The Shah Era
Shah Kings of Nepal
Courtesy: Nepal Business Directory
Before Prithvi Narayan Shah:
* The "Aadi Purush" (Prime Man) of Chandra Vamshi RajGharana was "Rishi Raj Bhattarak. From this man's dynasty came Kul Mandan Khan who later took the "Upadhi"(Rank) called "Shah" and became Kulmandan Shah.
* Dravya Shah (Grandson of Kul Mandan Shah, Youngest son of Yaso Bramha Shah, the King of Lamjung)was at first prince of Lamjung became king of Gorkha in 1616 BS Bhadra Krishnastami Wednesday. To become the king of Gorkha by winning the race. He died in 1627 BS.
* After Dravya Shah, his successor and his son Purandar Shah became the king for 35 years. After Purandar Shah came his son Chhatra Shah who ruled only for 7 months.
*Ram Shah ( Grandson of Dravya Shah, Brother of Chhatra Shah) became king of Gorkha in 1666BS. and ruled for 27 years. He was popular for his social reforms and strict law and order. He was popular to other territories of Nepal due to his unbiased effort to give "Nyaya" i.e. law to the deserved one. "Nisaf napaye Gorkha Janu" ( if you don't get law, go to gorkha), this quote was origined during his reign.
* After Ram Shah, his successors were Dambar Shah, Krishna Shah, Rudra Shah and Prithvi Pati Shah repectively.
*After Prithvi Pati Shah, great Grandson of Ram Shah and Bir Bhadra Shah's son Nara Bhupal Shah became the king of Gorkha. He ruled Gorkha from 1773 BS to 1799BS. After loosing battle with Nuwakot he went spent rest of his life worshipping. Due to risk of loosing Gorkha, his elder queen Chandra Prabhawati, forced him to stay in the palace and ruled Gorkha on her own for some time.
* After the demise of NaraBhupal Shah came the greatest king of Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Prithvi Narayan Shah:
He was the son of 2nd Queen of Nara Bhupal Shah, Kaushalyawati. He was born on 27th Poush 1779 BS. He ascended the throne of Gorkha in 1799 BS. He was wedded to Indra Kumari (Daughter of King HemKarna of Makwanpur) in 1793 BS and Narendra Laxmi ( Daughter of Rajput of Banaras Abhiman Singh) in 1794 BS.
King Prithvi Narayan Shah had to spend most of his time in fighting. His Majesty's King Prithvi Narayan Shah commenced the unification of Nepal by victory of Nuwakot in 15th Ashoj 1801BS which accelerated his confidence of his dream to see unified Nepal.He conquered several states one by one and uited them into a mighty Gorkha Kingdom. He continued his victorious leap by defeating each and every terretory he attacked on. In 1819 BS, he captured Makwanpur including Timal and Sindhuligadhi. He defeated Kirtipur on 1822BS, Kathmandu ( Kantipur at that time) in Ashoj 13 1825 BS during Indrajatra Festival and few days later Lalitpur was also in his hand. In 1826 BS, he defeated Ranjit Malla in a battle and seized Bhaktapur for the last Malla King. Overseeing his efforts, he was given the Rank of "Bahadur Shamsher Jung" by Badhshah of Dehli.
He was confident of his dream of unified Nepal, but was also afraid of the growing power of British in India. He was also afraid that they might also try to spread their influence in Nepal to gain in strength through the Christian Misionaries in Nepal. His expulsion of the Christian from the Kingdom of Nepal proves his shrewdness as a politician. He said: "Nepal is sandwitched between two powers viz. China and British India. We sould have close relations with China and show friendship with the british. they are very clever. If they become masters of the whole of India tey will probably creater trouble in Nepal." This shows the farsightedness of King Prithvi narayan shah.
Prithvi Narayan Shah gave valuable advice to his successors, popularly known as "Dibya Upadesh" (The Divine Counsel). the maxim he laid down for himself and his successors was: "It is with much travail that I have acquired this Kingdom, It is Common Garden of all castes. Let everyone realize this." Similarly he often said: "My kingdom is a garden in which four castes and thirty-six sub castes blossom forth."
Apart from most times in battles, he showed some reforms in his kingdom. He built the beautiful nine-storey Basantpur Durbar in Kathmandu, The seven-storey Durbar, The Ranga Mahal and Tilanga House of Nuwakot which are the evidence of his artistic excellence as a lover of architecture. He died in Maghe Sankranti 1831 BSin his own palace of Nuwakot Devighat.
