Nepal Chamber of Commerce, Lhasa 1946
Lhasa Newars, refers to the Newar people from Kathmandu who engaged in business in Tibet, primarily involved in trade between Bengal and Tibet. Lhasa Newars mainly reside in Lhasa, Shigatse, Gyantse, and Purang. They served as a bridge for economic and cultural exchange between South Asia and Central Asia. In addition to traders, there were also craftsmen involved in Buddhist art creation, who were key participants in the exchange of artistic styles across the entire Himalayan region.
The Nepalese trading caravan in Tibet. 1950.
Photo provided by Harsha Bir Singh Tuladhar.
A Newari merchant and a Tibetan guide traveling to Lhasa. Circa 1950s.
Photo credit: Tutu Man Tuladhar.
Tibetan merchant in Shigatse. Around 1950s.
Newar merchants celebrating Bhyaybu Lhosar on a street in Lhasa.
Late 1950s. Photo courtesy: Harsha Bir Singh Tuladhar.
Ratna Man Tuladhar, the son of Tutu Man Tuladhar, at their Dhapchishyar
store in Lhasa. 1950s. Photo provided by Chandra Man Tuladhar.
Qiangbalin Temple Trade Fair. 1950s.
Photo provided by Punya Ratna Tuladhar.
Tibetan Newar period architecture.
Photo provided by: Punya Ratna Tuladhar.
The Barkhor Street in Lhasa, which is the main market area of Lhasa.
Photo provided by Pratek Man Tuladhar, 1940.
A wooden boat crosses the Brahmaputra River, with a horse head statue
at the front of the boat. According to legend, it represents the divine
horse that helped Singha Sartha Aju cross the river. Photo from 1940.
Provided by Sangha Jeeb Tuladhar.
Bijuli Man Kansakar (left) and other Newar traders in Tibet. 1940.
Photo provided by Samanta R. Kansakar.
The Nyewar caravan near Phari in Tibet. 1940.
Photo provided by Pratek Man Tuladhar.
Babu Ratna Tuladhar and his companions crossing the snow-covered
Jelep La Pass (4,880 m) on the Sikkim-Tibet border. 1940.
Photo provided by Biswo Ratna Tuladhar.
Barkhor Street Market in Lhasa City. 1904.
The historical origin of Lhasa Newar
According to historical records, trade between Nepal and Tibet was established in the 7th century, following the marriage of Songsten Gampo and Princess Bhrikuti (the daughter of King Amshuvarma of the Lichhavi dynasty). Accompanied by her, a large number of merchants and artisans came to Lhasa and engaged in trade, these people were known as the pioneers of the Lhasa Newar people. Over time, their descendants settled in the region, adopted Tibetan clothing, grew their hair long, and married Tibetan women.
Bhrikuti first opened the route from the northern border town of Kyirong in Nepal to Tibet. Kyirong served as a trading post where Nepalese merchants exchanged rice for Tibetan salt. Another important route started from the town of Sankhu on the edge of the valley. Traders passed through Melamchi, crossed many hills, and finally entered Tibet through Kodari. Later, when the route through Sikkim was opened, traders had to trek through Tatopani, and the new route saw most trade goods come from Kolkata.
A member photo of the Tibet Lhasa Nepal Chamber of Commerce,
including Triratna Man and Gyan Jyoti Kansakar. 1947.
Establish a trade organization and
establish the Lhasa Chamber of Commerce.
Trade development among Tibet, Nepal and India has been slow. Kolkata is the source of goods exported to Lhasa. Middlemen are the Newars from Kathmandu, who have established their own companies in Kalimpong and Lhasa. Goods purchased in Kolkata are transported to Kalimpong before being transferred to Lhasa. Many of these Newars also established trading companies in Kolkata, growing into large professional organizations. In 1943, they established the Nepal Chamber of Commerce in Lhasa.
The family of TriRatna Man. Kathmandu, mid-1930s.
Triratna Man belonged to the elder generation of Larsa Newar merchants, and as early as 1790, his family owned a trading firm called Chhusingsyar in Lhasa, which facilitated trade between Nepal, India, and Tibet. The main business of the firm included musk, silk, gemstones, textiles, and daily necessities. In addition to their shop in Lhasa, they also had branches in Gyantse and Shigatse, as well as in Kolkata and Kalimpong in India.
