Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of the Nepali Congress began its attack in the Terai, thereby
initiating revolution in Nepal. Mohan Shamser found himself
in a critical situation, because he had lost much of his Nepalﾭ
ese support; in addition, the Nepalese rebel leaders had strong
support from India's leaders. By January 1951, the Mukti Sena
controlled much of Nepal, and many of the government troops
had surrendered to the rebels.
On January 8, 1951, with assistance from the Indian govﾭ
ernment, a treaty was negotiated between the Rana family,
the king, and the Nepali Congress. King Tribhuvan returned
from exile to Kathmandu in February, and a new interim govﾭ
ernment was formed. It was headed by Mohan Shamser and
included five Ranas and five Nepali Congress party members.
The coalition government failed, however, for several reasons.
The king exercised his power and appointed a new government
that did not include any Rana members. The new government
was headed by the Nepali Congress leader, Matrika Prasad Koiﾭ
rala. This arrangement placed the Nepalese government under
the control of two major power blocs in 1951: the king and the
political parties.
In the midﾭtwentieth century, Nepal faced many problems
and challenges. The country was one of the world's most isoﾭ
lated in terms of global linkages and awareness. Modern faciliﾭ
ties were concentrated in Kathmandu; elsewhere, conditions
were primitive. The country also suffered from a very poor
infrastructure. It was difficult for the Nepalese to travel from
place to place, or to ship goods. Communications, power, and
other amenities that were commonplace in much of the world
were largely lacking throughout much of Nepal.
Political turmoil continued. The major target of the interim
government was to hold an election for a constituent assembly
(Parliament) under an interim constitution. However, the
king continued to postpone the assembly election, preferring
to wait for a “favorable political environment.” Following the
death of King Tribhuvan, his son Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah
