Nepal's Independence Day: A Celebration Of Sovereignty

Nepal does not celebrate Independence Day, but it does have a National Day on 20 September. Nepal's founding father, Prithvi Narayan Shah, referred to the country as a yam between two boulders, namely China and India, as it was the meeting point between the Mongoloid peoples of Asia and the Caucasoid peoples of the Indian plains. Nepal became a republic on 28 May 2008, which is now a national holiday known as Republic Day. This day marks the end of the 240-year reign of the Shah kings and the conclusion of a decade-long civil war.

Nepal's National Day is on September 20

Nepal's history began in the Kathmandu Valley, which remains the country's cultural and political centre. Over time, Nepal's boundaries have changed significantly, at times encompassing large tracts of neighbouring India and at other times contracting to little more than the Kathmandu Valley and a few surrounding city-states. Nepal's strategic location has long been significant, with Prithvi Narayan Shah, the country's founding father, referring to it as 'a yam between two boulders', namely China and India.

The National Day celebrations in Nepal include a variety of programmes and events. The main celebration takes place in the capital, Kathmandu, at the Sainik Manch in Tundikhel. Ceremonial parades are a highlight of the day, with the military and various government agencies organising events to pay tribute to the country's unity and cultural diversity.

While Nepal does not celebrate Independence Day as it became independent in incremental steps, it does have a Republic Day, which is celebrated on May 28. This day commemorates the end of the 240-year reign of the Shah kings and the establishment of a republic in 2008. It is a significant day in Nepal's history, marking the end of the civil war and the country's transition to a parliamentary republic.

Nepal became a republic on May 28, 2008

Nepal does not celebrate Independence Day, but it does have a National Day. Nepal became a republic on 28 May 2008, when the Constituent Assembly declared the country a Federal Democratic Republic, ending the 240-year-old monarchy.

Nepal's history began in the Kathmandu Valley, which was ruled by various groups over the centuries, including the Gopalas, Mahishapalas, Kirantis, Lichhavis, and the Thakuri king Amshuvarma. In the 1300s, the Mallas built temples, palaces, and squares, and introduced religious festivals, literature, music, and art. After the death of Yaksha Malla, the valley was divided into three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan.

Around this time, the Gorkha state was established by Dravya Shah in 1559. One of the Gorkha kings, Prithvi Narayan Shah, embarked on a conquering mission, and by 1769, he had defeated all the kingdoms in the valley and established the Shah dynasty, which ruled unified Nepal from 1769 to 2008.

In the 19th century, Jung Bahadur Rana became Nepal's first prime minister, and his family ruled for 104 years. In the early 1950s, the Rana dynasty was overthrown in a democracy movement with support from King Tribhuvan. In 1959, Tribhuvan's son, King Mahendra, issued a new constitution, and the first democratic elections were held. However, by 1960, King Mahendra had changed his mind, dissolved Parliament, and established a "party-less" Panchayat system.

In the 1990s, the Maoist parties declared a People's War against the monarchy and the elected government, leading to the Nepalese Civil War. Then, in 2001, a horrific tragedy wiped out the entire royal family, including King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya. With only King Gyanendra and his family surviving, he was crowned king. Eventually, in 2006, another People's Movement was launched, which led to King Gyanendra relinquishing his power and reinstating Parliament.

Finally, on 28 May 2008, the Constituent Assembly declared Nepal a Federal Democratic Republic, and the country got its first constitution in 2015.

The country's civil war ended in 2006

Nepal does not celebrate Independence Day, but it does celebrate its National Day on 20 September.

In 2006, the violent conflict decreased significantly, and resistance transformed into non-violent pro-democracy demonstrations. In April of that year, hundreds of thousands of Nepalis took part in protests that forced an end to direct rule by King Gyanendra. The king was likely to be prosecuted for his role in suppressing the protests, during which the army opened fire on demonstrators, killing 19 people. On 21 November 2006, the government, an alliance of seven political parties, and the Maoist rebels signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord, which formally ended the civil war. Under the pact, the Maoist guerrillas disarmed under the watch of the UN and were subsumed into a national army. A new Maoist party was also created to contest elections.

The Shah kings' 240-year reign ended in 2008

Nepal does not celebrate Independence Day, but it does have a National Day, which falls on 20 September. The country's history began in the Kathmandu Valley, which is now part of Nepal, along with huge tracts of neighbouring India and a handful of surrounding city-states.

Nepal was ruled by the Shah dynasty from 1743 until 2008, when the monarchy was abolished. The 240-year reign of the Shah kings ended with Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, who was born on 7 July 1947 and became king in 2001 after the assassination of his brother, King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah. Gyanendra was the last king of Nepal and was born in Kathmandu. He married Komal Rajya Laxmi Devi in 1970 and has two children. He is the first Shah king of Nepal to have been crowned twice.

Gyanendra started an autocratic regime and took an aggressive approach against the Maoist movement. However, after the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, a Constituent Assembly was declared, and he was removed as king. The monarchy was abolished, and the country became a federal parliamentary republic.

Nepal's founding father called it 'a yam between two boulders'

Nepal does not celebrate Independence Day. Instead, it celebrates its National Day on the 20th of September.

Nepal's founding father, Prithvi Narayan Shah, referred to the country as "a yam between two boulders", representing its geographical position between China and India. This metaphor highlights the country's vulnerability and the influence of its powerful neighbours.

Over two centuries ago, King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the conqueror who formed the modern state of Nepal through conquest, described the country as "a yam between two boulders". This phrase has been used by Nepali commentators and politicians ever since to describe the country's delicate situation. Nepal has always been aware of its independence being at risk due to its proximity to the two large and powerful nations.

The phrase "a yam between two boulders" also reflects the historical and cultural influences on Kathmandu, the capital city. The city's grand monuments, constructed in the 17th and early 18th centuries, were funded by trade between India and China. While Kathmandu has historically been more oriented towards India, its northern border with Tibet, a region often controlled by China, has also significantly impacted its relations.

In recent times, Nepal's geopolitical situation has become even more complex, with the involvement of the United States and other international forces. Some analysts now refer to Nepal as “a yam between three boulders”, acknowledging the growing influence of these major powers in the country's internal politics.

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