Sat Salko Kranti

The Sat Salko Kranti (Nepali: सात सालको क्रान्ति, meaning Seven-Year Revolution) refers to the 1951 Nepalese Revolution, which ended the autocratic rule of the Rana dynasty and ushered in a new era of democracy and constitutional governance in Nepal. It marked the transition from over a century of hereditary Rana dominance to the beginning of modern, participatory politics.

Background

The Rana regime, which began in 1846 with the rise of Jung Bahadur Rana, established a hereditary system of prime ministers who held absolute power, reducing the Shah kings to ceremonial figures. The regime centralised authority, isolated Nepal from the outside world, and denied political freedoms to its people.
By the mid-twentieth century, a new educated class emerged in Nepal and among exiled Nepalis in India, inspired by global democratic movements and India’s independence in 1947. Dissatisfaction with the Ranas grew due to repression, economic inequality, and lack of opportunity for political participation. Political activists and exiled leaders began to organise themselves for change, leading to the rise of political movements against the Rana oligarchy.

Causes of the Revolution

1. Autocratic Rana Rule: Over 100 years of political suppression and denial of civil rights under the Rana regime created deep resentment among the populace.
2. Rise of Political Consciousness: The influence of democratic movements in neighbouring India and the return of educated Nepalis from abroad inspired the demand for freedom.
3. Economic Inequality: The Rana elite monopolised wealth and privileges, while the majority of people lived in poverty.
4. Exile Movements: Political parties such as the Nepal Praja Parishad (founded in 1936) and later the Nepali Congress played a key role in mobilising resistance from exile.
5. Support from India: The political situation in India and its post-independence government provided a favourable environment for anti-Rana activities and negotiations.

Course of the Revolution

The revolution unfolded between 1950 and 1951, corresponding to the year 2007 B.S. in the Nepali calendar, from which the term Sat Salko Kranti derives.

• Initial Uprisings: Armed revolutionaries associated with the Nepali Congress launched uprisings in various parts of the Terai and eastern Nepal.
• Royal Intervention: King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah, who opposed Rana dominance, sought asylum in the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu in November 1950 and later fled to India. His departure symbolised royal defiance against the Ranas and triggered widespread protests.
• Formation of the Interim Government: Facing increasing resistance, the Ranas entered negotiations mediated by India. The Delhi Accord was signed in February 1951 among King Tribhuvan, the Rana Prime Minister Mohan Shumsher, and the Nepali Congress.
• End of Rana Rule: On 18 February 1951, King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal and announced the formation of an interim government, ending the 104-year Rana regime and beginning a new era of constitutional politics.

Major Outcomes

1. End of the Rana Oligarchy: The hereditary system of Rana prime ministers was formally abolished.
2. Restoration of Monarchy: King Tribhuvan was reinstated with real political authority, transforming the monarchy from a symbolic figurehead to a constitutional institution.
3. Introduction of Democracy: Political parties were recognised legally, and the foundation for parliamentary democracy was established.
4. Formation of the Interim Government: A coalition government consisting of Rana and Congress representatives was formed to draft democratic reforms.
5. Emergence of Nationalism: The movement united people from various regions and backgrounds under a shared aspiration for national freedom and reform.

Significance

The Sat Salko Kranti is a landmark event in Nepal’s political history for several reasons:

• It ended a century-long autocracy and introduced democratic aspirations in Nepal.
• It revived the monarchy as a constitutional authority supportive of democratic governance.
• It paved the way for the formation of political parties, a free press, and public participation in national affairs.
• It laid the foundation for constitutional and parliamentary development in the coming decades.
• It symbolised Nepal’s entry into the modern political age, aligning the country with global democratic values.

Limitations and Challenges

Although the revolution succeeded in toppling the Rana regime, it did not immediately establish a fully democratic system.

• Continued Monarchical Power: King Tribhuvan and his successor, King Mahendra, retained significant political control.
• Weak Institutions: Nepal lacked strong political and administrative institutions capable of sustaining democratic governance.
• Factional Politics: Rivalries among political leaders and internal divisions within the Nepali Congress weakened early democratic progress.
• Limited Socio-economic Change: The social and economic inequalities that existed under the Rana regime persisted, especially in rural areas.

These limitations set the stage for recurring political instability and the later suspension of democracy in 1960, when King Mahendra imposed the Panchayat system.

Legacy

The Sat Salko Kranti remains one of the most important turning points in Nepal’s modern history. It:

• Opened the door for multi-party democracy and citizens’ political rights.
• Inspired subsequent democratic movements, including the Jana Andolan (People’s Movements) of 1990 and 2006, which eventually led to the abolition of monarchy and establishment of a federal democratic republic.
• Is commemorated annually as the beginning of Nepal’s democratic awakening, symbolising the people’s victory over authoritarianism.