Bloodstained Throne

Baburam Acharya

Description

To the palace by the sword Nepal, the land of Buddhism and misty mountains, is not a nation whose history one would expect to be filled with blood. And yet, the struggle to gain and keep the control over the mountain kingdom is one marked by a long history of violence and murder. The Bloodstained Throne is a translation of Aba Yasto Kahilyai Nahos, a compilation of historical essays that recount some of the bloody battles for power in a tumultuous period a phase that spanned more than one hundred years. This tale of the machinations, massacre and bloodletting that rocked Nepal s power centre the royal palace will give you a rare and fascinating glimpse into one of the least-known and most violent power struggles that South Asia has ever seen.

Informations

• Publié par: Penguin Books Ltd
• Date de parution: 15 août 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9789351182047
• Langue: English

Extrait

Baburam Acharya

THE BLOODSTAINED THRONE
Struggles For Power In Nepal (1775-1914)
Edited by Shreekrishna Acharya
Translated by Madhav Acharya
Contents
About the Author
Editor s Note
Translator s Note
1. The Tragic End of Prince Bahadur Shah
2. The Beheading of Damodar Pande
3. The Slaying of Ranabahadur: Bhimsen Rules the Roost
4. The Fall of Bhimsen Thapa
5. Mathbarsingh Betrayed: The Rise of Jungbahadur
6. The Kot Massacre and the Dawn of the Rana Rule
7. The Bhandarkhal Episode and the Internment of Queen Rajyalaxmi
8. The Alou Episode and the House Arrest of King Rajendrabikram Shah
9. The Death of Jungbahadur and the Rana Repression of Revolt
10. The Brutal Murder of Runodeepsingh Rana
11. Maharaja Devshumsher Is Deposed and Banished
Footnotes
Five: Mathbarsingh Betrayed: The Rise of Jungbahadur
Ten: The Brutal Murder of Runodeepsingh Rana
Calendar of Events
Follow Penguin
Copyright Page
PENGUIN BOOKS
THE BLOODSTAINED THRONE
BABURAM ACHARYA, the first and only historian laureate of Nepal, was a scholar and researcher who pioneered the writing of Nepalese history based on indigenous resources. He is credited with coining the Nepali name Sagarmatha for Mt Everest, the world s tallest mountain. An honorary member of the Royal Nepal Academy, he was awarded the Tribhuvan Award in 1963.
He wrote fourteen books (seven published posthumously) and over one hundred research-based pieces and articles on subjects ranging from Nepalese history to Nepal-China relations. He is best known for his four-volume biography of King Prithvinarayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal, and Aba Yasto Kahilyai Nahos , a collection of his essays.
SHREEKRISHNA ACHARYA, seventy-five, holds two master s degrees. He taught astronomy and Nepali literature at the Balmiki Vidyapeeth of Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu. Writer and editor of books, he also served as the vice chancellor of Nepal s Mahendra Sanskrit University. He is the son of Nepalese historian Baburam Acharya.
MADHAV ACHARYA, the grandson of Baburam Acharya, served as the Kathmandu-based correspondent of Kyodo News of Japan for over three decades. He also worked with the state-run Radio Nepal as a broadcaster, and with RSS, Nepal s national news network, as an executive editor. Besides, he edited the now-defunct English-language newspaper The Motherland .
Editor s Note
My father, Itihas Shiromani (Historian Laureate) Baburam Acharya, wrote several essays and articles on manifold aspects of Nepal and walks of Nepalese life, published in scattered forms during his lifetime. A few of his writings remained unpublished. Attempts are being made to bring out in book form, and on genre-basis, some of his published and unpublished works. This volume marks the beginning of such an endeavour.
The late Baburam Acharya had conducted in-depth research, studies and analysis in various fields and areas of Nepal and the Nepalese, including the country s history, geography, archaeology, culture, language, literature, and other arts. These works step beyond the realm of the ordinary also because they had been carried out during the intolerant Rana regime, when any interest shown in acquiring knowledge about the nation s history could be construed as a punishable act of prying into politics. Baburam s research and studies had unveiled facts and truths that are of great significance even today. It is hoped that these works help to enlighten the readers about the past of Nepal and her people.
His life of want and poverty did not dissuade the eminent historian from his research and investigative studies, nor did it deter him from fulfilling what can best be described as his heightened sense of responsibility to the nation. All the writings of this collection were produced after Baburam lost his eyesight.
This volume has ten historical pieces, all written for broadcast over Radio Nepal on request from the then officials of the country s only broadcasting institution, which has meant that, occasionally, they tend to read like narratives tailored for broadcasting. At times, they also smack of repetition, but that is because we have pieced together essays and articles produced at different periods of time. Only a few of these have been published. Whether or not a particular piece had been previously published is indicated at the end of each chapter.
