Unit 2: Modern Nepal: Shah Rule (1742-1846) 8 LHs

• Prithvinarayan Shah and the conquest of

Kathmandu Valley
• Bahadur Shah as Regent
• Rise and Fall of Bhim Sen Thapa
• Anglo-Nepal War, 1814-16- Causes and
effects
List of Ascendants of PN Shah
Prithvinarayan Shah and the conquest of
Kathmandu Valley
1.Birth: 11 January 1723 (27 Poush 1779 BS)

2.Accession to the Throne: 3 April 1743 (25 Chaitra 1799 BS)

3.First Attempt to Capture Nuwakot: 1744 (1800 BS)

4.Conquest of Nuwakot: 26 September 1744 (15 Aswin 1801 BS)

5.Capture of Kirtipur: 1767 (1824 BS)- First Attempt (1757); Second Attempt
(1764); in 3rd attempt he captured Kirtipur, a key fortified town near
Kathmandu.
Prithvinarayan Shah and the conquest of
Kathmandu Valley
6.Conquest of Kathmandu: 25 September 1768 (13 Aswin 1825 BS)
1. during the Indra Jatra festival, taking advantage of a surprise attack.

7.Conquest of Patan (Lalitpur): 6 October 1768 (22 Aswin 1825 BS)

Soon after taking Kathmandu, he conquered Patan,

8.Conquest of Bhaktapur: 17 November 1769 (28 Kartik 1826 BS)

9.Declaration of Nepal as an Independent State: 1769 (1826 BS)

10.Encounters with the British: 1770s

11.Death: 11 January 1775 (1 Magh 1831 BS)

Devighat, Nuwakot, at the age of 52,

 Qualities of PN Shah as Ruler
Prithvi Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal, was a visionary leader
with several qualities that made him an effective ruler:
• Strategic Vision: Unification Dream: He had a clear vision of unifying the
scattered Nepalese kingdoms into a single, powerful nation.
• Long-Term Planning: He was a strategic thinker who planned his military
campaigns and diplomatic moves carefully.
• Military Prowess: Skilled Commander: He was a skilled military commander
who led his armies to victory in numerous battles. Innovative Tactics: He was
known for his innovative military tactics, often surprising his enemies.
 Qualities of PN Shah as Ruler
• Diplomatic Skills: Alliance Building: He knew how to build alliances with
other kingdoms to further his goals.
• Negotiation Tactics: He was a skilled negotiator who could persuade others
to his point of view.
• Strong Leadership:
• Inspiring Personality: He was a charismatic leader who inspired loyalty and
devotion among his people.
• Decisive Action: He was decisive in his actions and could make tough
decisions when necessary.
• Administrative Abilities: Centralized Governance: He worked to centralize
the administration of his kingdom, making it more efficient.
 Qualities of PN Shah as Ruler
• Economic Development: He encouraged trade and commerce, promoting
economic growth.
• Cultural Preservation: Respect for Traditions: He respected the diverse
cultures and traditions of the people he conquered.
• Promoting Arts and Literature: He encouraged the development of arts and
literature.
• While some historians argue that his methods were harsh and his expansionist
policies led to suffering, there is no doubt that Prithvi Narayan Shah was a
remarkable leader who played a crucial role in shaping the history of Nepal.
• After the Malla king of Kathmandu sent an urgent message to Kolkata to ask for
help to repel a Gorkha invasion of the Valley, the Company sent an
expeditionary force in 1795. Army of PN Shah chased The British forces in the
 Upadesha (Counsel)
• When he attained 14 years of age, his Father declared that he would be married to
Princess Indra Kumari who was the daughter of Hemkarna Sen, the King of
Makwanpur.
• On Treaty with Lamjung- peace and fried treaty for extern expansion
• On Diplomacy and Marriage- between the children of generals/ministers
