Posted by Anup Baral January 09, 2016
Bada Maharaj Adhiraj Prithvi Narayan Shah was born one of Khasas people in Gorkha, Nepal. His biological mother was Kaushalyawati Shah, but Chandra Pravawati (the first wife of King Nara Bhupal Shah) raised him. From a young age he took an interest in the affairs of his father's state. He soon began taking the responsibilities of his father, who now spent most of his time praying.
Prithivi Narayan Shah hard an early dream was of conquering Nuwakot, Nepal, partially because his father had earlier lost a war with them. After the death of his father in 1799, Prithivi Narayan Shah ascended to the throne of Gorkha at the age of 20. As a king, Prithvi Narayan Shah valued his people and enjoyed talking to his subjects about their general concerns. This practice helped him build a rapport with his people, and helped him to understand the requirements of the citizens of Gorkha. Prithvi Nārāyaṇ sealed his border and maintained peaceful but distant relations with the British, refusing to trade with them. He died before he could effectively organize the administration of his new country. Upon his death, Prithvi Nārāyaṇ was succeeded by his son, Pratāp Singh Shah.
