Kot Massacre (1846)

Title

Kot Massacre (1846)

Description

The Kot Massacre (कोत पर्व) occurred on the night of September 14

		–15, 1846 (Ashwin 2, 1903 BS), in the courtyard of the Kathmandu palace armory (the *Kot*).

Key Events

Trigger: The mysterious assassination of General Gagan Singh Bhandari, Queen Rajya Laxmi Devi's confidant, led her to summon all major civil and military chiefs.
The Ambush: Amid confusion and accusations, Jung Bahadur Kunwar and his brothers quickly surrounded the courtyard and slaughtered rival courtiers, including Prime Minister Chautariya Fateh Jung Shah and Abhiman Singh Basnyat.
Outcome: Over 55 prominent political and military leaders were killed. Jung Bahadur was appointed Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief, establishing the 104-year hereditary Rana oligarchy.

Period

Rana

Year (BS)

1903

Year (AD)

1846

CMAT Significance

A pivotal CMAT exam topic marking the end of the Shah court's active authority and the start of the 104-year autocratic Rana regime.