The rise of the Baise (22) and Chaubise (24) principalities represents a significant period in Nepal’s medieval history. Spanning several centuries, this era saw the fragmentation of central authority, the development of localized political systems, and the eventual formation of the unified kingdom of Nepal. These states occupied vast stretches of present-day western, central, and eastern Nepal, and were often engaged in inter-state warfare and alliances. This period set the stage for the eventual unification of Nepal under the Shah Dynasty in the 18th century.
Historical Background
The political scenario in Nepal before the emergence of Baise and Chaubise states was dominated by the Licchavi Dynasty (400–750 CE), followed by the Thakuri Dynasty (750–1200 CE) and then the Malla Dynasty (12th–18th centuries). During the Malla period, the Kathmandu Valley saw tremendous development in art, architecture, culture, and trade, but as the central authority began to weaken, power gradually decentralized into smaller principalities, particularly in the mid-hill and western regions of Nepal.
By the 15th century, Nepal had begun to fragment, with several minor kingdoms emerging in the mid-hills and other parts of the country. The most prominent of these minor kingdoms were the Baise Rajyas and the Chaubise Rajyas, which were essentially independent or semi-independent states governed by local kings and chieftains.
The Baise Rajyas: An Overview
The term “Baise” refers to 22 principalities that existed in the Karnali region of western Nepal. These states were located in what is now the Mid-Western Development Region, primarily in the Karnali Basin. The area was rugged, with mountain ranges and isolated valleys, making it challenging for central authorities to maintain control. As a result, local rulers gained autonomy and began to establish their own domains.
Key Baise States
Among the Baise states, some of the most notable were:
- Dullu (or Dailekh): Once a powerful state, it served as a significant political center in the Karnali region. The rulers of Dullu were highly influential in regional politics.
- Jumla: Perhaps the most powerful of the Baise states, Jumla played a pivotal role in the rise of the Baise Rajyas. The rulers of Jumla controlled extensive territories and were often involved in military campaigns against neighboring states.
- Jajarkot: Another key player in the Baise region, Jajarkot was known for its strategic location and the military prowess of its rulers.
- Salyan: Salyan was a prosperous kingdom with a thriving agricultural economy, contributing to its regional importance.
- Doti: Located in the far west, Doti was one of the earliest independent states in western Nepal and maintained close relations with both Indian states and other Baise principalities.
Political Structure of the Baise States
The Baise states were governed by local Rajas or Ranas (chieftains), who often claimed descent from ancient royal lineages, such as the Khasa kings of the medieval era. While there were power struggles within and between these states, a balance of power was usually maintained through marriages, alliances, and temporary coalitions against common enemies.
The Baise states had a feudalistic structure, with the king or local chieftain at the top, supported by local nobles and landlords. Below them were the common people, who worked primarily as farmers and traders. The economy of these states was mostly agrarian, though trade with Tibet, India, and other nearby regions played a role in their wealth accumulation.
The rulers of these states had relative autonomy but were occasionally required to acknowledge the suzerainty of stronger neighboring states. For example, Jumla often asserted dominance over other Baise states, and later, some of the Baise states became tributaries of the Gorkha Kingdom as it began its unification campaign.
The Chaubise Rajyas: An Overview
The Chaubise Rajyas were a group of 24 principalities located in the Gandaki region of central Nepal. These states were spread across the hills of present-day Western Nepal, with most of them lying to the west of the Kathmandu Valley. Like the Baise states, the Chaubise states were independent or semi-independent kingdoms ruled by local kings.
Key Chaubise States
The Chaubise states included:
- Palpa: One of the most influential Chaubise states, Palpa had a strong military and strategic significance due to its location on the trade routes connecting India and Tibet.
- Tanahun: A powerful kingdom in the central hills, Tanahun had a long history of military prowess and diplomatic relations with neighboring states.
- Gulmi: Known for its agricultural productivity, Gulmi was another important kingdom in the Chaubise region.
