History of Nepal in Timeline
Nepal, a landlocked country in South Asia nestled in the Himalayas, boasts a diverse geography ranging from fertile plains to eight of the world's tallest mountains, including Mount Everest. Bordered by China and India, and situated near Bangladesh and Bhutan, this multi-cultural nation claims Kathmandu as its capital and largest city. Nepali serves as the official language of this multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, and multi-religious country.
1919: Banning of Sati
Nepal took a step towards social reform in 1919 by outlawing the Hindu practice of Sati, where a widow would self-immolate on her husband's funeral pyre.
1923: Anglo-Nepal Friendship Treaty
In 1923, the United Kingdom and Nepal solidified their relationship with a formal friendship agreement, replacing the Sugauli Treaty of 1816.
1924: Abolition of Slavery
Nepal made a significant social advancement in 1924 by officially abolishing slavery.
1936: Nepal Praja Parishad Formed
The Nepal Praja Parishad, an underground political movement, emerged in Nepal in 1936 but was dissolved seven years later.
1950: Nepal's Population
In 1950, Nepal's population was recorded at 9 million.
1950: Life Expectancy in Nepal at 35 Years
In 1950, life expectancy in Nepal was recorded at 35 years.
1950: Friendship Treaty with India
Nepal and India formalized their friendly relations by signing a friendship treaty in 1950.
1950: Factors Hindering Nepal's Economic Growth
Since 1950, Nepal's economic growth and development have been hindered by factors such as challenging geography, limited natural resources, inadequate infrastructure, political instability, and a protracted civil war.
1950: Treaty of Peace and Friendship Between Nepal and India
The Treaty of Peace and Friendship, signed in 1950, established a close relationship between Nepal and India, including open borders and close ties in various aspects.
1951: Democracy Ushers in a New Era for Nepali Literature
With the dawn of democracy in 1951, Nepali literature experienced a resurgence, embracing diverse languages and reflecting the evolving sociopolitical landscape.
1951: Rana Regime Overthrown
The Nepali Congress successfully overthrew the Rana regime in 1951.
1951: Nepal's Literacy Rate
In 1951, Nepal's literacy rate stood at a low 5%, with around 10,000 students enrolled in 300 schools, highlighting the limited access to education at the time.
1951: Nepal Opens to the West
In 1951, Nepal officially opened its borders to western visitors, marking a significant turning point in the country's history.
1951: Expansion of Nepal's International Trade
Following the establishment of democracy in 1951, Nepal experienced a significant expansion of its international trade.
1951: Parliamentary Democracy Introduced
In 1951, Nepal saw the introduction of parliamentary democracy, a significant shift in its political landscape.
August 1955: Nepal establishes Diplomatic Relations with China
In August 1955, Nepal established diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China, marking the beginning of their formal ties.
1955: King Mahendra's Reign Begins
King Mahendra ascended to the throne of Nepal in 1955, marking the beginning of his rule.
1955: Nepal Joins the United Nations
Nepal became a member of the United Nations in 1955, marking its entry into the international community.
1957: Nepal Academy Founded to Promote Arts and Culture
The establishment of the Nepal Academy in 1957 marked a pivotal moment in the country's cultural landscape, providing a dedicated institution for the advancement of arts and culture.
1958: Nepal's Contribution to UN Peacekeeping Missions
Nepal has been a significant contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, with over 119,000 personnel deployed to 42 missions since 1958.
1959: Influx of Tibetan Refugees in Nepal Begins
Starting in 1959, Nepal began experiencing a wave of Tibetan refugees seeking refuge.
1960: Friendship Treaty with China
Nepal extended its diplomatic relations by signing a friendship treaty with China in 1960.
1960: Establishment of Panchayat System
The "partyless" Panchayat system was implemented in Nepal in 1960, replacing the democratic system and curtailing political activities.
1960: Nepal and China Sign Treaty of Peace and Friendship
Nepal and China further solidified their relationship by signing the Treaty of Peace and Friendship in 1960, based on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence.
1960: Suspension of Parliamentary Democracy
King Mahendra of Nepal suspended parliamentary democracy in 1960, marking the beginning of the "partyless" Panchayat system.
1961: Population Growth Rate Comparison
Nepal's population growth rate averaged 2.25% between 1961 and 2001, highlighting a period of relatively rapid population growth.
