Historical Aspects of Tourism Development in Nepal (Second Phase: After Unification)

         The mode of tourism in Nepal changed during eighteenth and nineteenth century when Prithivi Narayan shah unified the small petty (Basic and Chaubise) kingdoms and formed the modern Nepal. He introduced many reforms in army organization, foreign affairs, cultural activities, social system, economic conditions and religious and also in trade. The process of territorial expansion toward south was supported by his successors king Pratap Shah, king Rana Bahadur shah and king Girban Bikram Shah. During the territorial movement, in 1814 war took place between Nepal and British east India Company and concluded in 1816 under the Sugauli treaty. It reduced the territory of Nepal to almost the present size. After the treaty of Sugauli in 1817 British east India Company appointed resident Dr. Wallich visited Kathmandu and carried botanical researches for a year. During that time even the British resident and official were not allowed to visit more than the narrow limits assigned to them. Reflecting the situation of those days, ward and Clark (1992:47) write before “1927 neither European surveyors nor travelers were given permission to enter Nepal, nor was photography allowed”.

          This phase is started from the unification of the Kathmandu valley in 10^th Feb 1769 to the end of Rana regime in 1950. Tourism could not develop in the country in this phase because the policy of the government was not to let tourist enter to Nepal, except for some cases. British colonel Kirkpatrick had led a mission to Nepal in 1973 and described beauties of Nepal, while projecting a realistic manifestation of the culture, tradition, economy the administration and politics of Nepal. The book was able to stir interest in the western readers and created an urge to visit this land of mystery and mysticism (Chanda, 2000).

          First Rana prime minister of Nepal, Jung Bahadurm, left Kathmandu for England on January 15, 1850 with contingent of 40 persons. He reached England on 25^th may 1850. After an extensive tour of France, Egypt and England the contingent returned on 29^th January 1851. It is believed that he is the first Nepali to visit Europe. It is also believed the Jung Bahadur left an unforgettable impression of Nepal and Nepalese upon the western world. This is the historical episode has great impact towards the promotion of Nepal. Jung  Bahadur also introduced act and constructed Durbar high school in Nepal in 1910 BS during the Rana regime, Indian pilgrims were allowed to visit Kathmandu, during ‘Shivaratri Mela’ for 7 days. But 5 check points were created to check the India pilgrims at Chitlang, Markhu, Gadi, Bhimphedi and Kathmandu. Visa system was implemented for European visitors. They had to secure visas from the counselor unit for the Nepal government, which were placed at Calcutta and Patan of India. In 1933, of party of European ladies and gentlemen including the British minister, the earl of Elmsford were organized at Chitwan, a place which still date has manage to give Nepal a high recognition for its wild life and safari in the context of tourism in Nepal (pant, 2011).