- Lamjung: This state was a key player in regional politics and maintained a close relationship with Gorkha, which would later rise to prominence under the Shah Dynasty.
- Kaski: Located near the present-day city of Pokhara, Kaski was a strategic and economically significant state in the Chaubise region.
Political Structure of the Chaubise States
Like the Baise states, the Chaubise Rajyas were governed by local kings who often claimed descent from ancient Kshatriya dynasties. These rulers operated within a feudal system, with power concentrated in the hands of the local elite. The rulers of the Chaubise states were often involved in warfare, either against each other or in alliance against external threats, such as raids from Tibet or incursions by the Mughal rulers of India.
The political landscape of the Chaubise Rajyas was characterized by a complex network of alliances and rivalries. While some states, like Palpa, maintained their independence, others became subordinates to stronger kingdoms. Marriage alliances were a common method of securing political stability and expanding influence. For example, the ruling families of Kaski, Lamjung, and Tanahun were often interconnected through marriages, allowing them to form temporary coalitions against their enemies.
Trade played a crucial role in the economy of the Chaubise states, especially those located along the trans-Himalayan trade routes. Goods such as wool, salt, grains, and metals were exchanged between Nepal, Tibet, and India. This trade contributed to the wealth of the ruling elites, who invested in the construction of palaces, temples, and fortresses.
Rise of Gorkha and the Decline of Baise and Chaubise Rajyas
The rise of the Gorkha Kingdom in the mid-18th century under King Prithvi Narayan Shah marked the beginning of the end for the Baise and Chaubise Rajyas. Gorkha was originally a small and relatively insignificant kingdom in the central hills, but Prithvi Narayan Shah’s vision of unifying the various principalities of Nepal set it on a path of expansion and conquest.
Gorkha’s Early Relations with the Baise and Chaubise States
Before launching his unification campaign, Prithvi Narayan Shah maintained diplomatic relations with several of the Baise and Chaubise states. He forged alliances through marriage and sought to weaken his enemies by exploiting the internal divisions among the principalities. The Gorkha rulers were particularly interested in the rich and fertile lands of the Kathmandu Valley, but they recognized that controlling the hill states surrounding the valley would be crucial to their success.
In the early stages of Gorkha’s expansion, many of the Baise and Chaubise states remained neutral or even allied with Gorkha. However, as Prithvi Narayan Shah’s campaign gathered momentum, these states found themselves increasingly at odds with Gorkha’s growing power.
Gorkha’s Conquest of the Baise and Chaubise States
The unification campaign began in earnest in the 1740s when Prithvi Narayan Shah launched military campaigns against the Chaubise states. His first significant conquest was the kingdom of Lamjung, which fell to Gorkha in the mid-18th century. From there, Gorkha gradually expanded its influence over neighboring states, often using a combination of diplomacy, marriage alliances, and military force.
By the 1760s, many of the Chaubise states had either been annexed by Gorkha or had become tributary states. Prithvi Narayan Shah’s army then turned its attention to the Baise states to the west. The Baise states, which were more loosely organized and less unified than the Chaubise states, proved to be easier targets for Gorkha’s military forces.
Jumla, the most powerful of the Baise states, resisted Gorkha’s advance for several years, but it eventually fell in 1789. With the conquest of Jumla, Gorkha effectively brought the Baise states under its control. By the time of Prithvi Narayan Shah’s death in 1775, Gorkha had consolidated its power over much of western and central Nepal, and the unification of Nepal was well underway.
Legacy of the Baise and Chaubise States
The Baise and Chaubise states played a critical role in shaping the political and cultural landscape of medieval Nepal. While they were often engaged in conflict and rivalry, they also contributed to the development of local governance, economies, and cultural practices that would later become part of a unified Nepal. The Baise and Chaubise states were centers of regional identity, where local kings patronized the arts, literature, and religion. Temples, palaces, and fortifications from this era can still be seen in parts of western and central Nepal, reflecting the rich architectural heritage of these principalities.
