Surendra Bikram Shah (Nepali: श्री ५ महाराजाधिराज सुरेन्द्र बिक्रम शाह देव) (1829–1881) was King of Nepal between 1847 and 1881. He became king after Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana forced the abdication of Surendra's father, Rajendra Bikram Shah. Surendra wielded little real power, with Jang Bahadur Rana effectively ruling the country during Surendra's reign.
Surendra's stepmother, Queen Rajya Lakshmi, was ambitious to have her son, Prince Ranendra, sit on the throne. However, Jung Bahadur, who was ambitious and wanted power, might have cooperated with Rajya Lakshmi for his own motive. After the Kot massacre, in which Jung Bahadur managed to eliminate a large number of nobles, Jung Bahadur turned against the queen, who in turn plotted to kill him (though the plot failed). Thinking Queen Rajya Lakshmi might be a threat to him, Jung Bahadur, who had become the prime minister, exiled Rajya Lakshmi to Varanasi. King Rajendra also accompanied her to Varanasi. Before leaving, he made Surendra the prince regent. However, later Jung Bahadur Rana forced the abdication of King Rajendra, and then Surendra was made the king.[1]
Life as the king
Picture of King Surendra Bikram Shah with two body guards taken by the then British Assistant Resident Clarence Comyn Taylor around 1862-1865.
King Surendra was like a prisoner in his own palace: with the exception of his immediate family, nobody could visit him without the permission of Jung Bahadur Rana. The king was only allowed to read literature. Frustrated at all these, the king wanted to abdicate in favor of his eldest son Trailokya, but the Rana prime minister did not allow it.
Surendra was allowed to meet his father, the ex-king Rajendra, once every month. Rajendra continued to live under house arrest until his death.
In 1856, King Surendra issued a sanad- which formalized the dominance and political leadership of the Kunwar family- the family of Jung Bahadur Rana. The king and his descendants could use the honorific title of 'Shri' five times with their names, while the members of the Kunwar family used the title thrice- placing the Kunwar family in a rank that was second only to the royal family. While Surendra remained the king (Maharajadhiraja), he had little power; Jung Bahadur Rana ruled the country.[2]
Surendra's son, General and Crown Prince Trailokya Bir Bikram Shah Deva married three of Jung Bahadur Rana's daughters, Tara Rajya Lakhsmi Devi, Lalit Rajeshwori Rajya Lakshmi Devi and Hiranyagarbha Kumari Devi.[citation needed] Trilokya died in 1878, and Trilokya's son Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah became heir to the throne.
Death
Surendra Bikram Shah
Surendra died in 1881. His grandson Prithvi succeeded him as the king of Nepal.
surendra, bikram, shah, nepali, मह, रम, 1829, 1881, king, nepal, between, 1847, 1881, became, king, after, prime, minister, jung, bahadur, rana, forced, abdication, surendra, father, rajendra, bikram, shah, surendra, wielded, little, real, power, with, jang, b. Surendra Bikram Shah Nepali श र ५ मह र ज ध र ज स र न द र ब क रम श ह द व 1829 1881 was King of Nepal between 1847 and 1881 He became king after Prime Minister Jung Bahadur Rana forced the abdication of Surendra s father Rajendra Bikram Shah Surendra wielded little real power with Jang Bahadur Rana effectively ruling the country during Surendra s reign Surendra Bikram ShahKing of NepalReign12 May 1847 17 May 1881Coronation12 May 1847 citation needed PredecessorRajendra Bikram ShahSuccessorPrithvi Bir Bikram ShahBorn20 October 1829Basantapur NepalDied17 May 1881 aged 51 Basantapur NepalSpouseSura Rajya Lakshmi DeviTrailokya Rajya Lakshmi DeviDeva Rajya Lakshmi DeviIssueCrown Prince TrailokyaPrince Narendra Princess Tika among others Regnal nameShree Paanch Maharajadhiraj Surendra Bikram Shah DevDynastyShahFatherRajendra Bikram ShahMotherSamrajya Lakshmi DeviReligionHinduism Contents 1 Early life 2 Prince regent 3 Life as the king 4 Death 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditSurendra was the son of King Rajendra and his first wife Queen Samrajya He was born the crown prince of Nepal and was relatively unpopular Name Surendra means Chief of Deities Prince regent EditSurendra s stepmother Queen Rajya Lakshmi was ambitious to have her son Prince Ranendra sit on the throne However Jung Bahadur who was ambitious and wanted power might have cooperated with Rajya Lakshmi for his own motive After the Kot massacre in which Jung Bahadur managed to eliminate a large number of nobles Jung Bahadur turned against the queen who in turn plotted to kill him though the plot failed Thinking Queen Rajya Lakshmi might be a threat to him Jung Bahadur who had become the prime minister exiled Rajya Lakshmi to Varanasi King Rajendra also accompanied her to Varanasi Before leaving he made Surendra the prince regent However later Jung Bahadur Rana forced the abdication of King Rajendra and then Surendra was made the king 1 Life as the king Edit Picture of King Surendra Bikram Shah with two body guards taken by the then British Assistant Resident Clarence Comyn Taylor around 1862 1865 King Surendra was like a prisoner in his own palace with the exception of his immediate family nobody could visit him without the permission of Jung Bahadur Rana The king was only allowed to read literature Frustrated at all these the king wanted to abdicate in favor of his eldest son Trailokya but the Rana prime minister did not allow it Surendra was allowed to meet his father the ex king Rajendra once every month Rajendra continued to live under house arrest until his death In 1856 King Surendra issued a sanad which formalized the dominance and political leadership of the Kunwar family the family of Jung Bahadur Rana The king and his descendants could use the honorific title of Shri five times with their names while the members of the Kunwar family used the title thrice placing the Kunwar family in a rank that was second only to the royal family While Surendra remained the king Maharajadhiraja he had little power Jung Bahadur Rana ruled the country 2 Surendra s son General and Crown Prince Trailokya Bir Bikram Shah Deva married three of Jung Bahadur Rana s daughters Tara Rajya Lakhsmi Devi Lalit Rajeshwori Rajya Lakshmi Devi and Hiranyagarbha Kumari Devi citation needed Trilokya died in 1878 and Trilokya s son Prithvi Bir Bikram Shah became heir to the throne Death Edit Surendra Bikram Shah Surendra died in 1881 His grandson Prithvi succeeded him as the king of Nepal References Edit Himalaya Google BooksExternal links EditHistory of the Shah Dynasty official siteSurendra Bikram ShahShah dynastyBorn 20 October 1829 Died 17 May 1881Regnal titlesPreceded byRajendra Bikram Shah King of Nepal1847 1881 Succeeded byPrithvi Bir Bikram Shah Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Surendra Bikram Shah amp oldid 1104168731, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
