Book Review (Spotlight Weekly)

Ruminating The Rana Rule

Historian Pramod Sumsher Rana describes the rise of Rana rule

By A CORRESPONDENT

Like all countries of the world, Nepalese history is also full of controversy, conspiracy and rise and fall of different clans and kingdoms. There are a number of books written by Nepalese and foreign scholars highlighting those historical incidents.

Like in all other periods, many books have been written on Rana period explaining the circumstances that led to the emergence of Rana as a clan holding the absolute authority. Although history of Rana rule is a recent one and many documents are available about it, only a few efforts have been made to describe the period in an objective manner. Most of the books published following the revolution of 1950s were biased against one or the other.

Some books are against Jung Bahadur, some are against Bir Sumsher, some favor Chandra Sumsher while others denounce Juddha Sumsher. But what is lacking is the objectivity and factual accounts of the 104-years-long Rana rule, which ended in 1950.

Many dislike Rana rule and the atrocities but that is the part of history now. But apart from the bad practices, Rana period was also full of reform and changes. Like elsewhere, Nepal's 19th century politics was full of palace intrigues. There was family feud within the family of Jung Bahadur, founder of Rana rule and Dhir Sumsher family. Dev Shumsher was ousted by his brother Chandra Sumsher. Ranodip Singh was assassinated by his own nephews. This was the historical reality of Rana rule. There were also a number of steps taken by Rana to reform Nepalese society. When writing about the history of Rana rule in Nepal many scholars highlight only its negative aspects denouncing it as the darkest period of Nepalese history. This is true to a great extent but one must also mention the reforms that took place during the period.

Historian Pramod Sumsher Rana has made efforts to describe the chronology of Rana rule on the basis of historical facts. In his book, Rana follows balanced approach explaining the period with available historical documents and facts.

As a member of Rana family himself, the writer seems to be better informed about the period as he might have inherited the information. The book also attempts to describe the political and geo-strategic scenario of Nepal at the time of rise of Rana rule. Unlike many other authors, he has plucked the courage to denounce some who have made efforts to distort the Rana regime.

The writer argues that the historians have failed to treat Rana period impartially and that it is heavily biased against the period. He is critical with Rana rulers like Chandra Sumsher who had spent a lot of money inviting a British historian to write something about him.

Pramod's approach was balanced in the sense that there were both negative as well as positive sides of Rana period discussed in detail.

A Chronicle of Rana Rule

By: Pramod Sumsher Rana

Published by: Rama Rana, Phone 4434494 G.P.O Box 45

Price: Rs.250

Pages: 322

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