Research Article

Dibya Upadesh: Pragmatic Guidelines to

Nepalese Diplomacy
Lecturer, Bhim Nath Baral, PhD Scholar
Department of Political Science, Tribhuvan University, Prithvi
Narayan Campus, Pokhara, Nepal

Abstract
The origin of Nepal’s foreign policy dates back to the time of
unification of Nepal by king Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1769. For the
first time, Nepal was able to make structural provision to conduct
foreign policy in a more successful way by deputing skilled officers.
It was king Prithvi Narayan Shah who displayed skillful diplomacy
in the initiation and successful operation of very challenging task
of unification. Credit goes to his skillful war diplomacy. Besides
spending active life from The House of Gorkha, he also became an
ideal guardian to his successors. Keeping in view, the survival of
the nation, he delivered some pragmatic instructions as an oratory to
his courtiers and royal priests which we refer to as Dibya Upadesh.
It covers the political, economic, strategic, military, geographical
and other sectors of national life. More attention is given towards
the protection of sovereignty and integrity of the country. So, this
paper aims to analyze diplomatic insights expressed through Dibya
Upadesh in domestic and external matter by taking state’s survival
into consideration. The article is descriptive and analytical and data
are acquired from secondary sources.
Keywords: Instruction, sovereignty, strategy, successors,
survival, unification.

Introduction
Nepal has never remained under the colony of any world power
but it passed through a challenging mode during its early
days of nation-building. Nepal’s unique geographical location
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between two Asian giants-China and India-always knocks Nepal
in every matter of domestic and foreign concern. Historically,
Nepal being a country with rich historical and long glorious
past, is one of the oldest states having 5000 near long history
(Dahal,2018:82-113). This proves that Nepal has a long and
glorious history of nation building. It was only seven years
after the beginning of modern Nepal, USA, the present- day
global power, became independent from British colonial rule in
1776. However, the second-half of 18th century witnessed that
the brave, visionary and nationalist king Prithvi Narayan Shah
provided modern Nepal’s foreign and security policies along
with shaping its world view (Khanal,2009:96).
Prithvi Narayan Shah (1722-1775) ascended the throne of
Gorkha on 3rd April,1743 at the age of 20 (Stiller, 2017:93).
When he became the king, Nepal was a conglomeration of
different principalities and kingdoms, each sovereign and
autonomous in its own sphere. There were 22 kingdoms like
Jajarkot, Jumla, Salyan, etc. on Karnali zone popularly known
as Baise rajya and 24 kingdoms including Palpa, Tanahun,
Kaski, Lamjung and Gorkha in Gandaki region known as
Chaubise Rajya. Besides these, there were Sen kingdoms in the
east known as Koshi Region whereas Malla Kingdoms in the
Kathmandu Valley known as ‘The Nepal Valley’ and the areas
surrounding it (Gautam,2074 B.S.). The Kathmandu valley itself
was divided into three separate kingdoms of Kantipur, Bhadgaon
and Patan. Relation between these separate political units were
not always peaceful; family feuds and rivalries would usually
draw neighboring kingdoms into hostilities and frequent battles
among them for annexation. The number of states changed very
often. When Prithvi Narayan Shah commenced his campaign of
conquest and unification, he had to contend with more than a
hundred rajas, most of whom ruled territories that were at least
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as large as Gorkha and roughly comparable to it in material and
human resources (Joshi and Rose, 1966:4). At the same time, the
British East India company was conquering India and planning
to occupy Nepal for the extension of their trade with Tibet
through Nepalese territory.
On the one hand, the Baise rajyas, Chaubise rajyas, Malla and Sen
kingdoms were more powerful than Gorkha and were standing as
the major challenge for the survival of the country. On the other
hand, threats posed by the newly emerging dominant power in
the Northern India, the British East India company, and a slowly
but steadily expanding Chinese presence in Tibet (Rose, 1971:
Xiii) was equally challenging for the existence of the country.
In such conditions, it was really a difficult task for a small and
economically weak country to preserve the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of the country.
All the above internal and external factors were challenging the
arrival of Prithvi Narayan Shah on the throne of Gorkha. Without
any delay, after becoming the king, he conducted unification
campaign and got victory upon Nuwakot and concluded his
principal part of dream that is victory over Kathmandu Valley
on 1769. After this victory he visited back to Nuwakot and
breathed his last there in 1775. Prior to his demise in January
1775, he delivered golden instructions in the form of a text
called Dibya Upadesh. This text was given from his death bed to
his successors and citizens of Nepal to educate the countrymen
about his difficult journey of unification.
However, it is stated that these counsels were given when Prithvi
Narayan Shah moved his capital from Nuwakot at the last of his
life. He summoned his priests, teachers, household (Thar Ghar;
Pandey, Arjyal, Pantha, Rana, Khanal and Bohora), family nobles
and his tutors (Gautam, 2074 B.S: 70). The instruction explains

