HISTORY OF NEPAL
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| Chobhar |
Some
historian says Dharmakar was first king of Nepal (some claims Bhuktaman). Many
dynasty ruled over Nepal. First was Gopal dynasty. They reared cow.
Then, Mahispal dynasty came to power. The word Mahispal means buffalo
rearer. After defeat of Mahispal dynasty by legendary Kirat King Yelambar,
Kirat dynasty came in power. They ruled about 1100 years in Nepal. After
Kirats many other dynasties came in power and ruled over Nepal such as
Lichhavi, Mallas, etc.
Lichhavi
dynasty is called golden age in Nepal as there were improvement in
measurement system, work management, judiciary, etc. Mallas were very rich
in art and architecture. They constructed many temples and monument in their
time. Durbar Squares were made in Malla period. During the regime of Abhaya
Malla, Kathmandu valley was divided into
three kingdoms such as Patan, Kantipur and Bhaktapur. It is often said that king Abhaya Malla was killed in earthquake in 12th century. Mallas were very prosperous and powerful.
three kingdoms such as Patan, Kantipur and Bhaktapur. It is often said that king Abhaya Malla was killed in earthquake in 12th century. Mallas were very prosperous and powerful.
During
the regime of Jayaprakash Malla in Kantipur, Tej Narsingh Malla in Patan and
Ranjit malla in Bhaktapur, Legendary Gorkhali King Prithivi Narayan Shah
conquered Kathmandu Valley and expanded its teritory and gave name Nepal. Many
small kingdoms such as Baise and Chaubise Kingdom were conqurerd with great
stratezy and expanded teritory of Nepal.
On
unification continuation done by his son Bahadur Shah, Nepal was extended in
west upto Kangada(now in india) and east upto Tista river(now in india), and
south to Nalapani. But in Sugauli treaty, huge portion of Nepalese territory was snatched by
British East India Company.
LAND TOPOGRAPHY:
Nepal has area of 147,181 sq km (885km*192km) approximately. Despite of small territory, it has unique land topography. It has all hill,mountain and plain land structure in it. In northern part, there is great Himalayan range. The temperature is very cold and is below 0 degree most of the time. In middle, there lies hill part. Hilly region has difficult land structure with small portion of fertile land but temperate climate. In south, there lies great plain land below Mahabharata and Chure range. The soil is very much fertile for agriculture and the temperate is equatorial. Many rivers flow from Himalayas making Nepal rich in fresh water resources. Karnali, Koshi, Narayani, etc. are major rivers in Nepal.
POLITICAL SYSTEM:
After
the unification campaign, Shah dynasty came to power. The first Prime Minister
was Bhimsen Thapa. The system was Monarchy untill the legendry Jung Bahadur
Rana came to power. He started Rana reigme in Nepal. Rana prime ministers were
more powerful than kings. They were very notorious dictators who didnt allowed
education to citizens and used national income in their personal benefit.
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| Great King Prithivi Narayan Shah |
During
the Rana regime, first diplomatic relation was made with UK. During the time of
Ranas, world war I and II were fought. They sent hundreds of thousands of
Nepalese men to support Allies in world war. They showed a great bravery act
and won many VCs, and became fearful soldier named GURKHAS with their daily
used knife "Khukuri".
Rana
regime lasted for 104 years after the great protest by congress and others in
2007BS. Then Nepal accepted the system of Democratic Monarchy. But after 8years
king Mahendra abolished multi party system and brought panchayat system in
practice. All political parties were banned. After the death of King Mahendra,
his elder son King Birendra announced public election between multiparty system
and panchayat system in 2034 BS. But panchayat system won election.
In 2047 BS,
India did ECONOMIC BLOCKADE over Nepal in support of mass movement made
to end panchayat system. Seven political parties including Communists started
movement and there was downfall of panchayat system. In same year Nepal
constitution 2047 was promulgated in which Nepal was stated as Multiparty
Democratic Monarchy. In 1996 AD Maoist became underground and civil war was
started. More than 15000 people were killed in this war.
In
2001AD Royal Massacre took place killing all members of King Birendra's family.
After the massacre King Gyanendra came to power. After the military coup by
King Gyanendra, the great unsatisfaction took place and historical second
peoples mass movement started in 2062. After the consecutive peoples movement
for 19 days and due to no help from international ambassadors, King Gyanendra
announced the end of monarchy.
After
the downfall of King, historical constituent election took place in Nepal.
Maoist became the big party in Nepal followed by congress and UML.Nepal was
declared as Republic country in 2065 Jestha 15. But after the failure of
providing new constitution to Nepal, second Constituent Assembly election was
held making Congress as major party. After 3 years of election Constituent
Assembly promulgated new Constitution in 2072 Asoj 1 with support of 89%
elected people.
ECONOMIC SYSTEM:
Nepal
is Agro-based country. Most of the people of Nepal are involved in agriculture.
Major crops are paddy, wheat, maize, potato, etc. There are many large and
small scale industries in Nepal. The major numbers are cottage industries.
Agriculture remains Nepal's principal economic activity, employing 70% of the
population and providing 37% of GDP.
Only
about 20% of the total area is cultivable; another 33% is forested; most of the
rest is mountainous. Rice and wheat are the main food crops. The low land Terai
produces agricultural surplus, part of which supplies the food-deficient hill
areas. According to statics, GDP of Nepal is $67billion in 2014 and growth rate
is estimated to be 5.1%. GDP is heavily dependent on remittances of foreign
workers. The per capita income of Nepal is $1400(2012).
CULTURE AND TRADITION:
Nepal
is very rich in culture and tradition. Beside Gregorian calendar, we have
Bikram Sambat in practice. People of many ethnic groups lives here. Above 100
different ethnic group lives in Nepal with 20 different languages. The major
spoken languages are Nepali, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tamang, Newari, etc. The
different ethnic group resides different cultures. There are many festivals celebrated
by different ethnic group in different place. Although there are many ethnic
people living in Nepal, riot never took place. Nepal is a religious
country where religion is everything.
Nepal
is declared as a secular state in constitution. Above 80% people in Nepal are
Hindus, 12% are Buddhists, 3% are Muslims and rest are others. Not even single
blood was dropped in Nepal due to religious riots. In Nepal people follow the
principle "UNITY IN DIVERSITY". Since majority people are Hindu,
Hindu festivals such as Dashain, Tihar, Chhath, etc. are celebrated in large
scale and ID, Christmas, Buddha Jayanti, etc. festivals are given equal
importance.
There
are unique festival celebrated in Nepal such as Kag Tihar(worshiping crow),
Kukur Tihar(worshiping dogs), Mha puja(worshiping own body),etc. There are as
many festivals as days in year celebrated by different ethnics in Nepal.
(Source Credit: Mandeep Maharjan)
