GRE: HISTORY, History of Nepal “Autocracy in Rana-dom and decline and fall of the Ranas”

Jung bahadur evolved as a founder of the Rana dynasty after 1846 Kot massacre; massacre of fifty high ranking and prominent members of the nobility and military. He successfully annihilated most of the aristocracy, reduced the king and queen to mere puppets by curtailing their movements and activities and assumed absolute power over Nepal. To commemorate his accomplishment he took on the title of Rana. In 1858 King Surendra bestowed the honorific title of Rana up on Him. Western sections of Terai that had been ceded through of the Treaty of Sagauli in 1816 were returned to Nepal as a reward of his loyalty. Jung bahadur firmly established Nepal as an ally to the British Empire, thus making Nepal independent and sovereign nation. Jung Bahadur also promulgated and supported the active recruitment of Gurkhas into British Army. Oppressive social hierarchy of the caste system and the totalitarian rule of upper caste Hindus were prominent in Nepalese history. During Rana regime also, higher castes (e.g Brahmans) exempt form the corporal punishments and heavy fines that lower-caste members incurred for the same crimes.  Juddha Shumsher instituted pension system to quell the growing resentment against the Rana regime. The Rana’s institutionalized the “chakari” system to control political dissents. Torture to obtain confessions was abolished during Rana regime. He codified the legal system of nation via Muluki Ain. In contrast to the older system it didn’t allow execution or bodily mutilation for any offense. The Muluki Ain restricted blood vengeance by aggrieved parties.