The History of Nepal: Kingdoms in the Shadow of the Himalayas — Fexingo History

Nepal's 1816 Sugauli Earthquake: Nature Reshapes a Nation

7 min · 11 de jul de 2026
Portada del episodio Nepal's 1816 Sugauli Earthquake: Nature Reshapes a Nation

Descripción

In May 1816, just months after Nepal signed the humiliating Treaty of Sugauli, a massive earthquake struck the Himalayas with an estimated magnitude of 7.5–8.0. Centered near the Nepal-Tibet border, it devastated Kathmandu Valley, killing thousands and leveling temples and palaces. This episode explores how the earthquake compounded the trauma of territorial loss after the Anglo-Nepalese War, how the Gorkhali court interpreted the disaster through Hindu cosmology, and how the rebuilding effort inadvertently centralised power under the Shah monarchy. We also trace the quake's lasting impact on Nepal's architecture, with the reconstruction of the Kathmandu Durbar Square's iconic nine-storey Basantapur Tower. Using contemporary accounts from British residents and Nepali chronicles, we piece together a forgotten catastrophe that reshaped the kingdom's psyche and politics. #NepalHistory #SugauliEarthquake #1816Earthquake #Gorkhali #ShahDynasty #KathmanduValley #BasantapurTower #HimalayanSeismology #AngloNepaleseWar #TreatyOfSugauli #Nepal #SouthAsiaHistory #HistoricalEarthquakes #DisasterHistory #Bhaktapur #Patan #19thCentury #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Comentarios

0

Sé la primera persona en comentar

¡Regístrate ahora y únete a la comunidad de The History of Nepal: Kingdoms in the Shadow of the Himalayas — Fexingo History!

Empezar

2 meses por 1 €

Después 4,99 € / mes · Cancela cuando quieras

  • Podcasts exclusivos
  • 20 horas de audiolibros / mes
  • Podcast gratuitos

Todos los episodios

177 episodios

Portada del episodio Nepal 1795: Damodar Pande and the Mukhtiyar's Rise

Nepal 1795: Damodar Pande and the Mukhtiyar's Rise

In 1795, Nepal's Gorkhali Empire faced internal turmoil after King Rana Bahadur Shah's minority. Damodar Pande, a shrewd Kaji, emerged as Mukhtiyar — the first non-royal to wield supreme executive power. This episode explores his political maneuvering, the 1795 execution of rival Kaji Kirtiman Singh Basnet, and the consolidation of the Pande family's influence. We delve into the Nepalese court's factionalism, the role of Queen Rajendra Laxmi, and how Damodar navigated tensions with Tibet and China. Discover the origins of the Mukhtiyar office, a precursor to the modern Prime Minister, and how Pande's policies set the stage for the Anglo-Nepalese War. A story of ambition, loyalty, and the fragile balance of power in the shadow of the Himalayas. #NepalHistory #DamodarPande #Mukhtiyar #GorkhaEmpire #RanaBahadurShah #KirtimanSinghBasnet #RajendraLaxmi #NepalesePolitics #18thCentury #SouthAsia #HimalayanHistory #Kaji #Bharadars #NepalCourt #History #FexingoHistory #Podcast #AsianHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

24 de jul de 20268 min
Portada del episodio Nepal 1814: The Forgotten Hero Kalu Pande and Gorkha's Early Wars

Nepal 1814: The Forgotten Hero Kalu Pande and Gorkha's Early Wars

The Gorkha conquest of the Kathmandu Valley is one of the great origin stories of modern Nepal. But long before Prithvi Narayan Shah's final victory, there was Kalu Pande—his brilliant, loyal general who strategized the early campaigns and fell at Kirtipur. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore Kalu Pande's role, his military innovations, and how his death shaped the Gorkha cause. They also discuss the Battle of Nuwakot (1744), the first siege of Kirtipur (1757), and the shadowy politics of the Malla kingdoms. A story of sacrifice, strategy, and the human cost of empire-building in the Himalayas. #KaluPande #Gorkha #NepalHistory #PrithviNarayanShah #BattleOfKirtipur #Nuwakot #MallaKingdom #Newar #Kantipur #Gorkhali #Himalayas #18thCentury #SouthAsia #History #FexingoHistory #MilitaryHistory #Nepal #KathmanduValley Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Ayer6 min
Portada del episodio Nepal 1852: The Rana Family's Iron Grip

Nepal 1852: The Rana Family's Iron Grip

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how Jung Bahadur Rana solidified his family's dictatorship after the 1846 Kot Massacre. They discuss his appointment of Surendra as a puppet king, his prime minister-for-life title, the systematic elimination of rivals, and the isolation of Nepal. The conversation also touches on Jung Bahadur's visit to Britain and the Rana system's legacy of centralized power. Specific names and events include: Jung Bahadur Rana, Kot Massacre, Surendra, Rajya Lakshmi, Guru Gajraj Mishra, Koiree Ghat, Chandra Shamsher, and the Treaty of Sugauli. #History #FexingoHistory #Nepal #JungBahadurRana #KotMassacre #RanaDynasty #Surendra #RajyaLakshmi #GuruGajrajMishra #KoireeGhat #ChandraShamsher #NepalHistory #SouthAsia #19thCentury #Monarchy #Dictatorship #NepalPolitics #ShahDynasty Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

Ayer4 min
Portada del episodio Nepal 1788: The Gorkhali Invasion of Sikkim and the Tashiding Incident

Nepal 1788: The Gorkhali Invasion of Sikkim and the Tashiding Incident

Before the Gorkhali Empire turned its gaze north toward Tibet and west toward Kumaon, it first pushed east into the remote valleys of Sikkim. This episode unpacks the 1788 Gorkhali invasion of Sikkim under Bahadur Shah, the crushing defeat of Bhutanese allies at Tashiding, and the diplomatic chaos that followed. We discuss the strategic importance of the Chumbi Valley, the role of the Panchen Lama as a mediator, and how the failure of the Qing to respond created a power vacuum. We also look at the little-known figure of Tenzing Namgyal, the Sikkimese king who fled to Tibet, and the Gorkhali general Damodar Pande, whose career was shaped by this campaign. It's a story of mountain kingdoms, shifting alliances, and the limits of imperial reach. #Nepal #Sikkim #Gorkha #BahadurShah #DamodarPande #TenzingNamgyal #Tashiding #ChumbiValley #Bhutan #PanchenLama #QingDynasty #Tibet #1788 #SouthAsiaHistory #Himalaya #GorkhaliEmpire #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

22 de jul de 20265 min
Portada del episodio The 1810 Gorkha Invasion of Jumla and the Last Malla King

The 1810 Gorkha Invasion of Jumla and the Last Malla King

In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Gorkha conquest of the remote Himalayan kingdom of Jumla in 1810. They discuss Jumla's origins as part of the Khasa Malla kingdom, the strategic reasons behind Gorkha expansion under Rana Bahadur Shah's regency, the siege of Jumla's capital, and the exile of its last Malla king. The episode also examines how Jumla's geography shaped its identity and the long-term impact of its absorption into the growing Gorkha Empire. Specific figures include Balbhadra Shah, the Gorkha commander, and King Girbhan Malla, the last independent ruler of Jumla. #History #FexingoHistory #Nepal #Gorkha #Jumla #MallaKingdom #KhasaMalla #RanaBahadurShah #BalbhadraShah #GirbhanMalla #HimalayanHistory #SouthAsia #1810 #NepalHistory #GorkhaExpansion #Karnali #Sineja #MallaDynasty Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo [https://buymeacoffee.com/fexingo]

22 de jul de 20265 min