Prithvi Narayan Shah The Great
Architect Of Modern Nepal

-By Guna Dev Bhattarai

GORKHA, at present one of the districts of the Gandaki Zone, was then not famous in the fields of art, literature and industry, but for valour, patriotism, discipline and such other qualities as required for a formidable principality.

Versions
Inspite of having different versions as to the ancestry of the Shahs of Gorkha, it has been generally believed that their ancestors were related to Mewar-Chitorgarh Chandravamshi (Lunar Dynasty). It is stated that their ancestors assumed titles such as Bhattaraka, Rana, Rao, Khan and the like. Kulmandan Khan the ruler of Kaski, obtained the title of Shah from the Moghul Emperor of India, and Yasobam Shah, his youngest son, became the ruler of Lamjung.

Gorkha then was under a Khadka chief who was ousted by the high caste people who installed Drabya Shah (1559-70 A.D.) on the throne of Gorkha. Of all the successors of Drabya Shah, Ram Shah proved himself an able and farsighted ruler. Ram Shah was succeeded by Dambar Shah (1636-51 A.D.), Krishna Shah (1651-63 A.D.), Rudra Shah (1663-74 A.D.), Prithivipati Shah (1614-1716 A.D.), Narabhupal Shah (1716-42 A.D.) was the grandson of Prithivipati Shah. After the demise of Narabhupal Shah his son-Prithvi Narayan Shah ascended the throne of Gorkha in 1742 A.D. He had become a promising youth under the guardianship of Chandraprabhavati, the eldest queen of Narabhupal Shah.

It will not be an exaggeration to admit that the rise of Prithvi Narayan Shah was a historical necessity. After the demise of Yakshyamalla (1482 A.D.) the Nepal valley had lost its stately existence because of its divisions. The Sen Rajas of Vijayapur and Chaudaudi situated on the east of Dhudhakoshi were chiefly chieftains. The principality of Makwanpur and the Chaubisi that extended from Gorkha to Piuthan, the Baisi situated between the Mahakali and Piuthan were not likely to be called states in the strict sense. In short there was no power strong enough to unite all the disintegrated forces into a cohesive one. On the other side the British were gradually spreading their suzerainty over the divided India in general and Bengal and Bihar in particular. Thus, Nepal then needed a strong and earnestly determined person to fuse the disintegrated forces into a united and strong state. Fortunately Prithvi Narayan Shah the Raja of Gorkha, the person Nepal needed, built a sizable kingdom called Nepal.

Every year on Poush 27 (January 11 or so according to the Gregorian calendar) we celebrate Prithvi Jayanti in honour of Badamaharajadhiraja Prithvi Narayan Shah, the architect of modern Nepal.

Prithvi Narayan Shah extended his boundaries from the Marsyangdi to the Kankai. During his military campaigns he had adopted every means, fair or foul, to achieve his ends. He fought against the rulers of many principalities. Some of them were subdued while others voluntarily accepted his suzerainty. He made the Gorkhalis so strong that even Kaiser-II of Germany said, "I am not scared to let my troops fight anywhere in the battlefield of the world but my thighs tremble when I hear the name of the Gorkhas."

The people of the valley breathed a sigh of relief when their new guardian was earnestly eager to have them live a respectful life with all their religious, traditional rites, customs and manners. Thus he convincingly won the hearts of the people in no time. That is why the people found him as the saviour of the country where they had been living for a long time in perpetual internal squabbles.

Prithvi Narayan Shah, though he was fully aware of the Bible and bullet policy of the English overlooked the activities of the Capuchin Fathers because he was busily engaged in his military campaigns in the valley. When Jayaprakash Malla, the last ruler of Kathmandu sought the military assistance of the English who sent Capt. Kinloch to drive out the Gorkhalis, the latter became conscious of the evil designs of the English. The Gorkhalis valiantly fought and drove out of the British from the fort of Sindhuli. In the meantime, Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered the three states of the valley one by one in 1769 A.D. He was fully aware of the strength of the English in India. That is why he tried his level best not to antagonise the British as far as possible. He cautiously adopted such a policy as the British might not directly challenge his newly formed kingdom.

Prithvi Narayan Shah was a true soldier, a commander and, above all, strategist. During his military career he had adopted every possible means to attain success. He was eminent in splitting his opponents camp. He possessed the knack of ruling his men in hours of defeat and, by his dare devil deeds, frequently turned the tables to achieve victory. He was a true nationalist. He would say "My kingdom is like a flower garden having four varnas and thirty six jatis."

He always encouraged the people to lead a life of simplicity but with dignity. He always encouraged the people to put on national dress, follow national dances, songs and the like. His main aim was to make the people self-sufficient in food and clothing.

Prithvi Narayan Shah was a strict disciplinarian. He would not hesitate to punish whoever he might be if any one resorted to something detrimental to national interest and norms of life.

He consolidated the occupied territories without heeding to his brother’s undue demand of the spoils of the battles.

His well wishers and the military chiefs in particular were highly honoured and given high posts in keeping with their calibre. The Mishras, the spiritual guardians of the Shahs, were also highly honoured.

Outline
He found little time to bring about sweeping changes in various fields of administration. Nevertheless, he formulated an outline pertaining to state policy for that purpose. At the last state of life he made his courtiers fully acquainted with many teachings which can be found in his "Dibhyopadesh."

Decentralisation: Processes & Trends

-By Mukti Rijal

DECENTRALISATION is being accepted as a global phenomenon. Some scholars have described it a process of localisation ranged against globalisation. Both localisation and globalisation are however unleashed on the rapid course. They are bringing enormous changes and shifts of global scale.

