Jung Bahadur Rana
Jung Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji, GCB, GCSI (born Bir Narsingh Kunwar), who was accused of plotting with the junior queen in 1846 to become prime minister by putting the queen's son on the throne,. His original name was Bir Narsingh Kunwar but he was commonly known as Jang Bahadur, a name given to him by his maternal uncle Mathabar Singh Thapa. Mathabar Singh Thapa used to call Jang Bahadur Jangay for his boldness.
Jung Bahadur Kunwar Ranaji | |
|---|---|
Jung Bahadur Rana in 1887 | |
| 8th Prime Minister of Nepal | |
| Maharaja of Kaski and Lamjung | |
| In office 15 September 1846 – 1 August 1856 | |
| Monarchs | King Rajendra King Surendra |
| Preceded by | Fateh Jung Shah |
| Succeeded by | Bam Bahadur Kunwar |
| In office 28 June 1857 – 25 February 1877 | |
| Monarch | King Surendra |
| Preceded by | Bam Bahadur Kunwar |
| Succeeded by | Ranodip Singh Kunwar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 18 1817 Balkot, Arghakhanchi district, Kingdom of Nepal |
| Died | 25 February 1877 (aged 59) Patharghat, Rautahat, Kingdom of Nepal |
| Spouse(s) | Nanda Kumari (second wife); Hiranya Garbha Devi (ninth wife) |
| Children | Jagat Jung Rana, Lalit Rajeshwori Rajya Lakshmi Devi, Somgarva Divyeshwari Rajya Laxmi, Padma Jung Bahadur Rana, Badan Kumari, Jit Jung Rana |
| Relatives | See Kunwar family; see Thapa dynasty; see Rana dynasty |
His mother Ganesh Kumari was the daughter of Kaji Nain Singh Thapa, brother of Mukhtiyar Bhimsen Thapa of the then prominent ruling Thapa dynasty. During his lifetime, he eliminated the factional fighting at the court, removed his family's rivals like Pandes and Basnyats, introduced innovations in the bureaucracy and judiciary, and made efforts to modernize Nepal. He is one of the important figures in Nepalese history. Some modern historians blame Jung Bahadur for setting up an oppressive dictatorship in Nepal that lasted 104 years- the dark period of Nepalese history. Other historians blame his nephews, the Shumsher Ranas, for the dark period. Rana's rule is associated with tyranny, debauchery, economic exploitation and religious persecution.