🔻 Downfall of the Rana Regime – Key Causes and Events 1950 AD movement

and the end of Rana rule.

🧬 1. Family Intrigues and Conflicts
 After Jung Bahadur Rana’s death, Ranodip Singh (his brother) became PM.
 Ranodip had no children → power struggle began.
 1938 & 1942 Parvas: Massacres led to the sons of Dhir Shumsher
assassinating Ranodip and taking control.
 The lineage of Dhir Shumsher dominated politics thereafter.
 Chandra Shumsher removed Dev Shumsher from power (just after 114
days).
 Continuous internal power struggle among Ranas weakened their rule.

👑 2. Disregard for King and the People

 The Shah King became a ceremonial figure only.
 Royal family under strict surveillance.
 No political, civil, or press freedoms.
 Ranas strategically married into the royal family to maintain control.
 Citizens suffered exploitation, poverty, and lack of rights.

🚫 3. Exclusion of 'C' Class Ranas

 Chandra Shumsher classified Ranas into A, B, and C classes based on
parentage.
 C-class Ranas (born from non-elite wives) were:
o Denied succession
o Exiled under Juddha Shumsher
 Led to resentment within Rana family.
🏴‍☠️4. British Withdrawal from South Asia (1947 A.D./2004 B.S.)
 Ranas had long survived due to British support.
 After India gained independence, British left South Asia.
 Ranas became diplomatically isolated and lost external support.
 Exiled Nepalis in India were encouraged by the Indian independence
movement and began planning revolution.

🤝 5. King Tribhuvan's Support for the Revolution

 King Tribhuvan secretly supported anti-Rana forces.
 He met with revolutionaries, encouraged them, and sought India's help.
 In 2007 B.S., Tribhuvan escaped to Indian Embassy and then to Delhi.
 India recognized him as the legitimate monarch.

🔥 Major Anti-Rana Movements & Events

1) Lakhan Thapa's Rebellion (1932 B.S.)
 Declared divine mission as goddess Manakamana had ordered him to kill
Jung Bahadur Rana.
 Hanged and became Nepal’s first martyr.
2) Makai Parva (1977 B.S.)
 Krishna Lal Adhikari published Makai ko Kheti criticizing Ranas
metaphorically. "We love foreign dogs more than indigenous dogs but at the
time of theft and robbery. "
 indigenous dogs are worthful than foreign dogs i.e. British.
 Imprisoned for 9 years; died in jail.
3) Charkha Prachar Andolan (1987 B.S.)
  Being impressed by Mahatma Gandhi of India, in 1987 B.S., Tulashi Mehar
started the publicity of Charkha. His main aim was to spread consciousness
to revolt against Ranas.
 Later on, Rana ruler alleged him committing treason. He and his followers
were arrested..
4) Prachanda Gorkha (1987 B.S.)
 Secret revolutionary group.
 Planned mass assassination of Ranas.
 Plan leaked → all leaders imprisoned/died in jail.
5) Library Revolution (1987 B.S.) & Mahavir School (1993 B.S.)
 Created to raise awareness and promote education.
 Both were suppressed by the Ranas.
6) Nepali Nagarik Adhikar Samiti (1994 B.S.)
 Led by Shukra Raj Shastri.
 Aimed to educate masses through religious texts.
 Leaders like Shukra Raj and Ganga Lal imprisoned.
7) Nepal Praja Parishad (1993 B.S.)
 First formal political party.
 Founded by Tanka Prasad Acharya, Dashrath Chand, Dharmabhakta
Mathema, etc.
 Executed 4 martyrs:
o Shukra Raj, Dashrath Chand, Ganga Lal, Dharmabhakta
Mathema

8) Nepali Rastriya Congress (2003 B.S.)

