Rana Bahadur Shah

During his reign, Rana Bahadur Shah led a military campaign into Tibet, initially successful but ultimately repelled by Chinese forces. The war ended with Nepal becoming a tributary state to the Qing dynasty, a humiliating outcome that weakened his authority.

Rana Bahadur Shah abdicated the throne of Nepal in 1799 at age 24, appointing his infant son Girvan Yuddha Bikram Shah as king. He then became a sannyasi (Hindu ascetic), a rare act for a reigning monarch, and took the name Swami Nirvanananda.

Rana Bahadur Shah returned from ascetic life and became regent for his son, effectively ruling Nepal again. He clashed with the powerful Thapa faction, leading to political instability and his eventual assassination.

Rana Bahadur Shah was assassinated on April 25, 1806, by his half-brother Sher Bahadur Shah during a court gathering. The assassination triggered a massacre of his rivals led by Bhimsen Thapa, who then became the de facto ruler of Nepal.