Political and Economic Obstacle during Ambition of Unification of Nepal by Prithivi Narayan Shah

Introduction

Nepal before unification was divided into many small kingdoms which were fighting against each other.There were Sen kingdoms in the east known as the Koshi Region while there was small kingdoms in kathmandu valley then known as the Nepal Vally's and the areas surrounding it.Similarly the Gandaki Region known as the Chaubise states was divided into 24 principalities while there were 22 states in the Karnali Region known as the basic states. due to frequent battles among them for annexation, the number of the states changed very often.

The states were getting weaker due to internal rivalry and frequent battles.Tibet and British East India Company were expanding their territories. This had made Nepalese independence and existence at stake. Several Kings before Prithivi Narayan Shah, including his own father Narbhupal Shah, had made their efforts for the unification of these bickering kingdoms. but they could achieve very little. King Prithivi narayan Shah now would launched successful campaign for unification.

King Prithivi Narayan Shah wrote these lines to reflect his reflect his feelings and experiences he had while reaching the Chandragiri hill on thee way back from Makawanpur, the place of his first in-law's house. The wish he expressed in theses lines took a form of campaign for the unification of states, which he launched later.

Political Obstacle

It was not an essay task to unify Nepal, divided into Baise,Chaubise,Sen and Malla states. Those states stood as a big obstacle to the unification campaign. Many of these kingdoms were better off politically and economically. Lamjkung in particular in Chaubise states was a great enemy to Gorkha.In the event of the Gorkha force, marching towards Nuwakot, it could be hit from behind by Lamjung. Prithivi Narayan Shan consulted his maternal uncle, the prince of palpa on the problem. the latter said in reply,"Lamjung is a larger vulture, Gorkha, a snake and Nepal, a frog.Evade the larger vulture, then the snake will have the frog to eat". In course of time, there was agreement reached between Gorkha and Ripumardan Shah, the king of Lamjung through the efforts sought by Kalu Pandey (Banshidhar Pandey). Prithivi Narayan Shah promoted Kalu Pandey to the post of 'Kaji', as per the wishes of his caretaker mother Chandrapravawati and his courtiers although he wanted Biraj Bakheti to hold that post.

Economic obstacle

Gorkha with twelve hundred households was not better off economically as compared to the Chaubise states. The poor economic condition of Gorkha was a handicap to the unification venture for Prithivi Narayan Shah. Being aware that the help from Makwanpur, lying in the Terai was potential for the unification campaign, he had the nuptial relation with Makwanpur state which was strong politically and economically, But the King of Makwanpur Indra Kumari, his sister at the time of wedding and also the single -tooth elephant used in her farewell procession. All this was intolerable to Prithivi Narayan Shah and he left behind the bride. He married Narendra Lakshmi, a Kanshi princess afterwards. In order to expedite his programme of unification, he appealed his countrymen to co-operate him with cash and kinds for strengthening the army.

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