  Formed in India.
 Leaders: Ganesh Man Singh, Suvarna Shamsher, etc.
 Demanded democratic rule in Nepal.
9) Biratnagar Jute Mill Labour Strike (2003 B.S.)
 First organized workers' protest in Nepal.
 The labors of Biratnagar Mill hadn’t enough rights. After the establishment
of Nepali Rastriya Congress, the labors became very eager to demand their
comforts. The labor movement started in 20th Phalgun, 2003 BS. On Chaitra
11, Badahakim, Ram Shamsher requested Ranas to send 250 soldiers in
Biratnagar. Then all the leaders were arrested along with Indian leaders
too.Ranas sent army; mass arrests and killings.
 Leaders included B.P. Koirala and Man Mohan Adhikari.
10) Jayatu Sanskritam Andolan (2004 B.S.)
 Sanskrit students protested for modern subjects.
 Gained public support, partly succeeded.
11) Interim Constitution of 2004 B.S.
 Announced by PM Padma Shumsher under public pressure.
 Introduced basic rights & separation of powers.
 Couldn’t be implemented fully due to Rana opposition.
12) Formation of Political Parties (2005–06 B.S.)
 Nepal Praja Panchayat, Nepal Prajatantra Congress formed.
 Nepal Communist Party founded in 2006 B.S. by Pushpa Lal Shrestha.
 On 27 Chaitra 2006, Nepali Rastriya Congress + Prajatantra Congress =
Nepali Congress.

🔥 Final Events Leading to the Fall

  21 Kartik 2007 B.S.: King Tribhuvan fled to India.
 Ranas declared Gyanendra as king, but India and people rejected it.
 Nepali Congress launched armed revolt in:
o Kathmandu
o Biratnagar
o Birgunj
o Ilam
o Jhapa
o Dhankuta
o Janakpur, etc.
 Leaders included B.P. Koirala, Dr. K.I. Singh, Rudra Prasad Giri,
Balchandra Sharma, etc.

📜 Delhi Agreement (2007 B.S. / Feb 1951 A.D.)

Signed between:
 King Tribhuvan
 Nepali Congress
 Rana Representatives
 Mediated by the Indian Government
📝 Main Terms of the Delhi Agreement:
 👑 King Tribhuvan to be restored as the legitimate monarch.
 A joint government of Rana and Congress members to be formed.
 A Constituent Assembly to be elected on the basis of adult suffrage.
 🔓 All political prisoners to be released.
 Right to form political parties and express opinions guaranteed.
🏁 Aftermath:
 15 Falgun 2007 B.S.: King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal.
 18 Falgun 2007 B.S.: Interim coalition government formed:
o PM: Mohan Shumsher Rana
o Home Minister: B.P. Koirala
 Marked the official end of the Rana regime and start of democracy.

Political Instability in Nepal (1951–1958 A.D. / 2007–2015 B.S.)

Although the Rana rule ended in 1951, Nepal did not gain full political stability.
The years between 1951–1958 were filled with:
 Frequent government changes
  Power struggle between monarchy and parties
 Interim arrangements without elections

📍 Key Reasons for Instability:

1. No general elections held until 1959.
2. King Tribhuvan and later King Mahendra wanted to retain power.
3. Frequent conflicts between political parties and monarchy.
4. Lack of political experience and maturity among parties.
5. Emerging communism, factionalism, and ideological clashes.

📅 Major Political Events (1951–1958):

1. Interim Coalition Government (Falgun 2007 B.S. / Feb 1951 A.D.)
 Formed after the Delhi Agreement.
 PM: Mohan Shumsher Rana (last Rana PM)
 Members: 5 from Ranas, 5 from Nepali Congress.
 Conflict between Ranas and Congress → Resignation of Congress
ministers in Jestha 2008 B.S.

🔀 2. Mohan Shumsher end (Aswin 2008 B.S.)

 Due to pressure from King Tribhuvan and Nepali Congress.
 Replaced by Matrika Prasad Koirala (Nepali Congress President).
🤝 3. Matrika Prasad Koirala as PM – First Congress-led Government (2008–
2009 B.S.)
 Internal conflict in Congress and weak administration.
 Resigned in 2009 B.S., citing lack of support.

🧩 4. Second Matrika Cabinet (2010 B.S.)

 Appointed by King Tribhuvan directly, not through party.
 Nepali Congress expelled Matrika for violating party rules.
 Showed rising royal interference in politics.

💥 5. Formation of Tanka Prasad Acharya Cabinet (2011–2013 B.S.)

 Leader of Nepal Praja Parishad.
 Couldn’t conduct elections as promised.
 Resigned after political pressure and failure to deliver reforms.

🧭 6. King Tribhuvan died – King Mahendra ascended (2011 B.S.)

 King Mahendra proved to be more active and ambitious in controlling
power.
 Continued to bypass political parties.

🔄 7. K.I. Singh Cabinet (2013 B.S.)