AFTER PRITHVI NARAYAN SHAH:
Pratap Singh Shah: Pratap Singh Shah ascended to the throne in 1775 A.D. at the age of 24. After he had ascended to the throne, his uncle Daljit Shah, and his brother Bahadur Shah hatched a conspiracy against him. But the plot was detected and Bahadur Shah was imprisoned in Nuwakot jail while Daljit Shah ran away. Bahadur Shah, however, was released later on at the request of Chief priest Gajaraj Mishra and was allowed to go to Bettiah. Pratap Singh Shah was a man of peaceful temperament and want to avoid war. Once he sent troops under the leadership of Kaji Abhiman Singh Basnet to Tanahun. He conquered it and annexed Uperdand Gadi and Chitwan also. He attacket Athinga, the King of Morang 17 times, and on his 18th attempt he succeeded in defeating him. He waged war with Sikkim but couldn't conquer it.
Pratap Singh Shah wanted to reform the internal administration of the country. In this task, he took Kaji Dewan Swarup Singh Karki into his confidence. With his advice, Pratap Singh Shah divided the 'Birta' (Royal Gift) land of Nepal Valley into 4 categories in order of productivity viz. 'Awal' , 'Doyam' , 'Seem' , 'Chahar' and planned to lower the revenue to the rater of 1/6th of the gross produced.
Pratap Singh Shah was also interested in Tantricism. With the help of Nepali Scholars, he wrote the book named "Purascharyanava". He made for the first time the custom of erecting erecting a Linga(pillar) in the Indrajatra festival at Hanuman Dhoka. He had also organized a conference of Sanskrit scholars at Balaju, in which, it is said the scholars of 12 countries had participated.
After the reign of 2 years and 10 months he died in October 1777 at the age of 27.
Rana Bahadur Shah: Rana Bahadur Shah ascended the throne at the death of his fater, in 1777 AD. when hw was 2 and half years old. His mother Rajendra Laxmi became the Regent, carrying on the administration of the country. His uncle Bahadur Shah returned from Bettiah and also became the Regent. In 1795 AD Rana Bahadur Shah removed bahadur Shah form the regency and began to rule personally. He had 3 wives, Bidya Laxmi also known as Raj Rajeswori, Subarna Prabha and Kantawati. Later he married another one named Tripura Sundari Devi. Raj Rajeswari had no child. The Second wife Subarna Prabha had son called Ranodhatta Shah. He discarded both these wives in favor of Kantawati, the daughter of Tirhut Brahman who possessed uncommon beauty. She had a son named Girbana Juddha Bikram Shah. Rana Bahadur Shah declared Girbana Juddha Bikram Shah as his heir apparent, setting aside the rightful claim of his first born son Ranodatta Shah.
When his favourite wife Kantawati died, he became mad with sorrow. He defiled and smashed to pieces of many idols including Taleju. He was also droven away to Kashi in 1800 AD and Raj Rajeswori followed him. Girbana Juddha Bikram Shah was declared King of nepal and Subarna brabha acted as his regent. Damodar Pandey was made Prime Minister. He concluded treaty with the East India company in 1801 AD and Captain Knox became the first consul of Nepal.
Rana Bahadur Shah, under the name of Nirgunananda Swami began to pass his days in Kashi. Bhimsen Thapa accompanied him. He wanted to get back to throne with the help of Bhimsen Thapa. With the assurance given by Lord Wellesly, the Gov. Gen. of East India Company, he came to Nepal after 4 years in 1804 AD. Damodar Pandey went to imprison Rana Bahadur Shah at Thankot, but troops took side of Rana Bahadur Shah. Damodar Shah was beheaded for involving in conspiracy. Rana Bahadur Shah came into power and began to rule as the regent of Girbana Juddha Bikram Shah. Bhimsen Thapa was made P. M. of Nepal. In 1805 AD, the epidemic of small pox broke out so he drove out of the down all the children who were not vaccinated. Then the trust lands (Birta) of the Brahmans were confiscated popularly known as "bassathi Haran".
As Rana Bahadur Shah grew older, he became more cruel and violent. His faithful wife Raj Rajeswari was driven away to helambu. The courtiers grew discontented with him at his violent act and started hatching a plot against him. In Baisakh, 1863BS (1806 AD), Sher Bahadur, king's Brother assasinated Rana Bahadur Shah who was however finished by Kazi Bal Narsing the bodyguard of the King.
