Wow, interesting conversation. I could see why, like me, most of us are more curious about Bhimsen Thapa's history. Swaati has a point, though I cannot vouch for the truth on the statement. Bhimsen Thapa (can we name him the Nepali Nepolean?) was one of the better army rulers that Nepal ever saw (after Prithvi Narayan Sha). Ruler, because he had most of the control despite the presence of the King Rajendra Bikram Shah. History tells us that he had organized the Army force so well that even British didn't know how developed they had gotten. Coming back to his ancestary, well if we trace everything back we might come to one root (may be not). But Bhimsen Thapa had 'Singh Thapa' Brothers who were chhetris and were in high posts in Durbar. I cannot remember it too well, but historian Baburam Acharya had written a book about Bhimsen Thapa and I believe he did mention that he WAS a Magar, though. Somebody needs to verify that, my memory is getting older than my age. But whatever his ethnicity/cast is, he was one of the bravest and boldest leader we had. Remember, it wasn't exactly the Pandeys who toppled him. They got the help from the British whom Bhimsen Thapa was against of.