1962: Partyless Panchayat System Introduced
King Mahendra initiated the partyless Panchayat system in 1962, with monarchy loyalists leading the government.
1963: Nepal Officially Abolishes Untouchability
In a move towards social justice and equality, Nepal declared untouchability illegal in 1963, paving the way for anti-discrimination laws and social welfare programs.
1964: Kramrisch's Research on Nepal's Inhabitants
In 1964, Stella Kramrisch published research suggesting the presence of pre-Dravidian and Dravidian populations in Nepal, predating the Newars in the Kathmandu Valley.
1972: End of King Mahendra's Reign and Start of King Birendra's Reign
The year 1972 saw the end of King Mahendra's reign and the beginning of King Birendra's rule in Nepal.
1973: National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act
In 1973, Nepal established its first system of national parks and protected areas with the enactment of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act.
1985: Liberalisation of Nepal's Economy Begins
Nepal embarked on a path of economic liberalisation in 1985, aiming to open up its economy and promote growth.
1990: Overthrow of the Panchayat
The United Left Front and Nepali Congress jointly launched a civil resistance movement that overthrew the Panchayat system in 1990.
1990: Maternal and Infant Mortality Rates in Nepal See Significant Decline
Nepal made significant strides in reducing maternal and infant mortality rates. By 1990, the maternal mortality rate dropped to 901 from a much higher figure, while infant mortality decreased to 139.8 per thousand live births compared to previous years.
1990: People's Movement and Reinstatement of Multiparty Democracy
In 1990, the People's Movement in Nepal successfully pressured King Birendra into accepting constitutional reforms and reinstating multiparty democracy.
1990: Low Toilet Prevalence Rate in Nepal
In 1990, only 6% of households in Nepal had access to toilets.
1990: Acceleration of Economic Liberalisation in Nepal
Following the political changes in 1990, Nepal's economic liberalisation process gained momentum, leading to further reforms and opening up of the economy.
1996: Beginning of the Maoist Insurgency
The Maoist Party in Nepal launched a violent campaign in 1996 with the aim of overthrowing the monarchy and establishing a people's republic. This marked the beginning of the Nepali Civil War.
2001: Changes in Family Size and Sex Ratio
Between 2001 and 2011, Nepal witnessed a decrease in the average family size from 5.44 to 4.9, while the sex ratio dropped from 99.8 to 94.2, likely influenced by male labor migration.
2001: King Gyanendra Assumes the Throne
Following a tragic massacre in the royal palace, King Birendra's brother, Gyanendra, inherited the throne in 2001 and assumed full executive powers to combat the Maoist insurgency.
2001: End of King Birendra's Reign
King Birendra's reign in Nepal came to an end in 2001.
2001: Literacy Rate Improvement
Nepal's overall literacy rate for those aged five and above increased from 54.1% in 2001 to 65.9% in 2011, reflecting positive developments in literacy efforts.
April 2004: Nepal Joins WTO
Nepal officially became a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in April 2004.
2005: Second Suspension of Parliamentary Democracy
Nepal experienced a second suspension of parliamentary democracy in 2005, during a period of political turmoil and instability.
2006: Home Births Prevalent in Nepal
In 2006, 81% of births in Nepal took place at home.
2006: Peaceful Revolution
Nepal experienced a peaceful revolution in 2006, which had significant implications for the country's political landscape.
2006: Maoists Join Mainstream Politics
The Maoist Party in Nepal entered mainstream politics in 2006 following a successful peaceful democratic revolution, signifying a shift towards political reconciliation.
2006: Maoist Party Enters Mainstream Politics
The Maoist Party in Nepal entered mainstream politics in 2006, following the peaceful revolution and adopted multi-party democracy.
May 2008: Nepal Declared a Federal Republic
On May 28, 2008, Nepal was officially declared a federal republic, marking the end of its era as the world's sole Hindu kingdom and ushering in a new phase of governance.
2008: Establishment of a Secular Republic
Nepal transitioned to a secular republic in 2008, ending its long-standing status as the world's last Hindu monarchy. This followed a period of civil war and political upheaval.
2010: Nepal's Progress in Poverty Reduction
In 2010, Nepal had successfully reduced the proportion of its population living below the international poverty line (US$1.90 per person per day) to 15%.
2011: Media Ownership in Nepal
According to the 2011 census, 50.82% of Nepalese households owned a radio, 36.45% had a television, and 7.28% possessed a computer, reflecting the penetration of media devices at that time.