• On Foreign Relations- to maintain a strong friendship with the Emperor of China
in the north meanwhile being cautious and prepared against the British Company
Government.
• On Laws and Regulations- acknowledged the rules and regulations propounded
by King Ram Shah of Gorkha, King Jayastithi Malla of Nepal, and
King Mahendra Malla of Kathmandu.
• On Nationalism- a garden of people from all castes and backgrounds living with a
shared identity. Nepal was united under 4 Main Castes and 36 Ethnic Groups.
• Nepal to be the True Hindusthan.
• Advocating against the Death Penalty or harsh execution against his subjects.
• He also propounded that giving and receiving bribes are the primary enemy of the
Nation and when caught doing so must have their property confiscated or even
executed.
 Upadesha (Counsel)
• On Trade- advised Foreign Traders to be restricted from entering
Nepal. He promoted the wearing of simple handmade clothes and
trained local weavers to promote domestic products and make
Nepal capable as well as wealthy.
• He devised exporting Nepalese Products and Herbs internationally
to earn income and limit the accumulation of excessive wealth
among all Public Officials.
• Mines- use mines even replacing residents
• National security- He proposed recruiting Khas, Magar, Gurung, and
Thakuri castes for effective and brave military practice. (bravery)
• Civil Service-Thakuri community in the role of Dittha and the
Magar Community in the role of Bichari. For Dharmadhikari, he
suggests selecting a knowledgeable Pandit with an understanding
of laws and principles of Justice i.e. Dharmashastras.
 Upadesha (Counsel)
• Dibya Upadesh, according to most historical accounts was written around
1774 A.D. five years after the unification of Nepal. The text itself is the
collection of the final thoughts of the King, his reminiscence on Unification,
his observation, and his hierarchy of importance for Nepal.
• It was written to provide counsel to his future generation of Shah Kings of
Nepal to identify the valuable aspects of administering Nepal.
Bahadur Shah as Reagent(1757-
1797) BS regent of Nepal from 1842
to 1851 )
• After the death of King Prithvi Narayan Shah,Pratap ascended
to the throne, immediately detained Bahadur Shah and put him
under house arrest in Nuwakot
• After his release he spent most of his time in Palpa and Tanahu
, both of which used to be independent nations back then.
• His primary goal was to establish friendly relations with these
nations and later gain their alliance in order to continue the
unification of Nepal, whilst also regaining his brother's trust.
• He apparently sent letters back to the capital to Pratap Singh,
however, was still not allowed to get back to Nepal. [4] Eventually,
Bahadur Shah left for Bettiah district in Bihar, India and lived in
exile there
 Bahadur Shah as Reagent
• Pratap Singh died on 17 November 1777, his two-year old son
Rana Bahadur Shah ascended.
• To save from forced sati Queen Rajendra Laxmi as the Regent of Nepal
called exiled Bahadur Shah back to Nepal
• The joint regency in Nepal- Bhadur wanted to continue unification
campaign but Quuen wanted by her son (after years)
• Rajendra Laxmi moved swiftly to arrest Bahadur Shah and place him
under house arrest.
• Bahadur did it to vaiju in late 1778.
• during a military campaign to invade Tanahu, taking advantage of his
absence from the capital, Rajendra Laxmi seized power again on 20
June 1779,
• at which point Bahadur Shah went on self-exile to Bettiah again.
 Bahadur Shah as Reagent (1785–1794)

