The unification of modern Nepal was started by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1744 A.D. Ancient Nepal has hundreds, perhaps thousands of years old history. Now, we are talking about the unification of Nepal in the modern era. There were a total of 46 small states in Gandaki and Karnali provinces, many more hilly states in east of Kathmandu valley as well as three kingdoms of Makwanpur, Bijayapur and Chaudandi in the South-Eastern Tarai. Prithvi Narayan Shah brought most of the States together with a minimum loss of life and properties. He used force only against those who refused to be under his domain. He treated the people fairly who did not resist for unification. He did not indulge in atrocities except some “alleged barbarousness” meted out to the people of Kirtipur. This could well be the rumor spread by the western missionaries in retaliation, who were defeated and then expelled out of the kingdom by Prithvi Narayan Shah. The Gorkha king started the campaign with a conviction that if he did not unify the numerous states into one strong Nation, the aggressive colonial power would merge all the small states into their colony like rest of kingdoms in the south.
After the early demise of Prithvi Narayan at age fifty two, Prince Bahadur Shah, an able son of the deceased King, continued his father’s mission in the unification process. He brought so many other small kingdoms together that were scattered as far as Sutlej river in the west, Nagarkatta, about 73 kilometers beyond Mechi river in the east and almost as far as Ganga and Bramhaputra rivers in most places of the south. There was no India at that time. Therefore, no offence with present day India. The unified Nepal had a with a huge geography from east to west and from north to south of more than 300,000 sq. km, until 1816 when the East India Company, in their quest for colonizing the states close to Delhi declared war against Nepal.
After the war, colonialist tricked to annex about half of Nepal’s territory and merged them with British colony of India. Thus, Nepal’s political problem started since 1816. In fact, the colonialist coerced Nepal into the status of a semi-independent country since then. Because one of the terms of Sugauli treaty prohibited Nepal from having foreign relations with the overseas countries such as France, America and other European countries. Nepal became landlocked on three sides from the colony. On the north, lay the formidable Himalayan mountain range and Tibet/China. Thus Nepal became isolated from rest of the World.
During the unification process, Prince Bahadur Shah ruled as a regent of Infant prince Rana Bahadur Shah for about ten years. Most of the unification of the country took place during his regency. However, intrigues between the ruling class, military chiefs, and Bhai bhardars, ensued rivalries in Nepal Darbar, resulting an untimely death of Bahadur Shah in 1797. The power struggle caused a lot of political confusion and instability in the country. In the meantime, Bhimsen Thapa rose to power as Prime minister. The cunning Britts of the East India Company took advantage of Nepal’s fluid political situation and declared War on Nepal in 1814. Financially depleted by Tibet-Nepal war and militarily divided, Nepal was probably not in a position to fight the British. Bhimsen Thapa, although considered a nationalist who was an ardent adversary of the colonial power could not prove himself capable of conducting the war to lead in a victory. He remained as a strong Prime Minister, though. Instead of being driven out of the position for being a failure in the war, he managed to consolidate more power and ruled Nepal with iron fist for more than 30 years. After the death of Bhimsen Thapa, Nepal had another phase of unstable political situation basically due to the rivalries of the two queens and the ineptness of the King Rajendra Bikram Shah.
After the Kot massacre of 1846, Jung Bahadur became the de facto ruler with the Kings just like a ceremonials Monarch. Almost thirty years had elapsed since the war, the East India Company had grown much organized and militarily more advanced and stronger than Nepal. During the interim,
the colonialist had defeated most of the small kingdoms of the area and created a much bigger colony of India. Under the circumstances,
Jung Bahadur knew that it would be suicidal for Nepal to fight the British. In order to save Nepal which has already been reduced to the length within Mechi and Mahakali rivers, Jung Bahadur was wise enough to change Nepal’s foreign policy towards British India. The relation with British was changed from an adversarial one to a relationship of friendly neighbors. As a result, Jung Bahadur tactfully regained lost territories of western Tarai districts such as Banke, Bardia, Kailali, and Kanchanpur from the British. Although Jung Bahadur started Rana’s autocratic rule, it was Jung Bahadur Rana who could manage to get back some of the lost territories of Nepal. It was his greatest contribution to his country.
Jung Bahadur must have negotiated for return of all the annexed territories to Nepal. The British obviously would not agree to what Jung Bahadur would want. However, they were so obliged to Jung Bahadur for helping them suppress the mutiny of 1857, they returned part of Nepal’s territory that was ceded to the British empire after the treaty. In fact, if Jung Bahadur had not accepted the British request for quelling the revolt, and had the mutiny succeeded, colonized Kingdoms would have separated again as before. Hence, there would be no India in the present size and shape. In a way, Nepal had played a major role in keeping India in bigger size.
