Nepal on the eve of the Rana ascendancy

Part of the material in this paper was collected to supplement a very brief discussion of 'Pre-Rana Administration' in Satish Kumar's Rana Polity in Nepal. The author intended to highlight a considerable number of positions within the administrative hierarchy that Kumar failed to mention. However, further study of Hodgson's papers, British Resident in Nepal (1831-43), the author realised a more complete presentation of administration in Nepal could be offered. From the detailed information that Hodson provides, it is possible to identify many of the persons in the higher positions of the administration and learn something of their duties.