The first mention of Magar is the fact that in A.D.1100, the Magar King of Palpa, one Mukunda Sen, invade and conquered the Nepal (Kathmandu) valley. It is always understood, however, that they have resided round about Palpa from time immemorial and that they were probably the earliest settlers of the Mongolian immigrants from the north. This part of the country was formerly divided into twelve districts, each under its own ruler, being known as the Barah, or twelve, Mangrath. [3]
Some historians write Aramudi, 8th Century ruler of Kali Gandaki Region, was a Magar King. Jayapid [782-813 AD] [4] whose other name was Vinayaditta, a king of Kashmir, invaded Kali Gandaki Region, a traditional homeland of the Magars of Nepal. Aramudi resisted the invasion and virtually defeated Jayapid. [5]
Owing to the geographical position of their country, the Magars were amongst the first to receive immigrants from the plains of India. It follows, therefore, that a great number of their customs and ceremonies conform very closely to those of the Hindus of India. The Brahmans first found their way into Nepal amongst the multitudes of Indians, fleeing before the Mohammedan invasion in the twelfth century. They were the first to convert the local peoples to Hinduism. It is clear that the Brahmans found in their new mountain homes many willing converts, yet a large number refused to adopt the new faith. To the former the Brahmans granted the sacred thread, but to the latter they denied it; hence there sprang up such tribes as Rokas, Thapas, Budhathokis, Ranas and Ghartis, names which are to-day found amongst the clans of both the Chetris and Magars, but only those belonging to the former are allowed to wear the thread. [6]
Of the 1,622,421 Magar people in Nepal, 770,116 speak a Magar language as their mother tongue. The Kham Magar of Rapti Zone speak Kham language. In Dolpa District, the Magar speak Tarali or Kaike language. The Magar languages are rooted in the Bodic branch of the Tibeto-Burman family. Magarkura speakers are Ale, Thapa, Rana. Similarly Khamkura speakers are Budha, Gharti, Roka, Pun, Jhankri and Kaike speakers are Tarali Magar of Dolpa/ Budha, Gharti, Roka, Jhankri. [7]
In addition to shamanistic practices possibly brought from Siberia, the northern Magar practice Tibetan Buddhism in which their priest is known as Bhusal. The social process of Sanskritization has drawn southern Magar populations to develop a syncretic form of Hinduism that combines animist and Buddhist rituals. Hindu Magar villagers recognize three classes of priests- Rama, Jaisi and Dhami.
Generally speaking, Buddhist and Hindu practices are best developed among Magars living in contact with Tibetan Buddhists and Indo-Aryan Hindus respectively. They are less evident in Kham hinterlands particularly in rugged 3-4,000 meter ranges along the boundary between Rukum and Pyuthan-Rolpa districts. These hinterlands are geographically and therefore culturally isolated from the beaten tracks of transhimalayan trade routes and from rice-growing lowlands colonized by Hindu Indo-Aryans.
Magar Victoria Cross (VC) Winners
On total, 5 Victoria crosses were awarded to the Magars, who are:
Rifleman Kulbir Thapa
Rifleman Karanbahadur Rana
Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa
Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun
Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa
Sourse: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Magar_people
Some historians write Aramudi, 8th Century ruler of Kali Gandaki Region, was a Magar King. Jayapid [782-813 AD] [4] whose other name was Vinayaditta, a king of Kashmir, invaded Kali Gandaki Region, a traditional homeland of the Magars of Nepal. Aramudi resisted the invasion and virtually defeated Jayapid. [5]
Owing to the geographical position of their country, the Magars were amongst the first to receive immigrants from the plains of India. It follows, therefore, that a great number of their customs and ceremonies conform very closely to those of the Hindus of India. The Brahmans first found their way into Nepal amongst the multitudes of Indians, fleeing before the Mohammedan invasion in the twelfth century. They were the first to convert the local peoples to Hinduism. It is clear that the Brahmans found in their new mountain homes many willing converts, yet a large number refused to adopt the new faith. To the former the Brahmans granted the sacred thread, but to the latter they denied it; hence there sprang up such tribes as Rokas, Thapas, Budhathokis, Ranas and Ghartis, names which are to-day found amongst the clans of both the Chetris and Magars, but only those belonging to the former are allowed to wear the thread. [6]
Of the 1,622,421 Magar people in Nepal, 770,116 speak a Magar language as their mother tongue. The Kham Magar of Rapti Zone speak Kham language. In Dolpa District, the Magar speak Tarali or Kaike language. The Magar languages are rooted in the Bodic branch of the Tibeto-Burman family. Magarkura speakers are Ale, Thapa, Rana. Similarly Khamkura speakers are Budha, Gharti, Roka, Pun, Jhankri and Kaike speakers are Tarali Magar of Dolpa/ Budha, Gharti, Roka, Jhankri. [7]
In addition to shamanistic practices possibly brought from Siberia, the northern Magar practice Tibetan Buddhism in which their priest is known as Bhusal. The social process of Sanskritization has drawn southern Magar populations to develop a syncretic form of Hinduism that combines animist and Buddhist rituals. Hindu Magar villagers recognize three classes of priests- Rama, Jaisi and Dhami.
Generally speaking, Buddhist and Hindu practices are best developed among Magars living in contact with Tibetan Buddhists and Indo-Aryan Hindus respectively. They are less evident in Kham hinterlands particularly in rugged 3-4,000 meter ranges along the boundary between Rukum and Pyuthan-Rolpa districts. These hinterlands are geographically and therefore culturally isolated from the beaten tracks of transhimalayan trade routes and from rice-growing lowlands colonized by Hindu Indo-Aryans.
Magar Victoria Cross (VC) Winners
On total, 5 Victoria crosses were awarded to the Magars, who are:
Rifleman Kulbir Thapa
Rifleman Karanbahadur Rana
Subadar Lalbahadur Thapa
Rifleman Tulbahadur Pun
Subadar Netrabahadur Thapa
Sourse: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Magar_people
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