Bir Purkha Exercise - Class 11 Nepali Unit 1 Summary & Questions Answers
Bir Purkha Nepali Poem Summary
The words Bir Purkha means Great Ancestors in English. This poem, by Basudev Tripathi, pays homage to the faithful ancestors that stood firm for Nepal’s good health and longevity. The essential message of this poem pays tribute to great ancestors who always cared for the nation, protected it and kept it united.
It glorifies their sacrifices and the glorious history of the Nepali soldiers in no uncertain terms. The poem gallantly sings of the brave sons of Nepali mothers, and their unfearing affection and struggle which have enable the soil of Nepal to earn a global veneration as the birthplace of the Gurkha warriors.
The national flag even went to Kangda. Prithvi Narayan Shah is an epitome of Nepal’s unity. To enlarge Nepal, he expanded the frontiers from Tista in the east to Rabi in the west. Ancestors like Amar Singh Thapa, Bhakti Thapa and Balbhadra Kunwar distinguished themselves in the war with the British at Khalanga in Nalapani. They are names written into history.
The Gorkhalis, who respected them greatly, were quite discomfited. Nor was there a power to curtail their valour as they stood up to the enemies. Their attacks were too swift and ferocious for mountain or river to abate. Not even nature could keep them apart.
At Tista, their victorious flag waved high. The poet says the forefathers constructed a large peaceful country Tista to Kangda. But Nepal lost nearly a third of its territory as a result of the agreements in the Sugauli Treaty of 1872. These lands had been united by Prithvi Narayan Shah’s conquest. No earthly or heavenly force could halt the advance of these warriors.
Most of the Nepali combatants also got injured or killed in Kangda during the expansion. Tista is envisioned as weeping for the Gorkha heroic sons who brought her glory. She still grieves being taken away from Nepal.
The poem is an ode to Gorkhas who fought at Kangda and Kala (Khalda). Their spirit lingers in the ground. The river Gada, which was born in the Himalayas, appears to celebrate their excellence. The land belongs to them.
The push to expand Nepal’s boundaries was far from over after Prithvi Narayan Shah’s death. Rivers such as Ravi and Gada echo their valour.
The Sugauli Treaty of 1872 wounded land and dignity of Nepal. Even those who had to give up had reached up to Kangda from Tista. Our valorous forefathers fought very hard during the British-Nepal war. Exactly similar encounters took place in the country in 1882.
Though through treaties land had later to be given up, the poet does not consider it a loss. Nepali soldiers invaded Digarcha, a territory in Tibet, and anexed it. Their prints could potentially still be visible in the snow. Gorkhas have shed their blood in the River Betravati.
Their march was that of a glacier — inexorable and unrelenting. The enemies could hardly have done better to stop it. We the sons of these bold Gorkhas are still alive at their feet. Their courage still protects us.
We Nepalis are still singing the national hymn, preserving our identity and unity.
The SR Zone