Prithvi Narayan Shah was born as a prince in Gorkha, Nepal. Chandra Pravawati (the first wife of King Nara Bhupal Shah) raised him, although his biological mother was Kaushalyavati Devi. From a young age, he took interest in the affairs of his father’s state and soon began to take on these responsibilities. Prithivi Narayan Shah had an early dream of conquering Nuwakot, Nepal, partially as his father had lost it in an earlier war. After the death of his father in 1743, Prithivi Narayan Shah ascended to the throne of Gorkha at the age of 20. As king, he valued his people and enjoyed talking to his subjects about their general concerns. This practice helped him to build a rapport with his people, and helped him to understand the requirements of the citizens of Gorkha.King Shah sealed his borders and maintained a peaceful environment except for distant relations with the British, who were refusing to trade with Nepal at the time. Prithvi Narayaṇ was succeeded by his son, Pratap Singh.