Chapter 6: Shah Period.

Chapter 6: Shah Period. 

a. Emergence of the Shah Dynasty. 

• Origin: Chitaudagadha, Rajasthan, India.
• Bhupati Ranaji's time: Muslim invasion destroyed Chitaudagadha.
  • Sons: Udayabom Ranaji (went to Udayapur) and Manamath Ranaji (went to Ujjain).
• Manamath's sons: Bhramarik (stayed in Ujjain) and Bhupal (went to Ridi, then Bhirkot in 1522 B.S., became king).
• Bhupal's sons: Khacha Khan (king of Bhirkot) and Micha Khan (king of Pallo Nuwakot, now Syangja).
• Kulmandan Khan: 7th king of Pallo Nuwakot, received title 'Shah' from Delhi Emperor, became Kulmandan Shah.
  • Sons: Seven, second son Kalu Shah became king of Lamjung but was killed by Sekhanta Community.
  • Yashobrahma Shah: Youngest son, became king of Lamjung in 1595 B.S.
• Yashobrahma's sons: Narhari Shah (king of Lamjung) and Drabya Shah (became king of Gorkha in 1616 B.S. after defeating Khadka king).

Drabya Shah's Lineage

• Drabya Shah: Ruled Gorkha for 11 years, succeeded by son Purandhar Shah (ruled 35 years), then grandson Chhatra Shah (ruled 7 months), then Ram Shah (1666 B.S. to 1693 B.S.).
• Prithvi Narayan Shah: Born 27th Poush 1779 B.S. to Queen Kausalyawati, second queen of Narbhupal Shah.

B. Contribution of Ram Shah to the development of legal and judicial system in Nepal. (coming soon….

C. Prithvinaryan Shah and Unification of Nepal: contribution in development of legal and justice system in Nepal. 
 

Early Life and Education

• Birth and Family Background:
  • Born on 27th Poush 1779 BS.
  • Mother: Kausalyawati (second queen of King Narbhupal Shah).
  • Narbhupal Shah had four queens: Chandraprabhawati, Kausalyawati, Buddhimati, and Subhadrawati.
  • Eldest queen Chandraprabhawati, childless, oversaw his education.
• Education:
  • Studied Ramayana, Mahabharata, Sukraniti, Chanakyaniti.
  • Trained in archery, firearms, khukuri, horse riding, swimming, and swordsmanship.

Marriages and Early Political Moves of Prithvinaryan Shah.

• Marriages:
  • 1794 BS: Married Indra Kumari (daughter of Hemkarna Sen, King of Makwanpur). Marriage faced conflict; returned without a bride.
  • 1795 BS: Married Narendralaxmi (daughter of Abhiman Singh of Kashi).
• Political Engagements:
  • 1796 BS: Treaty with Lamjung, accompanied by Kalu Pande.
  • 1798 BS: Visited Bhaktapur to understand the valley’s political situation.

Ascension and Initial Campaigns

• Becoming King:
  • 1799 BS: Narbhupal Shah died, Prithvinarayan Shah became king at age 20.
• First Attack on Nuwakot (1794 BS):
  • Led by Jayant Rana and Maheshwor Panta.
  • Failed due to internal conflicts; Jayant Rana exiled and later made chief of Nuwakot by King Jayaprakash Malla.
• Second Attack on Nuwakot (1800 BS):
  • Led by Viraj Thapa Magar, Bali Pande, and Maheshwor Panta.
  • Failed to cross Trishuli river; returned to Gorkha.

Successful Conquest of Nuwakot

• Preparation and Strategy:
  • Collected funds and bought weapons in Kashi.
  • Trained soldiers and gathered grains.
  • Appointed Kalu Pande as leader.
• Third Attack on Nuwakot (15th Aswin 1801 BS):
  • Successfully captured Nuwakot.
  • Killed Jayanta Rana and his son Shankamani Rana.
  • Strengthened position for further attacks on the Kathmandu valley.

Campaigns in the Kathmandu Valley:

• First Attack on Kirtipur (19th Jestha 1814 BS):
  • Led by Kaji Kalu Pande; faced united Malla kingdoms.
  • Defeated; Kalu Pande killed, Gorkhali forces scattered.
• Second Attack on Kirtipur (31st Bhadra 1821 BS):
  • Led by Surpratap Shah; failed again due to strong defenses.
• Victory over Kirtipur (Kartik 1822 BS):
  • Economic blockade; internal betrayal.
  • Chief Kaji Dhanbanta opened the gate, allowing conquest.

Conflicts with the English

• English Intervention (1824 BS):
  • King Jayaprakash Malla sought help from the East India Company.
  • The British force led by Captain Kinlock was defeated by Gorkhalis at Sindhuli.
  • Gorkhalis gained weapons; Jayaprakash’s plan failed.

Conquest of Makwanpur

• Initial Battle (Bhadra 1819 BS):
  • Attacked Makawanpurgadhi; Digbandhan Sen fled to Hariharpurgadhi.
  • Subsequent battle led to Gorkhali victory; Bengali force intervention failed.
• Final Battle:
  • Night attack led by Vansharaj Pande; major Bengali losses.
  • Secured Makwanpur, leading to economic blockade on Kathmandu.

