Written by: Aakanchya Khadka - 27001, Grade VII
Posted on: 22 June, 2021
Martyrs or Shahid in Nepali is a term for someone who is executed while contributing for the welfare of the country. This term was originally used for people who died while opposing Rana's rule. Lakhan Thapa is regarded as the first martyr of Nepal. Every year on the 16th of Magh we remember and honor all people who died fighting for the welfare of our country. Shahid gate located near Tudikhel is made in honor of our four martyrs Sukraraj Sastri, Dasrath Chand, Ganga Lal and Dharma Bhakta Mathema who lost their lives during the Rana regime which ended in 1951. Dasrath Cand born in 1903 A.D is a martyr of Neplese Democrative movement and was an active politician of Nepal. He got motivated by Indian democracy and joined in Paja Rratishthan. Paja Pratishthan was a group working against the Rana regime.
Ganga Lal tester born in 1999 was also a member of Praja Pratishthan. He was arrested in 1939 for giving a speech. Shukla Shastri born in 1824 Varanasi India was a social reformer and author who wrote books in Nepali language. After returning to Nepal he joined the democratic struggle and gave a speech against the Rana at Indira Chowk and said that Ranas were taking away the rights of people. For the speech he got arrested for 6 years. Dharma Bhakta Mathema was a professional bodybuilder and also one of the founders of Nepal Praja Pratishthan. King Tribhuvan was also impressed by his body building skills that he took to make him his personal trainer.
There was a secret meeting going on in Lainchaur to fight against Rana rule having included King Tribuwan after the meeting was leaked by Ramji Joshi in reward of Rs5000 many of the members of Praja Pratishthan were arrested. At that time there was the belief that if a Brahmin was killed you would die in hell so many of the people having Brahmin caste were not killed but taken out of the country. On 28 January 1941 Ganga was captured and shot in Subah Bhagwati on the bank of Bishnumati river. On 24th January 1941 Sukraraj Sastri was hanged in Pachali, Teku ,Kathmandu while Dharma bhakta Mathema was hanged in Sifal Height at midnight.