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Prithvi Narayan Shah’s accomplishment of the unification
campaign. It also deals with the geopolitical vulnerability of his
newly unified country and provided direction to the governing
elite on how to pursue governance, nationalism and diplomacy
to ensure the survival and security of Nepal from external
threats (Adhikari, 2015). Although it is not clear about the date
of publication of his instruction, the work of Dibya Upadesh
was edited by Yogi Naraharinath in 1959 (2016 B.S.) in Nepali-
Devanagari script and translated by Ludwing Stiller in English
in 1968. In such a situation, the questions automatically arise
that what diplomatic insights are found in Dibya Upadesh? How
far his diplomacy become useful to preserve the sovereignty and
integrity of the country? And to what extent Dibya Upadesh
provides guidelines to present day Nepalese diplomacy? The
article attempts to address the above questions.

Objectives and Methodology

The article fundamentally looks at the diplomatic insights of
Prithvi Narayan Shah expressed in Dibya Upadesh in shaping
the position of Nepal in relation to its immediate neighbours and
outside world. In addition, the specific objectives are to highlight
the diplomatic insights found in Dibya Upadesh, to assess
Prithvi Narayan Shah’s diplomacy in relation to the preservation
of the sovereignty and integrity of the country and to explore the
relevancy of Dibya Upadesh in providing guidelines to Nepalese
diplomacy.
Diplomacy today is a subject of vital importance. Because of
sound diplomacy, Prithvi Narayan Shah was able to conduct
unification campaign along with the preservation of national
identity. Basically, guidelines of ruling to his successors and
countrymen in the form of Dibya Upadesh are more important
even in present day diplomatic dealing. Despite its significance
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in reframing diplomatic practices which can be employed
in affecting policies of small states, and leadership of Prithvi
Narayan Shah and his role in mediating the domestic politics
and external policies, this text has been “too little known and
too little appreciated” (Stiller, 1968: iii). The paper makes a brief
description and analysis of Dibya Upadesh from diplomatic
point of view. So, it is designed as both descriptive and analytical
study. The required data like books, journals, official documents,
newspapers and previous works are obtained from secondary
sources and most of them are qualitative in nature.

Literature Review
Dibya Upadesh is taken as an original concept coined by Prithvi
Narayan Shah, the founder of modern Nepal, thinking about
the security, prosperity and development of the nation. After
getting victory over Kathmandu Valley, he went to Nuwakot
in 1774. He summoned the major stake holders and delivered
his suggestions as guidelines for successful running of the
country in the days to come. Dibya Upadesh, the teachings of
Prithvi Narayan Shah, was delivered by him at the death bed
to his successors and citizens of Nepal to educate them about
his journey in the unification of Nepal. It was also hoped that
the countrymen should follow this duty to ensure security and
survival of Nepal.
He was in hope to transfer such suggestions from generation to
generation. His spirit reads “when an old man dies, his words
die with him, so they say. What you who are gathered here will
hear from me, pass on to your children, and they to ours; and this
kingdom will endure” (Stiller, 1968:38).
These suggestions later were taken as Dibya Upadesh(Divine
Counsels). Though the authentic publication of this text is still
unknown, but was edited by Yogi Naraharinath in 2016 B.S.
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(Acharya & Yogi,2061 B.S.) and further edited and published
by His Majesty the Government, Ministry of Youth, Sports
and Culture, Department of Archaeology in 2054 BS (Dibya
Upadesh,2054 B.S.). It presents the original text along with
the explanation. All the above works were published in Nepali
Devanagari script. Later, Ludwig Stiller translated it in English
in 1968 (Stiller, 1968). Besides this, Stiller further highlighted
the matter in his book The Rise of the House of Gorkha (Stiller,
2017). In addition to this, several other analysts have made
researches in the subject. This is the basis on which Dibya
Upadesh has been examined in this article.