Final Conquests in Kathmandu Valley

• Kantipur (13th Aswin 1825 BS):
  • Gorkhalis attacked during Indra Jatra; King Jayaprakash Malla fled.
  • Prithvinarayan Shah accepted as king after worshipping Kumari Goddess.
• Lalitpur (24th Aswin 1825 BS):
  • Officers negotiated with six pradhans, accepted without battle.
  • Kings Tejnarsingha Malla and Jayaprakash Malla fled to Bhaktapur.
• Bhaktapur (Kartik 1826 BS):
  • Final battle; Malla kings defeated and surrendered.
  • Jayaprakash Malla and Ranajit Malla received different treatments.
  • Complete unification of the Kathmandu valley was achieved.

Unification of Nepal (others role:)

Role of Rajendra Laxmi in Unification

• Succession and Regency:
  • Pratap Singh Shah became King of Nepal in 1831 BS after Prithvi Narayan Shah's death.
  • Rana Bahadur Shah became king at 2.5 years old in 1834 BS; Rajendra Laxmi became regent.
• Regency Dynamics:
  • Rajendra Laxmi managed civil affairs; Bahadur Shah handled military and foreign affairs.
  • Dispute arose after 5 months; Bhardars (courtiers) were divided between them.
• Power Struggle:
  • Rajendra Laxmi, with Sarwojeet Rana’s help, arrested Bahadur Shah.
  • Released Bahadur Shah on Gajaraj Mishra's request.
  • In 1835 BS, Bahadur Shah arrested Rajendra Laxmi with Daljeet Shah's help, accusing her of misuse of state property.
• Treaty and Military Campaigns:
  • Bahadur Shah left for Gorkha for the conquest of Chaubisi states.
  • Rajendra Laxmi regained power in 1836 BS, signed a treaty with Chaubisi states, went to Betia.
  • Exiled opposing courtiers, became powerful.
• Conflict with Chaubisi States:
  • Chaubisi states attacked Gorkha in 1838 BS; Rajendra Laxmi’s forces chased and conquered Kaski on 3 Jestha 1840 BS.
  • Continued conquests: Lamjung, Kaski, Tanahun, Pallo Nuwakot, etc.
  • Ruled as regent for 9 years until her death in 1942 BS.

Role of Bahadur Shah in Unification

• Regency:
  • Became regent after Rajendra Laxmi's death.
  • Known as the ‘Worthy Son of Able Father,’ aimed to complete Prithvi Narayan Shah’s unification.
  • Ruled from 1842-1851 BS.
• Military Conquests:
  • Conquered Parbhat on 14 Aswin 1843 BS.
  • Further conquests included Dhurkot, Galkot, Musikot, Isma, Dang, Pyuthan, Rolpa.
  • Combined forces reached the Bheri River by Mangsir 1843 BS.
• Nepal-Tibet War:
  • War started in 1845 BS, engaging key military officers.
  • Conquered territories: Bheri, Jumla, Dailekh, Bajhang, Achham, Doti, reaching River Mahakali.
  • Crossed Mahakali, conquered Kamaun state, Gadhawal, and territories up to River Jamuna.
• End of Regency:
  • Rana Bahadur Shah dethroned Bahadur Shah in 1851 BS at 18 years old.
  • Bahadur Shah imprisoned in 1852 BS for alleged leaks to foreigners.

Contribution of Bhimsen Thapa

• Early Life and Rise:
  • Born in 1832 BS in Gorkha.
  • Became close to the royal family at 11; served as Rana Bahadur Shah’s personal secretary at 22.
• Prime Ministership:
  • Became first Prime Minister of Nepal; served for 31 years under six kings.
  • Advocated collective resistance against British East India Company (BEIC).
  • Declared war on BEIC in 1816 AD; Nepal lost, but Thapa continued to rule for 13 more years.
• Reforms and Achievements:
  • Modernized the army, abolished ill social practices, improved agriculture and administration.
  • Built Dharahara, Sundhara, Bagdurbar, Teku Bridge.
• Military Campaigns:
  • Sent father Amar Singh Thapa to conquer Palpa.
  • Conquered Sirmor, Nahan, Satluj.
  • Expanded Nepal's borders to River Satluj.

Anglo-Nepalese War

• Background and Causes:
  • British alarmed by Nepal's unification efforts; saw Nepal as a threat.
  • Causes included imperialism, business motives, natural resources, failed relations with BEIC, past kings' negative views, and military preparations by Nepal.
• Territorial Disputes:
  • Border disputes: Suyraj and Butwal areas were major issues.
  • BEIC demanded control over disputed territories; Nepal refused.
• Outbreak of War:
  • BEIC attacked Butwal, Suyraj in 1871 BS; Nepal retaliated, leading to the declaration of war.
  • War fought in Butwal, Makwanpur, Jaithak, Nalapani, Deuthal, and other places.
• War Efforts and Outcome:
  • Nepalese fought bravely under leaders like Amar Singh Thapa, Hastidal Shah, Bhakti Thapa.
  • Despite bravery, Nepal lacked war materials.

  • War ended with the Treaty of Sugauli on Falgun 18, 1872 BS; Nepal ceded significant territory to BEIC.

     

    additional contents (coming soon….)

          Prepared and edited by Madhu Dahal and Manish Rajak.