Girbana Juddha Bikram Shah: The coronation Ceremony of Girbana Juddha Bikram Shah took Place in 1797 AD, but his personal rule began only after the assassination of his father Rana Bahadur Shah in 1806 AD. He instituted an inquiry to find out the real culprit behind the assassination of Rana Bahadur Shah. The king of Palpa, pritvi pal Sen, Kazi Tribhuwan, Jagat Pandey, Bidur Shahi and Kazi Narasingh were found guilty and were put to death.
It was during his reign, the Kingdom of Nepal was in great trouble. The British of India showed their hostility and tried to annex Nepal in their territory. Bhimsen Thapa, the priminister, sent troop under the command of Amar Singh Thapa, in 1806 AD to Palpa, and thus Palpa, last of Chaubise Rajya was annexed to Kingdom of Nepal. Amar Singh Thapa was made Governer of Palpa who annexed Butwal and Shivaraj to the Kingdom of nepal. The anexation of Butwal and Shivaraj was opposed by the British and they prepared for the war.
The east India Company's army was divided into several troops and planned to attack Nepal at five points viz. Ludhiana, Sohranpur, Palpa, Sanar and Sikkim. Had it not been clever PM Bhimsen Thapa and Gallant commanders Amar Singh Thapa, Balbhadra Kunwar and Bhakti Thapa, Nepal would have been in the British territory. <<To read their gallant story go to War and battle section>>
After the war was over, British as well as Nepal Government (without knowledge and consent of Amar Singh Thapa) proposed treaty. Actually the treaty was in favor of the British and according to the terms of the treaty Nepal had to suffer a great loss of her territory. The treaty was also rejected when it was put before the meeting of the courtiers. But at last, Nepal Government had to conclude with the treaty in 1815 AD. a treaty was signed popularly knows as "Treaty of Sugauli". According to treaty English got all the territories up to Saryu River. Nepal got Butwal and the entire Terai land beween Rapti and Koshi. Nepal had to cede all the territories belonging to Sikkim. In 1816AD the year when the Anglo-Nepal war war came to end, small pox broke out and Due to this desease Girbana Juddha Bikram Shah died at age of 19 in 1816 AD.
Rajendra Bikram Shah: Born in 1870 BS, Rajendra Bikram Shah was only 2 and half yrs old when his father, Girbana Juddha Bikram Shah died. As the new King of tender age, Tripura Sundari, the royal baby's grandmother, continued to act as Regent in 1873 BS. He ruled for about 31 years and abandoned the throne in 1904 BS with his wife because Jung Bahadur accused the queen of misuse of power and hatched the plan to Murder Crown Prince Surendra. When King Rajendra came to know that Jung Bahadur Rana placed Surendra on the throne in 1846 AD (1903 BS), he became furious with rage. He collected soldiers and came up to Alou( Near Birgunj) but he was made a surprise attack from troop sent by Jung Bahadur and was made prisoner. This Event is popularly known as Alou Event. King Rajendra spent rest of his life at Hanuman Dhoka. He died at the age of 68 years in 1881 AD i.e. 1938 BS. Famous Events like "Kot" and "Bhandarkhal" was also lingered at the last months of his reign.
Surendra Bikram Shah: Born in 1828 AD i.e. 1886 BS, Surendra Bikram Shah ascended to the throne at the age of 18 years, in November 1846 AD i.e. Kartik 1903 BS. Surendra Bikram Shah was only a king in name i.e. Jung Bahadur Rana made King Surendra a mere cypher and exercised all powers hhimself. King Surendra felt suffocated at the hands of Jung bahadur and thought to place the 3 year old Crown Prince Trailokya on the throne and then to retire. But Jung Bahadur didn't allow this also. King Surendra lived in the palace as if he was kept in the cage like a parrot. Muluki Law in 1910 BS and Nepal-Tibet Treaty at Thapathali in 1912 were some of the important events in his reign. He died in Jestha, 1938BS.
Crown Prince Trailokya Bikram Shah: Eldest Son of Surendra from his favourite Queen Trailokya Rajya Laxmi was born in Mangsir, 1904 BS. He was always against the law and order of Jung Bahadur Rana. He put all the effort on regaining the royal power & rights from Jung Bahadur with the help of nobles and courtiers but Unfortunately died at the age of 30 in Mangsir 1934 BS.
Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah: Born on 25th Shrawan,1932 BS as Eldest son of Crown Prince Trailokya Bir Bikram Shah. After the death of Surendra Bikram Shah, Crown Prince Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah ascended the throne at the age of six in Jestha, 1938 BS. He ruled the country for 29 years and died in 25th Mangsir, 1968 BS.
Tribhuwan Bir Bikram Shah:
Son of 2nd Queen Laxmi Divyesori, Born in 17th Asar, 1963 BS, after the
death of father Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah, Tribhuwan Bir Bikram Shah Dev ascended
the throne on Feb. 20th 1913 AD i.e. Falgun 1968, at a tender age of 5.
He grew by seeing the suppression and cruelty of Ranas.King Tribhuwan was
the lover of Democracy. He didn't like Ranarchy and wanted to end it. The
leaders of the Nepali Congress like B.P. Koirala, Matrika Prasad Koirala,
Girija prasad Koirala, GaneshMan Singh etc. were trying to end Rana Regime.
On kartik 21 2007 BS, King Tribhuwan left his palace and took refuge in
the Indian Embassy in Nepal, it was the step against the Rana rule. All
the members of the Royal family except the King's Second Grandson Gyanendra
Bikram, accompanied him. Mohan Shamsher was the Priminister. he tried to
bring back the King but the King along with the royal members flew to New
Delhi on Kartik 25. Encouraged by this, the Nepali Congress launched an
armed revolution in 2007. The forces of the nepali Congress attacked many
places and captured them. At last, the Ranas surrendered. They had to accept
democracy. King Tribhuvan Returned back to Kathmandu from New Dehli. Democracy
was established on 7th Falgun, 2007 BS. The Rana Regime came to an end and
people celebrated the Democracy Day all over the country.
This was the great
contribution of King Tribhuwan. Unfortunately, he fell ill and went to Switzerland
for treatment. But there was no escape. he died on Falgun 30th, 2011 BS.
in Caintain Hospital, Zurich. His funeral took place in Aryaghat, Pashupati
in Kathmandu.
Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev: Born
in 30th Jestha, 1977, eldest son of King Tribhuwan and Kanti Rajya Laxmi
Devi Shah. Before going to health checkup in Switzerland, King Tribhuwan
had set up a recency headed by Crown Prince Mahendra. Ascended the throne
after the death of his father at Canteen Hospital, Switzerland in 1st Chaitra
2011 BS. A few days previously, he had dissolved the ministry and had imposed
direct rule. When he became King, the condition of the country was not good.
There was famine and unstable political atmosphere in the country. A demonstration
for food-stuff was organised in Kathmandu. India offered 10000 tonnes of
rice.
Commissions
were set up to study the conditions of the district. A Royal Advisory Council
was also formed on the 1st Baisakh, 2012 BS. The direct rule and The Advisory
Council were opposed by the political leaders.So he invited Tank Prasad
Acharya of Praja Parishad to form a ministry. There arose conflict between
different ministers. So the king called a conference of the political parties
and social organizations to hold a discussion in this matter. The Conference
suggested ending of the direct rule, dissolving the Advisory Council and
holding a general election. later, the King declared that the general election
would be held in Ashwin, 2014 BS. But Tank Prasad could not hold general
election which had been agreed upon, and had to tender his resignation.
Now the king invited Dr. Kunwar Indrajit Singh (Dr. K.I. Singh), the leader
of United Democratic party, to form the Goverhnment. No other parties supported
him, but he formed a government on 26th July 1957 AD and attempted to get
control. But he had to quit after 110 days.Thus, Dr.
Singh Became the Shortest period PM of Nepal. During the revolution,
Dr. Singh was made prisoner at Singa Durbar, as he did not obey the ceasefir
order according to Delhi Agreement.
But again, king
Mahendra asked Tank Prasad Acharya to form a cabinet and the cabinet was
formed. After some months, Tank prasad Acharya tendered his resignation.
The king's direct rule began again. The Political parties started Satyagraha.
On Falgun 1, 2015 BS, at last, the king had to announce election. The king
gave a constitution. In 2015 BS, general eletion were held and the Nepali
Congress won majority. BP Koirala became the first
Prime Minister to be elected from people. King Mahendra didn't like
parliamentary democracy. On Poush 1st, 2017 BS, king Mahendra arrested all
the ministers and dissolved the parliament. On Poush 22, 2017 BS he introduced
panchayat Democracy which was partyless. Dr. Tulsi Giri was made Prime Minister.
