Ranga Nath Poudyal

Pandit Raaj
Ranga Nath Poudyal
पण्डित राज
रङ्गनाथ पौड्याल
Mukhtiyar of Nepal
In office
1837 December – 1838 August
Preceded by Rana Jang Pande
Succeeded by Chautariya Pushkar Shah
In office
1840 November – 1840 November
Preceded by Rana Jang Pande
Succeeded by Fateh Jung Shah
Personal details
Born Makhantole, Kathmandu
Nationality Nepali
Parents Panditraj Bajranath

Ranga Nath Poudyal (Nepali: रङ्गनाथ पौड्याल) popularly known as Ranganath Pandit was the Mukhtiyar of Nepal from 1837 December to 1838 August and in 1840 November for about 2–3 weeks. He was the first Brahmin Prime Minister of Nepal.

Early life

Ranga Nath Poudyal was born in 1773 A.D. at Makhantole Kathmandu to Pandit Brajnath, a who was prominent courtier in the palace who was later exiled to Benaras. He was a Bahun by ethnicity.[1] Ranga Nath Poudyal spent his childhood years in Benares, where he mastered Sanskrit. He was granted the title "Pandit Raj" by the then king of Benares.[2]

Political career

Ranganath Paudyal, an ally of Thapa dynasty

Ranga Nath Poudyal met Bhimsen Thapa in Benares (Varanasi). He was deeply influenced by Bhimsen Thapa and thus he forged his path to power by establishing himself as the prominent supporter of Bhimsen Thapa. After the execution of Mulkaji (Chief Kaji) Damodar Pande, Paudyal was appointed as Raj Guru (Royal Preceptor) along with Ranajit Pande as appointed as Mulkaji, Bhimsen Thapa as second Kaji and Sher Bahadur Shah as Mul Chautariya.[3][4] He became Prime Minister of Nepal at the time of utmost political turmoil. He is remembered as a clever Brahmin rather than an able administrator. Although he was the prominent supporter of Bhimsen Thapa he is also characterized by his loyalty towards Brian Houghton Hodgson, the then British Resident to Nepal.[5] His political career was doomed after the downfall of Bhimsen Thapa. He is often characterized as the spiritual advisor of the court rather than a powerful governor.

Personal life

Not much is known about his personal life. He is believed by many to be spiritual minded and remained unmarried throughout his life.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Raj 2006, p. 55.
  2. ↑ Paudel, Baburam (2003). Paudel Bansalwali. Lalitpur: Jagadamba Press. p. 3.
  3. ↑ Nepal 2007, p. 58.
  4. ↑ Acharya 2012, p. 55.
  5. ↑ Cocker, M, & Inskipp, C. (1988). A Himalayan ornithologist: The life and work of Brian Houghton Hodgson. Oxford: Oxford University Press. p. 129.

Bibliography

  • Acharya, Baburam (2012), Acharya, Shri Krishna, ed., Janaral Bhimsen Thapa : Yinko Utthan Tatha Pattan (in Nepali), Kathmandu: Education Book House, p. 228, ISBN 9789937241748
  • Pradhan, Kumar L. (2012), Thapa Politics in Nepal: With Special Reference to Bhim Sen Thapa, 1806–1839, New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, p. 278, ISBN 9788180698132
  • Raj, Prakash A. (2006), Dancing Democracy: The power of a Third Eye, Rupa & Company, ISBN 9788129109460
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