History of Nepal: From Ancient Kingdoms to a Federal Republic

Embark on a journey through the History of Nepal, tracing the rise of dynasties, pivotal conflicts, and the enduring spirit that shaped this unique Himalayan land.

History of Nepal

Nepal, nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, boasts a rich and diverse history that spans millennia. From ancient kingdoms to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a federal republic, Nepal's historical journey is marked by political, cultural, and social transformations.

Ancient Kingdoms (Before 1768):

Nepal's pre-1768 history is a tapestry woven with the threads of diverse civilizations, ancient trade routes, and rich cultural interactions. This era, preceding the transformative events of 1768, witnessed the emergence of distinct kingdoms, each contributing to Nepal's unique cultural heritage.

Cultural Crossroads:

Kingdoms and Trade:

Cooperation and Conflict:

Prithvi Narayan Shah's Unification:

The era before 1768 serves as a crucial chapter in Nepal's history, where the convergence of cultures, trade, and political dynamics shaped the trajectory of the region, paving the way for the events that would unfold in the centuries to come.

Challenges and Expansion (1768-1950):

Formation of a Unified State:

Centralization Struggles:

Royal Power Struggles (1775-1951):

External Relations and Setbacks:

Rana Dominance and Political Isolation:

Shifting Alliances and Geopolitical Balancing:

The challenges and expansions from 1768 to 1950 set the stage for Nepal's modern political dynamics, influencing its internal power structures and external relations. The subsequent abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a democratic republic were shaped by the intricate historical developments during this transformative period.

Constitutional Monarchy (1951-1990):

Emergence of the Maoists:

Violent Conflict:

Royal Tragedy:

State of Emergency:

Path to Peace:

Comprehensive Peace Agreement:

Transition to Democracy:

Maoist Insurgency and Civil War (1990s-2000s):

Background:

Escalation of Violence:

Palace Massacre (2001):

State of Emergency (2001-2002):

Royal Actions:

Restoration of Democracy (2006):

Integration into Mainstream Politics:

Abolition of Monarchy (2008):

The Maoist insurgency and civil war left an indelible mark on Nepal's history, shaping its political landscape and paving the way for a new era of governance.

Emergency and Political Transition (2001-2008):

Background:

State of Emergency:

Political Reversals:

International Involvement:

Political Transition:

Impact:

End of Monarchy and Political Shift (2008-2015):

Transition to a Republic:

Landmark Constitution:

Post-Monarchy Challenges:

Recent Developments (2016 Onward):

Political Dynamics:

Legal Milestones:

Economic Agreements:

Natural Disaster Response:

Diplomatic Engagements:

Rotation of Prime Ministers:

In summary, the recent developments in Nepal reflect a multifaceted approach to political challenges, economic growth, legal accountability, and disaster recovery. The nation's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and engage in international collaborations positions it for further progress and development.

Timeline

Ancient Period

• Before 1768: Evidence of early civilizations and trade routes in the region.

Unification and Establishment of Gurkha Rule

• 1768: Gurkha ruler Prithvi Narayan Shah conquers Kathmandu, laying the foundations for a unified kingdom.

External Conflicts and Expansion

• 1792: Nepalese expansion halted by defeat at the hands of the Chinese in Tibet.
• 1814-16: Anglo-Nepalese War; culminates in a treaty that establishes Nepal's current boundaries.

Rana Rule and Isolation

• 1846: Nepal falls under the sway of hereditary chief ministers known as Ranas, who dominate the monarchy and isolate the country from the outside world.

Early 20th Century

• 1923: Treaty with Britain affirms Nepal's sovereignty.

