NEPAL
BRIEF HISTORY
The Royal House of Nepal claims descent from the Chitor dynasty ruling at Udaipur. Ajaya Simha (alias Mincha Khan), younger son of Bhupal Ranaji Rao, established himself as Prince of Nayakot, Lambjang, Kaski, and Tanhun ca. 1495. His successor, Jagdeva Khan, conquered the principality of Kaski and secured the title of Shah from the Emperor of India during the sixteenth century.
Drabya Shah, great-grandson of Jagdeva, conquered Gorkha, establishing himself as the founder of the fortunes of the dynasty. His descendant, Prithvi Narayan, entered the Katmandu valley and ejected the Malla dynasty, becoming King in 1768. His successors conquered or subdued all the remaining petty principalities and unified the kingdom. They twice invaded Tibet but were severaly beaten and forced to become tributaries of the Emperor of China. The Indian borderlands and seized several principalities, thereby coming into conflict with the British East India Company.
Although severely beaten back to within reach of their borders, the Gurkha soldiers put up such an heroic defence that won the admiration of their foes. Enemies became firm friends and peace terms were generous, leaving Nepal as a virtually independent buffer state. The close association with the British forces, date from this period, captured Gurkha units being recruited en masse.
Court intrigues and the succession of minors, resulted in the advent of powerful Ministers. Assassinations and revolutions became commonplace as different court favourites and their families competed for power. Eventually, and perhaps inevitably, the tables were turned. The prime ministership became a virtual dictatorship.
Jang Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji, became Prime Minister in 1846 after yet another bloody coup. He consolidated his position in 1857, laying the foundations of a military oligarchy, which lasted for a century. He received the title of Maharaja of Lambjang and Kaski and the offices of Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief made hereditary within his family.
The status of the King during the Rana period closely resembled that of the Emperors of Japan. He became a semi-divine figure, greatly venerated but kept away from political matters, his movements watched and actions closely controlled. The Prime Minister's position was not unlike that of the Shogun, his office was hereditary and he controlled all political and military affairs. Foreign relations were limited to the periodic tribute missions to China and close co-operation with the British in India, no more than a handful of foreigners were permitted to visit the country and trade was restricted.
The immense contribution by Gurkha troops during the Great War prompted recognition of the full independence of the country, by Britain, in 1923. Although diplomatic relations were opened with the major European powers, the closed system remained in place. However, Nepal could not remain immune from the strong currents of change that engulfed South Asia in 1947 and 1948. Within two years a revolution had broken out, overthrowing the Rana oligarchy and bringing the monarchy centre-stage once more.
The 1950 revolution may have secured a democratic regime, but Nepal's journey has not proved to be a stable one, since then. The Kings of Nepal have often had to play an important part in Nepalese politics. On two occasions the constitution has been abrogated and democratic institutions suspended, with the King assuming executive powers.
King Birendra, Queen Aishwari, their two younger children and five other members of the Royal Family were massacred by the then Crown Prince Dipendra, in the grounds of Narayanhiti Royal Palace in June 2001. This was the worst incident of its kind in modern history. King Gyanendra, the surviving brother of Birendra, has succeeded to the throne in an atmosphere of much confusion and great sadness.
