Kaji Kalu Pandey: The Great Warrior
Kaji Kalu Pandey: The Great Warrior Kaji Kalu Pandey (or पाँडे / Pande) has stood as a symbol of great valour in Nepalese history. Born in Gorkha in 1770 B.S (1713 A.D) into a noble family , his father Kaji Bhimraj Pandey was also an influential noblemen in the court of Gorkhali King Prithivipati Shah, the great grandfather of King Prithivi Narayan Shah. He was a Chettri of Upamanyu Gotra and a descended of Mantri Ganesh Pandey of Gorkha(served under King Dravya Shah). As he was born into the family of warriors and administrators, Kalu Pandey whose real name was Banshidhar soon followed his forefather’s legacy. Very soon at the age of 20 he was in the Gorkhali administration. He was an influential Bhardhar since 1798/99 B.S. Along with being a warrior he was also a great tactician. He is credited for mediating a friendship treaty between King Prithivi Narayan Shah of Gorkha and King Ripumardan Shah of Lamjung diminishing a century long rivalry between the two states