In June 1857 intelligence of the mutiny of the native troops in Hindustan reached Nepal. Jung Bahadur, in spite of great opposition, stood firm as a friend of the British. On June 26, 4,000 troops were despatched and rendered excellent service. Jung followed on Dec. io with a force of 8,000 men, Soo artillery men and 24 guns, but too late to be of much use. Many of the mutineers and rebels, including the infamous Nana Sahib, took refuge in the Nepalese tarai, and it was not till the end of 1859 that they were finally swept out of the country. Jung Bahadur was knighted and decorated for his services and his troops received pay and handsome donations if wounded. Quantities of arms were presented to the Nepalese government and some terri tory was restored. This ground contains most valuable sal and sisu forests, and yields yearly a revenue of several labs of rupees.
From the termination of the mutiny Nepalese history has been uneventful. In spite of friendly relations with the British, many of the early restrictions against entering the country and trading there are still rigidly enforced. Sir Jung Bahadur died suddenly in 1877. His brother, Sir Ranadip Singh Bahadur, G.C.S.I., succeeded him as prime minister. Shortly after his accession to power a plot was formed against him, but nearly 4o of the con spirators were seized and executed, while others escaped into exile. He was, however, murdered in 1885, and was succeeded by his nephew Sir Shamsher Jung, G.C.S.I., who died in 19o1 and was succeeded by his brother Deb Shamsher Jung. In June of that year a palace revolution placed another brother, Chandra Shamsher Jung, in power, whilst Deb Shamsher fled to India. Chandra Shamsher ruled Nepal with much ability. He gave effec
tive aid to the British during the Tibet war of 1904, and the relations with the government of India became more cordial after his accession. In 1906 Chandra Shamsher was created a G.C.S.I., and in 1908 he visited England as a guest of the Govern ment, when he was invested with the G.C.B., and created major general in the British army and honorary colonel of the 4th Gurkha Rifles.
During the World War, Sir Chandra Shamsher Jung placed the whole resources of his country at the disposal of the Allies. From 1915-18 some 1 o,000 men of the Nepalese army served in India and on the Indian frontier. The 20 Gurkha battalions of the Indian army were increased to 4o. Exclusive of the Maharajah's personal numerous subscriptions to military hospitals and charitable war-funds, nearly Li,000,000 was contributed by the Nepalese government. Cardamoms, tea, blankets, and timber were also given. In the brief Afghan war (1919), 2,000 Nepalese troops assisted the Indian government. Chandra Shamsher Jung was also responsible for the abolition of slavery in Nepal.
Replacing the old Treaty of Segowlie (1815) a new treaty of friendship was signed on Dec. 21, 1923, an important provision of which is the recognition by the British Government of the complete independence of Nepal.