1950–1951 Nepalese revolution

Revolution of 2007 B.S.
Part of the Nepalese democracy movement
King Tribhuvan together with leading figures of the Nepali Congress (including Matrika Prasad Koirala)
Date	6 November 1950 – 18 Feb 1951
Location	Kingdom of Nepal
Goals	Removal of the Rana rule Establishment of Constitutional monarchy
Result	Nepali Congress victory Establishment of Constitutional monarchy Collapse of the Rana regime Creation of the Interim Government of Nepal
Casualties and losses
Military dead: 1,600 Military dead: 900

The 1950–1951 Nepalese revolution, also known as Saat Saalko Kranti (Nepali: सात सालको क्रान्ति, romanized: Sāt Sālko Krānti, lit. 'Revolution of '07') was a revolution in the Kingdom of Nepal that brought an end to Rana rule of Nepal which had lasted for 104 years.

Background of Rana regime

Main article Rana Regime

After the Kot Massacre Jung Bahadur Rana imposed authoritarianism in the Kingdom of Nepal from 15 September 1846 that limited the absolute power of Shah monarch to a figurehead, and made the Prime Minister and other government positions held by the Ranas hereditary. The position would transferred to younger brother of the Rana PM after his death. The Rana dynasty is historically known for their iron-fisted rule in Nepal.

Organization for revolution

Popular dissatisfaction with the Ranas began to surface among educated individuals, including many from within the Rana ruling class who supported more democratic views. Some Nepalese who had participated in the Indian independence movement and experienced exile were eager to liberate Nepal from Rana rule. These individuals sought to bring about political change and end the Rana regime in Nepal.

Uprisings and incidents

Nepal Praja Parishad

The founding of the Nepal Praja Parishad was proposed by Dashrath Chand and Tanka Prasad Acharya in a hotel in Bhimphedi, Makwanpur District of Nepal. It was founded in 1936 when they received the support of additional people including Dharma Bhakta Mathema among others. The organization's head office was kept in Dharma Bhakta Mathema's house in OmBahal.

National congress

On January 26, 1947, the Nepali National Congress was formed in India under the leadership of Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala. Since establishment Congress organized underground activities but on March 4, 1947 (Falgun, 2003 B.S.) Workers of Biratnagar Jute mill demonstrated and started striking against the management. under the leadership of Girija Prasad Koirala and Bishweshwar Prasad Koirala. Nepali National Congress participated in this Biratnagar jute mill strike, supporting the strikers and demanded a Political labour union.

Revolution

King Tribhuvan's escape

The immediate crisis began on 6 November 1950, when King Tribhuvan and members of the royal family left the royal palace in Kathmandu, ostensibly for a hunting trip, and sought refuge at the Indian Embassy. The move was a direct challenge to the Rana government, which had attempted to maintain control over the monarchy while exercising effective political power through the hereditary Rana premiership.

The Rana government subsequently proclaimed the young Prince Gyanendra king. However, India and the United Kingdom did not recognize the new monarch. Four days after leaving the embassy, Tribhuvan and most of his family were flown to New Delhi, where the king openly aligned himself with the anti-Rana political movement.

Formation of the Mukti Sena

Following Tribhuvan's departure, the Nepali Congress intensified its armed struggle against the Rana government through its military wing, the Mukti Sena (Liberation Army). The movement received support from political activists based in India and launched operations from several points along the India–Nepal border.

The armed revolt began in November 1950 and developed into a series of attacks against Rana government positions. The insurgents initially encountered strong resistance from Rana forces, but the uprising expanded as political opposition, demonstrations and defections from sections of the Rana establishment weakened the government's position.

Capture of Birganj

One of the most significant military successes of the Mukti Sena was the capture of Birgunj in the southern Terai. The town became an important centre of the revolutionary movement and demonstrated that the Rana government could no longer exercise uncontested authority throughout the country.

The revolt also spread to other parts of the country. Fighting took place in several areas while political opposition grew in Kathmandu. In the east, the crisis was accompanied by regional movements challenging the authority of the Rana administration, while some Rana officials and military personnel also broke with the regime.

International involvement

India played a major role in the political settlement of the revolution. The anti-Rana political organizations had developed partly in India, and the Indian government became an important intermediary between King Tribhuvan, the Rana government and the Nepali Congress during the crisis.

The Indian government did not recognize the Rana government's installation of Gyanendra as king. At the same time, India sought a political settlement that would prevent prolonged armed conflict and establish a constitutional framework for Nepal. Negotiations therefore took place in New Delhi among representatives of the Rana government, King Tribhuvan and the Nepali Congress.

Delhi Accord

After a mutual agreement between Ranas, Nepali Congress and King Tribhuvan, a tripartite agreement was signed in Delhi. Finally, On February 18, 1951 (7th Falgun 2007 B.S.), King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal as head of state. The agreement provided for the restoration of Tribhuvan as king and the creation of an interim government containing representatives of both the Rana establishment and the democratic movement.

The settlement did not immediately eliminate all Rana influence. Instead, it created a transitional political arrangement intended to move Nepal towards constitutional government. This compromise was controversial within the Nepali Congress, particularly among sections of the movement that had supported continuing armed resistance until the Rana political system was completely dismantled.

End of Rana rule

King Tribhuvan returned to Kathmandu on 15 February 1951 amid large public celebrations. Three days later, on 18 February, he issued a royal proclamation announcing the formation of an interim government and declaring the beginning of Nepal's transition towards constitutional democracy.

The proclamation promised that Nepal's future constitution would be framed by representatives elected by the people. The end of the Rana regime therefore represented not simply a change of prime minister but a fundamental change in the constitutional relationship between the monarchy, government and political society.

Limits of the revolution

The revolution ended the hereditary Rana premiership, but it did not immediately establish a fully functioning parliamentary democracy. The 1951 settlement restored the political authority of the Shah monarchy and placed the royal palace at the centre of the new political system. The promised election of a constituent assembly was also not held during the initial transitional period.

The years following the revolution were marked by conflicts between the monarchy, political parties and successive governments. The political transition that began in 1951 therefore became a prolonged process rather than an immediate transformation into stable representative government.

Legacy

The 1950–1951 revolution marked the end of the 104-year-old Rana oligarchy and opened a new period of political participation in Nepal. It introduced constitutionalism, political parties and representative government into the centre of national political debate.

The revolution also initiated a decade of constitutional experimentation. The political order established after 1951 remained unstable, but the period saw the expansion of political activity, education, literature and public debate after decades of Rana restrictions.

King Tribhuvan

Formation of the Coalition Government

Main article: Mohan SJB Rana cabinet, 1951

On 15 February 1951, King Tribhuvan and the leading members of the Nepali Congress returned to Kathmandu.

From the Ranas:

1. Mohan Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana - Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs
2. Baber Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana- (younger brother of Mohan Shamsher; was in line for the next premiership) - Defence
3. Chudraj Shamsher - ("B" class Rana representative) - Forests
4. Nripa Janga Rana - ("C" class Rana representative) - Education
5. Yagya Bahadur Basnyat - (Rana Bhardar) - Health and Local self-government

From the Nepali Congress side:

1. B.P. Koirala - Home Minister
2. Subarna Shamsher Rana- (even though a Rana, he was a key member of the Nepali Congress) - Finance
3. Ganesh Man Singh - Commerce and Industry
4. Bharatmani Sharma - Food and Agriculture
5. Bhadrakali Mishra - Transport

This cabinet was reshuffled on 10 June 1951 to replace Baber Shamsher by Shangha Shamsher and Bharatmani Sharma by Surya Prasad Upadhyaya

See also

• Nepali Congress
• Biratnagar jute mill strike
• Ram Prasad Rai
• List of Nepali democratic movement (1951) activists