User:Airkeeper/Pande dynasty

Pande dynasty or Pande aristocratic family (पाँडे वंश/पाँडे खलक) is a Kshatriya Pande dynasty that directly ruled Nepali administration affairs in the 19th century as Mulkazi and Mukhtiyar (Prime Minister). This dynasty/family was one of the four noble family to be involved in active politics of Nepal together with Shah dynasty, Basnyat family and Thapa dynastys before rise of Rana dynasty. The dynasty was established by descendents of nobleman Ganesh Pande of Gorkha Kingdom. Kalu Pande was a descendent of Ganesh Pande and the Kaji of Prithvi Narayan Shah. He became prominent during the Unification of Nepal. Damodar Pande, third son of Kalu Pande became Mulkazi of Nepal and ruled the Nepalese administration directly in absence of King Rana Bahadur Shah establishing the Pande dynasty in the central government.

This dynasty was connected to Thapa dynasty through daughter of Chief Kazi Ranajit Pande, Rana Kumari who was married to Nain Singh Thapa. Pande dynasty and Thapa dynasty were the two rival Kshatriya families who contested for political power in the Royal court of Nepal.

Background
Ganesh Pande was the first Kaji (Prime Minister) of King Dravya Shah of Gorkha Kingdom. The Pandes then was considered as Thar Ghar aristrocratic group who assisted the adminstration of Gorkha Kingdom. Kaji Kalu Pande belonged to this family became a war hero after he died at Battle of Kirtipur.

Damodar Pande was appointed as one of the four Kajis by King Rana Bahadur Shah after imprisonment of Bahadur Shah of Nepal. Damodar was most influential and dominant in the court faction irrespective of post of Chief Kazi (Mulkazi) being held by Kirtiman Singh Basnyat leading Pandes at the front. After irrational behaviour of King Rana Bahadur Shah, situation of civil war arose where Damodar was the main opposition to the King. After King left to India, Queen Regent Rajrajeshowri elected Damodar Pande as the Mul Kaji.

Pande Palaces
As Thapathali was abode of the Thapas, Lazimpat was abode of Pandes. Lazimpat Durbar was property of Kaji Bir Keshar Pande. At the time of the Kot massacre on 14 September 1846, Kaji Bir Keshar Pande was massacred there and lazimpat Durbar was occupied by Kaji Col.Tribikram Singh Thapa, maternal uncle of Rana rulers.