 Appointed directly by King Mahendra.
 Ruled for 110 days only.
 Could not gain public or political support.
8. First Democratic Constitution Promulgated (2015 B.S.)
 “Interim Constitution of Nepal, 2015 B.S.” was announced on 1st Falgun
2015 B.S..
 Provided for a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy.
 Set path for general elections in 2015 B.S..

Parliamentary Rule (1959-60 AD) or (2016–2017 B.S.)

First General Election of Nepal – 2015 B.S.
 Held in Mangshir 2015 B.S. in two phases.
 Conducted under the Interim Constitution of Nepal 2015 B.S.
 Supervised by Election Commission of Nepal.
 Nepali Congress won 74 out of 109 seats.
  Other parties included:
o Gorkha Parishad
o Communist Party of Nepal
o Independents

B.P. Koirala – First Elected Prime Minister

 Sworn in on 12th Falgun 2016 B.S. (27 February 1959 A.D.)
 Leader of Nepali Congress.
 Headed Nepal’s first elected democratic government.
 His cabinet included capable ministers like:
o Subarna Shamsher
o Ganesh Man Singh
o Krishna Prasad Bhattarai
o Tanka Prasad Acharya (as opposition leader)

End of Parliamentary Rule – Royal Coup

 On 1st Poush 2017 B.S. (15 December 1960 A.D.), King Mahendra:
o Dissolved parliament
o Dismissed B.P. Koirala's government
o Banned political parties
o Declared that parliamentary democracy had failed.
 o Imposed direct royal rule → Start of Panchayat System (partyless
rule)
 B.P. Koirala and ministers were arrested and imprisoned for 8 years.

1960 (2017 BS) – Royal Coup and Start of Panchayat System

 Political event: King Mahendra dismissed the elected government led by
B.P. Koirala, dissolved the parliament, and banned political parties.
 Constitution:
o 1962 (2019 BS): The Panchayat Constitution was promulgated,
establishing the Panchayat System, a partyless political system with
the King holding supreme power.

1975 (2032 BS) – Second Constitutional Amendment

 Political event: King Birendra amended the Panchayat Constitution to
further consolidate the Panchayat system.
 Constitution:
o The Second Amendment to the 1962 Constitution (2032 BS)
strengthened the role of the King and redefined the structure of the
Panchayat system.

1980 (2037 BS) – National Referendum on Political System

 Political event: King Birendra called for a national referendum to choose
between a reformed Panchayat system or a multiparty democracy.
 Result: Majority voted to retain the Panchayat system but with reforms.
 Constitution:
 o Following the referendum, the Panchayat Constitution was
amended to allow some political reforms but kept the partyless
system.

1990 (2047 BS) – People's Movement (Jana Andolan) and Restoration of

Multiparty Democracy
 Political event: A mass pro-democracy movement forced King Birendra to
lift the ban on political parties and introduce democracy.
 Constitution:
o The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal 1990 was promulgated,
establishing a constitutional monarchy with multiparty
parliamentary democracy.
o The King retained a ceremonial role but with reduced powers.

2001 (2058 BS) – Royal Massacre and Political Turmoil

 Political event: King Birendra and several family members were
assassinated; King Gyanendra ascended the throne.
 Impact: Increased political instability; ongoing Maoist insurgency
escalated.

2005 (2062 BS) – King Gyanendra’s Direct Rule

 Political event: King Gyanendra dismissed the government and assumed
absolute power, suspending parliament.
 No new constitution drafted, but this move triggered widespread protests.

2006 (2063 BS) – People's Movement II (Loktantra Andolan) and End of

Monarchy
  Political event: Nationwide protests forced King Gyanendra to reinstate the
parliament and surrender power.
 Political development: The parliament declared Nepal a Federal
Democratic Republic, abolishing the monarchy.

2007 (2064 BS) – Interim Constitution

 Constitution:
o The Interim Constitution of Nepal 2007 was promulgated.
o It declared Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic and laid the
groundwork for drafting a new permanent constitution.

2008 (2065 BS) – Declaration of Republic

 Political event: The Constituent Assembly formally abolished the
monarchy, declaring Nepal a republic.
 Constituent Assembly: Tasked with drafting a new constitution but faced
many delays.

2015 (2072 BS) – Promulgation of New Constitution

 Political event: After years of delay, the Constitution of Nepal 2015 was
finally promulgated.