Causes of the Downfall of Rana Regime in the History of Nepal

Causes of the Downfall of Rana Regime

The Rana regime was established at the cost of many innocent lives and it was doomed to fail. Ordinary people from the every beginning had developed hatred and distaste upon the system through they could not bring it out easily. They were kept just in strong suppression and deprivation. Rana autocracy could eventually be overthrown by an armed revolution in 2007 BS. The following are the major factors behind the downfall of the autocratic system.

Family Scuffle/Clash

Conspiracies for power among the kith and kin of the Ranas became the major characteristics of the period. Opponents from Jung Bahadur's own family hatched plots to below him up but kill him. After his death sons of Dhir Shumsher (his own half brother) wiped his sons away and changed the roll of succession in their favour. Ranoddip, who succeeded Jung Bahadur was assassinated while in office. Jung Bahadur's son Jagat Jung had also made efforts in 1938 BS.

Exclusion of C-class Ranas from the roll of succession

As an efforts for limiting the roll of succession in favour of his family line, Chandra Shumsher categorised Ranas into class A (those born from ordinary marriage relations) and declared the class C out from the roll. Those excluded would naturally try to destroy those in power to recover their position. Subarn Shumsher, an excluded, later formed the Nepal Prajatantrik Congress which changed into the Nepali Congress when merged with MP Koirala's Nepali Congress. The Nepali Congress Party succeeded in overthrowing the regime through an armed revolution in 2007 BS.

Anti-Rana movements

The Ranas had themselves sowed seeds of their failure. Ranas' suppressive activities encouraged continuous efforts of protest. Lakhan Thapa got martyrdom as he tried to finish Jung Bahadur when the later was in his hunting excursion. Chandra Shumsher suppressed the anti-Rana activities of Gorkha league (raising awareness in India), Arya Samaj (encouraging religions reformations). Krishnalal Upadhyay who wrote Makaiko kheti an analogical satire on the Ranas, was imprisoned. Later anti-Rana movements got momentum in Tulasi Mehar's Charkha Movement (that followed Mahatma Ghandhi's policy of protest through weaving), Prachanda Gorkha (first political party established to overthrow the Rana regime), Mahabir School and Library establishment (working towards raising publish awareness), etc. Through these activities were suppressed immediately, they helped weaken the root of the Rana regime the long run.

Abdication of king Tribhuwan and armed revolution  

Even after the execution of the Praja Parishad leaders in 1997 BS the anti-Rana agitation did not stop. Later the Nepali Congress started armed revolution which was contributed to by King Tribhuwan. The reigning king abdicated the throne and took asylum in the Indian Embassy. finally the Ranas agreed upon the Delhi compromise which somehow marked their end.

World War II, Indian Independence and waves of other international changes

The Ranas could easily sustain their rule as they pleased the British East-India Company. When the British colonial rule in India came to its end, their strong foundation had collapsed World War II had brought a wave of changes in the world. Following the Indian Independence, the Nepalese democrats, who had fought in the India War of Independence, came back and used their expertise in the agitation in Nepal. The Nepali Congress collected funds and weapons and operated the revolution from India. The Delhi compromise was concluded under an active mediation of the Indian government, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in particular.  

Causes of the Rise of Rana Regime in Nepal

Introduction

After the Kot Massacre in 1903 BS Nepal was ruled by hereditary Rana prime ministers who came to power according to rules of succession and exercised absolute power. Kings were puppet in their hands. Ranas embezzled public property and lived in tremendous luxury. With lifeblood support from the British East India Company, they try to sustain their rule with suppression of public freedom and strong control over education and outside influence. Mostly their reforms were for gaining public support for their autocratic rule or for enlarging their luxury. Various circumstances had led to the rise of the Rana regime, as those discussed below.

Political instability

The era after Prithvi Narayan Shah was characterised by power polities of conspiracy Pratap Singh Shah ruled only for about three years and them came his 3-year old son Rana Bahadur. Taking advantages, regent as well as countries indulged in conspiracies for power. Besides the army commanders who came back from the battlefield indulged similarly after the Anglo-Nepal War. Such political instability paved way for the rise of the dictator, Jung Bahadur.

