roof, which he named the Gorkha village, and positioned the idol of “Gorakhnath” there. After his father’s consent, he also founded a kingdom called Liligkot near the mouth of the Chepe river with the intention of creating an independent Gorkha state. He gathered the Bhardars and crowned them as ministers in the same Ligligkot state.
An Alternate Account mentions that Ligligkot was ruled by Ghale Magar Kings. The Ghale Kings participated in a race each year. Drabya Shah participated in the yearly race held in Bijaya Dashami which he won to become the King of Ligligkot.
Conquest of Gorkha
After defeating Ligligkot, Drabya Shah was visited by Lord Gorakhnath who announced that he would become the King of Gorkha as well. Therefore, he quickly attacked Gorkha for the first time with the help of his settlers but failed to gain the upper hand.
The Khadka King of Gorkha was Khas by Caste and very disliked by the Brahmins of Gorkha. They were conspiring to dethrone The Khadka King. They wanted a pure-blooded Rajput Prince to become the King of Gorkha.
King Drabya Shah attacked Gorkha for the Second Time in 1558 A.D. His Supporters such as Narayan Das Aryal and Ganesh Pande sneaked him into Tallokot of Gorkha whereas the King lived in Mathillokot.
In the night he attacked Manasi Khadka, the Khadka King of Gorkha, and successfully killed him. In September 1558 A.D. Drabya Shah had been officially crowned the King of Gorkha.
Reign of Drabya Shah
The creation of Cha Thar Ghar, the Six Dominant Houses of Gorkha, was one of the most important duties Drabya Shah undertook after ascending to the throne of Gorkha.
After establishing his authority in Gorkha, King Drabya Shah formed a Royal Council consisting of six families. Narayanadas Aryal of the Royal Family served as Royal Advisor, Sarveshwar Khanal as Royal Priest, Ganesh Pandey as Chief Minister or Kazi, Keshav Bohora as Land Administrator, Bhagirath Pant as the Chief Commander of the Army and Gangaram Rana as the chief officer of the Justice Department.
These six families were highly respected and influential in Gorkha. Moreover, they were involved in the Government and Administration for Centuries to come.
Conflict with Lamjung
After being the King of Gorkha, Drabya Shah received an interesting Letter from his Elder Brother, Narahari Shah, the King of Lamjung.
The Letter read as follows: “I being the eldest son, being heir to the throne. You are an officer of mine and the lands you have conquered do not belong to you but to the King (Me); therefore you must deliver your conquered Lands to me.”
He also rebutted arguing that Narahari Shah hadn’t sent a single soldier to assist his own brother and the accomplishment of Drabya Shah was because of the Power of His Sword and dedication.
The Quarrel between Drabya Shah and Narahari Shah was intervened by their Mother Basantadevi. She called them both to Chepe River where she washed her breasts as a sign of motherhood and requested both to maintain brotherhood. This Happened on Maghe Sankranti where a fair is still held today in Chepe River.
After the death of their mother, the two brothers became sworn enemies. Drabya Shah made security arrangements by building a fort on the high mountains of Gorkha to strengthen the Gorkha kingdom.
Also, Narahari Shah called his Brother to conduct the final rites of their mother as a decoy plan to kill Drabya Shah and become the King of Gorkha. He managed to save his life and returned.
Drabya Shah ruled the Kingdom of Gorkha for 11 Years from 1558 A.D. to 1569 A.D. after which Purna Shah became the King of Nepal.
Legacy of Drabya Shah
The Establishment of Gorkha as an Independent State in the Chaubise Kingdoms was the creation of the ambitious Gorkhali Nationalism and the Unification of Gorkha.
He thought that the creation of the Gorkha state was essential to the future of Gorkha. He also provided a Liberal Outlook on Gorkhali Nationalism that paved the way for the vast growth of the Gorkha Kingdom.
Conclusion
Drabya Shah made priceless contributions to the creation of the sovereign state of Gorkha. Further, the Legacy of Conquest, Ambition and Struggle was left behind for the Future Shah Kings.
Miscellaneous
References
Cite
Pokhrel, A. (2023). King Drabya Shah – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/gorkha/drabya-shah/
FAQ’s
Who was Drabya Shah?
Drabya Shah was the Founder Shah King of the Gorkha Kingdom who defeated its Khadka King in 1558 A.D. to introduce the Shah Dynasty in Gorkha. He was the younger son of Yaso Bikram Shah and the brother of Narahari Shah. He ruled the Kingdom of Gorkha for 11 years until his eventual death after which his son, Purna Shah, became the King of Gorkha.
What were the early years of Drabya Shah?
Drabya Shah was born as the youngest son of Yasobikram Shah, the King of Lamjung. His elder brother, Narahari Shah, was destined to become the King of Lamjung. He also desired to be a King someday. Hence, with his father’s permission, he attempted to start settlements in the Eastern Lands of the Marsyangdi River.
How did Drabya Shah become the King of Gorkha?
Drabya Shah attacked Gorkha for the second time in 1558 A.D. with the help of his supporters such as Narayan Das Aryal and Ganesh Pande sneaked him into Tallokot of Gorkha, whereas the King lived in Mathillokot. In the night he attacked Manasi Khadka, the Khadka King of Gorkha, and successfully killed him. In September 1558 A.D. Drabya Shah had been officially crowned the King of Gorkha.
What were the Six Dominant Houses of Gorkha?
After establishing his authority in Gorkha, King Drabya Shah formed a Royal Council consisting of six families. Narayanadas Aryal of the Royal Family served as Royal Advisor, Sarveshwar Khanal as Royal Priest, Ganesh Pandey as Chief Minister or Kazi, Keshav Bohora as Land Administrator, Bhagirath Pant as the Chief Commander of the Army and Gangaram Rana as the chief officer of the Justice Department.
What was the conflict between Drabya Shah and Narahari Shah?
The quarrel between Drabya Shah and Narahari Shah was intervened by their mother Basantadevi. After the death of their mother, the two brothers became sworn enemies. Drabya Shah made security arrangements by building a fort on the high mountains of Gorkha to strengthen the Gorkha kingdom.
