History of Islam in Nepal

Islam in a Hindu-majority Nepal may sound strange to an international audience; however with more than a million Muslims. Islam is a significant component of Nepal.   

The Islamic conquest of the Indian sub-continent has shaped Nepali history. Due to the Islamic invasion many Indian princes fled and took refuge in Nepal. The last dynasty of Nepal- the Shah dynasty as well as the second last dynasty- Malla dynasty claim to have fled the plains fled the southern slopes and migrated towards hills seeking refuge from Islamic invaders. 

In 1349, Nepal also faced the first Islamic invasion but that didn’t last for long, and Nepalese kingdoms remained comparatively free from direct Islamic rule while many hill kings did pay tribute to Muslim rulers in India, and in exchange these rulers gained custodianship of the Terai plains.

Islamic influence could be felt in the large volume of usage of Persian words in courts, bureaucracy, and palaces; the royal title Shah of Nepal is a Persian word. 

The first mosque was permitted to be built in Bagbazar in 14th century which is known Jame Masjid. However, Nepal’s first Muslim settlers are linked with Kashmiri traders in the late 15th century. In early 18th century, King Bhaskar Malla use to go to catching wild elephants in Terai where he made Muslim friends and brought many Muslims in Kathmandu. Muslims were musician, scent manufacturers and bangle suppliers. 

Bhaskar Malla also appointed a Muslim as Chief Minister which caused a great revolt leading to beheading of all Muslims except five of them who then left the country. In Nepal, Muslim will continue to have conflicted relationships even till the modern period.

Generally, the first king of Shah dynasty in Nepal- Prithvi Narayan Shah is perceived as symbol of Hindu nationalism. Many Nepali have studied about Makwanpur’s king Digbandan Sen was defeated after which he requested Mir Qasim to attack and take over Makwanpur. 

Mir Qasim attacked and deputed Gurgin Khan to common to invade Makawanpur palace. In Secember 1672, Gurgin Khan left from Mursidabad with 3500 troops and arrived at Harnamadi field (today Hetauda) but was defeated by the Shah forces. 

However, many Nepali do not know about three Muslim who assisted Prithvi Narayan in his conquest namely Sekhjar, Bar Mama, Bherekasim as a result the precursor of creating a True Hindu state (Asel Hindusthana) had a pro-Islamic stance. 

In fact one of the most remembered battle of Nepal, costed the life of Sheikh Zorawar in first Kirtipur war. Due to the support and sacrifice of the Muslim to the Shah’s expansionism, the muslim community was permitted to continue to live not only in Kathmandu. Literature suggest Muslim community had already settled in Gorkha during the  reign of Ram Shah an ancestor of Prithvi Narayan Shah while some claim that this was established after the support to Prithvi Narayan Shah. 

Action of Shah providing a benevolent support to Muslim led to a rumor that the Shah of Nepal are secretly muslims, however historical evidence clearly disprove such ideas. 

Since 1990 there has been rise of Hindu-Muslim Riots however even before the period there has been religious conflict which is comparatively unknown outside the research circle. 

Many Nepali sincerely believe that there has been no bloodshed in Nepal in the name of religion. In reality, Muslims have received royal patronage but religious sentiments have caused violence in  Nepal. 

There has been Hindu-Muslim riots even in 1958-9 in Mahottari and in the end Muslims were paid compensation to create a mosque. There are stories and history which would provide a more detailed understanding of Hindu-Muslim relations in Nepal.