History of Nepāl

In this reign a thief stole the ornaments of Jaya Bāgeswarī, but after two years he was found out. He restored some of the ornaments, and was made to pay the price of the others, which he had sold and expended. With the money a new Bhandar-sālā (store-house) was built.

In N. S. 944, and Vik. S. 1880 (A.D. 1823-24), through the influence of Saturn and other planets, which secretly came together in one sign of the zodiac, Mahāmāī appeared in Nepāl, and numerous persons died from the effects of her evil eye. Through the influence of the seven planets, a disease called Bisuchi (cholera) appeared in the east, as far away as Dhākā and BuḍhiGangā, and then at a place in the east called Bisankhu. Many lives were lost. By the 1st of Magh it spread over the whole of Nepāl, and extended as far as the Kālī Gandaki; but after two months it disappeared.

In the same year seventeen shocks of earthquake were felt in one day and night. The Rājā performed a santi (ceremony of purification).

When the Rājā first visited Guhjeswari and Pashupati-natha, he made an offering of one rupee daily to each, and this custom is continued to the present time. It was not the custom before this.

In this reign Mahābārunī (a conjunction of certain planets at a certain time) took place, and many meritorious acts were performed. General Bhimasena placed a Narbada Siva on the Tudi-khel, and named it Bhimabhakteswara. The General made golden dhārās, tanks, and gardens. Colonel Mathabar Sinha also built many edifices; and Colonel Ranbir Sinha constructed a sālā, and established a sadābart. The Raja offered a golden lion on a pedestal to Guhjeswari. He also caused the

Mohan Chōk Durbar to be repainted. He offered an umbrella to each face of Pashupati-natha. He decided that Brahmans of all tribes should be exempt from impressment for labour.

On the 11th of Pūs Sudi, N. S. 949 (A.D. 1829), he collected a lakh and 25,000 oranges from all the gardens, and offered them to Pashupati-natha. The whole temple was filled with them, only the head of Pashupati-nātha being above them. He made frequent offerings of mangoes and amrātak fruit (guavas) to Guhjeswari and Pashupati-natha, being such a wise king.

Again a month was lost in this reign, the year being of eleven months only, and a great many people, as well as beasts, birds, and fishes, died in consequence. On the 5th of Baisakh Badi, Vik. S. 1887 (A. D. 1830), the powdermagazine at Noākōt was struck by lightning, and 62 men were killed. In the same year, on the 14th of Asārh Badi, about 10 p.m., the Thambahil magazine was struck by lightning and exploded, and 18 men were killed.

On the 9th of Chait Badi, Vik. S. 1888 (A.D. 1831), the senior Mahārānī died. Except the Brahmans, all castes shaved their heads and beards, as a sign of mourning. The Brahmans were only four days in mourning, but all officers and other subjects had to observe the full period of mourning (i.e., a whole year). Riding on horseback, military music, travelling in dolis or palanquins, were all stopped, except in the case of marriages. A bride and bridegroom were allowed to wear red clothes till the ceremonies were finished.

The Raja was now in his 18th year, and the Sambat was also 88, whence cholera broke out in the country1;

1 Any year in which 8 occurs is considered unlucky.

but he caused purascharan to be performed at Bachhaleswari by Brahmans, and the disease disappeared. On the day that this Devi's jātrā was to take place, the Rani of the Swāmī Mahārāj died, but the jātrā was celebrated. No other jātrā was allowed to take place.

At about 10 or 11 a.m. on the 4th of Aghan Sudi, Vik. S. 1889 (A.D. 1832), the Mahārāj mounted a female elephant, named Kunjkalī, and Bhīmasēna Thāpā was seated behind him on the same elephant. When they reached Bhuneswara, a male elephant, named Lālbahadur, chased them. General Bhimasēna fell off at the entrance of the bridge over the Bagmati, and the Rājā fell into the river, but no serious injury was received.

In Vik. S. 1890 (A. D. 1833), on the 12th of the second Bhadon Sudi (being a leap year there were two Bhadons), a shock of earthquake was felt towards evening, and another at 12 gharis of the night. Four shocks were felt in all, and the fourth was so violent that many buildings and temples fell down in Kathmaḍōn, Pātan, Bhatgaon, and the villages.

In Patan the number of buildings damaged was 8241. Of these there were

Houses completely destroyed

...