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How Nepal came from Monarchy to Democracy ?

First king of Nepal

Nepal, a landlocked country situated in South Asia, has a rich history spanning from the unification efforts of Prithvi Narayan Shah in the mid-18th century to its present-day status as a federal democratic republic. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of Nepal’s complex and often tumultuous journey from a monarchy to a democracy, highlighting the key events, challenges, and milestones that have shaped the nation’s political landscape over the past two centuries.


The Shah Dynasty and the Rana RegimeThe consolidation of modern Nepal began under the Shah dynasty during the mid-18th century, led by Prithvi Narayan Shah. However, the Rana dynasty soon ascended to power, holding hereditary prime ministerial positions from 1846 to 1951 and relegating the monarchy to a symbolic role. The Rana regime was characterized by autocratic rule and limited political engagement for the citizens.

The Democracy Movement of 1951 and the Panchayat Era

The mid-20th century saw the emergence of an educated elite in Nepal, leading to the establishment of political parties and an organized struggle against the Rana monarchy. The Nepal Communist Party and the Nepali Congress Party were at the forefront of this movement, which culminated in the Delhi Compromise of 1951 and the institution of a transitional government. However, this democracy was short-lived, as King Mahendra dissolved the parliament in 1960 and introduced the Panchayat system, which banned political parties and maintained autocratic control.

The People’s Movements of 1990 and 2006

The 1990 People’s Movement (Jan Andolan I) finally re-established multiparty democracy in Nepal. However, subsequent years were marked by political instability and the inadequacy of the new democratic constitution. The Maoist insurgency, which erupted in 1996, further complicated the political landscape.
The People’s Movement II (Jan Andolan II) in 2006 led to the abolition of the Monarchy and the establishment of Nepal as a Federal Democratic Republic. The new constitution promulgated in 2015 remains contested by groups fearing continued marginalization and institutional state oppression.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Nepal’s transition to democracy has been impacted by several challenges, including political instability, the persistence of authoritarianism, and the lack of socio-economic transformation. The increasing legitimacy gap of politicians and the challenges to stability, accountability, and inclusion remain key roadblocks to a sustainable democratic transformation.
Despite these challenges, Nepal has come a long way in consolidating democracy and establishing inclusive rule of law. Sustaining its democratic gains will require continued struggle by both the government and citizens.

Prithvi Narayan Shah, the King of Gorkha, played a pivotal role in unifying the small kingdoms of modern-day Nepal into a single nation between 1743 and 1775. Through a series of military campaigns and strategic alliances, he laid the foundation for the modern state of Nepal.

Military Campaigns

Gorkhali soldiers preparing war against Kathmandu Valley

Prithvi Narayan Shah’s military campaigns were instrumental in unifying Nepal. He conquered various small kingdoms, including Nuwakot, Gorkha, Lamjung, and Kaski, before annexing the Kathmandu Valley into his kingdom. His conquest of Nuwakot in 1744 marked the beginning of his unification efforts.Shah’s military campaign was not without controversy, as he used “tricks and treachery” to overpower his enemies. While the ruling class views him as the father of the modern nation, marginalized communities like the Adivasi Janajatis and Madhesis believe his military campaign was a form of colonization.

Divyopadesh and Unification

Prithvi Narayan Shah’s Divyopadesh, a collection of his teachings and advice to his successors, provides insights into his vision for a unified Nepal. In his Divyopadesh, Shah emphasized the importance of maintaining Nepal’s independence from foreign powers, particularly the East India Company.He predicted that only two kingdoms would be formed in the Mahabharata section, with the Ganges River as the border between them. Shah’s unification efforts were driven by his desire to protect the holy Himalayan kingdoms from English influence.

Impact on Culture, Language, and Identity

Prithvi Narayan Shah’s unification efforts brought together diverse communities with different cultures, traditions, and languages under one flag. Castes such as Kirat, Limbu, Newar, Chhetri, and Brahmin became “flowers in the garden” of a unified Nepal.However, the unification process also had its challenges. Shah failed to make the people in the conquered states feel like equal citizens of the unified country. The nation-building process was incomplete, and the ruling class did not adequately address the aspirations of marginalized communities in the subsequent years.

The Shah Dynasty and the Anglo-Nepalese War (1775-1816)

Anglo-Nepalese(Gorkha) Warनेपाल)-अङ्ग्रेज युद्ध

Bhakti Thapa (yellow) leading Nepalese Gurkhali Army against British forces
Date9 November 1814 – 4 March 1816LocationKingdom of NepalResultEast India Company victoryTreaty of Sugauli (4 March 1816)By the treaty, Nepal remained sovereign but became a protectorate and received a British resident till the Nepal–Britain Treaty of 1923.Territorial
changesNepal renounced all claim to the disputed Tarai, and ceded its conquests west of the Kali River and extending to the Sutlej River.

