राणा शासनको इतिहास

The two causes for the emergence of the Ranas in Nepal were:

1. Political instability and weak central authority — the frequent intrigues, assassinations and factional struggles among the nobility after the death of Prithvi Narayan Shah weakened the monarchy and created a power vacuum.
2. The support of the British and the army — Jung Bahadur Kunwar gained British backing and control over the military, which enabled him to seize power in 1846 (the Kot Massacre) and establish the Rana regime.

(d) Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana

Chandra Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana took the title of His Royal Highness (HRH) Maharaja for the first time. In 1904, he was formally granted the title of HRH Maharaja by King Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah, making him the first Rana ruler to hold it. Jung Bahadur Kunwar, the first Rana Prime Minister, had held the title of His Highness Maharaja, not HRH.

The Rana regime (1846-1951 CE; 1903-2007 BS) was a hereditary family rule of the Rana prime ministers. Its major events in order are:

Conclusion: The 104-year Rana rule ended in 1951 (2007 BS) through the joint effort of the Nepali Congress, King Tribhuvan and the Indian government.

Class division in the Rana family as a cause of the downfall of the Rana regime

The statement is justified. The Rana regime (1846-1951 A.D.) depended on the unity of the Rana family. When the family was split into classes with unequal rights, jealousy and rivalry grew inside it, and the regime weakened from within.

1. The class division In 1903 A.D. (1960 B.S.) Prime Minister Chandra Shamsher divided the Rana family into three classes according to the status of the mother:

• A class: sons of wedded wives of equal Rana rank. Only they could become prime minister and hold the top posts.
• B class: sons of wives of lower rank. They had fewer rights and could not hope for the premiership.
• C class: sons of concubines or women of low status. They had the poorest position, little property and no chance of high office.

2. How it caused the downfall

• Discontent inside the family. B and C class Ranas were denied power, property and respect, although they were Ranas by blood. Many felt cheated and turned against the A class rulers.
• Struggle for power. Even within the A class, the rule of succession by seniority led to plots and bitter quarrels, so the family was never united.
• Support for the opposition. Some B and C class Ranas, such as Subarna Shamsher, sided with the Nepali Congress and the anti-Rana movement. They gave it leadership, military knowledge and information. Subarna Shamsher became a leading figure of the Congress.
• Weak administration. Posts were given by birth and class and not by ability, so efficiency fell and public dissatisfaction grew.
• Isolation of the rulers. By 2007 B.S. Mohan Shamsher, the last Rana prime minister, could not rely on the whole family, while the people, the Congress and King Tribhuvan were against him.

Conclusion: The regime also fell because of the influence of India's freedom movement, the Nepali Congress, public awakening and King Tribhuvan's role. Still, the class division destroyed the family unity that was the base of Rana power, so it was one of the main internal causes of the downfall.

Eradication of the slavery system from Nepal

Slavery (dās-dāsi pratha) existed in Nepal for a long time. People were bought, sold and held as property, often because of debt, war or poverty. Its abolition came in stages.

Background

• Slavery was practised in the Rana period, and slaves were used as household workers and for labour. They had no rights.
• Under the Muluki Ain of 1854 (Jung Bahadur Rana), slavery was recognised in law and slaves were classified.
• The practice was a sign of social backwardness and was criticised by Nepalis and foreigners, especially after Indian reform movements and British influence.

Steps in eradication

1. Reforms of Dev Shamsher (1901). Dev Shamsher, who became Prime Minister in 1901, took the first major step. He started to free slaves by compensating the owners from the government treasury. This is one of his reforms, but it was met with opposition from the Ranas and conservative groups, and he was removed after only a few months.
2. Chandra Shamsher's declaration (1924 A.D., 1981 B.S.). Chandra Shamsher formally abolished slavery by a proclamation on 28 November 1924 (Mangsir 1981 B.S.). The government paid compensation to the owners and freed the slaves. About 50,000 slaves were freed.
   • Compensation was paid from the state fund, and slave owners were required to register slaves.
   • The money was fixed according to age and sex of the slaves.
3. Legal ban. After this, the buying, selling and keeping of slaves was made illegal.

Effects

• Thousands of people were freed and gained personal liberty.
• It improved Nepal's image internationally.
• It was a step towards equality, although the freed people continued to face social and economic problems.

Limitations The ex-slaves had no land or jobs, and economic dependence on the old owners continued in several cases. Other forms of bonded labour (e.g. Kamaiya in the Terai) remained for long and were abolished much later.

Conclusion: Slavery was ended in Nepal mainly through Chandra Shamsher's reform in 1924, after the earlier attempt by Dev Shamsher. It was a great social reform in the Rana period.

