Background Flashcards
Context of Nepal
Context (Background)
*The three kingdoms of the Kathmandu valley, Kathmandu, Patan and Bhadgaon had quarreled among themselves and were too concerned with internal rivalries to pay any attention to any potential danger from without. This bad insularity by 1769 enabled P.N Shah, the king of Gorkha, to conquer the valley, forming foundations for the modern kingdom of Nepal.
*In 1767, a request to the British for help by the traditional valley kings, under threat form Gorkha expansion resulted in the ill-equipped and ill-prepared expedition numbering 2500 led by Captain Kinlcoh. The expedition was a disaster. The Gorkha army easily overpowered those who had not succumbed to malaria and desertion. This ineffectual British force provided the Gorkhas with firearms and filled them with suspicion, causing some to underestimate their future opponents. This conquest of the Kathmandu valley was only the beginning of an explosion of Gorkha power throughout the region.
*The Gorkha Army had overrun all of Eastern Nepal by 1773. By 1778 Gorkha forces had also annexed some western portions of Sikkim. In the West, all rulers as far as the kali river had submitted or been replaced by 1790. Father west still, the Kumaon region and its capital Almora had also succumbed to the Gorkhas.
Condition of Nepal before Unification
- The Shah Kings ruled in Gorkha.
- Different dynasties like Malla, Sen, Shah and Khas ruled over such kingdoms.
- There were 22 kingdoms like Jajarkot, Jumla, Salyan etc in Karnali region. These kingdoms were called the Baisey Rajya in West.
- There were 24 kingdoms in the Gorkhali region. These kingdoms were called the Chaubise Rajya.
- Kathmandu was divided into three different states like Kantipur, Bhadgaun and Patan.
- Eastern Nepal was divided into three kingdoms like Chudandi, Bijayapur and Makwanpur.
- The relations among these states were not good and the kings were arrogant and engaged in the war with each other.
- British East India Company was conquering India and was planning to occupy Nepal for extension of their trade with Tibet. The existence of Nepal was in danger.
Division of Nepal (Early Medieval Period 11th to 14th Century)
- Khasa Malla Empire.
- Nepal Mandala.
- Kamata Kingdom.
(Later Medieval Period 15th to 18th Century)
- Baisey Principalities.
- Chaubisey Principalities.
- Three Newar Malla Kingdoms.
- Three Sen Kingdoms of the Eastern Nepal.
Principalities of Nepal Before Unification
(Baisey Rajyas)
It was situated in between river Mahakali and Bheri.
1. Jumla
2. Jajarkot
3. Salyan
4. Accham
5. Rukum
6. Dullu
7. Doti
8. Dailekh
9. Raskot
10. Sanni
11. Darna
12. Bimkot
13. Bogtam
14. Gajul
15. Khumri
16. Bajura
17. Malneta
18. Bajhang
19. Dang
20. Jehari
21. Thalara
22. Bilaspur
Chaubisey Rajyas
It was situated in between river Bheri and Trishuli Gandaki.
1. Nuwakot
2. Gorkha
3. Garhunkot
4. Dhor
5. Bhirkot
6. Syangjha
7. Kaski
8. Sataunkot
9. Lamjung
10. Tanahu
11. Rising
12. Mustang
13. Paiyun
14. Palpa
15. Gulmi
16. Argha
17. Khanchi
18. Dhurkot
19. Isma
20. Parbat
21. Galkot
22. Musikot
23. Pyuthan
24. Udhaypur
Mallas of Kathmandu Valley (3 Principalities)
Sen Rajyas
Makwanpur, Chaudandi and Bijayapur (Eastern Nepal)
Lamjung Alliance
Lamjung, Kaski and Tanahun
Bhirkot Alliance
Bhirkot, Syanjha (West Nuwakot), Paiyun and Garhaunkot
Parbat Alliance
Parbat and Galkot
Pyuthan Alliance
Pyuthan, Musikot, Isma, Khumri and Bhingri
Palpa Alliance
Palpa, Jajarkot, Argha, Khanchi, Rising, Chising and Gulmi
What are the various degrees of Unification? What were the resources necessary for a state that set out on a path of conquest aimed at the Unification of Greater Nepal?
The various degrees of unification are as follows:
1. Military Unification - It is merely the expansion of one state in expense of the other. In this state, there is a minimum of administrative reorganization and maximum of interference in the local affairs of the captured state. The only change is that the revenue of the captured state belongs to the capturing state. It is very feeble and the union will only last as long as the capturing state has military superiority.
- Political Unification - It is the second degree of unification. In this case, administration of the captured state is brought under the capturing state and the agents of the capturing state controls the administration. This is also a weak form of unity and usually generates areas of reaction and opposition which will disrupt the unity if opportunity arises.
- Legal and Judicial Unification - It is the third degree of unification and it produces a much stronger form of unification or unity. In this case, the capturing state extends its laws and judicial customs to the captured state. Therefore, it applies to all within the state and citizens have equal rights. If it is applied uniformly and fairly over an extended period of time, this process produces the basis for a strongly united country.
- Administrative Unification - It is essential for the formation of a strongly united state. In this case, citizens of both countries have equal opportunities to serve in the administration of the government at all levels. It is difficult to implement and takes time but if done it tends to produce a well-united state.
- Cultural and Religious Unification - It is very essential for the formation of a unified country. The citizens of the captured state need not to be forced or induced to abandon their own religious and cultural part. It is achieved when citizens of both states feel ease with one another, and both states enjoy common practices. Language is a strong bond in the final unification of two states. It takes time and may develop gradually and simultaneously.
Resources that were required for the Unification of Greater Nepal
- Military - A state had to have military means, both men and equipment, to be able to successfully conquer another state.
- A feudatory type of government would not achieve true unity - The analysis of the fragmentation of principalities of Nepal illustrated this. Feudatory state contains strong centrifugal force and nullifies the basic centripetal force within the state, namely loyalty to the ruler. Loyalty always tends towards the Chief or Raja.
- Strong Central Government - No state could impose unity if the central government was not thoroughly unified and strong enough for the task. If the power of the central government is dissipated through division of the government or ruling class into factions, the effectiveness of the government is greatly weakened.
Nepali Political and Security Scenario
Under the circumstances mentioned above, division and sub-division among the ruling families and formation of 52 principalities in a small country like Nepal in the midst of intrigues and counter-intrigues among the ruling family members, inter-state clashes and economic crisis etc the then principalities had their worst time. The Newar Malla states and Sens of the east without any standing army and bitter ruling family conflicts inspired and attracted one dashing and adventurous ruler to take advantage of the situation. Prithivi Narayan Shah took advantage of the situation and initiated to move ahead from the east having full security in the rare i.e., the West.
