 | This article needs additional citations for verification .(September 2024) |
Maharaj Adhirajkumar Chandrarup Shah was the youngest son of Prithvipati Shah [1] and Rani Kulangavati. He is known in the history of Nepal for cleverly settling power struggle in the Royal house of Gorkha between Dal Shah and Udyot Shah after the death of their older brother (Crown Prince) Birbhadra Shah. Chandrarup Shah was appointed as the Regent for his nephew Maharaj Nara Bhupal Shah
Birbhadra Shah, the eldest son of Prithvipati Shah, entered into matrimony with the daughter of the Raja of Tanahun, all while maintaining the utmost discretion regarding her pregnancy. In a deeply intimate exchange, Chandrarup Shah, Birbhadra's youngest sibling, confided, 'Our bond has been profound since childhood, and I entrust in you alone. My ailment seems grave, with no prospects of recovery. My queen is expecting and has sought refuge in her father's abode. In the event of my departure by divine will, I implore you to inquire about the outcome of her pregnancy and provide her with your unwavering support.' Birbhadra solemnly vowed to fulfill his brother's wishes with the entirety of his strength, life, and wealth. Assuring Chandrarup that his household would be adequately cared for, Birbhadra offered solace, urging him not to dwell on the matter. Following Birbhadra's passing, Chandrarup discreetly discovered that the departed queen had given birth to Nara Bhupal Shah Nara Bhupal Shah in Tanahun.
Maharaj Prithwipati Shah reigned over Gorkha from 1673 to 1716 A.D. Enthralled by the splendor of Malla art and architecture during his sojourn in Kathmandu, he sought to replicate its grandeur in Gorkha. Consequently, he commissioned the construction of temples dedicated to goddess Kali, Lord Pashupati, Hanuman (the Monkey god), and the footprints of the sage Gorakhnath, from whom Gorkha derived its name. Remarkably, the images of Pashupati and Hanuman mirrored those found in the Kathmandu Valley. Maharaj Prithwipati Shah's visionary contributions also extended to the establishment of the revered temple of Goddess Manakamana. [2]
Contemplating the selection of a successor,Maharaj Prithiwipati, [3] in his advanced age, faced a dilema. The loss of his eldest son without an heir raised concerns. The second son, Dal Shah, was deemed unfit due to the exclusionary factor of having only one eye. Choosing the third son, Udyot Shah, posed the ethical challenge of favoring a younger heir over an elder one. The royal council found itself divided on this crucial decision, with some advocating for the second son and others for the third, unable to reach a consensus.
In this moment of uncertainty, Chandrarup Shah approached Maharaj Pritivipati Shah during a private audience, proposing that the established tradition be maintained. According to this practice, not all sons of the Raja could ascend to the throne, and adherence to this precedent would resolve the current impasse
In response to Prithwipati's inquiry, Chandrarup Shah elucidated the intricate details of Birbhadra Shah's pregnant queen and the subsequent birth of Nara Bhupal Shah. Though relieved by this revelation, Prithwipati remained skeptical. Attempting to secure Nara Bhupal Shah's presence, Chandrarup dispatched a messenger, but the Raja of Tanhun, harboring ambitions of Gorkha's sovereignty through the child, obstinately refused to release him.
Undeterred, Chandrarup Shah employed a shrewd strategy, bribing the nurse and attendants of Nara Bhupal Shah. With their cooperation, he managed to bring the child to his residence in Gorkha, safeguarding him for three years. As the fourth year commenced, Chandrarup orchestrated a pivotal moment. Placing Nara Bhupal Shah on the back of a slave, he presented him before the Raja, who inquired about the boy's identity. When informed by the slave that he was the Sahib ji (heir apparent), the Raja remained silent.
During a momentous day when Nara Bhupal Shah immersed himself in a nude swim, baring his entire body to the observing Raja, a profound realization dawned upon the ruler. In an instant, the Raja recognized Nara Bhupal Shah as the incarnation of Birbhadra Shah. Seizing this pivotal moment, he ushered the young heir to the Durbar, where he ascended the gaddi with his grandson comfortably seated on his lap.
In acknowledgment of Chandrarup Shah's pivotal role in restoring the lost descendant, the Raja summoned him. Expressing gratitude and admiration, he commended Chandrarup's unwavering efforts, patting him on the back with the exclamation, 'Syabas! You have fulfilled your duty to the utmost.' The Raja went on to declare, 'Henceforth, my descendants will regard yours as their own brothers.' In a gesture of generosity, he announced, 'Your jagirs and birtas will descend to your posterity rent-free.'