Triratna Man first traveled to Lhasa in 1928 to manage the family business. He resided in Tibet from 1935 to 1941 and from 1947 to 1953, totaling 13 years. In 1947, Triratna Man became the president of the Nepal Lhasa Chamber of Commerce.
Gyan Jyoti Kansakar on the way to Tibet. This photo serves as the cover for the book "Syamukapu," which mainly chronicles the biography of Gyan Jyoti Kansakar and his father Bhajuratna Ratna Kansakar trading in Tibet.
The most trusted Lhasa Newar
Gyan Jyoti Kansakar's father Bhajuratna Ratna Kansakar was a very famous Lhasa Newar, coming from a poor family. In his youth, he went to Darjeeling to make a living. In 1898, with the income from Darjeeling, he and his brother opened a textile shop in Kathmandu, but unfortunately, the shop was destroyed in a fire. Eventually, he opened a shop in Kalimpong, where he transported goods to Tibet and began selling artisan-made copperware, becoming one of the most trusted Lhasa Newars.
Later, Bhajuratna produced metal utensils in Kathmandu and organized many other Newar merchants to transport goods to Tibet.
Bhajuratna became a central figure in Lhasa trade, setting up his own trading office in Kolkata. In 1939, his cousin helped him establish a Lhasa Trading Company. In 1942, his son Gyan Jyoti Kansakar arrived in Lhasa to take care of business, becoming a true Lhasa Newar.
The lifestyle of the Lhasa Newar people in Tibet.
Bhim Shakya, the son of Dev Dev Shakya, went to Tibet with Bhajuratna and other craftsmen. When he was 15 years old, they traveled through Kuti, Shakye, Tingre, and Shigatse before reaching Lhasa. After staying in Shigatse for four months, they learned the Tibetan language and were able to converse with the locals. They then arrived in Lhasa to work on making silver utensils.
"For the Tibetans, picnicking is a way of life. They enjoy eating, drinking, and playing mahjong outdoors. In Tibet, there is a high demand for Rolex watches, Parker pens, and torches due to the lack of electricity. Therefore, you can find a variety of torches in the market," Bhim Shakya recalled.
Outdoor picnic leisure
In the distant city of Lhasa, the Lhasa Newars gather together to participate in local festivals, funerals, and other social occasions. They are like one big family. These traders hold an eight-day festival each year, along with a market where nomads, Tibetans, and Newar merchants gather. The festival, initiated by the first Lhasa Newar Singha Sartha Aju, is known as Mohani and is their grandest celebration.
Trade has enriched the lives of the Lhasa Newars in Tibet and has also contributed to the economic development of both regions. Apart from commerce, the exchange of art and culture has also enriched the lives of both peoples. One of the benefits of this exchange is the interaction between Newar Buddhist and Tibetan Nyingma (Rinpoche) practitioners.
Newari merchants celebrating Mohani on a street in Lhasa. Late 1950s.
Photo provided by Harsha Bir Singh Tuladhar.
Lhasa Newar merchants are also skilled dancers! Here, they are performing
a dance on stage in Lhasa to the tune of the song "Hanan chhakah
ha wale jhangah-cha". Photo provided by Bekha Lal Maharjan, 1961.
such as silver and bronze butter lamps used in temples. There is also a high demand among Tibetans for Indian textiles, gold, wool materials, cotton textiles, watches, tobacco, matches, and felt hats. On their return journey, they bring
back yak wool, silver bars, gold dust, Tibetan tea, carpets, thangkas, silk, ceramics. Gold dust is used for painting statues, altars, and thangkas.
Selling tie-dyed woolen ponchos. Photograph by Heinrich Haller, 1940s.
Tea vendor at Barkhor Street. Photographed by Heinrich Harrer in 1940.
Somba shoes being sold on the old Barkhor Street.
Photographed by Heinrich Harrer in 1940.
Barkhor Street selling scriptures. Photographed by Heinrich Harrer in 1940.
Food stall. Photographed by Heinrich Harl in the 1940s.
The Sino-Indian War in 1962 led to the halt of trade. This ended the golden
era of trade with Tibet. The Lhasanival people packed their belongings and returned home with their accumulated wealth. As Nepal was undergoing rapid development, Bhajuratna founded a company called 'Jyoti Brothers' and
became one of the largest traders in Nepal. Over time, the trade stories of
the Lhasanival people with Tibet became a mark in the historical memory.