Contact of Jung Bahadur's family with the palace  

From the early time Jung Bahadur's family was in touch with the palace. His grandfather Ranajit Kunwar was killed in the battle of Kangada and his father Balnarsingh Kunwar was a bodyguard of King Rana Bahadur shah. Balnarsingh Kunwar had killed Sher Bahadur Shah, the murder of King Bahadur Shah. He was appointed the chief of Dhakuta, Dadeldhura and Jumla in different time period. Jung Bahadur Company with his father got the post of lieutenant. later he got the post of captain from king Rajendra. He had also worked as a private secretary to the crown prince, Surendra Bikram. Following the murder of Mathabar Singh committed by him popularity grew all the more in the palace.

Support of East India Company

Following the Sugauli Treaty of 1873 BS, Nepalese politics was highly influence English ambassadors. Pandeys and Ranas were instigated against Thapas, particularly Bhimsen Thapa by the two queens of King Rajendra as well as the English. who came to power with the English support by knew that they could sustain their autocracy as long as they could please the English To win the two world wars. It is not merely a coincidence that Rana autocracy was overthrown following the independence of India.

Nuptial relation with the royal family  

In order to strengthen the relation with the royal family, Jung Bahadur married Prime Minister Fattejung Shah's sister Hiranyagarva Kumari. To further tie up the relation, marriage of sons Jagatjung and were arranged with the two princes of King Surendra. Later he gave away his two daughter marriage to prince Trailokya. These relations helped Jung Bahadur to rise to stately status and he could get more power in his hand.

Three Parvas

Kot Massacre:  The murder episode that took place on the night of Aswin 2, 1903 BS has been regarded as the Kot Massacre. Some historians took this murder episode as a result of the conspiracy hatched by Jung Bahadur, while others taking it in a different way through that it was an inevitable event of mass killing which Jung Bahadur used to fulfil his own purpose. However, this episode of homicide was not only limited to the mass killing of high level countries, assembling in the court of the place in order to find out the culprit who had murdered Gagan Singh, a private person of Queen Rajyalakshmi, but it was also beginning of the family rule. At this mass killing event, prime minister, Chautariya Fattejung Shah General Abhiman Singh and many other countries holding high posts and solders were cruelly killed. After the Kot Massacre, Jung Bahadur was appointed in the post the Commander-in-Chief.

Bhandarkhal Event: The next event of mass killing the countries which was carried out at the Bhandarkhal garden on Aswin 17, 1903 BS is known as Bandarkhal Parva and was thought to be the outcome of the conspiracy of Queen Rajyalakshmi to kill Jung Bahadur. The queen wanted to make her own son, Ranendra Bikram Shah, a king instead of Surendra Bikram Shah, the legitimate crown prince. But, Jung Bahadur was deadly against this. She, therefore had an evil design of killing Bahadur with the help of this opponent including Gagan Singh Khawas' family. Having informed about all this, Jung Bahadur with the help of his brothers and 6 platoons of soldiers managed to get all of his opponents killed in the Bhandrakhal garden. Among those murdered in the event were Birdhoj basnet, Mansingh Basnet and many other Basnets and 23 other persons. The queen was charged with many crimes of murder and she was sent to Benaras after making Jung Bahadur the Prime Minister.

Alau Event: Rajendra Bikram Shah staying in Benaras was after a plan to come to power again against Jung Bahadur. The Persons whom he deputed for killing Jung Bahadur were arrested with evidences. Consequently Jung Bahadur dethroned Rajendra Bikram and declared Surendra Bikram the King. Outraged with the development of the event, Rajendra Bikram Shah left Benaras to declare war against Jung Bahadur. On 13 Shrawn, 1904 BS the old Gorkha battalion led by Sanaksingh Shah attacked the soldiers of Rajendra Bikram Shah at Alau near Birgunj and defeated them badly. Rajendra Bikram under arrest was brought to Kathmandu and put into the prison of Bhaktapur palace.

Royal approval of 24 Shrawn 1913 BS

King Surendra was a puppet in the hand of Jung Bahadur. Through the approval of 24 Shrawn, 1913 BS, he made Jung Bahadur the king of Lamjung and Kaski (Shree Teen Maharaj). Now Jung Bahadur could exercise very important executive powers including appointment and dismissal of officials. infliction of punishments and formulation of laws.

Role Played by Brave Warriors in the Anglo – Nepal War

Balabhadra Kunwar

Six miles from Deharadun of India in the north- east on the way to Mussoorie there is a place, called Nalapani. It had been the territory of Nepal since long before the Anglo-Nepal War. Balabhadra Kunwar had built a fort on a height of 500 feet at Nalapani, which was known by the name of khalanga fort.