Level of Analysis
Several theories have been developed in the analysis of diplomatic
intercourse. All arguments and demonstration exhibited by the
actor are measured using a level of analysis approach (Jackson
and Sorensen, 2013:256). Hence, the personality, perception,
choices and activity of individual decision maker have
significant impact in diplomacy (Mingst, 2004:59). During early
days of civilization, the role of individual was solely determined
in conducting domestic and foreign affairs. It is relevant that
it was Prithvi Narayan Shah’s policy and not Nepal’s in
shaping diplomatic intercourse. Prithvi Narayan Shah, from
the house of Gorkha, provided the vision and leadership that
galvanized this state to concerted action and sustained it to the
moment of victory (Stiller, 2017:94). He is considered as the
successful person of his time and his campaign of unification
was successfully conducted. His teachings are still relevant in
the conduction of foreign policy and diplomacy as well which
are his original innovation. So, the individual level analysis
of diplomacy is particularly significant because of weight and
capability of personality and authoritarian heritage in policy

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making and diplomatic dealings.

Theoretical Framework
The life of Prithvi Narayan Shah was full of struggle, strife and
war. He started his career as the master of House of Gorkha at the
age of 20 and continuously devoted his strength in the unification.
Power (Hard Power) remained the central focus of his reign.
His relation with Baise, Chaubise, Malla and Sen Kingdoms
remained in hostility. Though some times he concluded treaties
with some states as tactics, his successors were guided to follow
independent foreign policy through the adoption of defensive
diplomacy (Baral, 2018:25-45). In this scenario, realism and
liberalism, the principal theories of international relations can
be applied in the study of Dibya Upadesh.
Among various theories of international relations, political
realism is the most popular one. It views all diplomatic dealings
in terms of power (Goldstein and Pevehouse, 2008:43).
Groupism, anarchism, egoism and power politics are the major
propositions of political realism (Donnelly, 2008: 150-182).
The relations are conflictual and may always lead to war and
relation is influenced by the value of national security and state
survival (Wohlforth,2008:131-149). This theory further focuses
that an individual is primarily selfish and power seeking. Prithvi
Narayan Shah was a man of high ambition. Most of the time of his
reign was motivated by war and attack. His rule was much more
influenced by the philosophy of Machiavelli and Kautilya, noted
realists of Western and Eastern civilization. He spent his whole
life in war as Machiavelli suggested his Prince to be prepared
for war. Gorkha was a small kingdom and comparatively weak
than Baise and Chaubise states in terms of geography, economy,
resources and military might as well. So, the security of the state
was always at stake.
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According to Stiller, Prithvi Narayan Shah was a man of decision,
he was also realist enough to recognize the complexity of the task
he was undertaking (Stiller, 2017:99). War/ hostility was greatly
applied in his diplomacy. He fought many battles in his journey
of Nepal’s Unification keeping cost-benefit analysis into mind
(Shah, 2016:19). Army and people comprised the main part of
Shah’s state before and after unification. Application of both
offensive and defensive realism which emerged in the 1990s as
outgrowth of Waltz’s neorealism (Wohlforth, 2008:131-149) can
be found in his teaching. Even after the unification, Nepalese
security was found under threat because of the presence of
strong external powers that is British- India and Tibet (China).
Yet, there is another widely applied theory in international
relations that is Political Liberalism. This theory focuses on
international co-operation and institutional arrangement. The
scholars are more optimistic about the possibility of change and
improvement in contrast to the realist emphasis on the continuous
and unchanging nature of the reality of international anarchy and
the omnipresent prospects of war (Stein, 2008: 201-221). They
see the rules of international relations as slowly, incrementally
evolving through time and potentially becoming more and
more peaceful. By keeping this fact into consideration, Prithvi
Narayan Shah was found very effortful to have good relations
with Baise, Chasubise and other states in the surrounding.
Signing treaty with Lamjung, developing friendship with
Kaski and Tanahun, maintaining cooperation with Hari Shah,
the king of Jajarkot, treaty with Kantipur and Bhadgaon were
some examples of developing cooperation with the rival powers.
He also tried to improve relations with Tibet and East India
Company by deputing and receiving representatives there (K.C.,
2001: 44-46). But all these efforts were made only as tactics to
make unification campaign every success. Dibya Upadesh also
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focuses on the maintenance of good relations with immediate
neighbours by viewing the challenge upon security from them.
So, his diplomacy and the instructions in Dibya Upadesh can be
examined mainly from a realistic point of view.

