|Nepal Table of Contents The death of Mathbar Singh set the
stage for one of the crucial sequences of events in modern
Nepalese history--the destruction of the old aristocracy and the
establishment of a dictatorship of the prime minister. These
events provided the long period of stability the country needed
but at the cost of political and economic development. The Kot
Massacre After three months of squabbling, a coalition ministry
was formed in September 1845, again headed by Fateh Jang
Chautaria. The real power behind the throne was the favorite of
Queen Lakshmidevi, Gagan Singh, who controlled seven regiments
in the army compared to the three under the prime minister.
Abhiman Singh and Jang Bahadur also served as commanders, each
with three regiments. Plots and counterplots continued until
Gagan Singh was found murdered during the night of September 14,
1846. The queen was beside herself at the death of her favorite,
whom she had hoped to use to elevate her own son to the
monarchy. She commanded Abhiman Si