The Unification of Nepal: Prithvi Narayan Shah and the Making of a Nation

The unification of Nepal is the most famous event in the country's history and a favourite topic of every exam. A small hill kingdom with limited resources gradually brought together the Kathmandu valley and many hill principalities, laying the foundation of modern Nepal. The story is mostly the story of one man, Prithvi Narayan Shah, and his planning.

Both Gregorian and Bikram Sambat years are commonly used for these events. Years are given as widely cited; check your textbook for the version your exam follows.

The starting point: the kingdom of Gorkha

Gorkha was one of the small Chaubise principalities, traditionally founded by Dravya Shah in the 16th century. A later king, Ram Shah, is remembered for introducing fair weights and measures and for justice-oriented reforms. Prithvi Narayan Shah's father, Nara Bhupal Shah, had tried and failed to conquer Nuwakot, a key place on the trade route to Tibet. That ambition passed to his son.

Prithvi Narayan Shah

Prithvi Narayan Shah was born in 1723 AD (1779 BS) and became king of Gorkha at about the age of 20, in 1743 AD (1799 BS). Several things shaped his strategy:

• He understood that the Kathmandu valley was the richest prize, controlling the India–Tibet trade route.
• He saw that the three Malla kingdoms were divided and weakened by rivalry.
• He built an army, secured allies and prepared slowly rather than rushing.
• He gathered intelligence about the valley, and used economic pressure by blockading its trade.

The main steps of the conquest

1. Nuwakot (1744 AD). The capture of Nuwakot gave him a base overlooking the valley and a share of the trade route. This is often named as the first key victory.
2. Blockade of the valley. Over the following years he pressed the valley kingdoms by cutting their trade and supplies.
3. Kirtipur (mid-1760s). The hill town of Kirtipur resisted strongly. It fell after a long struggle, and the treatment of its defenders is a famous and harsh episode in the campaign.
4. The failed British expedition (1767 AD). The Malla king of Kathmandu, Jayaprakash, asked the British East India Company for help. A force under Captain Kinloch marched toward the valley but was defeated near Sindhuli in 1767. This is a frequent exam question.
5. Kathmandu (1768 AD, 1825 BS). Prithvi Narayan Shah entered Kathmandu during the festival of Indra Jatra, when the Malla king and many people were celebrating. This is a well-known detail.
6. Patan (1768 AD). Patan came under his control around the same time.
7. Bhaktapur (1769 AD, 1826 BS). The last of the three valley kingdoms was taken, completing the conquest of the valley.

He then moved his capital from Gorkha to Kathmandu, and the kingdom was increasingly called Nepal.

Further expansion in his lifetime

Besides the valley, he brought a number of hill states to the east and west under his rule. Prithvi Narayan Shah died in January 1775 (around Magh 1831 BS), when the kingdom was still extending itself. His successors continued the expansion; we follow that in the next chapter.

The Divya Upadesh

Prithvi Narayan Shah's sayings and advice, collected as the Divya Upadesh (Divine Counsel), are among the most quoted texts in Nepali history. They are remembered for several ideas:

• Nepal as "a yam between two boulders" — a small country caught between two great powers, which must be careful in its relations with both China and India.
• Nepal as "a garden of four castes and thirty-six sub-castes" — a country of many communities living together.
• Advice to rely on the country's own goods and skills, and to be cautious of foreign influence and merchants.
• Practical guidance on administration, the army, justice and the treatment of officials.

Whatever one thinks of every part of his advice, these sayings are still quoted in discussions about Nepal's foreign policy and national identity.

Why did unification succeed?

• The valley kingdoms were divided and rivals.
• Prithvi Narayan Shah combined patient planning, a loyal army and economic pressure.
• Control of trade routes gave him leverage.
• The failed British intervention in 1767 removed a possible outside rescuer.

Exam focus

• Born: 1723 AD (1779 BS); king of Gorkha around 1743 AD (1799 BS).
• First key conquest: Nuwakot (1744 AD, 1801 BS).
• Defeat of Kinloch's British force at Sindhuli: 1767 AD.
• Conquest of Kathmandu during Indra Jatra: 1768 AD (1825 BS).
• Bhaktapur falls: 1769 AD.
• His sayings: Divya Upadesh; "yam between two boulders".
• Died: around 1775 AD.

Previous: medieval Nepal. Next: the Anglo-Nepal War and the Treaty of Sugauli.