Social and Economic Reforms of Rana Prime Ministers

The Rana regime was an autocratic family rule. Even though, many great changes and progress were made during this period. Some of the remarkable works by the Ranas is given below.

Jung Bahadur Rana (1903-134)

• Muluki Ain was published.
• Mutilation of criminals was limited.
• Unmarried girls, 35 years of age got rights on the parental property.
• Strict rules against gambling
• He tried to abolish Sati and slavery.
• Introduction of English Education in Nepal
• Establishment of Durbar School
• Establishment of Guide Press

Ranoddip Singh: (1934-1942)

• Set up new building for the English School established by Jung Bahadur Rana
• Provided scholarship for poor Sanskrit students
• Road to Pashupati was paved with stone
• Established Court of Justice
• Strict laws against bribery and corruption

Bir Shumsher (1942-1958)

• Tried to abolish Sati custom
• Established Bir Hospital in Kathmandu
• Established Bir Library
• Sent 10 students to India for higher Sanskrit education
• Sent 5 students to Japan for studying engineering including his son, Gehendra Shumsher
• Constructed Ghantaghar

Dev Shumsher (1958 - 1958, for 114 days)

• Gorkhapatra was published weekly
• Made number of tanks and water taps on the way from Hetauda to Raxaul
• Established Durbar School for all and established in many languages

Chandra Shumsher (1958-1986)

• Spent about 36 lakhs rupees to emancipate more than 50 thousand slaves and made laws against enslaving people.
• Abolished Sati and Slavery
• Founded about 10 schools and established Tri Chandra College
• Sent Nepali students to Kolkata to study M.A. and MBBS
• Started railway from Amlekhgunj to Raxaul
• Established Pharping Hydroelectricity Project

Bhim Shumsher (1986-1989)

• Encouraged cotton cultivation in Mountain and Terai
• Changed capital punishment into life imprisonment
• Established School in Patan and Bhaktapur
• Construction of water taps in Kathmandu and Morang

Juddha Shumsher (1989-2002)

• Nepal Rastra Bank was established.
• Large scale industries like Biratnagar Jute Mill, Juddha Match Factory, Nepal Plywood Company, Morang Hydroelectricity Supply Company, etc. were established during his rule. So, he is known as the 'Father of Industry' in Nepal.
• Banned child marriage
• Founded SLC Board of Examination

Padma Shumsher:(2002-2005)

• Established Padma Kanya College in Dillibazar.
• Allowed public to freely express their difficulties and trouble
• Established Sugar Mill in Morang and Nepal Cigarette Factory
• Started Female education
• Promulgated the first written constitution of Nepal, Nepal Government Act in 2004 B.S.

Mohan Shumsher: (2005-2007)

• Development of tourism
• Made attempts for Nepal's membership to the UNO
• Teachers and their salaries were increased.
• Advertisement for vacancies for several governmental and non-governmental posts.