Kot Massacre - Overview

Overview

Emotions ran high among the assembled bands of nobles and their followers, who listened to the queen give an emotional harangue blaming the Pandes and demanding Abhiman Singh to execute the Pandes whom she suspected for the death of Gagan Singh. Abhiman Singh hesitated and looked to the king. The king hesitated and said to punish the guilty only after proper investigation of the matter. He then left the Hanumandhoka palace and went to the British residency. When he was denied an audience with the resident at such a late hour, he went to Narayanhiti Palace.

Meanwhile at the Kot, surrounded by Jang Bahadur's regiments, tension grew high as most of the nobles along with prime minister Fateh Jang Shah gathered there. Seeing a high possibility of bloodshed, Jang Bahadur, Fateh Jang and Abhiman Singh Rana Magar decided that Jang Bahadur and Fateh Jang should try to calm the queen, and Abhiman Singh Rana Magar, who had disobeyed queen's orders would stay behind. As the two went to find the queen, Abhiman Singh decided to get his own regiments at the Kot, but he was prevented from leaving. Abhiman Singh tried to force his way out, and was killed in the process. After panic ensued, the bloodshed began. Many Thapas, Pandes and Basnyat's(Sirupali)died including the prime minister Fateh Jang. Some escaped by leaping walls and roofs and even through the drainage systems. Jang Bahadur easily turned the situation to his advantage and used the situation to eliminate his rivals.