On the other hand, although Jung Bahadur is responsible for the establishment of 104 years long autocratic Rana rule, he also maintained political stability in the country. If the Ranas had not developed a friendly and mutual relationship with the British, and if the political condition had remained unstable and fluid, the British would actively influence the then political leaders of Nepal, pursue their divide and rule policy and eventually merge rest of Nepal into their Empire. The Rana regime at least stopped this kind of tragedy from happening.
We blame Ranas and the Kings of Nepal for economic backwardness of the country. However, the reality is that after the treaty of Suguali, Nepal was turned into a semi-independent country with limited sovereignty. Nepal was virtually isolated from the outside world. All aspects of modernization stopped. Even if the Ranas wanted to modernize the country, they had no resources and development of infrastructure was very difficult. Because when the British had colonized the whole of the Indian subcontinent and kept it undeveloped except basic development of some cities for their own convenience, the rest of India was undeveloped. The Britts were just exploiting the colony for their own interest. Nepal possibly could not develop under the circumstances of the period. We should be thankful that probably, the colonialist were prevented from merging Nepal into their Empire. From the historical standpoint, it is also clear that, had the Rana regime not develop a good and friendly relation and not been able to keep them at bay, they would definitely have swallowed Nepal in later years. Once it was merged and made part of the Empire, there would be no Nepal today. In view of the geographic and political situation at that time, the Ranas were probably helpless under the circumstance for any development of Nepal during the British raj in India. How could the Ranas develop Nepal even if they had wanted when the country was surrounded by the colony with an undeveloped and exploited economy in itself.
More importantly, Nepal, however had a very good opportunity to regain the lost territories after the end of World War II in 1945. The war had exhausted the economy of most of the British Empire including the Indian Empire. With post- World war II economy, the British could no longer sustain economically and hold on to their Empire. As a result of the war, they gradually gave up the colonies and started de-colonizing countries in Asia, Africa, and the Americas.
The British started the process of decolonization of India after the war. Two countries of Pakistan and India were created in August 1947, one day apart of each other. There were two wings of Pakistan, West Pakistan, and East Pakistan. India helped create Bangladesh out of East Pakistan. During the post- World War period, If Nepal had strong patriotic leadership, she could have claimed the territories annexed and merged into India by the British. When the colonialist decolonized India and created two countries, why would not they decolonize Nepal’s land and return them to its owner? This is an important point to ponder. Unfortunately, one of the reason is that, there was no strong leader who could stand and speak up for Nepal. The then PM of Nepal, Mohan Shumsher and his cronies were only interested to save their regime at the cost of a” Greater Nepal”. Hence, they would not speak out because they were afraid of Indian leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and Patel for fear of retaliation. Mohan Shumsher apparently wanted to cling to power rather than negotiate with the British and the then Indian leadership. When India became independent Nepal was certainly influenced by it. The Ranas would rather sacrifice the claim for Nepal’s lost territories for their own interest. Because they thought they had to bring the wealth to India when they would be driven out of power eventually when, down the road, political changes would take place in Nepal. More than likely, the Ranas could not antagonize the Indian leadership for the fear of losing wealth and residency privileges that they were probably enticed about in India in the aftermath.
On the other hand, Bisweshor Prasad Koirala, Subarna Shumsher Rana and some other people of Nepali origin who were living in India at that time had their own interest of taking advantage of the political environment that was taking shape in Nepal. During that period, those Nepalis were just the followers of Indian independence leaders like Gandhi, Nehru, and others. They were supporting the Indian freedom fighters. Later, as situation kept changing, they saw the opportunities in Nepali political arena and sought to take the leadership in Nepal. They formed a political party, Nepali Congress Party was born in India just about the time India gained independence from the British. BP Koirala, Subarna Shumsher and few others did not dare to raise the question for the lost land of Nepal. They could not voice the demand for claiming Nepal’s lost territories either. Obviously, their self-interest was greater than the National interest of Nepal. If they had spoken for the restoration of Nepal ‘s Indian occupied land from Tista to Sutlej, Gandhi, Nehru, Patel etc. would stood against the idea and they obviously thought that they would be deprived of the help they would seek from the leaders of India. They knew that without the support and assistances from the Indian leadership they could not come into power after the Ranas were overthrown. The immature Nepali leaders were simply overcome by their self-interest over the National interest of the country.
