Dharma Bhakta Mathema

Martyr (Sahid) Dharma Bhakta Mathema is one of the revered freedom fighters of Nepal, who sacrificed his life in struggle for freedom against hereditary prime ministership of the Rana dynasty. He was a professional body builder as well as a founding member of Praja Parishad party of Nepal. He was hanged during the freedom movement, and he is duly recognized as one of the four martyrs of Nepal. His statue is found, along with other three martyrs, in the Martyr's Gate (Sahid Gate) memorial in Kathmandu.A school is also established on his name 'Shahid Dharma Bhakta School (SDB)' currently located in Nakkhu, Lalitpur, Nepal by her daughter Renu Devi which runs the classes from montessori to grade 10 (School Leaving Certificate). He is also said to have introduced modern body building techniques in Nepal.

Dharma Bhakta Mathema was born of a Newar family in Kathmandu in 1965 BS. His father Adi Bhakta Mathema held a government office as a subba during the Rana rule. He often went to India to purchase things for the Ranas. He met learned men in India and understood the importance of education. He received his basic education in Sanatan Madhyamik Vidhyalaya in Darjeeling, after which he went to the Scottish Church College in Calcutta to get an Intermediate in Arts (I.A.) degree.

Dharma Bhakta was thin and unhealthy during his childhood, which caused other children to tease and bully him. To put an end to all that, he joined a gym while in Calcutta. Constant physical exercise rapidly improved his health. He so excelled in bodybuilding that he was announced as "Shree Bengal" (which literally means "Mr. Bengal") in an all Bengal bodybuilding contest.

After graduating with an I.A. degree from Scottish Church College, he married Uttaradevi from Biratnagar. He returned to Kathmandu and established a gym at his aunt Yamkumari Ray's house. Many youths of Kathmandu were attracted by the novelty of the gym. The gym attracted not only the commoners but also the Rana family and the police forces too. Once a troop of German soldiers had come to Nepal for a visit. He showed his body building tricks and exercises to them in the presence of Juddha Shumsher. His proficiency easily won their hearts.

...
Wikipedia