240 years of Shah Dynasty: A brief look

There was no country called “Nepal “about 240 years ago. Kathmandu valley was known as "Nepal Khalto" but not as a country. Therefore, in principle, our ancestors who were born before 240 years were not Nepalese. They had different identities. Also there was no language called Nepali. Then, what makes us so proud to be called Nepali today?

It was Prithvi Narayan Shah, the great, who initiated uniting small states and finally gave birth to a country called “Nepal ", a language called "Nepali" and, the people called Nepalese. It took almost 75 years to build the boundary of Nepal. Today, we are proud to be called Nepalese due to the heroic efforts of those 75 years of war by our brave ancestors. No doubt, if Prithvi Narayan Shah had not initiated such an integration process, there would be no country called Nepal, no language called Nepali and no people called Nepalese today. We would have been called Indians, Biharis or something else.

Due to this far-sighted (ambitious!) step of Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Great, we can proudly say today that we are the citizens of independent country Nepal. Even the credit of a unique identity of the Indian Nepalese or Gurkhas in India goes to the warring steps taken by king Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Great.

Unfortunately, today's political leaders, so called many intellectuals and the huge mass of new generation have knowingly or unknowingly forgotten this fact and the bold history of many warriors and the founder father of this nation. They started nakedly blaming king Prithvi Narayan Shah and his descendants for 240 years of ruling of this country for not doing anything for the country and the people. It is true that Prithvi Narayan Shah and his descendants were and is still the king of Nepal but one should not forget 75 years history of war in the beginning of Shah Dynasty. During the war period how the country could be developed and the socio-economic situation improved?

One can get answer just by looking the last 10 years of war time in Nepal due to Maoists insurgency or the recent situation of Afghanistan and Iraq. We know that after the 75 years of war period, Shah Kings were under shadow of Rana dynasty for 104 years and they had no role to play (like today's king after House proclamation and promulgation of interim constitution! ) for ruling the country.  Then from 2007 B.S. to 2017 B.S., the country's politics was equally influenced by the king and the political leaders. In fact, the direct rule of the Shah King started since 2017 B.S. If one really thinks without being biased, he can say that except political situation, the country was moving relatively in progressive path in the first 10 years of the direct rule of the king in Panchayat era. We should not forget that there was nothing in the country till 2017 B.S., neither administrative nor bureaucratic structures, almost nil physical infrastructures for the development and service sectors. However, what was achieved in those 10 years (if we compare the activities in decade by decades till now) was relatively satisfactory, although not good.

Then the last 20 years of direct rule of the king (before 2046 B.S.) can be said a dark age of the country. One can blame the king for not doing anything in that period. Nepal was a peaceful nation and population was less. Many things could be done in that golden period.

Many countries like Nepal had progressed a lot during that period. The king was solely responsible for the failure in that period. That is why he (king Birendra) had to give up his rule in 2046 B.S. Then, the king has nothing to do in the first 12 years of post 2046 B.S. period.

Political leaders were solely responsible for the failure of this nation till 2061 B.S. Magh 19. Many newly born and former communist countries progressed but Nepal is left far behind in that period. All the discredits go to politicians for such a deteriorating situation of the country. The king, in fact, is fully responsible for the deterioration situation of the country only after 2061 B.S. Magh 19.

The Magh 19 step taken by king Gyanendra was the biggest mistake ever committed by any of the Shah Kings till the date. It (absolutely unconstitutional action!) was bigger mistake than 2017 B.S. step taken by king Mahendra (There was at least a constitutional base for the action though it was completely undemocratic action).

Anyway, it is ridiculous to blame only the Shah Kings for bad ruling of the last 240 years of this country. This is absolutely unfair and baseless allegation. Unbiased speaking, it was nearly 22 years of ruling of Shah Kings which were unfruitful for the nation and the people. So curtailing the king's power and taxing his properties are enough to punish monarchy for their bad role and governance during the period of their direct rule. However, one should not also forget the constructive role played by the kings for this country and the people.

King's role might be very important in this country at critical times in future too. Especially, king's role could be critical if any sort of extremist forces try to take over the country's rule. One can not deny the fact that Nepal is not out of danger of taking over by any sort of extremists (communist, religious, or military). Also, the sign of disintegration of the country is looming around and that might be intensified in the absence of monarchy. The direct influence of India can not be ruled out if the country is without monarch. Hence, Nepal still needs the king. However, the role of king can be minimized into state's affair. Now, the king should have also learned the lesson from his past mistakes. He should be given opportunity to correct himself like the political leaders use to say for their misdeeds. It is the politicians who must work honestly so that the king would never be pulled into the politics. Honestly speaking, in the past too, the king was dragged into the politics not only due to his over ambition but also due to the circumstances and vacuum created by the politicians. Now the king is punished more than what he deserved. The politicians should be also punished for their past misdeeds. But it is clear that the politicians simply want to direct all their misdeeds towards the king and want to be cleared from all the allegations. People must understand this fact too.

Posted on : 2007-05-15 21:12:11

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