Draft:King Shamo Chemjong
18th-century Limbu ruler and minister
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Shamo Rai Chemjong (fl. 1769–1784), also recorded as Shun Rai, Samo Chemjong Rai and, in later Limbu historical summaries, as Shamo Raya Chemjong, was a Limbu ruler and minister associated with Bodhey Pargana, also known as Chaubis Thum, in Limbuwan, and with the court of Bijaypur–Morang in present-day eastern Nepal. Historian Iman Singh Chemjong described him as the Chemjong minister of Bijaypur-Morang and as the ruler of Bodhey Pargana, a territory including Bijaypur, Chaubis, southern Panchthar and Miklung.[1]
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Last edited by Kiratlogist (talk | contribs) 27 days ago. (Update) |
Comment: In accordance with Wikipedia's Conflict of interest guideline, I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article. Kiratlogist (talk) 02:58, 27 May 2026 (UTC)
He is mainly mentioned in historical accounts of the political crisis in Morang after the assassination of King Kama Datta Sen in 1769, the rule of Buddhi Karna Rai, and the 1774 settlement between Limbuwan leaders and the Gorkha kingdom under Prithvi Narayan Shah.[2]
Historical background
After the assassination of Kama Datta Sen in 1769, the chiefs and rulers connected with Bijaypur and Morang declared independence from the capital at Bijaypur. Chemjong states that Shamo Rai, or Shun Rai, left Bijaypur and went to Panchthar Thum, where he lived at Syaprungba village.[1]
Buddhi Karna Rai later came to power in Morang, but according to Chemjong he lacked strong support from Kirat chiefs and needed experienced ministers to administer the kingdom. In a letter dated to late September 1769, Buddhi Karna called for Shamo Rai and Ahum Rai, who had served as ministers under Kama Datta Sen. Shamo Rai and Ahum Rai returned to Bijaypur and resumed office.[3]
Rule in Bodhey Pargana
Chemjong records that Shamo Rai was instructed by another correspondent not to serve Buddhi Karna Rai but to return to Bodhey Pargana, or Chaubis Thum, and rule it independently.[3] In the same historical account, "the Chemjong Rai" is identified as ruler of Bodhey Pargana, which included Bijaypur, Chaubis, southern Panchthar and Miklung.[1]
The title and exact status of Shamo Rai Chemjong are not consistently described in available sources. Chemjong's work mainly identifies him as a minister and ruler of Bodhey Pargana, while some later Limbu historical summaries call him a king of Miklung Bodhey or Choubise.[4]
Role in the 1774 Gorkha–Limbuwan settlement
During Buddhi Karna Rai's absence from Bijaypur, Shamo Rai, also called Shun Rai, was left in charge of state affairs as chief minister.[5] In August 1774, Gorkha representatives Abhiman Singh Basnet, Parath Bhandari, Kirti Singh Khawas and Bali Bania met the Kirat ministers Sri Sri Shun Rai, Sri Kum Rai and Sri Jung Rai at Bijaypur. Chemjong states that the Kirat ministers accepted the Gorkha king as overlord on the condition that their districts retain self-government.[2]
The agreement is associated with the Noon Pani or salt-water oath. In Chemjong's account, the Gorkha representatives swore that the king would not confiscate Limbu Kipat land or destroy the Limbu chiefs. A Lal Mohor treaty paper was then issued to Shun Rai, Kum Rai, Jung Rai and other Limbu Rai leaders.[2]
A later socio-historical overview of the Limbus of Darjeeling Himalaya also describes the Limbuwan–Gorkha war as lasting from 1771 to 1774 and states that the 1774 treaty allowed the Limbus rights to Kipat land and autonomy.[6]
Later mention
A translated letter of King Ran Bahadur Shah dated Bikram Sambat 1841, equivalent to 1784 AD, addresses several Limbuwan subbas, including "Sri Samo Chemjong Rai".[7] This appears to be one of the later recorded references to Shamo Rai Chemjong in published historical material.
Historiography
The surviving published information on Shamo Rai Chemjong is limited. His birth date, death date, parentage and family relations are not clearly documented in the available sources. Most references concern his role as a Chemjong ruler or minister in the Bodhey–Chaubis area, and his participation in the political settlement between Limbuwan leaders and the Gorkha kingdom in 1774.[1][2]