History of Nepal from Ancient to Monarchy, Democracy & Republic

The general election was held in 2048 BS in which Nepali Congress secured the majority. A single party government was formed under the leadership of Mr, Girija Prasad Koirala. Unfortunately, the parliament got dissolved because of the internal clash within Nepali Congress which eventually led the nation towards the mid-term election. No party could secure the clear-cut majority so the government was formed under the leadership of Mr. Manamohan Adhikari, the leader of Communist Party of Nepal (CPN/UML) having no majority. But it was dissolved after a nine-month of its period due to the failure in the vote of no confidence and then a coalition government was formed under the chairmanship of Nepali Congress Leader Sher Bahadur Deuba comprised of Nepali Congress, Rashtriya Prajatantra Party, and Nepal Sadvawana Party.

Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) started an armed struggle from the 1st of Falgun, 2052 BS. The dynasty of the King Birendra was collapsed in the massacre in Narayanhity Royal Palace on 19th of Jestha, 2058. Then his second brother Gyanendra became the King of Nepal and he took the sovereignty in his hand by sacking the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba enforcing the Article 127 of the then Constitution in 18th of Asoj, 2059. Lokendra Bahadur Chand and Surya Bahadur Thapa were made the Prime Minister one after another. Again Sher Bahadur Deuba was made the Prime Minister due the heavy public pressure and protests. During the course, King Gyanendra took hold of the sovereignty in his hand by detaining all the political leaders along with the Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on 19th of Magh, 2059 and formed a government with his own chairmanship.

Nepali people showed their strong disagreement with the King’s step of Magh 19. The Seven-party alliance and Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) agreed on a twelve-point agreement. The Seven Parties agreed on holding the massive public movement on 24th Chaitra, 2063 onward. After 19 days of the movement, King Gyanendra was brought to his knees because of the massive and comprehensive public movement all over the country. Then he declared to return back the sovereignty power and ruling to the Nepalese people on 11 the Baishakh, 2063.

Then the movement postponed, the Parliament restored, and a new government of the seven-party alignment plus CPN (Maoist) was formed. Then Girija Prasad Koirala became the Prime Minister of Nepal. The restored parliament brought historic political changes by announcing the Declaration of the House of Representative – 2063. The Legislative Parliament unanimously approved the burning issues like the election of Constitutional Assembly, dialogue with CPN-Maoists, Interim Constitution, etc. The seven-party alignment and CPN-Maoist signed on an 8-point agreement on 2nd Ashadh, 2063. A Comprehensive Peace Agreement was held between the Government of Nepal and CPN-Maoist on 5th Mangsir, 2063. A 10-year long people’s war came to an end. The Interim Constitution of Nepal has promulgated with the consensus of Seven Party Alignment and CPN-Maoist on us of Magh 2063 BS. The constitution was amended time and again to address the raising aspirations and demands of the people. In this way, the series of political changes influenced the overall aspects of the national development.

Sources of History of Nepal

All the events that happened in the past are called history. We can know the things which we haven’t seen through history. How were the people in the past? What type of dresses did they wear? What professions did they follow? We get the answer to such questions from the history. The old coins, old documents, chronicles, old pictures, inscriptions, etc are the things from which we can know about our history. We can get such ancient and historical things in our community as well. Some of these things can be found in our houses as well. We have to identify such historical things and preserve them.

Sources of History of Nepal

There are various sources of history. A brief description of some of them are given below:

1. Stone Inscription (shilakkh)

In olden times when the paper was not available, people wrote important events on the stone. It is called stone inscription. We can find such inscriptions in ancient temples and palaces. After the Anglo-Nepal war, the British had made an inscription in Nalapani to pay respect to brave Balbhadra Kunwar and the Nepalese warriors.

2. Copper Inscription (Tamra Patra)

In the past people also wrote on the copper plate which is called copper inscription.

3. Old Documents

We can get information about history through old documents which can be available in our houses and government offices. They are also sources of history.

4. Stories

Sometimes stories too can depict the various events which happened in the past. The old events which were told from one generation to another are also the source of history.

5. Coin/Currency

Old coins have pictures, the names of the rulers and their dynasties and the date of their rule which are the valuable sources of history.

6. Status

The study of old statues and sculptures found in the temples and other public places which can provide useful information about the dresses, ornaments and social practices of the ancient period.

7. Utensils

Many ancient utensils have been discovered through excavation. They give us the idea about the metal used by the people in the past.

8. Picture/paintings

The old pictures and painting tell us about the buildings, houses, clothes and the lifestyle of the people in the past.