Mukhtiyar

Introduction to Mukhtiyar

Mukhtiyar was the Biggest Administrative Position, equivalent to the Prime Minister, after the Unification of Nepal. Rana Bahadur Shah was the First Mukhtiyar of Nepal. After the untimely death of Pratap Singh Shah (Son of Prithvi Narayan Shah), child kings ascended the throne, and the government was run by regents and Mukhtiyars.

They were in charge of national government and had all the rights of the monarch.

Rana Bahadur Shah (son of Pratap Singh Shah) is the First and a Powerful Mukhtiyar of Nepal. He had retired after giving the throne to Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah., who was also a child. He was the first Mukhtiyar in the History of Nepal. After him, Bhimsen Thapa obtained this position and cemented his name as one of the greatest in the Post.

After Girvan Bikram Shah became king, conflicts emerged between him and Rana Bahadur Shah. Damodar Pande took Girwan to Nuwakot and started ruling, while Rajarajeshwari ruled from Kathmandu itself.

After Rana Bahadur Shah returned from Kashi, he overthrew Damodar Pandey and started to rule as the Father of Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah. It is up for discussion among academics whether Ran Bahadur Shah relished his role as Mukhtiyar after returning to Nepal from Kashi.

Regents and Mukhtiyars controlled Nepal’s administrative system for a considerable amount of time during this time, and several people, including Damodar Pandey, Mathwarsingh Thapa, and Fattejung Chautaria, had administrative authority as prime ministers or in roles comparable to them.

Duties of Mukhtiyar

Assist the Child King

When a king was a child, it was difficult for him to perform his duties as the ruler of the kingdom. In such cases, the responsibility of running the country was given to a Mukhtiyar.

Mukhtiyars were appointed to administer the government on behalf of the child king. He was a person who held all the rights of the king and was responsible for governing the country until the king came of age.

The Mukhtiyar acted as the regent and had the power to make decisions on behalf of the king, select important officials, collect taxes, and administer justice.

Administrative Duties

Mukhtiyars were chosen to supervise the daily operations of the administration and serve as a go-between for the monarch and the populace.

Mukhtiyars acted as a calming factor during turbulent political periods. They were in charge of upholding justice, resolving conflicts, and preserving law and order. They also served as a link between various groups and Factions of the Nepalese Nobility.

Revenue Collection

Mukhtiyars was responsible for expanding Nepal after its Unification and collecting revenue. They could enforce decrees for Administrative Officers to have the infrastructure to collect taxes throughout Nepal.

Mukhtiyars could appoint various individuals within the administration like the head of the revenue department, the chief of the army, and the governor of different regions.

Acting Prime Minister

Some Mukhtiyars had roles akin to prime ministership, such Damodar Pandey, Mathwarsingh Thapa, and Fattejung Chautaria.

They were in charge of overseeing government operations and counseling Young Kings on issues of state. In some scenarios, they enjoyed the De-Facto Authority.

Conclusion

Mukhtiyar was the Most Influential Administrative Position introduced by Rana Bahadur. Bhimsen Thapa is the Most Powerful and Greatest Mukhtiyar of Nepal. They were, in reality, charge of the Administration and Governance of Nepal.

They were chosen to supervise the daily operations of the administration and acted as the Prime Minister of Nepal.