Apart from introduction
of Panchayat system, King Mahendra also introduced a number of socio-economic
and legal reforms of far-reaching consequences, designed to encourage all
round development of country. The start of a planned mechanism of development
in 1956 AD, the New Civil Code (Muluki Ain) in 1963 AD and Land Reform Act
in 1964 AD may be cited as examples in this regards.
Nepal won the considerable
international recognition and extended its relations with many countries
under the leadership of late King Mahendra. Nepal's entry into the
UNO in 1955 AD and its membership of the Non-Aligned Community in
1962 constitute other highlights of his rule.
King Mahendra was also fond of
Poetry and Litrature. He wrote 2 poem collections viz. "Usaiko Lagi"
& "Pheri Usaiko Lagi". King Mahendra ruled the Kingdom for
17 years till his death in Diyalo Bangalow in Chitwan on Magh 17th, 2028
BS
King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev:
Eldest son of King Mahendra and Indra Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah, born on 28th
December 1945 AD (14th Poush 2002 BS). His Majesty had his early education
at St. Joseph's School, Darjeeling. After that, he proceeded to Eton College,
England, in 1959 AD for furthur education and then in 1967 AD his Majesty
enrolled himself as a student in the University of Tokyo. On 1st Sep. 1967,
his majesty went to United States to study at Harvard University. There
he spent one full acedemic year studying wide variety of subjects including
Administration, Economics, Social Relationship etc.
After the demise
of King Mahendra, Crown Prince Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev ascended the
throne in 17th magh 2028 BS. His coronation Ceremony was celebrated on 12th
Falgun 2031 BS. he had to face the traditional challenge of protecting the
national sovereignity, on the one hand and to shoulder the great responsibility
of leading the country and the people onward on the road of progress and
development. His Majesty's high Education, domestic tours and study tours
abroad proved themselves as boon for Nepal and the Nepelese People. His
Majesty holds the firm belief that only solution to the progress and prosperity
of Nepal is rapid economic development. With the view of improving regional
disparity and ensuring the balanced economic development, his majesty proclaimed
the establishment of 5 Development Regions in the country. He declared that
no child should be deprived of education.
In April, 1972 AD,
National Development Council was set up to provide guidance to the National
Planning Commission. District Administration Plan was implemented to provide
the country with skilled manpower. Vocational education was given importance.
His Majesty made an appeal to the rest of the world to declare Nepal a Zone
of Peace and more than one hundred countries Recognized.
In spite of all these
efforts, there were some great flaws in Panchayat Democracy. From the very
beginning of the introduction of this system, there spread the terror in
the country because it was against the will of the people. It was the fear
of punishment, imprisonment and torture that people accepted it unwillingly.
Political Parties were banned. Democrats and Nationalists were insulted,
arrested and expelled. People were deprived of their right to expression.
By feeling the choice
of people to restore democracy in 26th Chaitra 2046 BS, he accepted to the
King under Democracy. It was his greatness.In 1990(2046 BS), the Panchayat
System was removed and Multi Party Democracy was rehabilitated and new constitution
has been effected under the Constitutional Monarch and sovereign power has
been transferred to the people. On 23rd Kartik, 2047 the new constitution
was enforced by His majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shahdev.
In 1st June 2001(19th Jestha 2057), the darkest date for the Nepalese history on which a royal massacre took place and most members of the royal family died along with the popular King, His Majesty King Birendra. After the death of popular King, now his younger brother His Majesty King Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is new Constitutional Monarch of Nepal.
Dipendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev: Born in Asad, 2028 BS as an eldest son of King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev and Queen Aisworya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah. He was fond of games and sport specially horse riding and martial arts. He was also heavily wounded in the royal massacre of 19th jestha and sent to Birendra Sainik Hospital in Comma. He was declared King of Nepal by Raj Parishad in morning of 20th Jeshta eventhough he was unconcious. He died in 22nd Jestha, 2059, ruling the country for 3 days, even not knowing he is a king.
Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev: Born in 23rd Ashad, 2004BS, he is the 2nd son of King Mahendra. At first, He was declared king of Nepal by Mohan Shamsher at the age of three in 2007 BS. But later, his grandfather King Tribhuwan overthrone Rana Regime and became King again. He is by nature was a businessman. He became the king of Nepal again in 22nd Jestha 2057 BS, after the demise of Crown Prince Dipendra upto now.