History/Glimpse Of Nepal

Nepal is one of ten countries in the world. The credit for unifying the feuding states which lay between China in the North and India in the south, into the world's only Hindu Kingdom Nepal, goes to King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha. Before him, Nepal was ruled by the Kirats, Lichchavis, Thakuris and Mallas. The Kirats ruled Nepal during the 7th century BC. Not much is known about this period. The next major dynasty was the Lichchavi, which lasted from the 2nd to 9th century AD. For two centuries after the Lichchavis, Nepal was ruled by the Thakuris who were followed by the Mallas. In the five centuries of Malla rule, Nepal was divided into many principalities and kingdoms. Each of them minted their own currency and maintained large armies. It was during the reign of the Mallas that Nepal developed into a great center of art and architecture. Some of the best known monuments in the country were built during this time. However, soon quarrels broke out between the divided kingdoms. In 1768, King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha invaded the Kathmandu Valley, unified Nepal, and established the Shah dynasty.

In 1844, the Prime Minister of Nepal, Jang Bahadur Rana, led a revolt against the royalty. In the Koot Massacre that followed, a number of noblemen perished. The Rana took over power but continued to maintain the Shah family in the palace. During the years that followed, the Ranas ruled over Nepal. Besides Jang Bahadur, the most famous Rana was Chandra Shamsher. He brought many reforms including the abolition of slavery. Other Rana prime ministers built colleges, schools, hospitals and, started newspapers. Despite these advances, the Ranas are still accused of not having done enough for their country. Their 104-year reign is sadly known for their grandiose lifestyle.

King Tribhuvan, the rightful ruler of Nepal, was powerless during the 1940's. In November 1950, the King, who was by then hailed as the embodiment of the democratic aspirations of his people, escaped to India. He returned to Nepal in November 1951 after the resignation of the then Prime Minister Mohan Shamsher Jang Behadur Rana, and re-established the rule of the Shah dynasty. It was King Tribhuvan who opened the country's doors to the rest of the world. He died in 1955 and was succeeded by his eldest son King Mahendra. The latter wrote Nepal's constitution, which paved the way for a parliamentary system of government in the country. After his death in 1972, Nepal has been ruled by HM Maharajadhiraja Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev.

-----Ancient Nepal,
Early Influences on Nepal
The Early Kingdom of the Licchavis
-----Medieval Nepal
Transition to the Medieval Kingdom,
The Malla Kings
The Three Kingdoms
----- The making of modern Nepal
The Expansion of Gorkha
The Struggle for Power at Court
The Enclosing of Nepal
Infighting among Aristocratic Factions
----- Rana rule,
The Kot Massacre
The Dictatorship of Jang Bahadur
The Rana Oligarchy
The Growth of Political Parties
The Return of the King
The Democratic Experiment
The Panchayat System under King Mahendra
Modernization under King Birendra
----- Democracy in Nepal,
----- New King Gyanendra