2011: Nepal Removes National Dress Designation
In a move aimed at promoting inclusivity, Nepal decided to withdraw the designation of Daura-Suruwal and Gunyu-Cholo as national dresses in 2011.
2011: Nepal's Population Growth
Nepal's population reached 26.5 million according to the 2011 census, marking a significant increase from 9 million in 1950.
2011: Religious Demographics of Nepal
The 2011 census indicated that Hinduism was the most followed religion in Nepal (81.3%), followed by Buddhism (9%), Islam (4.4%), and other faiths.
2011: Nepal's Linguistic Diversity
The 2011 census revealed that Nepali was the most spoken language in Nepal (44.6%), followed by Maithili (11.7%) and Bhojpuri (6%), reflecting the country's rich linguistic heritage.
2011: Literacy Rate in 2011
By 2011, Nepal's overall literacy rate reached 65.9%, demonstrating progress in improving literacy levels.
2012: Nepal Declared a Secular State
Nepal's Constitution of 2012 officially declared the country as a secular state, emphasizing religious and cultural freedom.
2014: Nepal's Agricultural Landscape
As of 2014, agriculture in Nepal faced challenges due to its heavy reliance on monsoon rains, with only 28% of the arable land being irrigated.
2014: Urbanization in Nepal
By 2014, approximately 18.3% of Nepal's population resided in urban areas, indicating the country's urbanization trend.
September 2015: Promulgation of the New Constitution
Nepal's new constitution, establishing the nation as a federal democratic republic with seven provinces, was officially enacted on September 20, 2015, following years of political transition.
2015: Transition Period and Protests
The period between 2006 and 2015 was marked by sustained protests from newly formed ethnocentric nationalist movements in Nepal.
2015: Adoption of New Constitution
In 2015, Nepal adopted a new constitution, solidifying its identity as a secular federal parliamentary republic and dividing the country into seven provinces.
2015: China Supports Nepal During Economic Blockade
China provided crucial assistance to Nepal during the 2015 economic blockade imposed by India, strengthening its image in the eyes of the Nepali people and leading to increased Chinese influence in Nepal.
2015: Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
In 2015, Nepal became a Federal Democratic Republic.
2016: Nepal's Road Infrastructure
By 2016, Nepal had a little over 11,890 km of paved roads and 16,100 km of unpaved roads, highlighting the challenge posed by the country's mountainous terrain.
2016: Nepal's Foreign Trade Value
By the fiscal year 2016/17, Nepal's foreign trade value had surged to Rs 1.06 trillion, a remarkable twenty-three-fold increase compared to Rs 45.6 billion in 1990/91.
2016: Nepal Launches Public Health Insurance Plan and Sees Decrease in Home Births
In 2016, Nepal introduced a public health insurance plan covering treatments up to a certain amount for families. The same year, the country successfully decreased home births to 41% from 81% in 2006 by providing incentives for antenatal visits and hospital deliveries.
2016: Intentional Homicide Rate in Nepal
Nepal's intentional homicide rate was 2.16 per 100,000 in 2016, significantly lower than the global average.
2016: Debt Bondage in Nepal
The Global Slavery Index in 2016 reported that an estimated 234,600 people, or 0.82% of Nepal's population, were subjected to debt bondage, a persistent social issue primarily affecting the western hills and the Terai regions, often trapping debtors and their children in a cycle of servitude.
2017: Increase in School Enrolment
Nepal experienced a substantial rise in school enrollment by 2017, with over 7 million students attending 35,601 schools, indicating progress in educational access.
2017: Anti-Conversion Law Enacted
Nepal implemented a stricter anti-conversion law in 2017, reflecting the sensitivity surrounding religious conversions in the country.
2017: First Elections Under New Constitution
Nepal held its first elections under the new constitution in 2017.
2017: Volleyball Declared National Sport of Nepal
In 2017, volleyball was officially declared as the national sport of Nepal.
2017: Press Council Nepal Classification
In 2017, the Press Council Nepal classified ten national dailies and weeklies as A+ class out of 833 publications producing original content.
2017: Life Expectancy in Nepal Rises to 71 Years
By 2017, life expectancy in Nepal reached 71 years, marking a significant increase from 54 years in the 1990s and 35 years in 1950.