Causes
The trend for Decentralisation has several causes. It has been attributed to the economic failure of the centralised and authoritarian state. Some attribute it to the emergence of educated urban middle classes with consequent decline in traditional patron-client relationship. National governments have responded to the calls for decentralisation in different ways. Some governments have become more democratic while others have allowed more room for political participation of people.

A study reveals the fact that the competitive democratic elections have been practiced now in many states of the world where it was a very poor phenomenon few years ago. Governments are decentralising by shifting responsibilities and resource to the subnational units. The process of decentralisation has got more prominence in the East European countries where totalitarian polity characterised by centralised authority reigned supreme for more than four decades. Today the post communist states of the East Europe have already proclaimed principles defined in the Strasbourg European Charter of the local self government formulated by the Council of Europe. An autonomous local government within the provisions of national constitutions appears to have been accepted as fundamental to the polity of the east European states.

The overriding objective of decentralisation may differ from context to context. In some context, decentralisation is considered an important factor for political stability. Decentralisation has important positive implications for development. It can improve efficiency and responsiveness of the public sector by bringing decision making closer to the people. Decentralisation increases both transparency and accountability.

One of the key determinants of local accountability is the system for electing local officials. Local elections help increase local influences and contributes to reducing the cost of running for offices. Local control over the choice of candidates enhances accountability. However, electoral process is not sufficient. The responsibilities of local officials to their constituents is also influenced by civic traditions and strength and activism of community organisation.

Decentralisation is an integral and inseparable process of democratisation. No countries committed to democracy can afford to halt or even ignore the call for decentralisation. Strategies aimed at circumventing the process of decentralisation are unlikely to succeed. In fact, pressures to decentralise are beyond government control. Civil society has become active so has the participatory power of the communities grown. Mass media is vigilant. Communication, governance beyond the purview of the formal governmental system has been accepted as a much vaunted theme. The concept of local self government has thus gained broader parameters and scope.

Local governance is indeed a dynamic process involving a wide range of actors operating at various levels and spanning the public, private and voluntary sectors. New forms of organisations have emerged with varying forms and degrees of networking and partnerships in response to the need for greater flexibility.

The Nepalese context is totally different from what it was during a decade ago. The decentralisation and democratisation process is on. No government dares to come on the way of decentralisation and strengthening of local government units. A larger civic constituency has grown and loomed larger in the national and local scene. Private sector is taking on the larger role and functioning in a more positive shape. Traditional actors of governance and development have remodeled themselves and become responsive to popular aspirations and needs. A strong countervailing force representing civil society is gradually taking role to keep vigil on the hegemony of the state organs and institutions. Political education and debate is encouraged by providing opportunity for citizens at the local level to define, discuss, debate, and decide upon, through a political process, the problems facing their area.

Challenges
The local government units are also being empowered to regulate and manage public affairs under their own responsibility and in the interest of local population. The Local Self-Governance Act and the supplementary rules and regulations adopted by the government provide an important avenue for decentralised local governance. It is incumbent upon the local government institutions to brace for the new challenges and show that decentralisation means greater accountability, transparency and democracy to the local populace.

Plight Of The Elders

-By Uday Lama

THE conditions under which the elders — those 60 years and above — live in Kathmandu is pathetic. It seems no one is ready to make room for these venerable ones — those with brittle bones and befuddled memories. And comes at a time when they are the most vulnerable and unable to fend for themselves.

Fragmentation of the family is one of the reasons behind this state of affairs. It becomes noticeable when the oldsters fall sick and have no one to attend to their needs. Medicines are not given on time and they are not fed properly.

Being disowned by offsprings means the elders find themselves isolated with the recourse than to register in one of the homes. The problem does not end here for a different kind of treatment is meted out to them. It is a cold sterile place where only the physical needs are met — not the craving for love security and warmth and that human touch.

A breakdown of the hierarchy? This is possible in no-win situation where there is no or little show of respect or obedience for authority. And the rules of the game do not favour the doddering ones.

Inability to work or early retirement comes as a shock and renders them unfit. With the loss of income they soon become dependent for even basic essentials. All the caring, sharing and giving are denied making their conditions from bad to worse.

So they find themselves shunted from one place to another simply because they have grown senile, drool all the time or stare into empty space.

Taking care of the senior citizens requires an effort of will, determination and the obligation not to ignore their childlike manners. This is where trained volunteers can accomplish a lot by making regular visits. listening to ramblings and even feeding them.

It is to be noted that the average life expectancy hovers around the 70’s. So it is easy to draw conclusions from this alone where the aged is concerned. They find themselves increasingly marginalised and living on the edge.

Access to better nutrition, medical care and more awareness adds to longevity. This in turn puts pressure on society to provide for them when they are past the prime.

The existing institutions for the old should be upgraded and new facilities added. Not only to accommodate more but to afford them entertainment and spend their leisure hours.

Although it can be argued that only a few continue to contribute, there is no reason why the rest should not be looked after. Furthermore, what they have to offer is a lifetime of experiences. And the wisdom that springs forth as a consequence.

They must not be consi-dered as useless appendages and left to wither and die. Because society owes a debt for any contributions they have made. And a lesson can be learnt from relating and interacting with them providing once and for all that age can be advantage and not a stumbling block.

Infirm yet they can respond to a kind world or a gentle touch. They are not to be taken for granted as they retain a shred of humanity — tested and refined and still surviving.