Cultural Contributions of Baise and Chaubise Rajyas
While the Baise and Chaubise states were politically fragmented, they contributed significantly to the cultural fabric of Nepal. Their rulers were often great patrons of Hinduism and Buddhism, commissioning temples, statues, and religious texts. These states helped preserve local traditions, rituals, and languages, which became integrated into the broader culture of Nepal.
For instance, the state of Palpa is famous for its traditional crafts, including Palpali Dhaka fabric, which is still woven today. Tanahun and Kaski were known for their religious festivals and contributions to the growth of Shaivism and Vaisnavism. The Karnali region, which encompassed many of the Baise states, had a rich tradition of oral literature, songs, and folklore, which has been passed down through generations.
Military Traditions
The Baise and Chaubise states were known for their strong martial traditions. The rugged terrain and frequent conflicts necessitated the development of skilled armies. Each state maintained a small but effective military force, often trained in the use of traditional weapons such as khukuris, swords, bows, and arrows. The warriors of these states, especially from regions like Jumla, Palpa, and Tanahun, were renowned for their bravery and military tactics.
The military expertise developed during the Baise and Chaubise periods would later prove invaluable during the Gorkha unification campaign. Many of the soldiers from these states were absorbed into the Gorkha army, which would later evolve into the formidable Gurkha forces, celebrated globally for their valor and skill.
Impact of the Unification Campaign
The unification campaign initiated by Prithvi Narayan Shah drastically altered the political landscape of Nepal. While the Baise and Chaubise states had thrived as independent or semi-independent entities, their days of autonomy came to an end with Gorkha’s military conquests. By the late 18th century, most of the Baise and Chaubise kingdoms had been brought under the central control of the Shah Dynasty, laying the foundation for a unified Nepal.
This period of unification had profound consequences. Politically, it centralized authority in the hands of the Shah kings and created a more cohesive state structure. However, the unification also marked the decline of many regional identities and local political systems that had flourished for centuries. The former kings and chieftains of the Baise and Chaubise states were often incorporated into the nobility of the Shah court, though many lost significant power and wealth.
Resistance to Gorkha
Although many Baise and Chaubise states succumbed to Gorkha’s expansion, there were instances of resistance. States like Jumla and Palpa put up considerable opposition to Gorkha’s forces. In some cases, resistance continued even after the conquest, as local rulers attempted to regain lost territories or rebelled against the central authority.
Jumla, for instance, engaged in protracted warfare with Gorkha, and even after being defeated, the region remained volatile. Similarly, Palpa maintained its autonomy longer than many other states and was a significant thorn in Gorkha’s side until its final annexation. These instances of resistance highlight the resilience of the Baise and Chaubise states and the complexities involved in Nepal’s unification process.
Conclusion: Legacy and Lessons
The rise and fall of the Baise and Chaubise Rajyas represent a key chapter in Nepal’s history, one marked by political fragmentation, localized power structures, and the preservation of distinct cultural identities. While these states were eventually absorbed into a unified Nepal, their legacy continues to influence the country’s political and cultural fabric.
The unification of Nepal under the Shah Dynasty was a monumental achievement, but it came at the cost of many regional traditions and identities. However, the Baise and Chaubise states laid the groundwork for the diverse, multicultural nation that Nepal is today. Their contributions to art, architecture, military traditions, and governance helped shape the country in profound ways.
In contemporary Nepal, the influence of these former principalities can still be felt, particularly in the cultural and historical practices of the regions once ruled by the Baise and Chaubise kings. Place names, festivals, folklore, and rituals still reflect the identities of these once-powerful states, and the descendants of their rulers continue to play a role in the socio-political life of Nepal.
The lessons from the rise and fall of the Baise and Chaubise Rajyas also offer insight into the complexities of nation-building, highlighting the importance of respecting local autonomy while striving for national unity. Today, Nepal’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths, and the history of the Baise and Chaubise Rajyas reminds us of the rich tapestry of cultures, traditions, and identities that form the foundation of the modern Nepali state.