Dibya Upadesh as Diplomatic Guidelines

Diplomacy is as old as the civilization of states. However, it
could not be found matured in the past. In spite of its glorious
history, there are very less evidences of Nepal’s diplomatic
intercourse. However, it was able to preserve its sovereignty
and integrity through the adoption of adequate diplomacy in
challenging modes of history. Ancient history tells that Sita,
Buddha, Bhrikuti, Araniko and many other national dignitaries
displayed their role in this field (Baral, 2018:143). But diplomacy
could not be effective after the downfall of Lichhavi dynasty.
The country gradually fragmented into tiny states and unhealthy
competition among themselves weakened the diplomatic capacity
of the country. The systemic ground for modern diplomacy was
somehow provided by Prithvi Narayan Shah. The diplomatic
ability exhibited during unification is really remarkable in the
diplomatic history of Nepal. Jayraj Acharya, a renowned Nepali
diplomat, has highlighted five main elements discernible in
Prithvi Narayan Shah’s policy. He states:
First is the unification itself, without which he saw that
there was no security or independence of the mountain
principalities in the face of the expanding British colonial
power that was expanding in the Indian plain. The second
element was his military buildup, for which he selected
competent commanders who were able to make proper
assessment of the situation and take the right steps at the
right time. The third element of his policy was a cautious
friendship with British-India and China. The fourth element
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 of his policy was a balance between offensive and defensive
approaches. And the fifth element of his national security or
foreign policy was strengthening the national economy by
various policy measures. (Acharya, 2014:9)
Prithvi Narayan Shah’s guidelines in the form of Dibya Upadesh
are found equally relevant even in post-unification era. The key
sectors of diplomacy as suggested by him can be analyzed in the
following sub-headings:

Psychological Determination and National Unity

National psychology plays an important role in diplomacy. The
image of a proud and brave nation, that has withstood the test
of times and remained independent throughout the history was
possible because of morale of policy maker (Dahal, 2009: 19-43).
Prithvi Narayan Shah was found strong enough in his dealing.
Firstly, he had strong determination to be the king of Kathmandu
valley. Dibya Upadesh states “When I reached to Chandragiri’s
top I asked, which is Nepal? They showed me saying “that
is Bhadgaon, that is Patan and there lies Kathmandu.” The
thought came in my heart that if I might be the king of these
three cities, why let it be so?” (Stiller, 1968:39). In the same
manner, when Jay Prakash Malla made a counter reply of Prithvi
Narayan Shah’s plan to attack Kirtipur saying “when the raja of
Gorkha comes to take my kingdom, I will destroy his kingdom
in an instant.” And the raja of Gorkha wrote “If I cannot crush
him, then I am not Prithvi Narayan Shah, the son of Narbhupal
Shah” (Stiller, 2017:99). These facts prove that he had strong
determination in his mission.
He paid equal attention in the unity of nation. He said that the
country is not his little painfully acquired kingdom but a garden
of every sort of people. He further says that if everyone is alert,
this will be a true Hindustan of four Jaat, greater and lesser, of the
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thirty-six classes (Acharya & Yogi, 2061 B.S.:50). Highlighting
Prithvi Narayan Shah’s effort in the development of nationalism
and national unity S.D. Muni writes;
The origin of Nepali nationalism has been traced to the days
of Prithvi Narayan Shah. He brought about the territorial
and political unification of the country and tried to create
among its inhabitants a feeling of unity. However, his
approach was limited to territorial and political components
of nationalism. Its social, economic, cultural and intellectual
planes were not even touched. Whatever this, “ feeling of
oneness” might be, it declined after Prithvi Narayan Shah
and vanished altogether with the rise of the Ranas (Muni,
2016: 36).
But the present- day Nepal’s world view is conditioned by the
perception of enormous neighbours, China and India (Rose,
1971:15). It is needed to deal with high morale in course of
interacting with our immediate neighbours and other actors of
international community.