• After the death of Rajendra Laxmi in 1785, Bahadur Shah came back to Nepal
and resumed the expansion of Nepal.
• He took a hardline approach to unification offering one of the options to state
kings and princes: accept Gorkha sovereignty while continuing to rule
themselves or battle to the death. He also married the sister of King Prithvi Pal
Sen of Palpa, one of the more powerful nations bordering Nepal.
• He expanded Doti, Jumla, Garwal, Kumow & Limbuban, Sikkim
 Refugee of a Pastor

• निस्कास हुँदा १७ वर्षका बहादुर शाह निर्वासित भएर बेतिया

पुगेपछि क्रिश्चियन पादरी माइकल एन्जोलोको पाहुना भई बसे ।
माइकल एन्जोलोलाई उपत्यकाबाट पृथ्वीनारायण शाहले
निष्कासित गरेका थिए।
• इसाई पादरीहरूको धर्मप्रचार र कप्तान किनलकको बिस्तारले
उनी चिढिएका थिए।
 Nepal China-War (1992)
• In 1788 Nepal attacked Tibet over issues of counterfeiting and granted asylum to
Shamarpa Lama, who died during the war.
• Chinese Amban stations in Lhasa dragged China into war, turning it into
Sino-Nepalese War in 1792.
• Nepal asked for British arms which mediator Colonel William Kirkpatrick
refused. Nepal was defeated and a peace treaty was signed with China.
• Rana Bahadur became King in 1994 and arrested Uncle put chunarko killa and
killed in Feb 1997.
Rise and Fall of Bhim Sen Thapa (Mukhtiyar 1863-
1894 )
Rise and Power
Bhimsen Thapa was born in 1832 Shrawan 9 (1775 C.E. July)
he was the Caretaker (Subedar) of King Rana Bahadur Shah (same age)
 He killed Sher Bahadur Shah (salier of Rana B Shah), and rose to
Mukhtiyar
He oppressed- Tribhuvan Khawas, Bidur Shah, etc., and 77 others who
could oppose him; forced sati to Rajarajeswori.
with the side of Lalit Tripura Sundari, he hold the Mukhtiyari
King Girvan died when he was only 19 years old. Rajendra Bikram Shah
became the Infant King of Nepal and Lalitripurasundari continued to act as
Regent Queen and continued as Mukhtiyar.
 Rise and Fall of Bhim Sen Thapa (Mukhtiyar 1863
1894 )
Fall of Bhim Sen
 1888 Queen Lalit died and King became adult- King Favour Pande, Pandey
wanted revenage the slain of Damodar Pande
Chief Ambassador Hodgson conspired against him for East India Company
 He was deposing from Mukhtiyar in 1894 B.S,
Samrajyalaxmi, the daughter of Rajendra Bikram Shah, son was 6 months
died. The courtiers, the British Embassy, and everyone else created
propaganda. “It was Thapa had that sent a poisonous drink to the Queen. The
baby drank it instead, and it died.” he and his whole family were arrested, and
their property was confiscated.
In 1896 B.S. Shrawan 8 or 1839 C.E. July, Bhimsen Thapa used khukuri, 9
days later he died. He was blackmailed with false rumors of wife’s naked and
feeding excreta. His body was deformed and provided animals with joy.
Contributions of Bhimsen Thapa
1. Unification of Nepal- The fort of Kangada was protected In 1865 BS, with
additional army, Nepal was limited to the Satalaja River.
2. Military Reforms- he adopted European-style training for Soldiers. He
established New Camps and barracks throughout Kathmandu and
surrounding Border Areas.
3. Construction of Dharahara- constructed in 1832 A.D. and a spy tower to
witness suspicious activities throughout the Kathmandu Valley.
4. He did pioneering the construction of Sundhara, Teku Bridge, and the
Thapathali Bridge.
5. Social Reforms- he banned salve- trade and exrtavaggent costum in newar
community
Contributions of Bhimsen Thapa
6. He discouraged Corruption and bribery and promoted Transparency in the
Administrative System; created a specific Hierarchy of Military Personnel such
as Generals, Colonels, Captains, etc.
7. He also introduced the System of Informal Passports for important
personnel to ease their travels.
8. He informally extended his contacts to the Marathas and the Sikh Empire for
strategic partnership against the British East India Company.
 Anglo-Nepal War, 1814-16 (Causes and effects)
Bhimsen Thapa, conquered the Terai of Butwal and Sheoraj, which infuriated Lord Hastings,
the British Governor-General at the time (1813-23).
The Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814–16 began when Governor-General Lord Hastings ordered the
British Army to attack Nepal in 1814.
Many battles were fought between the two years of the Anglo-Nepalese conflict. few
significant clashes are-
EIC attacked in- मोरङ्ग, मकवानपुर, बुटवल, अल्मोडा, कुमाउ, नाहान, जैथक, मलाउँ,
देउथल तथा नालापनीमा आक्रमण गरेको थियो।
अङ्ग्रेज जनरल अक्टरलोनी,जनरल गिलेस्पी, जनरल मार्ले तथा जनरल वुडले
धेरै शब्दले- गोर्खालीको बहादुरीका बारेमा प्रशंसा गरेका छन्।
नेपालको तर्फबाट लड्ने काजी अमर सिंह थापा, काजी बलभद्र कुंवर, सरदार
भक्ती थापा, रामकृष्ण कुंवर, काजी उजीर सिंह थापा, काजी बंसराज गुरुङ
लगायतको वीरताको अङ्ग्रेज सरकारले पनि सम्मान गर्ने गरेको छ।
 यो युद्धको समाप्ती पछि अङ्ग्रेजहरूले बहादुर गोर्खालीलाई आफ्नो सेना
(शिरमोर बटालियनबाट शुरूभएको)मा लहौर देखि शुरू गरे जसले गर्दा नेपाली
समाजमा लाहुरे शब्दले प्रवेश पायो।
 Treaty of Sugauli- 2 December 1815/7 th of Push 1873

 It has agreed upon on 2 December 1815 by Raj Guru Gajaraj Mishra aided by Chandra
Sekhar Upadhya on behalf of the Nepal government and Lt. Col. Paris Bradshaw and
David Ochterlony from British company site on 4 March 1816 (7th of Push 1873 Sambat
in Maithili language Nepali day.
 It was sent to Nepal with a 15- day ultimatum for counter-signature and asked to return it to
them. Nepal did not like the terms and conditions of the treaty, so it did not sign within that
period.
 The British then spread rumour that they were launching attack on the capital, Kathmandu,
and even carried out troop movement to show Nepal that it was serious. When Nepal
thought that the attack on the capital was inevitable, it was forced to accept the treaty.
 The terms of the treaty were listed in 9 points
B. Nepal handovered its 1/3 of its land to east India company