Chapters
Introduction of Kapardar
Kapardar was the Chief Employee or the Butler of the Royal Court and the Shah Kings of Nepal. They were powerful in Nature and kept in the Hierarchy below the posts of Kazi and Sardar. They acted as the Personal Butlers and the Manager of the Royal Palace.
It has been observed by Historian William Kirkpatrick that Kapardar was the Chief Personal Staff of the King. Also, the Kandelchowk Adda was also under the authority of these employees.
Functions of Kapardar
Management of the Palace
The Palace of the King was the center of The Nepalese Administration. It was necessary to maintain the Palace and make sure that the wealth and property of the King were well maintained. Therefore, the Post of Kapardar was deemed necessary.
Under Prithvi Narayan Shah and other Shah Kings, this post was provided to Trusted Men who could handle such responsibilities. Management of such vast properties and tasks from Food to Clothes required a lot of effort.
Many Workers were kept under the leadership of Kapardar. They had to control and look after these Employees to manage the Palace.
Salary Distribution
The King had many workers, employees, and other Officials under his authority. As the King was concerned with Matters of the State, including Law, Judiciary, Administration, etc. he couldn’t manage the palace and deal with Internal Fiscal Matters of His Palace.
Therefore, the King delegated the power to distribute salary to his employees and other entities to Kapardar. Since the post lasted for a long time, it can be understood that the method of Delegation was very effective in nature.
Assist the King
Kapadar was the Chief Civil Service Member of the Royal Palace of Nepal. He had the authority to compensate for the expenses of the Royal Palace from Kausi Tosakhana.
Then, he had to obey the orders of the King regarding his Personal Demands including Food, Clothing, and other accessories.
Prithvi Narayan Shah was notable in hiring members for this Post.
Other Responsibilities
Additional responsibilities of Kapadar are as follows: taking money out of the treasury to pay for the palace’s expenses, overseeing the government shed, allocating employee salaries, setting up the attire required for the palace, examining the work being done inside the royal palace, offering guidance to staff members getting married, and checking the king’s belongings—clothes, jewelry, kitchen, etc.
However, they didn’t deal with Judicial Administration like Dittha, Bichari, etc., and neither were they predominantly Military in nature like Kazi, Sardar etc.
Conclusion
Kapardar was a Fiscal and Personal Position close to the King who acted as the Chief Assistant to the King. Their Major Duties were to monitor Royal Property, Maintain the Royal Palace, Pay Wages, and Help the King with Personal Needs. A Competent and Close Ally of the King was preferred for this Position.
Citation
Pokhrel, A. (2023). Kapardar – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/gorkha/kapardar/