Divya Upadesh: Prithvi Narayan Shah's Blueprint for Nepal

In this episode of The History of Nepal, we delve into Prithvi Narayan Shah's Divya Upadesh, the 18th-century political testament that shaped Nepal's identity. Learn how this document, composed shortly before his death in 1775, outlined a vision of a unified Nepal, advocating for independence from both the British East India Company and the Qing Empire. We explore its key principles: maintaining Hindu traditions, controlling trade routes through the Kathmandu Valley, and treating Newar merchants fairly. The Divya Upadesh also warned against European influence and promoted a policy of isolationism that lasted centuries. We discuss its historical context—the unification of the Kathmandu Valley—and its later use by King Mahendra in the 1960s. Join Lucas and Luna as they unpack this remarkable artifact of Nepali statecraft, from its practical advice on mountain warfare to its spiritual invocation of Pashupatinath. A must-listen for anyone interested in South Asian history, the Gorkha Empire, or the roots of modern Nepal.

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