Ranga Nath Poudyal

Pandit Raaj Ranga Nath Poudyal
पण्डित राज रङ्गनाथ पौड्याल
4th Mukhtiyar of Nepal
In office 1837 December – 1838 August
Preceded by	Rana Jang Pande
Succeeded by	Chautariya Pushkar Shah
In office 1840 November – 1840 November
Preceded by	Rana Jang Pande
Succeeded by	Fateh Jung Shah
Personal details
Born	Makhantole, Kathmandu
Nationality	Nepali
Parent	Panditraj Bajranath
Writing career
Notable works	Rajbidhansaar & Kapurstwa

Ranga Nath Poudyal Atreya (Nepali: रङ्गनाथ पौड्याल आत्रेय) popularly known as Ranganath Pandit was the Mukhtiyar of Nepal from 1837 December to 1838 August and in 1840 November for about 2–3 weeks. He was the first Brahmin Prime Minister of Nepal.

Ranga Nath Poudyal Atreya was born in 1773 A.D. at Makhantole Kathmandu to Pandit Brajnath Atreya, who was a prominent courtier in the palace who was later exiled to Benaras. He was a Bahun by ethnicity.^[1] Ranga Nath Poudyal Atreya spent his childhood years in Benares, where he mastered Sanskrit. He was granted the title "Pandit Raj" by the then king of Benares.^{[2][need quotation to verify]}

Ranga Nath Poudyal Atreya met Bhimsen Thapa in Benares (Varanasi). He was deeply influenced by Bhimsen Thapa and thus he forged his path to power by establishing himself as the prominent supporter of Bhimsen Thapa. After the execution of Mulkaji (Chief Kaji) Damodar Pande, Paudyal was appointed as Raj Guru (Royal Preceptor) along with Ranajit Pande as appointed as Mulkaji, Bhimsen Thapa as second Kaji and Sher Bahadur Shah as Mul Chautariya.^[3][4] He became Prime Minister of Nepal at the time of utmost political turmoil. He is remembered as a clever Brahmin .^{[citation needed]} Although he was the prominent supporter of Bhimsen Thapa^[5] His political career was doomed after the downfall of Bhimsen Thapa. He is often characterized as the spiritual advisor of the court rather than a powerful governor.

Not much is known about his personal life. He is believed by many to be spiritual minded.

• Brian Houghton Hodgson
• Bhimsen Thapa
• Puskar Shah
• Bal Chandra Poudel

• Acharya, Baburam (2012), Acharya, Shri Krishna (ed.), Janaral Bhimsen Thapa : Yinko Utthan Tatha Pattan (in Nepali), Kathmandu: Education Book House, p. 228, ISBN 9789937241748
• Nepal, Gyanmani (2007), Nepal ko Mahabharat (in Nepali) (3rd ed.), Kathmandu: Sajha, p. 314, ISBN 9789993325857
• Pradhan, Kumar L. (2012), Thapa Politics in Nepal: With Special Reference to Bhim Sen Thapa, 1806–1839, New Delhi: Concept Publishing Company, p. 278, ISBN 9788180698132
• Raj, Prakash A. (2006), Dancing Democracy: The power of a Third Eye, Rupa & Company, ISBN 9788129109460