View source for Padma Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana

Maharaja Sir Padma Shumsher Jung Bahadur Rana was the hereditary prime minister of Nepal and Maharaja of Lamjung and Kaski from 1945 to 1948, known for advocating social development. During his tenure, he initiated several reforms, including constructing Nepal's first east-west highway aimed at improving mail transport. He also prioritized education by sending teachers abroad and establishing schools like Padmodaya High School and Padma Kanya College, the latter being the first college for women in Nepal. Additionally, he organized Nepal's first municipal election and introduced the Government Act of 1948, though it remained unimplemented.

Due to his progressive policies, Rana faced opposition from his family and left Nepal in March 1948 for India under medical pretense. In India, he met Jawaharlal Nehru, who encouraged him to establish democracy, but Rana chose to stay there until his death in 1961. He occasionally visited Nepal after the fall of the Rana regime in 1951. Notably, Rana authored "Life of Maharaja Sir Jung Bahadur of Nepal" in 1909, contributing to his enduring legacy.