History of Nepal

Unification of Nepal

• Started in 1768 by Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gorkhali king
• Unified various small kingdoms and principalities into a single nation
• Shah's vision: "A unified Nepal, strong and prosperous, like a yam between two boulders"
• Key battles: Nuwakot, Makwanpur, and Kirtipur
• Led to the formation of modern Nepal

Democratization

• Started in 1990 with the People's Movement (Jana Andolan)
• King Birendra was forced to accept a constitutional monarchy
• Multiparty democracy was established, ending the Panchayat system
• Key figures: Ganesh Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, and Girija Prasad Koirala
• Led to the adoption of a new constitution in 1991

Rana Rule

• Lasted from 1846 to 1951
• Rana prime ministers held absolute power, while the king remained a figurehead
• Key figures: Jung Bahadur Rana, Bir Shamsher, and Chandra Shamsher
• Characterized by:
  • Modernization and infrastructure development
  • Isolationism and suppression of democracy
  • Favoritism and nepotism

Malla Period

• Lasted from 1200 to 1769
• Marked by the rise of city-states and the Malla dynasty
• Key cities: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan
• Characterized by:
  • Cultural and artistic achievements
  • Trade and commerce with Tibet and India
  • Competition and conflict among city-states

Licchavi Dynasty

• Lasted from 400 to 750 CE
• Marked by the rise of a powerful and prosperous kingdom
• Key figures: Mandeva, Amsuvarman, and Jayavarman
• Characterized by:
  • Buddhism and Hinduism coexisted
  • Trade and cultural exchange with India and China
  • Development of art, architecture, and literature

Unification of Nepal

• Prithvi Narayan Shah, a Gorkhali king, initiated the unification of Nepal in 1768
• He unified various small kingdoms and principalities into a single nation
• Shah's vision was to create a "unified Nepal, strong and prosperous, like a yam between two boulders"
• Key battles that led to the unification include Nuwakot, Makwanpur, and Kirtipur
• The unification led to the formation of modern Nepal

Democratization

• The People's Movement (Jana Andolan) in 1990 led to the democratization of Nepal
• King Birendra was forced to accept a constitutional monarchy, ending the absolute monarchy
• A multiparty democracy was established, replacing the Panchayat system
• Key figures involved in the democratization process include Ganesh Man Singh, Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, and Girija Prasad Koirala
• The democratization led to the adoption of a new constitution in 1991

Rana Rule

• The Rana rule lasted from 1846 to 1951, during which Rana prime ministers held absolute power
• The king remained a figurehead during this period
• Key figures involved in the Rana rule include Jung Bahadur Rana, Bir Shamsher, and Chandra Shamsher
• The Rana rule was characterized by modernization and infrastructure development
• It was also marked by isolationism, suppression of democracy, and favoritism and nepotism

Malla Period

• The Malla period lasted from 1200 to 1769 and was marked by the rise of city-states and the Malla dynasty
• Key cities during this period include Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan
• The Malla period was characterized by cultural and artistic achievements
• It was also marked by trade and commerce with Tibet and India
• The period saw competition and conflict among city-states

Licchavi Dynasty

• The Licchavi dynasty lasted from 400 to 750 CE and was marked by the rise of a powerful and prosperous kingdom
• Key figures involved in the Licchavi dynasty include Mandeva, Amsuvarman, and Jayavarman
• The Licchavi dynasty was characterized by the coexistence of Buddhism and Hinduism
• It was also marked by trade and cultural exchange with India and China
• The period saw the development of art, architecture, and literature