Alliance Diplomacy
Formation of alliances and counter alliances is one of the devices
commonly used in diplomacy. It was really a difficult task to
conduct unification campaign for a small country like Gorkha.
Lamjung, an old enemy, was proximate to it and was the major
challenge in Gorkha’s campaign. Realizing this fact, Gorkha
signed a treaty with Lamjung. This effort was made by Kalu
Pandey in 1740 (Gautam, 2074 B.S.:35). It was committed in
the treaty that Gorkha and Lamjung would be friends. Lamjung
would not interfere in Gorkha’s eastward expansion and Gorkha
was also ready to assist Lamjung in its move towards Chaubise
states.

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Prithvi Narayan Shah also made an additional effort to maintain
warm relations with different states for making his unification
campaign quite a success. He also brought Tahanun, Kaski
and Palpa in his favor. During his visit to Banaras, he met Hari
Shah, the king of Jajarkot and did dharmapattra (deed of trust).
He also met the king of Palpa, Mukunda sen, in Butwal while
returning from Banaras.
Prithvi Narayan Shah had keen desire to be the king of
Kathmandu valley. So, maintaining relations with Malla Kings
of Kathmandu valley was important. His diplomacy to bring
Malla kings in his side became fruitful when he signed a treaty
with Kantipur and Bhaktapur to develop trade and facilitate
his unification campaign (Rose, 1971: 23-24). Gorkha was not
involved in any formal alliance, it only tried to strengthen the
relations. There were certain traditional groupings to which
most of the hill principalities belonged. The alliance like Palpa
Alliance, Lamjung Alliance, Bhirkot Alliance, Parbat Alliance,
Pyuthan Alliance and Family Alliance were formed with the
purpose of the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity
(K.C, 2001:20-21).

Institutional Arrangement
Diplomacy is as old as the civilization of state and human relation.
But this subject remained unstructured and unsystematized for a
long period of time. Traditionally, it was an exclusive matter of
reigning king. For the first time, an organized and institutional
office to conduct foreign relations was established in France in
1626 and Britain in 1782. The functioning of foreign affairs in
China begun mainly since 1861 and India achieved its definite
shape only after the independence in 1947 (Bhattarai, 2076 B.S.:
18-19).
Nepalese diplomacy prior to the formation of modern Nepal was
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neither organized nor systematized. Though Nepalese foreign
affair is one of the oldest institutions in the world. However,
it was only after Nepal’s unification in 1769 under the reign of
King Prithvi Narayan Shah, Nepal’s foreign office called Jaisi
Kotha, was established (Acharya, 2019: 518). He had very clear
vision in foreign policy and diplomatic matters. Jaisi Kotha,
which was looked upon by intellectuals and persons having
good handwriting, was named after Bhanu Jaisi who was the first
officer (Bhattarai, 2076 B.S.:19). He also suggested to assign the
duty to particular officer to look after the foreign affairs of the
country.
According to Prithvi Narayan Shah, Kalu Pandey’s family should
be made responsible to look after the foreign relation with Tibet
and Shiva Ram Basnyat’s family was given the responsibility
to maintain the relation with the southern neighbours (Dibya
Upadesh, 2054 B.S.:22). In this way, Munsi family was selected
to look after the diplomacy and foreign relation of Nepal. Today,
we have Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an institution to conduct
Nepalese diplomacy.

