Prithvi Narayan Shah

Glossaries

Term	Definition
Prithvi Narayan Shah	Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723-1775) was the founder of modern Nepal. As the King of Gorkha (1743-1775), he unified the fragmented states of the Kathmandu Valley. Prithvi Narayan Shah (born January 11, 1723 – died January 17, 1775) was the first king of unified Nepal and the founder of the Shah dynasty. He ruled the Kingdom of Gorkha from 1743 to 1775 and led a military campaign that resulted in the conquest of the three Malla kingdoms (Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur), forming modern Nepal. Before his reign, the Kathmandu Valley was divided into several independent kingdoms often in conflict with one another. Driven by a strategic vision, Prithvi Narayan Shah embarked on a campaign of territorial unification, using both diplomacy and military strength. In 1769, he captured Kathmandu, followed by Patan and Bhaktapur, securing control over the entire valley. He was also known for his political and economic reforms. He advocated a policy of self-sufficiency and discouraged foreign colonial influences, particularly British. In his Dibya Upadesh (Divine Teachings), he outlined his thoughts on governance and national sovereignty. Prithvi Narayan Shah is regarded today as the founding father of modern Nepal. His strategic vision and role in the nation’s unification are commemorated annually on Prithvi Jayanti, a national holiday in Nepal celebrated on January 11.

Term

Definition

Prithvi Narayan Shah (1723-1775) was the founder of modern Nepal. As the King of Gorkha (1743-1775), he unified the fragmented states of the Kathmandu Valley.

Prithvi Narayan Shah (born January 11, 1723 – died January 17, 1775) was the first king of unified Nepal and the founder of the Shah dynasty. He ruled the Kingdom of Gorkha from 1743 to 1775 and led a military campaign that resulted in the conquest of the three Malla kingdoms (Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur), forming modern Nepal.

Before his reign, the Kathmandu Valley was divided into several independent kingdoms often in conflict with one another. Driven by a strategic vision, Prithvi Narayan Shah embarked on a campaign of territorial unification, using both diplomacy and military strength. In 1769, he captured Kathmandu, followed by Patan and Bhaktapur, securing control over the entire valley.

He was also known for his political and economic reforms. He advocated a policy of self-sufficiency and discouraged foreign colonial influences, particularly British. In his Dibya Upadesh (Divine Teachings), he outlined his thoughts on governance and national sovereignty.

Prithvi Narayan Shah is regarded today as the founding father of modern Nepal. His strategic vision and role in the nation’s unification are commemorated annually on Prithvi Jayanti, a national holiday in Nepal celebrated on January 11.