At the time of the Anglo-Nepal War, Gillespie, the General and Maubi, the colonel had gone to the khalanga fort with 3500 soldiers and 15 guns in their arms. They were divided into four groups for the attack on the fort from all sides. One night before the attack of the khalanga fort, Sir Robert Rolls Gillespie wrote a letter to Balbhadra, asking him to surrender. But Balbhadra tore the letter without going through it and said, ''We don't read a litter at night, I will meet with Gillespie shortly.'' In the next morning, the English side attacked the fort will guns other arms. The men and women responded from inside the fort with guns, arrows and bricks. Mr. Allis, lieutenant, who was advancing to the battlefield to encourage the English force, was killed in the gun firing of the Nepalese soldiers.

At this, Gillespie, the Major General went straight to the fort with his cap in one hand and sword in the other. He was killed in the same way as Allis at the hands of Nepalese soldiers. The number of the wounded and killed on the English battalion, unable to resist the Nepalese army, made an escape to Deharadun. At the escape of the English force at the defeat, Balbhadra Kunwar sent a letter to Kathmandu with a request for more army help, but no help could be made available form Kathmandu. The route of Nahan, through which the Nepalese soldiers were advancing to Khalanga for its security, was blocked by the English force.

The well-equipped force led by, Colonel Mauvi made the second attack on the Khalanga fort. The Nepalese army force was responding with bricks and stones, thrown at their enemies. The Nepalese women were highly apprieciated for their bravery shown in the battlefield, by the fighting English Captions, Mensitart and Princep. After the war, many of the wounded women and the dead bodies of the women were taken out from the ruined walls of the fort. The furious English soldiers had blocked the source of water to the fort, came out, opening the doors, by themselves to get rid of their thirst for water and of the foul smell of the dead bodies.

The bereave Nepalese women quenched their thirst with the water of the nearby river even amidst the dreadful situations of the gunfiring. They made their way to another fort of Jitgadh for its security.

Turning to the English before leaving the palace, Balbhadra said to them in a loud voice, "it was impossible for you to have victory over the fort, but I leave it on my own accord."

The Englishmen had, in honour of the bravery of the Nepalese people, written in a memorial stone the words like "As a tribute of respect for our gallant adversary BULBUDDER, commander of the fort and HIS BRAVE GOORKAS."

Amarsingh Thapa

Badakaji Amarsingh Thapa was a son of Bhimsingh Thapa. After the honourable death of Bhimsingh in the battle of Palanchowk, Amarsingh Thapa got this title. A son of a father who was killed in a battle was entitled to get his father's title at that time. The name of Premier Bhimsen Thapa's father was also Amarsingh Thapa but Badakaji Amarsingh Thapa was a different person. He had played an important role at the time of conquest of Baise and Chaubise states. He had expanded the western boundary of Nepal up top the Sutlaj River. The responsibility of the operation of the war in the whole west including Kumaun and Godhawal was entrusted with Amarsingh Thapa. On the side of the English, it was the responsibility of Sir David Octorlony to take care of the operation of the war. At the start of the war, Amarsingh thapa had built a fort at Ramgadh. He fought bravely for the defence of this fort.With the Anglo-Nepal War. Going against Nepal, Nepal was forced to accept the Sugauli Treaty. Frustrated with this, Amarsingh Thapa went to Gosainkunda and breathed his last there.

Bhakti Thapa

            Sardar Bhakti Thapa, as a Godar Thapa of Lamjung fought against the Gorkhalese in the bettle on behalf of the army of Kehari Narayan Shah, the king of Lamjung. In course of time, he joined the Gorkhalese force. During the period of the Anglo-Nepal war, Sardar Amarsingh Thapa was controlling the operation of the war of the whole western Nepal from the fort of Malaun. To the south of this for, was the fort of Surajgadh. As the English army had the control over the fort of Deuthali, 1000 yards to Malaun fort, the security of the whole western region was at stake. This made Bakti Thapa. leave on 4 Baishakh 1872 BS (April 16, 1815) for the battle field with various kinds of knives and swords in his hand together with 2000 Nepalese soldiers amidst the fierce gun firing of the English army all around. There was a fierce gun fience fighting between the two sides. He was hit by the bullet at his heart and killed. He died a death of honour. 700 soldiers were killed on the side of the Nepalese force, while on the side of the English Army; all the officers except only one at the arsenal were killed. Octorlony, the major handed over very respectfully to the Nepalese army, the body of Bhakti thapa worn over by a costly woollen wrapper. Next morning, his body was cremated with due guard of honour. At the end of the war, it took a different turn for the Anglo-Nepal War, because the soldiers in the Nepalese force lost their hope for the better, while the English force soldiers got ever more encouraged.

