Bhim Shumsher

Introduction to Bhim Shumsher

Bhim Shumsher was Nepal’s Shree Teen and Prime Minister from 1929 A.D. to 1932 A.D. after Chandra Shumsher. He was the Son of Dhir Shumsher and became the Prime Minister at the age of 64 years after the death of his Brother Chandra Shumsher.

Bhim Shumsher is noted in both Positive and Negative Mannerisms. On the one hand, he is respected; on the other, he has been connected with scandals, disputes, and incidents of political oppression.

Rise of Bhim Shumsher

Bhim Shumsher was born into the Rana family as the son of Dhir Shumsher, the Brother of Jung Bahadur Rana. He grew up in a privileged environment and received the best education available at that time. His Brother, Bir Shumsher, had led the 42 Saal Parva and became Prime Minister by killing Ranoddip Singh. After that, Dev Shumsher and Chandra Shumsher became Prime Ministers.

When his elder brother Chandra Shumsher passed away in November 1929, he became the Shri Teen Maharaja and Prime Minister at the age of 64.

Bhim Shumsher found his brother had laid aside 30 million rupees for a battle with Tibet as soon as he became Prime Minister. However, the conflict with Tibet was ended in the same year with the death of Gyalpo, a Nepalese citizen imprisoned in Tibet. As a result, the cash designated for Bhim Shumsher ended up in his own treasury.

During his Short Tenure as a Prime Minister, he took several steps to leave his Imprint and follow the legacy of Chandra Shumsher.

Bhim Shumsher, the Sixth Rana Prime Minister of Nepal, died on September 1 1932 A.D. of Colic after three years.

Some Events of Bhim Shumsher’s Reign

Bhim Shumsher had a relatively short reign of three years but involved Several defining Events. During his reign, the Death Penalty as a means of Punishment was decreased to special occasions, and Lifetime Imprisonment was prioritized.

Bhim Shumsher’s government was tarnished by controversies, which he recognized and apologized for. He was not the only one who had to deal with anti-government attitudes and measures

Several titles were bestowed upon Bhim Shumsher by the British Government of India, and he also earned a title from the Chinese government during his lifetime.

Bhim Shumsher’s family drama was publicly known and harmed his Image His eldest son was a hedonistic individual who married a lower-caste Woman and even tried to kill his own grandson, Vasant  Shumsher.

He also had a daughter named Pitambari Rajyalakshmi, who was only 12 and was proposed to be married to Crown Prince Mahendra.

Bhim Shumsher used threats and coercion to persuade Sri 5 Tribhuvan to accept the marriage proposal. However, Tribhuvan was unable to marry because Bhim Shumsher died shortly thereafter.

He harshly persecuted Nepali nationalists who attempted to raise consciousness in society. He also persecuted the Dixit and Thapa families, members of Prachanda Gorkha, Tulsi Mehr, youngsters who wished to create a library, and other social activists, earning him the title of dictator.

He spent millions of rupees from the exchequer to construct four or five palaces. He also put 15 crores in cash and 6 crores in jewels in foreign banks, and created a block of property in his and his family’s name.

Addiction, gambling, and personal issues plagued his personal life. He was known to be a major drug user, with a particular liking for ganja. He would smoke it with his servants in his personal room. After him, Juddha Shumsher and Padma Shumsher became the Rana Prime Ministers of Nepal.

Reforms of Bhim Shumsher

In the Reign of Bhim Shumsher, an Order was passed stating that government offices across Nepal should remain open from 10 am to 4 pm. He furthermore declared Saturday as a Public Holiday in Nepal and established it as a Tradition.

Bhim Shumsher was also in charge of the development of additional water streams in Kathmandu and Morang.

He also eliminated the Grazing Fees, usually extracted from Peasants, for Cows, Bulls and other Livestocks.

Bhim Shumsher also stated that no customs taxes will be paid on salt and cotton imported into Nepal.

He also increased the Access of Education in the Kathmandu Valley. He transformed Middle Schools in Patan and Bhadgaon into High Schools.

Bhim Shumsher also passed a decision to eliminate the death sentence for non-traitor convicts and instead impose life imprisonment.

Bhim Shumsher pushed farmers in Nepal’s hill and Terai areas to grow cotton.

Bhim Shumsher sent the Ukhada Inquiry Commission to Butwal to reform the landlord system and stop the Zamindar abuse of Mohi in the Terai area..

Conclusion

Bhim Shumsher, the successor of Chandra Shumsher, had an eventful reign as Prime Minister, in his Professional and Personal Life. He became the Prime Minister at the age of 64 years and died three years later.

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