Absolute Monarchy and Political Turmoil

• 1950: Anti-Rana forces based in India form an alliance with the monarch.
• 1951: End of Rana rule. Sovereignty of the crown is restored, and anti-Rana rebels in the Nepalese Congress Party form the government.
• 1953: New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Nepal's Sherpa Tenzing Norgay become the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest.
• 1955: Nepal joins the United Nations.
• 1955: King Tribhuwan dies, and King Mahendra ascends the throne.
• 1959: Multi-party constitution adopted.
• 1960: King Mahendra seizes control, suspends parliament, constitution, and party politics after the Nepali Congress Party (NCP) wins elections with B. P. Koirala as premier.
• 1962: New constitution provides for a non-party system of councils known as "panchayat" under which the king exercises sole power.
• 1972: King Mahendra dies, succeeded by Birendra.

Multi-Party Politics and Democratization

• 1980: Constitutional referendum follows agitation for reform. A small majority favors keeping the existing panchayat system.
• 1985: NCP begins a civil disobedience campaign for the restoration of a multi-party system.
• 1986: New elections boycotted by NCP.
• 1989: Trade and transit dispute with India leads to a border blockade by Delhi, resulting in a worsening economic situation.
• 1990: Pro-democracy agitation coordinated by NCP and leftist groups. Street protests are suppressed by security forces, resulting in deaths and mass arrests. King Birendra eventually agrees to a new democratic constitution.
• 1991: Nepali Congress Party wins the first democratic elections. Girija Prasad Koirala becomes prime minister.

Political Instability and Maoist Insurgency

• 1994: Koirala's government defeated in a no-confidence motion. New elections lead to the formation of a Communist government.
• 1995: Communist government is dissolved.
• 1995: Start of the Maoist revolt, which drags on for more than a decade and kills thousands. The rebels want the monarchy to be abolished.
• 1997: Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba loses a no-confidence vote, ushering in a period of increased political instability, with frequent changes of prime minister.
• 2000: GP Koirala returns as prime minister, heading the ninth government in 10 years.

Palace Massacre and State of Emergency

• 2001 June 1: Crown Prince Dipendra kills King Birendra, Queen Aishwarya, and several members of the royal family before shooting himself. The king's brother, Gyanendra, is crowned king.
• 2001 July: Maoist rebels step up a campaign of violence. Prime Minister GP Koirala quits over the violence, succeeded by Sher Bahadur Deuba.
• 2001 November: Maoists end a four-month-old truce with the government, declare peace talks with the government failed, and launch coordinated attacks on army and police posts.
• 2001 November: A state of emergency is declared after more than 100 people are killed in four days of violence. King Gyanendra orders the army to crush the Maoist rebels. Many hundreds are killed in rebel and government operations in the following months.
• 2002 May: Parliament is dissolved, fresh elections called amid political confrontation over extending the state of emergency. Sher Bahadur Deuba heads the interim government, renews the emergency.
• 2002 October: King Gyanendra dismisses Deuba and indefinitely puts off elections set for November.
• 2003 January: Rebels and the government declare a ceasefire.

End of Truce and Political Shifts

• 2003 August: Rebels pull out of peace talks with the government and end a seven-month truce. The following months see a resurgence of violence and frequent clashes between students/activists and the police.
• 2004 April: Nepal joins the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
• 2004 May: Street protests by opposition groups demanding a return to democracy. Royalist Prime Minister Surya Bahadur Thapa quits.
• 2005 February: King Gyanendra dismisses the government, restores absolute monarchy, and declares a state of emergency, citing the need to defeat Maoist rebels.
• 2005 April: King Gyanendra bows to international pressure, lifts the state of emergency, and reinstates parliament.
• 2005 November: Maoist rebels and main opposition parties agree on a program intended to restore democracy.
• 2006 April: King Gyanendra agrees to reinstate parliament following weeks of violent strikes and protests against direct royal rule. Maoist rebels call a three-month ceasefire.
• 2006 May: Parliament votes unanimously to curb the king's political powers. The government holds peace talks with the Maoist rebels.