Bam Shah

            Bam Shah was the administrator of Kumaun, deputed there by the premier, Bhimsen Thapa. The Englishmen were taken aback at the activities taken up by him as the administrator. He was working well efficiently with the army force during the period of the Anglo-Nepal war. However, with the propaganda made by the English side about the defeat of the Nepalese force elsewhere, he could not resist the disappointment that swayed upon him. Edward Garner, aware of Bam Shah, getting dissatisfied with Bhimsen Thapa attempted to win him ho his side under the allurement of big offers to him. However, the English side failed in attempt to win Bam Shah, a true patriot of the country.

Ranabir Singh Thapa

            Bhimsen Thapa's youngest brother, Ranabir Singh Thapa was on deputation to Makawanpur during the Anglo-Nepal war of 1871 BS. The army under him defeated very badly the English force. Subsequently, after the war he was appointed the administrator of Palpa and also the junior general of Kalibox and Sabuj battalion. After some time, he became a saint, known by the name of Swami Avayananda .

Ujirsingh Thapa

            The premier, Bhimsen Thapa's father General Amarsingh Thapa was a governing Palpa. After the death of Amarsingh Thapa , his grandson, Nayansingh Thapa's Son, Ujirsingh Thapa became the governor of Palpa. In the battle of the Anglo-Nepal war, the English force led by the General Mr.Wood was badly defeated and driven away by Ujirsingh Thapa. The memory of his bravery is in good record of the modern history of Nepal.

Anglo –Nepal War: Causes and Effects

Introduction

Since 17th century, there had been British rule in India.  It was known as the British East India Company. The colony had been ever expanding since their rule established in India, the British wanted to capture Nepal and expand their colonial territory. They always favoured the rules of Nepal who wanted to please them and didn't seem to cause any resistance to their plan of colonization. As per their long- cherished plan, they fought against Nepal from 1814-16 AD. This known as the Anglo- Nepal War

Political causes

While the English were still expanding their colonies in India, Nepal was being unified. The unification was naturally against their interest. Immediately after victory won over Kathmandu and Patan, King Prithiv Narayan Shah had driven out all the Capuchin clergymen. Nepal's growing army strength and activity were looked upon by the English as a risk for themselves and they tried to do away with it. The defeated Baise and Chaubise kings, asking shelter in India, spared no pains to instigate the English to go in war with Nepal and to defeat it so that they could regain their lost territories.

The English authorities sent their trade delegates to Nepal time to time to solve their political and commercial interests. The teams of delegates, headed by James Logan, Fox Craft, Kirkpatrick, Mauilavi, Abdul Kadar Khan, W.O. Knox, etc. had come to Nepal for the purpose, but in vain.

Bhimsen Thapa was deadly against the English. he had a bitter experience for the activities of the English people in India, when he had been to India to give company to Rana Bahadur Shah. Bhimsen Thapa wanted to drive the English people away not only from India, but as much as from Asia so during the days of his term of office, he was trying to from a union of Asian states, including Maratha and Punjab with due understanding established with them. He had also tried to during Tibet and Burma in his side. He also gave much attention to military strengthening of Nepal. So Bhimsen Thapa's activities were highly opposed to the interest of the English.

Economic causes

The forests of Nepal were abundant in various wood species. The East India Company wanted to establish shipping industries in India through the use of wood brought from these forests. Other resources such as herbs, minerals, fertile land had also fascinated the English. The East India Company wanted to expand its trade from India to Tibet through Nepal. But the government of Nepal was not favouring the entry of foreign in to Nepal for various reasons

Natural causes

Since the English people were cold country, it was difficult for them to run the administration from their station in India, which is mostly a tropical country. So, they were in search of cold places like Nepal. Besides, the crossroad position of Nepal between India and Tibet also tempted to go in war with Nepal.

Immediate cause

The dispute over the issue of Butawal and Syuraj was the immediate cause of the Anglo – Nepal War. Since early days, the king of palpa had been occupying those territories in the Tarai region on the condition of paying revenue to Nawab Bajir of Abadh. The Nepalese force had taken over Butwal and Syuraj along with Palpa at the time of unification operations. The talk was being held on this issue between Nepal and English authorities. In the main time, the English governor, Marquis Hastings gave a threatening letter on the government of Nepal for the immediate return of Butwal and Syuraj to them. But Bhimsen Thapa, stubborn in nature was not a coward administrator to yield to the threat of the Governor General. Nepal was firm not to part with Butwal and Syuraj. As the result, the governor general, Lord hasting on 16th Kartik 1871 BS (1st Nov 1814 AD) declared war with Nepal. But the English battalion had entered the territory of Nepal 8 days earlier than the formal declaration of the war was made.

