The name of the town "Tansen" has its origin in Magar language, meaning "northern settlement".

Above photo: View of Tansen

Magar are one of the ethnic groups of Nepal with their own language, culture and history, and are assumed to be the first settlers in this area. Around 600 years ago Nepal was divided in several small kingdoms and hill states. In this region they were known as "Bhara Magarat", meaning the twelve regions of Magar. Today still the percentage of Magar population in the district is very high.

During the invasions of Muslims into India numerous kings and clans escaped from there to the northern hill areas. In the late 15th century they entered the Himalayan region. Some of them conquered the local kings and established their own states. The former Sen-Dynasty of Palpa, founded by Rudra Sen, has its roots in those days. Under the reign of his son, Mukunda Sen (1518 - 1553), the kingdom of Palpa reached its largest expansion and Tansen became its capital. The kingdom of Palpa spread as far as the Koshi River in the east, Gorakpur in the south and today's Gulmi and Kaski districts in the west and north. Even the Kathmandu valley, though unsuccessfully, was attacked by Mukunda Sen. After ruling for thirty five years he resigned and spent the rest of his life as a saint.

In 1806 after a lot of political unrest, the kingdom of Palpa, which up to then had been independent, was annexed into the kingdom of Nepal and was then administered by a governor, appointed from Kathmandu.

Political changes in Nepal brought up changes in administration too. Today the head of Palpa district is the Chief District Officer (CDO) and Tansen is one of the 58 municipalities in Nepal.

The above information is an extract from Come Visit Tansen published by Palpa Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with Nepal Tourism Board.