King Prithvinarayan Shah had successfully driven the aggressive and irreverent British out of Nepal. But after his rule and that of his able son Prince Bahadur Shah, the Nepalese seemed to have lost the capacity and courage to face events and situations squarely. They also seem to have lost their pride in patriotism and in the Nepalese character of fearlessness. All the Nepalese bhardar s (courtiers or members of the Council of Nobility) seemed to be indulgent and interested only in accumulating wealth, wallowing in debauchery and enjoying the pleasures of life. While machinations, murders and massacre became the order of the day in Nepal, the whole of Europe saw the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, bolstered by which the Europeans went about colonizing various parts of the world. Conscious citizens of colonized Asia and Africa had begun to come out openly in strong revolts against colonialism. But in Nepal the people were forced to endure hardships and exploitation at the hands of home-grown autocrats. Though an uneasy calm prevailed in the country, illiteracy and poverty were widespread; starvation, too, was a reality. And none from the ruling clique showed any concern, let alone made any attempt to mitigate the suffering of the people. The autocrats had not cared to conceive of any plan for the growth and progress of the country, or for the comfort and happiness of the people. Comfort and amenities of life remained mostly confined to the privileged high-class families. Nepal s general condition during that period may well account for her present-day maladies, including her grinding poverty and backwardness.
The articles of this collection seek to convey the message that Nepal should no longer be the playground of disdainful murders and conspiracies, and her people no longer and never again should be subjected to the tyranny of autocracy.
This work seeks to unveil the actual facts and happenings in Nepal s history. It does not aim to criticize or level charges, nor is there an attempt to sow hatred or malice against anyone; indeed, for that matter, this work is also not directed towards any undeserved eulogy or encomium. The publication of this collection would become meaningful if it helped to instil a sense of nationalism among the proud and patriotic Nepalese people, besides sharing with curious and intelligent readers a few insights into the nation s past.
Shreekrishna Acharya Editor/Publisher
17 November 1998
Translator s Note
In undertaking this translation, my only objective was to take my grandfather s works to the English-reading public. I have tried, as far as I could, to convey the essential meaning of his words and expressions in simple English. In rendering this work, which is far removed from us both in time and space, there were times when I was tempted to paraphrase, for lack of clarity; but I think I did resist. Yet, faults have crept in, and those I must accept as mine.
Rendering names, titles and historical terms was difficult. The traditional method of referring names by surname in the second or third reference was inapplicable, as it would only lead to confusion. For example, Jungbahadur Rana could not be referred to by his family name in the second or third references because other characters too happen to bear Rana as their surname, and are frequently mentioned on the same page, if not in the same paragraph. Ditto with the surname Shah. At the same time, giving the name in full in all references would have been redundant. So, for clarity s sake and to make it more intelligible, I have used the first name, not surname, starting with the second reference. As for the titles, these are essentially Nepalese titles having no English equivalents. So I have tried to go for the nearest equivalents. Regarding the historical terms, I have tried to set down what is the most likely meaning.
Bikash Sangraula helped a great deal by reviewing the text of the translation and taking the work to the esteemed publishing house.
Madhav Acharya Kathmandu, Nepal
ONE
The Tragic End of Prince Bahadur Shah
Unpublished, written around 1961
When King Prithvinarayan Shah named his newborn prince Pratapsingh Shah, he harboured the hope that his eldest son would be like the famous Mewad king Rana Pratapsingh Shah, who was known for his bravery and skills in warfare. But, as time rolled by, this hope was belied. Prithvi s younger son Bahadur Shah, however, lived up to his expectations. Bahadur Shah was a seventeen-year-old bachelor at the time of Prithvinarayan s death. Since childhood the prince had always been alongside his father; he was well versed in the nitty-gritty of politics and had also acquired battlefield skills and experience. He had stayed away from debauchery and indulgence, showing signs of industriousness, bravery and courage right at an early stage of his life.
With conquests in the east almost fully achieved, Prithvinarayan had set his eyes on similar success in his campaign in the west and had, in the process, camped at Nuwakot. However, at this point of time, he suddenly fell ill. Earlier, his younger brother Soorpratap Shah had deserted him, disappearing in Kaski, leaving the Gorkha province. Another brother, Mahoddamkirti Shah, had also developed differences with Prithvi, which led him to flee and take shelter with the King of Kaski, who was known for his antagonism towards the Gorkhalis. These developments had given everyone the jitters, from Prithvi himself to Pratapsingh (who was staying in Kathmandu) and Bahadur Shah, as well as other nobles and courtiers. King Prithvi