Consequences

The war went on for nearly two years. Nepali warriors fought bravely and resisted English attack in many places. Still overall events of the war went against Nepal. Bhimsen Thapa had expected help from Panjab, Gwaliyar and Maratha but in vain. So Nepal was compelled to sigh a surrender treaty i.e the Sugauli Treaty under humiliating circumstances on 2nd Dec 1815 AD. The treaty was handed over the East India Company with King's approval only on 4th March 1816 AD. The Anglo-war or the treaty in particular had the following consequences:

·    Nepal was obliged to surrender one-third of the total land to the East India Company.

·    Nepal lost the cold areas like Kumaon, Gadhwal, Nainital and Darjiling.

·    The Indian ambassadors to Nepal interfered in the internal affairs of Nepal in spite of opposition made from time to time by the Governor Generals.

·    Politics of conspiracy in the place played their roles.

·    Nepalese people's entry into the British army was on the rise.

The treaty however had some advantages for Nepal. It marked the end of the Anglo-Nepal conflict. The two sides became friendly and mutual cooperation started in the subsequent years. Nepal could prevent the further loss of its territory and life and property agreeing upon the treaty.

Victory over English Forces and the Valley by Prithivi Narayan Shah

Victory over English forces

Having captured kirtipur, the gorkhlese forces were going to attack kantipur king Jaya Prakash Malla, having no other way out, sought help from the British East India Company. Economic blockade of the valley had also affected the English trade with the valley and Tibet. Capuchin clergymen in Kathmandu were also scared by the Gorkhalese advancements. British East India Company sent a letter of threat to prithvi narayan shah lift the economic blockade. When it was not obeyed, they dispatched a large force of about 2400 soldiers under the commandership of captain kinloch for the help of Jaya Prithvi Narayan Shah who knew all this in advance, sent 5000 soidiers under the commarndership of Birbhadra Upadhyay and Banshu Gurung. Later it was reinforced another force comprising 700 soldiers led by Banshraj Pandey and Shreeharsha Panta. On 24 kartik 1824 (9 Nov, 1767) English forces were attacked suddenly in sindhuli and were badly defeated. The Gorkhaless took hold of 500 guns of the English force in the battle.

 Victory over the valley

Encouraged by their success at kirtipur, the gorkhalese forces surrounded the Basantapur Palace of Kantipur from three sides at about midnight on 13th aswin 1825 BS (28 Sep 1768 AD). Jaya Prakash Malla along with his people was busy in celebrating the Indra Jatra festival. The attack was sudden. So Kantipuri forces surrendered without resistance. The king, who would get very little sympathy from his subjects, fled to Patan seeking asylum there. Patan was captured on 24th of the same month (9 Oct 1768 AD). Jaya Prakash Malla, the king of the Kantipur and Tejnarsingh Malla, the king of the patan went to Bhaktapur for the protection  from its king Ranjit Malla. On 1st mangsir 1826 BS (16 Nov 1769) the Gorkhalese force had the victory on bhaktapur in the battle fought for 3 days. Jaya Prakash Malla who was wounded in the battle died at Aryaghat while Tejnarsingh Malla was taken to the prison. Ranjit Malla, Prithvi Narayan Shah's friend's father was sent to banaras at this (Ranjit Malla's ) wish. In this way the victorious march to the Kathmandu valley ended.

Victory Campaign directed to the west and east

After capturing the Kathmandu valley, King Prithivi Narayan Shah diverted his attention to the Chaubise states of the western Nepal. The Gorkhalese forces captured Lamjung, Tanahun, and kaski but lost humiliatingly when Palpa and Pravat taking these three states in their side defended jointly in Tanahun. Aware of the bad defeat of his force, King Prithivi Narayan Shah abandoned his wishful plan of attacking the western states and made advances to the east. He extended his boundary up to the Mechi River by capturing Chaudandi, Vijayapur and part of Illam. Prithivi Narayan Shah died on 1^st Magh 1831 BS before he could make next attempts in the west. The victory campaigns were further continued by his successors such as Pratap Singh Shah, Rajendra Laxmi and Bahadur Shah.