The Nepali Topi or the Dhaka Topi, has connections with the then Kingdom of Bengal. The Dhaka silk has its origin in the Dhaka city of Bangladesh, hence the Nepali Topi is also referred to as Dhaka Topi. The Dhaka Silk was brought in Kathmandu during the reign of Juddha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana in the 19th century. The Palpa district in Nepal today, was the point of transaction between Bengal and Kathmandu.
The origin of this trade has been mentioned in Sachidananda Bhattacharya’s ‘Bharatiya Itihas Kosh’. In his book he mentions that between 11th century and 13th century, Bengal was ruled by the Sens. The Sens and Pals of Bengal further got dispersed due to invasion of Ikhtiyar Khilji, son of Bakhtiyar Khilji, and ultimately reached the region of Nepal. Mukunda Sen has been given credit for establishing a Sen Kingdom in Palpa district in Nepal by many historians. As a result of which, the Dhaka Silk, along with many traditions found place in the Palpa district of Nepal. And through Palpa district, the Dhaka Silk ultimately reached Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal.
But, how could Dhaka silk easily enter Kathmandu ? Khadga Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana, the brother of Juddha Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana was sent to Palpa. Because of Khadga Bahadur’s presence in Palpa, there developed a cultural exchange between Palpa and Kathmandu, and as a result of which, the Dhaka Silk made way to Kathmandu through Palpa.
The Nepali Topis are typically ‘Mountain Shaped’. There have been many debates of its existence, prior to the entry of the Dhaka silk in Kathmandu, among the academic circle. One such argument was given by Kamalmani Dikshit.
According to Kamalmani Dikshit, during the reign of the Ranas, only the Subbas or someone above in the social hierarchy was allowed to wear those Topis, the kind which was worn by Bhanubhakta Acharya or Motiram Bhatta. So these kind of Topis came from Turkey into Nepal. There are other views as well. Others are of the opinion that the Nepali Topi is influenced by the Muslims. Not only Topis, but many of their vocabularies have also been included in the Nepali language. For example, Salwar. In Nepali, it is pronounced as Suruwal, as in Daura Suruwal, a dress considered as a traditional dress by many Nepalis.
Today, we see two types of Nepali Topis. The first is Palpa-le, and the second is Bhad-gaulay.
By,
S.K.Ghising
References.
- Lokhnath Upadhaya Chapagai, Dhaka Topiko Barema Tipan Tapan, Madhyamarg.
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