Rule of Prithvi Narayan Shah’s Successors

After the reign of Prithvi Narayan Shah, his successors, like Rana Bahadur Shah, faced challenges in maintaining Nepal’s sovereignty amidst tensions with the British East India Company. Rana Bahadur Shah’s rule was marked by internal power struggles and external pressures, leading to a complex political landscape in Nepal.

Anglo-Nepalese War with the British East India Company

The Anglo-Nepalese War, spanning from 1814 to 1816, was a significant conflict between Nepal and the British East India Company. Nepal, under the leadership of its rulers, engaged in a series of military confrontations with the British forces. Despite Nepal’s military strength and victories in earlier conflicts, the war ultimately resulted in the signing of the Treaty of Sugauli.

Treaty of Sugauli and Territorial Concessions

The Treaty of Sugauli, signed on March 4, 1816, marked the conclusion of the Anglo-Nepalese War and defined Nepal’s current territorial boundaries. As a result of this treaty, Nepal had to cede significant territories to the British East India Company, including Gadhwal, Kumaon, Mussoorie, Dehradun, and Darjeeling. This treaty had lasting implications for Nepal’s territorial integrity and relations with the British Empire.

The Rana oligarchy ruled Nepal from 1846 to 1951, during which the Rana family held hereditary prime ministerial positions and relegated the Shah dynasty monarchs to a symbolic role. This period was marked by repressive rule and a lack of modernization.

Rise of the Rana Family

Jung Bahadur Rana seized power in 1846 and made himself permanent prime minister, establishing the Rana oligarchy. He was given the hereditary title of Rana, and subsequent generations of the Rana family maintained control of the government. Under the Ranas, Nepal maintained relations with the British, who provided it with support.

Repressive Rule and Lack of Modernization

The Rana regime was characterized by autocratic rule and limited political engagement for the citizens. The Ranas focused on maintaining their power and privilege rather than modernizing the country. They resisted reforms and maintained a feudal system that exploited the people.

Reforms and the First Constitution

Despite the repressive nature of Rana rule, some reforms were introduced, such as the abolition of slavery. In 1948, the Ranas also promulgated Nepal’s first constitution, the Government of Nepal Act. However, these reforms were limited and did not address the fundamental issues of political representation and social justice.

The Rana family rose to power in Nepal in 1846, establishing a hereditary prime ministership that centralized the administration and deconstructed the feudal system. Jung Bahadur Rana, a prominent figure, seized power and made himself the permanent prime minister, leading the Rana oligarchy. During their rule, the Ranas maintained relations with the British, who supported them until their withdrawal from India in 1947.

The Rana regime was characterized by repressive rule and a lack of modernization, focusing more on maintaining power and privilege rather than advancing the country. The Ranas resisted significant reforms and upheld a feudal system that exploited the population. Despite this, some reforms were introduced, such as the abolition of slavery and the promulgation of Nepal’s first constitution, the Government of Nepal Act in 1948

The Panchayat System and the Nepali Congress Governments (1960-1990)

King Mahendra’s Imposition of the Partyless Panchayat System

In response to perceived corruption, promotion of party interests over national welfare, and the encouragement of anti-national elements, King Mahendra of Nepal invoked his emergency powers in 1960 to dissolve the government and introduce a partyless political system known as the Panchayat system. This system centralized power under the king, making Nepal a de facto absolute monarchy. The Panchayat system, introduced in 1961, established a four-tier structure based on limited elected executive committees, with power concentrated in the hands of the monarch.

Pro-Democracy Movements and the 1980 Referendum

Despite the authoritarian nature of the Panchayat system, pro-democracy movements began to gain momentum in Nepal. The banned Nepali Congress and the United Left Front launched a campaign of popular demonstrations and strikes in 1990 to end the Panchayat system and restore multiparty democracy. This movement, known as the People’s Movement, led to King Birendra lifting the ban on political parties and ultimately resulted in the end of the Panchayat system that had dominated Nepal for almost 30 years.

The 1990 Jana Andolan Uprising and the Restoration of Multiparty Democracy

The 1990 Jana Andolan uprising marked a significant turning point in Nepal’s political history. The movement, characterized by widespread protests and demands for democratic reforms, compelled King Birendra to lift the ban on political parties and bring an end to the Panchayat system. This uprising led to the restoration of multiparty democracy in Nepal, ending the era of authoritarian rule under the Panchayat system and ushering in a new era of political pluralism and democratic governance.