Economic Diplomacy
Economic matter is a serious issue raised in Dibya Upadesh.
When Prithvi Narayan Shah ascended to the throne of Gorkha,
he made first attack upon Nuwakot (Gautam, 2074B.S.:39).
The main reason behind it was economic interest as Nuwakot
was the important trade route to trade with Tibet and it had
fertile soil with moderate climate. In economic front, he was
convienced of the significance of home products for the internal
use and export of the local herbs abroad. In his words “send our
herbs abroad and earn money. Bring money into the country.
If the citizens are fat(wealthy), the state is strong”(Dibya
Upadesh,2054B.S.:21). He further says that “people are the
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treasury of the king” (Dibya Upadesh,2054B.S.:21). Making
proper use of available resources is essential to make the country
wealthy. So, he suggested that “in a place where there are mines,
even if there is a village there, move the village and work the
mine” (Acharaya & Yogi, 2061 B.S.:57). It is again important
to give top priority to native products and local industry. Dibya
Upadesh reads “forbid the use of foreign cloth (in Nepal). Show
samples to those who know how to make our clothes. Teach
them and begin to make clothing. If this is done, our money
will not go abroad” (Acharaya and Yogi, 2061 B.S.:49). He also
suggested to be aware with foreign traders. He said, “do not let
the merchants of India come up from the border. If the merchant
of India come to our country, they will leave the people poor
(Stiller, 1968:43). Though economic globalization does not
agree with this. Nevertheless, the small state should be very
careful in the matter.

Non-aligned Diplomacy
Non-alignment is the major base of Nepalese foreign Policy.
King Prithvi Narayan Shah, a great cognizant of the geo-strategic
setting of Nepal, propounded the policy of non–alignment
(Aryal, Subedi & Thapa, 2011:14). He was fully aware about the
geo-strategic reality of Nepal and had suggested his successors
to adopt this policy. His ‘Yam Theory’ is still popular as the
fundamental base of Nepalese Foreign Policy and diplomacy
as well. According to Prithvi Narayan Shah, “this country is
like a gourd between two rocks. Maintain a treaty of friendship
with the emperor of China. Keep also a treaty of friendship with
the emperor of southern sea (the company) (Stiller, 1968:42).
He had suggested to be in high alert with the Britishers. But
the succeeding rulers failed to follow this policy and Nepal
involved in war with Tibet and British- India in 1792 and 1814

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respectively (Khanal, 2009:100). This resulted limiting national
boundary.

Defensive Diplomacy
Defensive policy in diplomatic dealing is one of the original
contributions made by Prithvi Narayan Shah. He was aware of
the presence of powerful rulers in the neighbourhood. The king
knew that the Britrish in India were a colonial power hungry with
expansionist desires. China in the north was a sleeping giant,
which Nepal would least want to disturb (Acharya, 2019:82).
By recognizing the unique geographical location, he suggested
to adopt defensive policy especially with the external powers.
He says, “The southern emperor (British- India) has taken the
plains. He has suppressed Hindustan. He will realize that if
Hindustan unites, it will be difficult and so he will come seeking
places for forts” (Dibya Upadesh, 2054 B.S.:19).
He was very clear in his advice that Nepal should not operate
military initiatives against either of them. Its preparedness
should only be for defensive wars. His popular saying “jai
katak nagarnu, jhiki katak garnu (do not go to attacks but
should retaliate if it was attacked) (Acharaya & Yogi, 2061
B.S.: 45). Proximately, whom he recalls Kasim Khan attacking
Makwanpur, whom he defeated with a limited army of 120
Khukuri clad warriors. Similarly, he also recalls Hardy Sahib
coming to attack Sindhuligadhi with three or four companies
(Adhikari, 2015). Not only did he defeat Hardy Sahib and his
army but also took possession of their weapons that is flintlocks.
In this way, Prithvi Narayan Shah was offensive in relation to
smaller principalities which he subjugated with liberal use of
force and took a defensive position against the greater powers
in the south and north (Acharya,2014:19). So, the successors are
advised not to go down to the plains to fight. Better to withdraw
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to the hills to fight. Chure pass will be much used. It will be
possible to collect arms and ammunitions for five to seven
generations and Ganga will remain a line of defense (Stiller,
1968:42).