After the death of Prithwi-pati, for the succession of Narbhupal Shah, there was much intrigue but because of the loyalty of Chandra Rup Shah and courtiers, he became the king without bloodshed. [4] To him was born Prithvi Narayan Shah. Prithvi Narayan Shah took his seat on the gaddi, at the age of twelve, in Saka 1644 (1742 A.D.)
Chandrarup Shah had two sons: Vishnurup Shah and Birbaha Shah. Vishburup Shah had only one son: Jiv Shah. Jiv Shah had three sons: Sri Chautaria Prana Shah (Granted the title of Sri Chautaria 1803), Shamsher Shah, and General H.E. Sri Chautariya Pushkar Shah. [5]
General H.E. Sri Chautaria Pushkar Shah [ citation needed ] was born in 1784, educated privately. He served as the governor of Doti 1831-1837, as a special ambassador to China 1837-1838, as Mukhtiyar (prime minister) 1838-1839, and as Councilor of State 1840-1843. He died in 1841. He has four sons: Sri Chautaria Bhim Bikram Shah, Rana Bikram Shah, Colonel Sri Chautaria Bir Bikram Shah, and Colonel Ambar Bikram Shah.
Colonel Ambar Bikram Shah was killed by the Ranas for his part in the attempted coup d'état, at Teku, January 1882. His son Jabber Jung escaped from Kathmandu disguised as a Jogi with his son Amar Jung Shah Shah to a village. Jabbar Jung's mission was to organize an army to topple the regime of Ranodeep Singh Kunwar. Jabbar's daughter was married to Maharaj Bhim Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana. She gave birth to Maharaj Padma Shumsher.
Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah Dev, was the eighth King of Nepal. Born in Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, he ascended to the throne at the age of five, upon the death of his father, Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah, and was crowned on 20 February 1913 at the Nasal Chowk, Hanuman Dhoka Palace in Kathmandu, with his mother acting as regent. At the time of his crowning, the position of monarch was largely ceremonial, with the real governing power residing with the Rana family.
The Gorkha Kingdom also known as the Gorkha Confederation and popularly known Gorkha Empire was a member of the Chaubisi rajya, a confederation of 24 states, located at the intersection of Himalayas and the Indian subcontinent. In 1743, the kingdom began a campaign of military expansion, annexing several neighbors and becoming present-day Nepal.
Bhimsen Thapa was a Nepalese statesman who served as the Mukhtiyar and de facto ruler of Nepal from 1806 to 1837. He is widely known as the longest-serving prime minister of Nepal and was inducted into the "National heroes of Nepal" by King Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah.
The unification of Nepal was the process of building the modern Nepalese state, from fractured petty kingdoms including the Baise Rajya and the Chaubisi Rajya, which began in 1743 AD. The prominent figure in the unification campaign was Prithvi Narayan Shah, King of Gorkha. On 25 September 1768, he officially announced the creation of the Kingdom of Nepal and moved his capital from Gorkha to the city of Kathmandu.
The Kot massacre took place on 14 September 1846 when then Kaji Jang Bahadur Kunwar and his brothers killed about 30-40 civil officials, military officers and palace guards of the Nepalese palace court including the Prime Minister of Nepal and a relative of the King, Chautariya Fateh Jung Shah along with other senior-most ministers and army generals at the palace armory (Kot) of Hanuman Dhoka in Kathmandu.
The Prime Minister of Nepal is the head of government of Nepal. Together with their Council of Ministers, The Prime Minister exercises executive power in the country. The Prime Minister must enjoy the confidence in the Pratinidhi Sabha before being appointed by the President and shall resign if they are unable to retain the majority in the House.
The Rana dynasty was a Chhetri dynasty that imposed authoritarianism in the Kingdom of Nepal from 1846 until 1951, reducing the Shah monarch to a figurehead and making the Prime Minister and other government positions held by the Ranas hereditary. The Rana dynasty is historically known for their iron-fisted rule in Nepal. This changed after the Revolution of 1951 with the promulgation of a new constitution, when power shifted back to the monarchy of King Tribhuvan.
Nara Bhupal Shah was a king of the Gorkha Kingdom, which lies in modern day Nepal; and the father of Prithvi Narayan Shah. Nara Bhupal Shah was the son of Birbhadra Shah, the grandson of Prithvipati Shah. He was the king of the Gorkha state in Nepal. He unsuccessfully tried to extend his kingdom by capturing Nuwakot.
