Shah dynasty

The Shah dynasty was the ruling dynasty of the Gorkha Kingdom until 1768 and of the Kingdom of Nepal from 1768 to 28 May 2008. The dynasty claimed ancestry in the Parmara clan of Rajputs of Rajasthan, India.

Origin

According to legends, one of the earliest Shah rulers was Rishi-raj Rana-ji, of the lunar dynasty (Chandrabansi). He was made ruler of Chitaur-garh and received title, Bhattarak. The lunar dynasty remained in power for thirteen generations. Then, the Muslim Yavanas took power. The Bhattarak had to abdicate and could only retain his caste family name, Rana-ji. The rajas were titled Rana-ji for four generations and Rana-ji Rava for a further seventeen generations.

Akbar, the Mughal emperor, (1542-1605) wished to marry the daughter of Fatte Sinha Rana-ji Rava. Akbar was refused because he was of an unsatisfactory caste. This decision led to war. Many rajput, including Fatte Sinha Rana-ji Rava, were killed. The survivors of the war were led by Udaybam Rana-ji Rava. They founded a settlement, Udaypur.