A Brief History of Nepal

Newars are thought to have lived in the Nepal Valley since
the 4th century AD, developing a Hindu-Buddhist culture. The Gurkha
principality was later established by RAJPUT warriors from India, and
in 1769 they conquered lands beyond the present-day borders of
Nepal. After incursions into northern India in which the Gurkhas were
defeated, Nepal lost part of its territory to British India but
retained its independence and enjoyed close ties with the British.It has
maintained its close association with India since the latter gained
independence in 1947.

Nepal, the world’s only Hindu monarchy, was controlled by a
hereditary prime ministership until 1951. The nation’s first election
was held in 1959, but in 1960, King Mahendra dismissed the cabinet,
dissolved parliament, and banned political parties. A 1962
constitution created a nonparty panchayat (council) system of
government. After a 1980 referendum approved a modified version of the
panchayat system, direct parliamentary elections were held in 1981. A
dispute with India led to India’s closing of most border crossings
from March 1989 to July 1990, and the resultant economic crisis fueled
demands for political reform. After months of violence, King Birendra
Bir Bikram Shah Dev dissolved parliament. The opposition formed an
interim government in April 1990, and a new constitution creating a
constitutional monarchy and a bicameral legislature became effective
on Nov. 9, 1990. Multiparty legislative elections held in May 1991
were won by the centrist Nepali Congress party; the Communists became
the leading opposition party. Mid-term elections in November 1994,
which were called after the government lost a parliamentary vote,
resulted in a hung parliament and the communists, who emerged as the
single largest party, formed a minority government.

Source: Grolier’s Encyclopedia

Nepal: Chronology of Important Events

Sources: The Third World Encyclopedia; Nepal and
Bhutan, Country Studies.