Basnyat/Basnet family or Basnyat/Basnet dynasty was a Khas-Chhetri and a warlord clan family involved in the politics and administration of the Gorkha Kingdom and Kingdom of Nepal. This family got entry into Thar Ghar aristocracy group of Gorkha at the time of King Prithvi Narayan Shah. It was one of the four noble families to be involved in active politics of Nepal together with the Shah dynasty, Pande family and the Thapa dynasty before the rise of the Rana dynasty. This family is descended from Shivaram Singh Basnyat, the commander of Gorkhali forces and a member of Shreepali Basnyat clan of Gorkha. This family was maritally linked to Kala (Black) Pande section of the Pande dynasty through Chitravati Pande who married Kaji Kehar Singh Basnyat. This family was the last Kshatriya (Chhetri) political family to be wiped out from the central power by Jung Bahadur Rana of Kunwar family during the Bhandarkhal Massacre in 1846 for the conspiracy to take the power leading to people suffering from 104 long years of the Rana rule.
Ranaudip Singh Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji, KCSI, commonly known as Ranodip Singh Kunwar was the second Prime Minister of Nepal from the Rana dynasty. His style was His Excellency Commanding General Shree Shree Shree Maharaja Sir.
The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is a public museum in Kathmandu, Nepal located east of the Kaiser Mahal and next to Thamel. The museum was created in 2008 from the complex of the former Narayanhiti Palace following the 2006 revolution. Before the revolution, the palace was the residence and principal workplace of the monarch of the Kingdom of Nepal, and hosted occasions of state.
Kaji was a title and position used by nobility of Gorkha Kingdom (1559–1768) and Kingdom of Nepal between 1768 and 1846. Many other contemporary kingdoms used the same title for their ministers.
Mukthiyar General Sri Sri Sri Chautariya Pushkar Shah was the Mukhtiyar of Nepal from August 1838 to early 1839. He previously served as the governor of Doti from 1831 to 1837, and as Special Ambassador to China from 1837 to 1838. He was the counselor of state from 1840 to 1841.
Sri ChautariaFateh Jang Shah or Fatya Jang Shah, also popularly known as Fatte Jang Chautariya, was the 6th prime minister of Nepal.
Kaji Biraj Thapa Magar played an important role in the Gorkha Kingdom. His leadership, prudence and courage all exhibit that he was one of the important Gorkha Bhardars that helped Narbaupal Shah become King of Gorkha. He may also be seen as a King Maker in the modern day term. According to different genealogies, he had taken Narabhupal Shah and his mother Malikavati in custody for three months. The Queen Mother and her son were secretly protected at his residence. After the death of his grandfather, Narabhupal Shah became the King of Gorkha in 1716 and died in 1743. His son, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, succeeding him began unification of small principalities to found modern Nepal.
Nir Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana. Field Marshal and retired General of the Nepal Army (NA). Born on 11 Poush, 1970 B.S. (1913) in Jawalakhel Durbar, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Field Marshal Rana died at the age of 99. He was son of the then ruling Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher Rana and his second wife, Mahila Maharani Krishna Kumari. According to a statement, the centenarian Field Marshal had joined the then Royal Nepal Army (RNA) at the age of 18 on 1 Shrawan 1988 B.S (1931) and was appointed to the post of Major at the Shri Pashupati Prasad Battalion. He became the Commander-in-Chief of the RNA on 15 Baisakh, 2017 B.S (1960) and retired on 15 Baisakh in 2022 B.S (1965). He was appointed Field Marshal after his retirement in 2022 B.S.
Sri ChautariaBam Shah or Brahma Shah was an administrator of Nepal. He belongs to Shah Dynasty of Gorkha. He was Governor of Kumaun Province during Anglo-Nepalese war.
Bir Bhadra Thapa or Birabhadra Thapa also spelled Virabhadra or Virbhadra, was a politician, courtier and military officer in the Gorkha Kingdom during the 18th century. Born in the medieval Tanahun Kingdom, he left his ancestral property there and migrated to the uprising Gorkha Kingdom. He got entry into the minor ranks of military of King Prithvi Narayan Shah due to being a nephew of Sura Prabha, the wife of military commander Shivaram Singh Basnyat of the Basnyat dynasty. Thereafter, he took part in the various battles of Unification of Nepal throughout his life. Among his grandsons, Bhimsen Thapa went on to become the Mukhtiyar of Nepal for 31 years and founder of Thapa dynasty.
Bhim Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana ruled Nepal from 26 November 1929 until his death on 1 September 1932. He was born on 16 April 1865.