Peace Deal and Political Transition

• 2006 November: The government signs a peace deal with the Maoists - the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) - formally ending the decade-long insurgency.
• 2007 January: Maoist leaders enter parliament under the terms of a temporary constitution.
• 2007 April: Maoists join an interim government, a move that brings them into the political mainstream.
• 2007 September: Three bombs hit Kathmandu in the first attack in the capital since the end of the Maoist insurgency.
• 2007 November: Parliament approves the abolition of the monarchy as part of a peace deal with Maoists, who agree to rejoin the government.
• 2008 January: A series of bomb blasts kill and injure dozens in the southern Terai plains, where activists have been demanding regional autonomy.
• 2008 April: Former Maoist rebels win the largest bloc of seats in elections to the new Constituent Assembly (CA), but fail to achieve an outright majority.
• 2008 May: Nepal becomes a republic.
• 2008 June: Maoist ministers resign from the cabinet in a row over who should be the next head of state.
• 2008 July: Ram Baran Yadav becomes Nepal's first president.
• 2008 August: Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda forms a coalition government, with Nepali Congress going into opposition.

Maoists Leave Government and Constitutional Impasse

• 2009 May: Prime Minister Prachanda resigns following a row with President Yadav over the integration of former rebel fighters into the military.
• 2009 May: Britain announces that Gurkha veterans with at least four years' service in the British army will be allowed to settle in the UK.
• 2009 December: Four people are killed in clashes triggered by a Maoist-led land grab in the far west, giving rise to fears for the peace process.

Constitution Deadlock and Elections

• 2010 May: The Constituent Assembly (CA) votes to extend the deadline for drafting the constitution, the first of four extensions.
• 2011 January: UN ends its peace monitoring mission.
• 2012 May: The Constituent Assembly (CA) is dissolved after failing to produce a draft constitution.
• 2013 November: The left-wing Nepali Congress wins the second Constituent Assembly elections, pushing the former ruling Maoists into third place and leaving no party with a majority.
• 2014 February: Nepali Congress leader Sushil Koirala is elected prime minister after securing parliamentary support.
• 2014 April: Sixteen Nepalese sherpa guides die in an avalanche on Mount Everest in the worst-recorded accident in the mountain's history.
• 2014 November: Nepal and India sign a deal to build a $1bn hydropower plant on Nepal's Arun river to counter crippling energy shortages.

Earthquake, Constitution, and Political Shifts

• 2015 April: A 7.8-magnitude earthquake strikes Kathmandu and its surrounding areas, killing more than 8,000 people, causing mass devastation, and leaving millions homeless.
• 2015 September: Parliament passes a landmark constitution, which defines Nepal as a secular country, despite calls to delay voting after more than 40 people are killed in protests.
• 2015 October: K.P. Prasad becomes the first prime minister to be elected under the new constitution.
• 2016 February: The government lifts fuel rationing after the ethnic minority Madhesi communities, partially backed by India, end a six-month border blockade in protest over the new constitution, which they say is discriminatory.
• 2016 July: Maoist party pulls out of the governing coalition. Prime Minister K.P. Oli resigns ahead of a no-confidence vote in parliament.
• 2016 August: Parliament elects former communist rebel leader and Maoist party leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal aka Prachanda as prime minister for the second time.
• 2017 April: Three former soldiers are convicted over the murder of a 15-year-old girl during the civil war, the first time serving or former members of the army have been found guilty of crimes linked to the conflict.
• 2017 June: Pushpa Kamal Dahal replaced as prime minister by the Congress leader Sher Bahadur Deuba under a rotation agreement reached the previous April and set to last until elections in February 2018.

This detailed timeline provides a comprehensive overview of Nepal's historical events, spanning from ancient times to recent political developments.

Conclusion

Nepal's history is a tapestry of ancient civilizations, political transformations, and socio-cultural dynamics. From the establishment of ancient kingdoms to the abolition of the monarchy and the formation of a federal republic, Nepal's journey reflects its resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges. As the country continues to navigate its path, understanding its history provides insight into the forces that have shaped the nation.

Tags:

• Nepal history
• Nepalese dynasties
• political transitions
• Nepal monarchy
• federal republic
• historical events
• Kathmandu
• Nepalese culture