Prithvi Narayan Shah’s birth anniversary being commemorated today

Kathmandu, Jan 11: The 303rd birth anniversary of King Prithvi Narayan Shah, who initiated the campaign for Nepal’s unification process, is being commemorated in the country today by organizing various programs.

Prithvi Narayan Shah was born on 7 January 1723 in the Gorkha Palace as the first child of King Nara Bhupal Shah and Queen Kaushalyawati. He ascended to the throne of the Gorkha Kingdom on April 3, 1743, and started the unification process of Nepal.

He is also credited with moving the royal seat of power from Gorkha to Kathmandu. Before the unification, Nepal was divided into 52 principalities. King Prithvi Narayan Shah succeeded in expanding Nepal’s borders to the Tista River in the east and the Chepe River in the west.

After his death, his successors further expanded Nepal’s western borders to Kangada. Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered Nuwakot in 1744 and the Kathmandu Valley 25 years later in 1769. After conquering the Nepal Valley, as the Kathmandu Valley was called at that time, Prithvi Narayan Shah gradually annexed Chaudandi Bijayapur and other principalities towards the east.

He died in January 1775. Prithvi Narayan Shah is credited with initiating the unification of Nepal with the support of all castes and communities. On the occasion of the 303rd birth anniversary of King Prithvi Narayan Shah today, a special program is taking place at the spot where the late king’s statue stands in front of the West Gate to Singha Durbar in the federal capital.

Every year,  a special program is organized in Gorkha, his birth place to honor the late king who launched the national unification campaign. The government has also given a public holiday today declaring this day as the National Unity Day.—RSS