2018: Connecting District Headquarters
A significant development in Nepal's infrastructure occurred in 2018 when almost all district headquarters, with the exception of Simikot, were connected to the road network.
2018: Nepal Receives Work Permit Applications from Immigrants
Around 2,000 individuals, with half being Chinese nationals, applied for work permits in Nepal during the 2018/19 period, indicating an interest in employment opportunities within the country.
2018: Nepal Makes Further Strides in Poverty Reduction
By 2018, Nepal had made commendable progress in poverty reduction, with the population living below the international poverty line (US$1.90 per person per day) dropping to just 9.3%.
2018: Nepal Hosts Over 20,000 Confirmed Refugees
By late 2018, Nepal provided refuge to over 20,800 confirmed refugees, with the majority being Tibetan and Bhutanese, highlighting the country's continued role as a safe haven.
2018: Nepal's Tourism Industry Achieves Milestone
For the first time, in 2018, the number of international visitors to Nepal exceeded one million, excluding Indian tourists arriving by land, highlighting the growth of the country's tourism industry.
2018: Nepal's Military Expenditure
In 2018, Nepal allocated $398.5 million, approximately 1.4% of its GDP, towards military expenditure.
2018: Nepal's Remittance Inflows
In 2018, Nepal received US$8.1 billion in remittances from millions of Nepali workers abroad, primarily from India, the Middle East, and East Asia, marking a significant contribution to the country's economy, representing 28% of its GDP, and ranking as the 19th largest remittance inflow globally.
July 2019: Nepal's Foreign Exchange Reserves
By July 2019, Nepal's foreign exchange reserves had reached US$9.5 billion, providing the nation with an equivalent of 7.8 months' worth of imports.
August 2019: Nepal's Telecommunications Landscape
In August 2019, Nepal's mobile phone penetration rate reached 138.59%, while fixed broadband access stood at 14.52%, with a significant portion of the population relying on mobile data for internet access.
2019: Press Freedom Ranking
Reporters Without Borders ranked Nepal 106th in the world for press freedom in 2019, providing insight into the state of media freedom in the country.
2019: Nepal's Government Budget
Nepal's government budget for the fiscal year 2019/20 was approximately $13.71 billion.
2019: Nepal's Gross Domestic Product
Nepal's gross domestic product (GDP) reached $34.186 billion in 2019.
2019: Nepal's Ranking in the Global Peace Index
Nepal was ranked 76th out of 163 countries in the Global Peace Index (GPI) in 2019.
2019: Forest Landscape Integrity Index Assessment
In 2019, the Forest Landscape Integrity Index assessed Nepal's forest cover and its overall health, highlighting the country's conservation efforts.
2019: Toilet Prevalence Rate Soars in Nepal
By 2019, Nepal achieved a remarkable 99% toilet prevalence rate, a significant leap from a mere 6% in 1990, thanks to the "one household-one toilet" program.
2020: Broadband Access Goal
Nepal aimed to achieve 90% broadband access across its population by 2020, demonstrating the country's commitment to expanding internet connectivity.
December 2022: Coalition Government Formed
In December 2022, a coalition government led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal was formed in Nepal following the 2022 general election, which resulted in a hung parliament.
2022: Barakat Gallery Returns Looted Nepali Artifacts
In 2022, Barakat Gallery's London branch returned a 16th-century wooden Torana and a 17th-century stone statue, both originating from sacred sites near Kathmandu, to Nepal, marking a significant step in combating cultural looting.
2022: Nepal Restricts Imports to Protect Foreign Currency Reserves
In 2022, Nepal took measures to limit the import of non-essential goods to address the decline in its foreign currency reserves, which had been impacted by reduced tourism spending and remittances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023: Nepal's Global Innovation Index Ranking
In 2023, Nepal was ranked 108th on the Global Innovation Index, providing an insight into the country's innovation capabilities.
2023: Looted Nepali Artifacts Found in Major Museums and Auction Houses
The year 2023 saw the discovery of suspected looted Nepali artifacts in prominent institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Rubin Museum, as well as auction houses like Christie's and Bonhams, raising concerns about the ongoing issue of art theft.
July 2024: K.P. Sharma Oli Becomes Prime Minister
K.P. Sharma Oli was sworn in as Nepal's Prime Minister for the fourth time in July 2024, following the formation of a new coalition government between the Nepali Congress and UML.
2027: Next General Elections
Nepal's next general elections are scheduled for 2027.