Paropakar Association (Paropakar Sanstha)

The Paropakar Association was a social service organisation established in Nepal during the Rana period. It is often counted among the early social and cultural associations of modern Nepal that helped awaken people.

Establishment

• It was established around 1983 B.S. (1926 A.D.), according to most sources, in Kathmandu. Some sources point to a slightly different date, so students should note it as the 1920s.
• It was set up by educated Nepalis and some social workers during the rule of Chandra Shamsher. Because political organisations were banned, the Ranas allowed it to operate as a social service organisation.

Objectives

• To serve the poor and helpless, including orphans and the sick.
• To provide relief during disasters and epidemics.
• To spread education and social awareness.
• To remove social evils and promote cooperation.

Activities

• It worked in health care and gave help to the poor and patients.
• It provided relief to victims of calamities.
• It encouraged education and publication.
• It raised social awareness among people.

Importance

• It showed the beginning of organised social service and public welfare in Nepal.
• It trained people in working collectively and spread a feeling of service.
• Although it was not a political body, it prepared the ground for the later awareness and organisations against the Ranas.
• It still continues as a social organisation of Nepal.

Limitations It was limited by Rana control and a lack of resources, so it could not work widely.

Conclusion: The Paropakar Association was an important early social organisation of Nepal that promoted social welfare and helped awaken the people during the Rana period.

Praja Parishad against the Rana Regime

The Nepal Praja Parishad was the first political party of Nepal, formed in 1993 B.S. (1936 A.D.) to work against the autocratic Rana rule. It is the first organised political attempt to bring change in the country.

Establishment

• It was founded in 1993 B.S. by Tanka Prasad Acharya, with other leaders including Dasharath Chand, Ram Hari Sharma and Gangalal Shrestha.
• The Parishad worked secretly in Kathmandu because political parties were banned under the Ranas.
• Tanka Prasad Acharya was its first chairman (president) and the movement was supported by educated young men.

Objectives

• To end Rana autocracy and establish a responsible government under the King.
• To provide freedom of speech and civil rights.
• To establish a government based on the people's will and improve administration, education and the economy.

Activities

• Members secretly distributed leaflets and pamphlets criticising the Ranas.
• They spread political awareness among the people and the army, and tried to win King Tribhuvan's support.
• Later it began to plan action against the Ranas.

Suppression In 1997 B.S. (1940 A.D.) the Rana government of Juddha Shamsher discovered the activities. A number of leaders were arrested.

• Four martyrs were executed: Gangalal Shrestha, Dharma Bhakta Mathema, Dasharath Chand and Shukra Raj Shastri.
• Tanka Prasad Acharya and others were imprisoned or punished.
• The Parishad was crushed.

Importance

• It was the first organised political movement and raised the idea of democracy in Nepal.
• The martyrs became national heroes, and their sacrifice inspired later movements.
• It paved the way for the later Nepali Congress and the revolution of 2007 B.S.

Conclusion: Although it did not succeed in overthrowing the Ranas, the Praja Parishad played a pioneering role in the struggle for democracy in Nepal.

Reforms of Dev Shamsher

Dev Shamsher Jung Bahadur Rana became the Rana prime minister in March 1901 A.D. (1957 B.S.) after the death of Bir Shamsher and ruled for only about three months, until June 1901. Though short, his rule is remembered as the most liberal among the Rana rulers because he introduced important public reforms.

1. Education

• He opened many schools, including in the districts, for the common people (around 200 are mentioned), and gave importance to the Nepali language.
• Teachers were appointed for these schools.

2. Freedom of the press He allowed newspapers to be published. The first Nepali newspaper, Gorkhapatra, was started during his time (1901 A.D.), and Nepali books could be printed.

3. Social reforms

• He started steps to abolish slavery.
• He reduced some unjust practices to improve the condition of the people.

4. Administrative reforms

• He opened a public office (Sajha Adda) where ordinary people could present their complaints, which made officials more accountable.
• He tried to reform the judicial system and reduce corruption.

5. Other reforms He took steps for health and public welfare, such as hospitals and dispensaries, and for roads and drinking water.

Opposition and end The Rana family and conservative groups opposed the reforms because they feared losing their power. In June 1901 his brother Chandra Shamsher, with the support of the other Ranas, removed him from office. Dev Shamsher was sent into exile at Palpa and then went to India, where he died (at Dehradun, 1914 A.D.).

Importance His reforms were the first attempt to make Rana rule more liberal and to give people some rights. They showed the benefits of liberty and influenced later reformers.