Furthermore, if the Nepali leaders had the courage to claim and make a strong case for the return of the land, more than likely, the British would have supported the idea and probably would have agreed to return the land, anyway. Even Pakistan would have supported and endorsed the move because they would rather have Nepal been benefited from the negotiation than India. Thus a golden opportunity of return of Nepal’s lost territories was lost once again. After the Indian Independence, Jawaharlal Nehru, other Indian leadership and the administration influenced the politics of Nepal to great extent. The Indians took advantage of King Tribhuvan’s exile and his will to overthrow the Rana regime. Because the Ranas had kept Tribhuvan just like a ceremonial King confined in the Royal Palace with no power. The king wanted his power back. The Indians assisted the King and Nepali Congress leaders to unseat Mohan Shumsher Rana and his regime from the power. King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal from exile in India in 1951. The King was restored to power. Nepal was declared a democratic country under the monarchy once again. However, India in a way, blackmailed the King, the Rana regime and the newly formed Nepali congress leaders. None of the negotiating parties could dare raise the question of returning Nepal’s colonized land for the restoration of Greater Nepal.
A new political chapter began in Nepal in 1951. Ever since the political change, Nepal has seen numerous events from transitional democracy, Panchayat democracy, a multi-party system of democracy, direct rule of the King to so-called communist rule under the Republic system of the current Government. Ironically, however, Nepal has been suffering from unstable Government, rampant all-round corruption and voilences. Since the first non-Rana Prime minister, Matrika Prasad Koirala down to the Prime Minister KP Oli, Nepal has seen more than twenty Prime Minister. Hardly no Prime Minister or any political leader for that matter has shown any courage to talk about Nepal’s lost land. None of them have proved to have become a successful leader, a good governance and a honest Prime Minister. Many major rivers of Nepal like Kosi, Gandaki, Karnali, Mahakali, Arun and many others have been sold to India or leased them out on their terms and interest one after another. Many major changes took place in Nepal. The Maoist insurgency, apparently instigated, trained and financed by India in order to do away with the Monarchy caused tremendous loss of infrastructure, economy, and industries. They have pushed back the country decades away. The country is facing the biggest balance of trade deficit, millions of productive youth population is out of the country and working for others. The state of economy of the country is in shambles. The rampant corruption in the Government such as Gold smuggling, syndicate in the transportation system, purchase of the wide-body plane, Ncell, shameful security system , to name a few are some of the examples towards a failed State. The current Communist Government of PM Oli is an accomplish of the rampant corruption in the country can do nothing except defend and save their cadres and party workers. Let alone, the claim for the lost land.
Why no Government can function in Nepal? Because all the Government, no matter which party comes to power have failed miserably. They are remotely controlled by outsiders, mostly from the southern neighbor. Without the blessings from the foreigners and especially from India, no PM of Nepal seems to be able to function on his own. They seem to have two choices, either do what India wants or lose the position of the PM. It seems the PMs and the ministers opt to stay in power and enrich themselves rather than disobey the outside powerhouse and lose the position. The vicious cycle goes on with each and every PM and administration of Nepal. The Indian plans are for making Nepal a bankrupt and failed State and eventually bring the country in its total control. This kind of situation has become more prevalent especially after signing of the 12 point agreement that took place in New Delhi some twelve years ago.
The Indians have continued to practice neo-colonialism in Nepal. They still want to look at Nepal as their colony as the British treated them. If the leaders of Nepal hesitate to carry their order, they indirectly threaten to cause hardship in Nepal. The examples are the economic blockade India imposed on Nepal from time to time. Therefore, Nepal has to get out of the Indian hegemony by any means. One of the most important steps Nepal should take is to bring out “The Greater Nepal” issue effectively and forcefully. As long as Nepal is fully dependent on Indian mercy in trade and transit, Nepal can never be independent and develop. When Nepal gets back the lost territory from India, Nepal will share a common border with Bangladesh. However, India will try its best not to listen to Nepal’s quest for the lost land.
India has fought border territorial war with Pakistan, China, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Therefore, India will not return Nepal’s lost land that easily. However, Nepal must use all means of peaceful process, use international news media and forums to inform the people around the world and gather their support. With Greater Nepal campaign intensified, Nepal could at least negotiate with India to return some of her territories if not all at one time, Nepal should at least negotiate for the unconditional written committment for non-interference in the internal affairs of Nepal and no economic blockade in Nepal, ever. For this assurance, the issue of Greater Nepal could be the most effective bargain with India. All the Nepalis within and outside of Nepal should join hands, get together and start the process.
Nepalis have shown a lot of patience with Indian behavior. We have reached the limit. The current issue of Nepali territories in Kalapani, Lipu Lekh, Limpia Dhura that had been continued to be occupied by India has become a burning issue. Nepali people within the country and outside have unified to fight with India and get the occupied land back. India itself has given Nepal an opportunity to renew and intensify the demand for the return of Indian occupied Nepali territories since the treaty of Suguali in 1816. India, by publishing an official map showing Nepali land within India’s political map in November, 2019. This recent act has prompted Nepal and Nepalis to become more loud, clear and firm on the issue. This is the best opportunity for Nepal to intensify the demand for the restoration of “The Greater Nepal”.
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