⏱ 4 min read
The revolution of 2007 BS ended 104 years of Rana rule and brought democracy to Nepal. It combined the work of political parties, an armed struggle by the Mukti Sena, and King Tribhuvan’s bold move to leave the palace. This note explains the parties, main events, the Delhi Agreement and the results, in the order asked in Lok Sewa.
1. Political parties against Rana rule
| Party | Founded | Founders / note |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal Praja Parishad | 1993 BS (1936) | First political party of Nepal; Tanka Prasad Acharya; its leaders became the martyrs of 1997 BS |
| Nepali Rastriya Congress | 2003 BS (1947), Banaras | B. P. Koirala and others |
| Nepal Prajatantrik Congress | 2005 BS (1948), Calcutta | Mahendra Bikram Shah, Subarna Shumsher |
| Nepali Congress | 2006 BS (1950) | Formed by merging the two Congress parties; led the armed revolution |
| Communist Party of Nepal | 10 Baisakh 2006 BS (1949), Calcutta | Founded by Pushpa Lal Shrestha |
2. Events leading to the revolution
- Biratnagar Jute Mill strike (2003 BS): a labour movement led by B. P. Koirala and Girija Prasad Koirala; seen as the first organised mass protest against the Ranas.
- Rana PM Padma Shumsher issued the Government of Nepal Act 2004, the first written constitution, but it was never really implemented.
- Mohan Shumsher became the last Rana Prime Minister in 2005 BS and increased repression.
- Nepali Congress decided in 2007 BS to launch an armed revolution.
3. The revolution of 2007 BS
- On 21 Kartik 2007 BS (6 November 1950), King Tribhuvan and most of the royal family took shelter in the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu and then flew to New Delhi.
- The Ranas declared the child prince Gyanendra as king, but India and Britain did not recognise him.
- The Nepali Congress Mukti Sena (Liberation Army) attacked Rana posts; Birgunj was captured early in the fighting.
- Revolts spread across the Terai and hills, weakening Rana control.
4. Delhi Agreement and Democracy Day
- India mediated a tripartite Delhi Agreement between the King, the Ranas and the Nepali Congress.
- King Tribhuvan returned to Kathmandu and on 7 Falgun 2007 BS (18 February 1951) declared the end of Rana rule and the start of democracy.
- Falgun 7 is celebrated every year as Democracy Day (Prajatantra Diwas).
- A Rana–Congress coalition government was formed under Mohan Shumsher, with B. P. Koirala as Home Minister.
- The Interim Government of Nepal Act 2007 was issued.
- In 2008 BS, Matrika Prasad Koirala became the first non-Rana Prime Minister.
5. Results of the revolution
- End of 104 years of hereditary Rana rule (1903 to 2007 BS).
- Start of democracy, political parties and press freedom.
- Opening of Nepal to the outside world: foreign aid, diplomatic ties and tourism grew.
- The promise of a Constituent Assembly was made but not fulfilled at that time; it was finally realised in 2064 BS.
6. Timeline of the movement
| Year (BS) | Event |
|---|---|
| 1993 | Nepal Praja Parishad founded |
| 1997 | Four martyrs executed: Shukraraj Shastri, Dharmabhakta Mathema, Gangalal Shrestha and Dashrath Chand |
| 2006 | Nepali Congress formed by merging Nepali Rastriya Congress and Nepal Prajatantrik Congress |
| 21 Kartik 2007 | King Tribhuvan takes shelter in the Indian Embassy |
| Magh 2007 | Delhi Agreement among the King, the Ranas and the Nepali Congress |
| 7 Falgun 2007 | Democracy declared; end of 104 years of Rana rule |
7. Results
- End of hereditary Rana rule.
- A Rana–Congress coalition government under Mohan Shumsher.
- Interim Government of Nepal Act, 2007.
- Political parties and newspapers could work openly.
8. How this topic is asked in the exam
Objective questions ask the names of the four martyrs, the date of the declaration of democracy and the last Rana Prime Minister. Subjective questions ask about the causes and results of the 2007 revolution.
📌 Key points to remember
- Nepal Praja Parishad (1993 BS, Tanka Prasad Acharya) was the first political party.
- Nepali Congress formed in 2006 BS by merging two Congress parties; led the armed revolution.
- Communist Party of Nepal founded on 10 Baisakh 2006 BS by Pushpa Lal Shrestha.
- Biratnagar Jute Mill strike (2003 BS) was led by B. P. and Girija Prasad Koirala.
- King Tribhuvan entered the Indian Embassy on 21 Kartik 2007 BS.
- Ranas made child Gyanendra king; it was not recognised abroad.
- Delhi Agreement: King, Ranas and Nepali Congress.
- Democracy declared on 7 Falgun 2007 BS; last Rana PM was Mohan Shumsher.
📝 Quiz
Test yourself: Revolution of 2007 BS
50 questions on Political parties against Rana rule, The revolution of 2007 BS and Results of the revolution. Each attempt picks 25 at random.
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