Nepalese History: Sugauli Treaty and the Political Events After Sugauli Treaty

Sugauli Treaty and the Political Events After Sugauli Treaty

The war between Nepal and the British empire East India Company broke out in 1814 AD. The brave Nepalese warriors fought bravely and gallantly for almost two years in different parts in the south and west like Nalapani, Khalanga, Devthal and Kangra. The East India Company with arms and ammunition wanted to capture small states of Nepal and interfere in Nepal’s administration and internal affairs. They were lured with the dense saal forests and fertile lands of Terai and the herbs of the Himalayas. The gallant Nepalese warriors fought with only Khukuris, swords and scimitars while the British troops were equipped with cannons, guns and bullets. After two years of the Anglo Nepal war Nepal government had to sign a humiliating treaty with the British India. The British East India Company prepared a draft of the treaty with the signature of Lt. Col. Paris Bradshaw on December 2, 1815 AD (1872 BS) and was sent to Nepal with a 15 day’s ultimatum for counter signature. They also threatened to attack the capital of Nepal if the treaty wasn’t signed. In such a condition Nepal was forced to accept the treaty. Raj Guru Gajraj Mishra signed on the treaty paper on behalf of the government of Nepal and the signed copies of the treaty paper were exchanged on March 4, 1816 AD at Sugauli, Makawanpur. It was thus known as the Sugauli Treaty. 

Nepal had to lose a large territory like Gadwal, Nainital, Kumaon, Tista and Darjeeling. The British could easily interfere in the internal affairs of Nepal. The unification campaign of Nepal came to halt and the serious conspiracy started in the palace among the army and statemen. There were frequent changes in the political conditions of Nepal. The enmity between the Thapas and the Pandeys grew deeply. Nepal witnessed a great political instability between 1872 to 1903 BS. 

The main causes of the political instability in Nepal after Sugauli Treaty: 

a.    Groupism among the high- ranking officials and army commanders 

b.    Supreme powers exercised by the queens instead of monarch

c.    British interference in Nepal’s internal administration

d.    Frequent changes of Prime Ministers

e.    Ancestral rivalry between the Pandeys and the Thapas

The Major Political Events after Sugauli Treaty

Premiership of Ranajung Pandey:
Ranajung Pandey came to power as the Prime Minster after the downfall of Bhim Sen Thapa. He was fully supported by the eldest queen of King Rajendra Bir Bikram Shah. He refused to return the birta land of Brahmins confiscated by Nepal government during the rule of Rana Bahadur Shah. He was against the imperialism. Because of such harsh actions he couldn’t remain in his post for a long time. He had to tender his resignation within a short time. 

The Issue of Poisoning Case of Bhim Sen Thapa:

Affer Ranajung Pandey, Ranga Nath Poudel was appointed as the new Prime Minister of Nepal. Bhim Sen Thapa, the first Prime Minister of Nepal was accused of poisoning and had been imprisoned. During the time of Ranga Nath Poudel the case of poisoning was revealed. Bhim Sen Thapa was proved innocent and he was set free. After that Bhim Sen Thapa had faced a great conspiracy. When Bhim Sen Thapa had no responsibilities, he went Borlang, Gorkha to pass his ascetic life. 

Reinvestigation the Poisoning Case of Bhim Sen Thapa: 

When Puskhar Shah came to power as Prime Minister, he imprisoned Bhim Sen Thapa on the charge of poisoning. Ranajung Pandey had reopened the case of poisoning of Bhim Sen Thapa with the support of false document and proofs. 

The Army Agitation: 

When Ranajung Pandey became the Prime Minister of Nepal for the second time in 1907 BS, the Nepalese soldiers waged agitation at Tundikhel against the government of Nepal demanding salaries and allowance of two years. They had also demolished the houses of the Prime Minister Puskar Shah and Ranajung Pandey and the residence of the British Ambassador to Nepal. Large military forces were united in the strike. Later, King Rajendra Bikram Shah announced that the salaries of the Nepalese army would be provided soon and the number of soldiers in the Nepalese army wouldn’t be curtailed. With the declaration of the king the army ceased their agitation. This incident is known as Army Agitation in the history of Nepal. 

Unlimited Power Exercised by the Youngest Queen Rajya Laxmi Devi: 

After the death of the eldest queen, Rajya Laxmi Devi, the youngest queen of Rajendra Bir Bikram Shah exercised more administrative power. She began to interfere in the affairs of administration. She was provided with unlimited powers with the Royal declaration of 1900 BS by the king. She used her Royal powers in the appointment of high- ranking officials and statesmen, termination of their posts, the act of exile, life imprisonment, foreign wars, negotiation and treaties.  She was the key person to decide all these important cases. She wanted her son Ranendra Birkram Shah to be the heir of the king. For this she appointed Mathawarshing Thapa as the new Prime Minister of Nepal dismissing Fatte Jung Shah in 1900 BS.