Biography - Gehendra Shumsher

The Childhood

Gahendra Shumsher is believed to be the first scientist of Nepal. He was the senior son of the past Prime Minister, Bir Shumsher. He was born on Poush, 1928 BS. He was originally born at Kolkata, India where his father was sent as a representative of Nepal. He studied at home in his nursery classes from an English teacher and also enrolled in Durbar High School, the first school of Nepal. He was a very creative, argumentative and serious from his childhood. He loved music, physical exercise, sports and creative works and also wanted to do something different from others. He didn’t have much interest in studies rather he used to spend most of his time doing and creating the works of his interest.

Morning shows the day

When he was young, he was made In-charge of the arms and ammunition of Nepal Army by his father, Bir Shumsher. When Bir was made Prime Minister in 1942 BS, the door of opportunity opened for him. Now, he could work independently to raise the standard of arms and ammunitions of the Army. He established factories to manufacture essential equipment for soldiers. Electricity power, generator, rice mill, wind motor, etc. were also set up by him in Jannal, Sundarijal, Balaju and Meghchan in Bhojpur. Instead of importing iron and coal from other countries, he used the iron found in his own country, Nepal and used the coal found in Koilabas in Dang to make weapons.

The Achievements

His creative mind was always looking for something new things to do. So, in 1965 BS, Gehendra imported a motor car from Ford Company, Britain. Then he thought, why can’t he manufacture such things? So, he studied in detail about every part of the motor car. Of course, he had to separate and dismantle every part of it. Then again, he assembled the various parts of the motor car. Later, King Prithvi Bir Bikram wishes to have that. So, he offered the motor car to the King. He asked for the maps, charts and catalogue from Japan & Britain. He studied each of them in detail and became successful in designing and manufacturing rifles using his creativity & ability. At that time, there was only a single barrel rifle in the army. He made double barrel rifle and named it “Ge-Rifle” after the first letter of his name. He also made double barrel gun and named it “Bir-Gun” after his father’s name Bir Shumsher. He also made a new model canon and named it “Dhir-Gun” after his grandfather’s name Dhir Shumsher.

Next Inventions

Gehendra set up rice mills in his residence at Seto Durbar. He also made wind motors to draw under-ground water. He established a leather factory to refine leather and produce leather goods like shoes, belts, etc. at Balaju. It was Gehendra Shumsher who generated electricity with the help of his friend, Muse Thapa for the first time in Nepal and also demonstrated how electricity can be used even in water. The Ranas were deeply impressed by his works.

The Support

Dev Shumsher succeeded his brother, Bir Shumsher as the Prime Minister of Nepal. Dev was comparatively a liberal ruler. Gehendra was one of the favorites of Dev. So, Gehendra continued his inventions and creations without any impediments. Dev invited suggestions from the people for better administration of the country. Jaya Prithvi Bahadur Singh from Bajhang suggested that Nepal should develop technology like that of Japan and administration system like that of Britain. Gehendra fully supported Jaya Prithvi’s suggestions. Dev sent a team with Gehendra to study the Japanese technology to Japan and another team to study English system of administration to Britain. Jaya Prithvi wrote Japanese history in Nepali and Gehendra made new arms and ammunitions on the Japanese model.

The Mysterious Death

In 1963 BS, on the occasion of Dashain festival, while bowing down to salute Chandra Shumsher, a pistol fell down from the pocket of Gehendra. Chandra Shumsher became suspicious of Gehendra. He didn’t react immediately. But after one year, i.e. in 1964, Gehendra died a mysterious death. It is said that Chandra Shumsher was alarmed at the success and popularity of Gehendra and killed him. Thus, Gehendra died at the young age of 35. He would have done much more to develop technology and science in the country had he lived longer.

Thus, all inventions and creations of Gehendra are preserved in the National Museum at Chhauni, Kathmandu. He will be remembering forever.

By Shubham Thapa, the owner of this blogspot