Kot Massacre — Jung Bahadur Rana Seizes Power

What happened

In 1846, a palace night of violence changed Nepal's history. A general named Jung Bahadur had his rivals killed and took control of the government. He became so powerful that the king became just a symbol. Jung Bahadur's family then ruled Nepal for 104 years — this family system was called the Rana regime.

Full Verified Record

On the night of 14–15 September 1846, a court intrigue — orchestrated or exploited by Jung Bahadur Kunwar — led to a mass killing of nobles and senior military officers in the Kot (the armoury courtyard of the palace). Queen Rajya Laxmi Devi, widow of King Rajendra Bikram Shah, summoned the nobles and an armed confrontation ensued. Jung Bahadur turned his troops against rivals and had dozens of leading figures killed. He then emerged as Prime Minister and effective ruler of Nepal. This event is called the Kot Massacre (Kot Parba). Jung Bahadur subsequently changed his family name to Rana, consolidated control through a hereditary system of Rana Prime Ministers, and effectively made the Shah kings ceremonial figureheads for the next 104 years.

१४-१५ सेप्टेम्बर १८४६ को रातमा कोत दरबारमा दरबारी षड्यन्त्रले ठूलो हत्याकाण्डमा परिणत भयो। जङ्गबहादुरले प्रतिद्वन्द्वीहरूलाई मार्दै प्रधानमन्त्री बने र नेपालमा राणा शासनको सुरुवात भयो।

Why it mattered

The Kot Massacre established a 104-year autocracy that kept Nepal isolated, feudal, and underdeveloped compared to its neighbours. The Rana regime resisted education, modernisation, and democratic politics. Its overthrow in 1951 was the necessary precondition for Nepal's modern development.