Founder of National Security

For the first time in the history of Nepal, Prithvi Narayan Shah
introduced a comprehensive national security policy. After the
unification of Nepal in the mid- 18th century, his Dibya Upadesh
was adopted as the foundation of national security policy. It has
embraced geo-political and geo-strategic sensitivity of the nation
to protect and preserve territorial integrity of Nepal, which has
been the guiding principle of national security policy ever since.
The main challenge during that period was to protect the
sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Basically, the
document Dibya Upadesh indicates the need for a healthy fear
of the British (Stiller, 1968:47) as the arrival of British- India
was almost sure, which could threaten the security of the nation.
His slogan “jai katak nagarnu, jhiki katak garnu" was a core
mantra in protecting the national interest that Prithvi Narayan
Shah had stated in his famous Dibya Upadesh (Acharaya,
2019:142). Further, Dibya Upadesh states that soldiers are the
backbone of king’s power. They should always be in warm up
position. He also declared Marawat, a compensation for soldier’s
death paid to his family, to boost-up the morale of the soldiers
(Dibya Upadesh, 2054B.S.:24). Army strengthening, economic
wellbeing, social harmony and other administrative reforms
remained other aspects of independence and survival.

Border Security and Secrecy

Border security is one of the important aspects of national
security. It was more important for Prithvi Narayan Shah to

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be careful in the protection of the border of extended state.
He suggested to build permanent fort in various places having
geo-strategic importance like Shivapuri, Chandragiri and other
places. He also suggested to place the cannon at the higher places
of the fort (Dibya Upadesh, 2054 B.S.:19). Dibya Upadesh
further says that an iron door should be built in the gaps of
the mountains. Behind each door on a higher place, cannon
should be set up and a band of five soldiers stationed at each
place. If this is done there will be no opportunity for ambush,
spying, routing destroying, sneaking, trouble making, murder
or anything like this (Stiller, 1968:42-43). Nepalese have very
bitter experience of trans-border crime, border encroachment,
fake currency, human trafficking, terrorism and other crimes due
to poor security in the border.
He paid equal attention to maintain the secrecy of the country
from security point of view. It was seen that Christian
missionaries were the first Westeners who came to visit Nepal
in 1628 and had been resided in Kathmandu. But after the
conquest, Prithvi Narayan Shah expelled the missionaries from
Kathmandu in 1768. Father Giuseppe, amongst the expelled
one, was accused of gruesome incident of Kirtipur, alleging that
Prithvi Narayan Shah’s men had slain the noses of their enemies
during the conquest (Upadhaya, 2018:17). According to stiller,
missionaries was expelled not because he hated Christianity
or he feared the Christians would convert the Hindus in Nepal
to their religion; the king did so in the apprehension that they
would not be the conduits for the British colonial influence in
Nepal (Quoted, Acharya, 2019:20).
Prithvi Narayan Shah was equally careful in maintaining secrecy
of the state. Dibya Upadesh reads; "Muglan (India) is near. In
that place there are singers and dancers, in rooms lined with

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paintings they forget themselves in melodies woven on the drum
and sitar. There is pleasure in their melodies. But it drains your
wealth (Stiller, 1968:46). He was in fear of the possibility of
opening the secrecy. So, he suggested not to practice the ragas.
He further adds that if they are needed for Holi, bring a few
and send them back quickly. It is better to involve the Newar
community and if anything is given to them, it remains inside
our country. If this is done, our country will be well protected
(Dibya Upadesh, 2054 B.S.:28).

