Kathmandu

On September 15, 1846, the Kot Massacre took place in Kathmandu. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of Nepal, leading to the rise of the Rana dynasty. During the massacre, many members of the Nepalese aristocracy were killed in a night of bloodshed led by Jang Bahadur Rana within the royal court in the Kot courtyard. As a result, Jang Bahadur established himself as the ruler of Nepal, ushering in the century-long rule of the Rana Prime Ministers, who held de facto power in the country while the Shah monarchs remained ceremonial figureheads.

On March 13, 1924, Chandra Shumsher Jang Bahadur Rana, the fifth Prime Minister of Nepal from the Rana dynasty, died. His tenure was marked by significant reforms, including the abolition of slavery in 1924 and infrastructure development across Nepal. The Rana regime, however, maintained absolute control over the country while using Kathmandu, the capital, as their political stronghold. Chandra Shumsher's death marked a transition within the Rana leadership, although the dynasty continued to rule until the end of the Rana regime in 1951. His policies, especially regarding abolition, left a long-lasting impact on Nepalese society.

Nepal became a member of the United Nations on July 14, 1955, marking a significant step in the nation's international relations and diplomatic history. Kathmandu, as the capital city, played a key role in fostering this new chapter on the global stage. This membership was part of a broader move towards international engagement and away from Nepal's previous isolationist policies. Nepal began to participate actively in international diplomacy and sought cooperative engagement with other nations. Joining the UN facilitated Nepal's contributions to global discussions, including peacekeeping efforts and developmental programs.

On January 31, 1972, King Mahendra of Nepal died, resulting in a significant transition in the Nepalese monarchy. King Mahendra, who had ruled since 1955, notably overhauled the political system by establishing the Panchayat system, which centralized power and abolished political parties. His death while visiting the Chitwan National Park led to his son, King Birendra, ascending the throne. His reign marked the continuation of the Panchayat regime, but it also set the stage for eventual political reforms that would lead to the restoration of multiparty democracy in the 1990s.

In November 1990, a successful political movement, known as the 'Jana Andolan', culminated in the restoration of democracy in Nepal. Kathmandu was a key site of protests and political activity, as the movement involved civil resistance and strikes organized by the Nepali Congress and the United Left Front. The movement was a reaction against the authoritarian Panchayat regime that had governed Nepal since 1960. This effort resulted in King Birendra restoring a multi-party system and drafting a new constitution, which ended the absolute monarchy and transformed Nepal into a constitutional monarchy with democracy.

On June 1, 2001, the Nepalese royal family was plunged into tragedy when Crown Prince Dipendra reportedly killed ten members of his family, including King Birendra and Queen Aishwarya, before turning the gun on himself. The massacre took place within the Narayanhiti Palace in Kathmandu and sent shockwaves throughout the country and the world. The official investigation suggested the Crown Prince was intoxicated during the incident, but it sparked widespread speculation and numerous conspiracy theories. The massacre led to a period of national mourning and drastically altered the line of succession, with Gyanendra, King Birendra’s brother, ascending the throne.

In April 2006, a widespread general strike was organized by an alliance of seven political parties and the Maoists, known as the Loktantra Andolan or April Movement, demanding the end of King Gyanendra's autocratic rule. The strike saw millions of people protesting across Nepal, with Kathmandu as the epicenter of demonstrations, against the suspension of parliamentary democracy. The continuous protests and strike action pressured the King to dissolve the autocratic government and reinstate the parliament, thus restoring multiparty democracy. This movement was instrumental in Nepal's democratic transition and led to the abolishment of the monarchy.

On May 28, 2008, the Constituent Assembly of Nepal declared the country a federal democratic republic, effectively abolishing the 240-year-old monarchy. This momentous decision came after a long period of civil strife and political maneuvering, where the monarchy had been a central institution since the 18th century. With King Gyanendra's reign coming to an end, Kathmandu was at the heart of these significant political changes. The abolition of the monarchy was a crucial step in Nepal's peace process following the decade-long civil war led by the Maoist insurgency, transitioning the country towards a new, republican system of governance.

On November 19, 2013, Nepal's Constituent Assembly elections were held, marking a pivotal moment in the country's political landscape. This election was a follow-up after the dissolution of the first Constituent Assembly in 2012. The election was crucial for drafting a new constitution, a key component of the peace process following the civil war. Kathmandu, as the political hub, was central to the organization and execution of the elections. The successful conduct of the election was seen as a critical step towards stability and establishing a lasting democratic framework. Despite challenges like political tensions and security issues, the elections were conducted relatively peacefully.

On April 25, 2015, a devastating earthquake, known as the Gorkha earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.8 struck near Lamjung, Nepal, causing widespread destruction across Nepal, including the capital city of Kathmandu. The earthquake resulted in the deaths of nearly 9,000 people and injured more than 22,000. Historic landmarks in Kathmandu including the iconic Dharahara tower were destroyed. The impact on infrastructure was severe, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless as entire villages were flattened. The disaster prompted international aid efforts but also highlighted issues in Nepal's emergency response capability.