Downfall
The power balance began to change after the king came of age and Queen Tripurasundari died in 1832. The prime minister lost his main support at a time when the young ruler was coming under greater influence from the Pande faction at court. In 1833 Brian Hodgson became British Resident Minister and began a more aggressive campaign to increase British influence and trading opportunities; because Bhimsen Thapa opposed him, Hodgson openly favored Bhimsen Thapa's opponents. In 1837 the king announced his intention to rule independently, deprived both Bhimsen Thapa and Mathbar Singh of their military powers, and promoted some members of the Pande faction.
In July 1837, King Rajendra Bikram Shah's youngest son, an infant of one year, died suddenly. It was at once rumored that the child had died of poison intended for its mother the Maharani (elder queen), and given at the instigation of Bhimsen, or someone of his party. On this charge, Bhimsen, his brother Ranbir Singh, his nephew Mathbir Singh, their families, the court physician and his deputy, with a few more of the nearest relatives of the Thapas, were incarcerated, proclaimed outcasts, and their property confisticated. They were fearfully tortured to induce them to confess, but not a syllable to criminalize anyone was elicited.
Ranjang Pande was suddenly appointed as the Prime Minister. Fearful that this appointment would establish the Pandes in power, Fatte Jang Chautaria, Raghunath Pandit, and the junior Rani obtained from the king the liberation of Bhimsen, Mathabir, and the rest of the party. Pardon was given to Bhimsen, who fell on his face at the king's feet, in full Durbar. Their confiscated property was also returned. Ranjung, the leader of the powerful Pande party, was removed from the office of Prime Minister and Raghunath Pandit, who was favorably inclined towards the Thapas was elected Premier.
However, Raghunath Pandit, finding himself unsupported by the king, resigned the Premiership, which was conferred nominally on Chautariya Pushkar Shah, but actually upon his colleague, Ranjang Pande, in whom all real authority was vested. The Pandes were now in full possession of power; they had gained over the king to their side by flattering his weaknesses. The Maharani had been a firm supporter of their party; and they endeavored to secure popularity in the army by promises of war and plunder.
Read more about this topic: Bhimsen Thapa
Famous quotes containing the word downfall:
“Children demand that their heroes should be fleckless, and easily believe them so: perhaps a first discovery to the contrary is less revolutionary shock to a passionate child than the threatened downfall of habitual beliefs which makes the world seem to totter for us in maturer life.”
—George Eliot [Mary Ann (or Marian)
“Show me one thing here on earth which has begun well and not ended badly. The proudest palpitations are engulfed in a sewer, where they cease throbbing, as though having reached their natural term: this downfall constitutes the heart’s drama and the negative meaning of history.”
—E.M. Cioran (b. 1911)