Respect to Public Opinion

Public opinion is taken as an important determinant of foreign
policy and diplomacy as well. It enhances the competitive
capacity of the country. Prithvi Narayan Shah’s suggestion was
to respect the voice of the people. It is evident that Kalu Pandey
was appointed as Kazi based on public opinion. He says;
I was wondered. But I was also pleased. He, with whom the
people are pleased, he, it is who made kazi, so the shastras
say. I consulted the wishes of the people and found that the
people wanted him. If Kalu Pandey is made kazi, all the
people will be pleased. I was advised. Then I looked to the
Baise and Chaubise princes. And they told me that if Kalu
Pandey were made kazi, the home and foreign policy would
be strong. It was in my mind to make Biraj Bakheti kazi
(Stiller. 1968:40).
Further, Dibya Upadesh thinks about the prosperity and happiness
of the people and focused on sound domestic policy as the most
required condition for successful diplomacy. Prithvi Narayan
Shah was aware of the matter. First, he paid sincere attention to
maintain unity within family members. As mentioned in Dibya
Upadesh “our mothers were three. Of three bridal chambers we
brothers came, avtars of Pandavas” (Acharya & Yogi, 2061 B.S.
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30). He compared his brothers with brave, obedient and honest
Pandav as mentioned in Mahabharat. Actually, his mothers were
four in numbers but the eldest mother Chandraprabhawati was
childless. In the same manner, his diplomacy of maintaining unity
among courtiers is equally worthy to mention. He said,”now I
made marriage bond between the Pandes and Basnyat. I made
Pandey the shield (foreign policy) and Basnyat the sword (war
minister) and prepared to ascend to Nepal” (Dibya Upadesh,2054
B. S.:16).

Expert’s Opinion in Diplomacy

Conducting diplomatic dealing by taking expert’s opinion is very
common in present day diplomacy. Prithvi Narayan Shah was a
very young man when the government came into his hands, but
he possessed excellent advisors, learned to use their suggestions
well (Stiller,2017:94). He consulted his maternal uncle, Udyot
Sen, the prince of Palpa, on the problem. The later said in reply
“Lamjung is a large vulture, Gorkha, a snake and Nepal, a frog.
Evade the large vulture, then the snake will have the frog to eat
(Stiller, 1968:40). It is evident that Lamjung was the old enemy
of Gorkha and more powerful than it. So, it could be the obstacle
for the unification. By realizing the fact, treaty was signed with
Lamjung through Kalu Pandey. Similarly, Prithvi Narayan Shah
took the advice from Bise Nargarchi and other people of Gorkha.
Bhanu Jaisi, Kulananda Jaisi and other intellectuals were there in
the place of Gorkha. His suggestion is to consult with excellent
advisors in the administration of the state. We have many think
tanks and personal advisors of the ruler.

Conclusion
The geo- strategic location of Nepal has great impact in the
determination of its foreign policy and diplomacy. It has

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remained the pivotal element to provide guideline in diplomatic
dealings since the early time of civilization. Nepal has always
been cautious in its survival in every phases of history and it
became possible to preserve its integrity only through the
adoption of adequate diplomacy. Nepal’s sovereignty remained in
challenging mode when Nepalese failed to display its diplomatic
efficiency. However, the foundation of Nepalese diplomacy is
rooted in Dibya Upadesh which has been providing continuous
guidelines and is equally practical in the 21st century Nepalese
diplomacy. It was possible for Prithvi Narayan Shah to make a
strong and unified Nepal by conquering rival states stronger than
Gorkha. His last gift to the people of Nepal is his Dibya Upadesh
delivered in a series of discourses during the last moment of
his life. The guidelines in the formation of alliance, economic
diplomacy and dealing with immediate neighbors are more
practical. The pragmatic view of defensive diplomacy, adoption
of non-align foreign policy, national security and border security
are equally relevant. The suggestion of taking expert’s opinion in
the ruling of state, strengthening domestic unity and maintaining
social harmony are also the major aspects of diplomacy which
are more realistic in preserving national dignity and achieving
economic prosperity.

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