The Maoist Insurgency and the Abolition of the Monarchy (1996-2008)

Maoist Insurgency and Its Impact on Nepal

The Maoist insurgency in Nepal, initiated in 1996 by the Nepal Communist Party Maoist, aimed to combat the long-standing monarchy and address deeply rooted economic and social disparities. The insurgency led to a prolonged period of conflict, instability, and violence in Nepal, significantly impacting the country’s political landscape and societal fabric.

The 2001 Royal Massacre and the Ascension of King Gyanendra

The 2001 royal massacre, a tragic event that claimed the lives of King Birendra and several members of the royal family, played a crucial role in undermining the legitimacy of King Gyanendra’s rule. This event heightened political tensions and contributed to the erosion of public trust in the monarchy, paving the way for increased dissent and calls for political change in Nepal.

The 2006 Loktantra Andolan and the Abolition of the Monarchy

The 2006 Loktantra Andolan, also known as the People’s Movement II, was a significant pro-democracy movement in Nepal that culminated in the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of Nepal as a Federal Democratic Republic in 2008. This movement, fueled by widespread protests and demands for political reform, marked a turning point in Nepal’s history, ending centuries of monarchical rule and ushering in a new era of democratic governance.

The Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (2008-2024)

Drafting of the 2015 Constitution and Federal Structure

After the abolition of the monarchy in 2008, Nepal embarked on drafting a new constitution through an elected Constituent Assembly. Despite initial progress, political disagreements on issues like federal provinces and the form of government led to the first Constituent Assembly failing to complete the task by 2012. A second Constituent Assembly was elected in 2013, and after weeks of resolving contentious issues, the new constitution was promulgated on September 20, 2015.
The 2015 constitution defines Nepal as a federal democratic republic with a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, multi-religious, and multi-cultural character. It established a federal structure with seven provinces, each with its own elected provincial assembly and chief minister. The constitution also introduced provisions for proportional representation and reserved seats for marginalized groups in the federal parliament.

2015 Earthquake and 2015-2016 Blockade by India

In April 2015, Nepal was struck by a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake, followed by several powerful aftershocks. The disaster caused massive loss of life, infrastructure, and property, particularly in the mid-hill districts and Kathmandu Valley. The earthquake created a sense of urgency among political parties to expedite the constitution-drafting process and focus on post-disaster reconstruction.Shortly after the promulgation of the constitution, Nepal faced a blockade by India along the Nepal-India border, which lasted from September 2015 to February 2016. The blockade, which was allegedly in response to Nepal’s new constitution, caused severe shortages of fuel, medicine, and other essential supplies in Nepal. The blockade and the earthquake’s aftermath highlighted Nepal’s vulnerability and the need for improved disaster preparedness and self-reliance.

Development Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite the progress made in establishing a federal democratic republic, Nepal continues to face significant development challenges. Poverty, inequality, and lack of access to basic services remain pressing issues. The country’s economy is heavily dependent on remittances from migrant workers and tourism, making it vulnerable to external shocks.Political instability and the persistence of authoritarianism have also hindered Nepal’s democratic consolidation. The legitimacy gap of politicians and the challenges to stability, accountability, and inclusion remain key roadblocks to sustainable democratic transformation.However, Nepal has shown resilience in the face of adversity. The 2022 local, provincial, and national elections were generally seen as free and fair, with a trend towards independent candidates and a shift away from control by traditional political parties. The government has also taken measures to improve state capacity and manage the COVID-19 pandemic.To secure a prosperous future, Nepal must address its development challenges through inclusive and sustainable policies, strengthen its democratic institutions, and foster social cohesion among its diverse population. With continued struggle by both the government and citizens, Nepal can consolidate its democratic gains and achieve its aspirations as a federal democratic republic.

References

1.Himalayan Kingdom: Nepal, Past and Present by Johannes Burghart (2013)

2.The History of Nepal by John W. Armstrong (2019)

3.Democracy in Nepal: Challenges and the Way Forward by Krishna Khanal (2010) [Check free online version on websites of NDI or Asia Foundation]

4.Nepal in Transition: Democracy, Conflict and the Search for a New Political Order (2012) by Michael Hutt [scholar.google.com]

5.Federalism and Ethnicity in Nepal: Challenges and Opportunities (2016) by Krishna Hachhethu [scholar.google.com]

6.The Maoist Insurgency in Nepal: Revolution Deferred? (2009) by Krishna Paudel [scholar.google.com]

7.Nepal Earthquake 2015 BBC News

8.Nepal Blockade by India The Guardian

9.Nepal’s 2022 Elections Reuters