Rana dynasty

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The Rana dynasty ruled the Kingdom of Nepal from 1846 until 1953, reducing the Shah monarch to a figurehead and making Prime Minister and other government positions hereditary. It is descended from one Ashiram Kunwar of Kaski, who moved to Gorkha in the early 18th century and entered the service of Raja Nara Bhupal Shah around 1740.

Jang Bahadur was the first ruler from this dynasty. His original family name was Kunwar but he took the title Rana, after an old title denoting military glory used by Rajput princes in northern India. His descendants took this name as their family name. Rana rulers were titled "Shri Teen" and "Maharaja", whereas Shah kings were "Shri Panch" and "Maharajdiraj". Both Rana and Shah are Chetry caste in the Khas Hindu tradition, in contrast with the native Himalayan culture which is largely Buddhist and Bön.

The shortest serving Rana was Deva Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana who ruled for two months in 1901. Known as "The Reformist" for his progressive policies, he proclaimed universal education, began to building schools, took steps to abolish slavery, and introduced several other social welfare schemes[citation needed]. He also made improvements to the arsenal at Nakkhu (south of Kathmandu) and started The Gorkhapatra newspaper. He was deposed by his relatives.

Under the British Raj, the Ranas were acclaimed and given much prestige and a 19-gun salute; all with the exception of Deva Shamsher received knighthoods.

The Rana dynasty developed into a powerful family clan and are still very influential in the country today. The family formed a close alliance with the Shah dynasty via marriage and business alliances. This group hoarded its wealth through brutal forces against the indigenous native people[citation needed]. Although they originally came to Nepal as refugees, the group now controls 95% of the administrative position in the government[citation needed].

[edit] Rana Prime Ministers

Nine Rana rulers took the hereditary office of Prime Minister. All were styled Maharaja of Lambjang and Kaski.

  1. Maharaja Sir Jang Bahadur, GCB, GCSI (18 June 1816–25 February 1877)
    Ruled 1846 to 25 February 1877. Received the hereditary rights to the title of Rana and a salute of 19 guns from the British.
  2. Maharaja Sir Renaudip Singh Bahadur, KCSI (3 April 1825–22 November 1885)
    Ruled 25 February 1877 to 22 November 1885.
  3. Maharaja Sir Bir Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCSI (10 December 1852–5 March 1901)
    Ruled 22 November 1885 to 5 March 1901.
  4. Maharaja Deva Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana (17 July 1862–20 February 1914)
    Ruled 5 March to 27 June 1901, when as a result of his progressive nature, he was deposed by his relatives and sent into exile in India.
  5. Maharaja Sir Chandra Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCB, GCSI, GCMG, GCVO, Kaiser-i-Hind (8 July 1863–26 November 1929)
    Ruled 27 June 1901 to 26 November 1929.
  6. Maharaja Sir Bhim Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCSI, GCMG, KCVO (16 April 1865–1 September 1932)
    Ruled 26 November 1929 to 1 September 1932.
  7. Maharaja Sir Juddha Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCB, GCSI, GCIE (19 April 1875–20 November 1952)
    Ruled 1 September 1932 to 29 November 1945, whereupon he abdicated in favor of his nephew.
  8. Maharaja Sir Padma Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCSI, GBE, KCIE (5 December 1882–11 April 1961)
    Ruled 20 November 1945 to 30 April 1948, whereupon he abdicated in favor of his cousin.
  9. Maharaja Sir Mohan Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, GCB, GCIE, GBE (23 December 1885–6 January 1967)
    Ruled 30 April 1948 to 18 February 1951, at which date he was divested of his titles and exiled to India.

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