He was born in the illustrious clan of Shreepali Basnyats as a member of Kshettriya (warrior) class.

He was born as second son of General Senapati Badabir Shivaram Singh Basnyat.

[5][3] His father Shivaram Singh was addressed as Senapati Badabir (Brave Chief of the Army) in all the documents of that era.

[8] After consolidation of Kathmandu valley states, King Prithvi Narayan Shah waged war against western Chaubise (24) Confederacy on 1770 A.D., under military leadership of Kaji Bamsharaj Pande, Kaji Kehar Singh Basnyat, and Sardar Prabhu Malla, to initial success.

[11][12] His brother Dhaukal Singh Basnyat and another military officer Sriharsh Pantha narrowly escaped after the tough confrontation at Dhor.