Nepal

A History from the Earliest Times to the Present

Inbunden, Engelska, 2024

AvAxel Michaels,University of Heidelberg) Michaels, Axel (Senior Professor of Classical Indology and Religious Studies, South Asia Institute, Senior Professor of Classical Indology and Religious Studies, South Asia Institute

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Until 1951 Nepal was closed to the world, landlocked between the strongest Asian powers, India and China. With its exceptional landscape, it touts the highest mountains and the greatest biodiversity on earth. It is best known as the home of Mt. Everest and holds particular fascination for those interested in climbing the Himalayas. Having long maintained its self-imposed isolation, the nation is one of the least developed in the world. Yet it is inhabited by a remarkably diverse population of 125 ethnic groups, 123 languages, and numerous religions, most notably Hinduism and Buddhism.In this book, South Asia expert Axel Michaels covers the history of Nepal from prehistoric times and the period of the Licchavi dynasty through more recent developments, such as the rise of the republic, the first elections challenged by the Maoist insurgency (1996-2006), and the royal massacre in 2001. Chapters discuss the different principalities on the territory, among them the mysterious and legendary Mustang and Sherpa realms. Since the eighteenth century, these domains have been bundled into a contentious national history. Thus, going well beyond the center of power in the Kathmandu Valley, the book examines Nepal's relations with neighboring cultures in India, Tibet, and China, as well as the influence of British colonial power. It particularly focuses on its rich history of arts, architecture, and handicrafts. Although the Buddha was born in Nepal, the country is the world's last Hindu kingdom and is also a stronghold of Tantric traditions, shamanism, and many folk religions whose festivals and rituals mark daily life. Based on a wealth of primary sources in Nepali, Sanskrit, and other indigeneous languages, Nepal offers a comprehensive and updated history of this unique culture and history.

Produktinformation

Utgivningsdatum2024-06-19
Mått168 x 229 x 45 mm
Vikt726 g
FormatInbunden
SpråkEngelska
Antal sidor432
FörlagOUP USA
ISBN9780197650936

Tillhör följande kategorier

Buddhism inom Filosofi och religion
Hinduism inom Filosofi och religion
Socialhistoria och kulturhistoria inom Historia och arkeologi
Asiens historia inom Historia och arkeologi

Preface AcknowledgmentsGlossary On the Spelling and Pronunciation of Indian and Nepalese Words ChronologyIntroduction Chapter 1: The Country InfrastructureMountainsEarthquakesWater ResourcesForests and Holy TreesChapter 2: The PopulationMigration Social Structures and HierarchiesThe Position of WomenNepal as a Multi-ethnic StateChapter 3: The ReligionsBuddhismHinduismReligious Syncretism and ToleranceChapter 4: Scattered Power and Petty Kingdoms: The Country before the Fourteenth CenturyPrehistoryThe KirataThe Licchavi and Abhira-Gupta PeriodThe Early Medieval PeriodThe Khasa-Malla in West NepalPetty KingdomsChapter 5: Divided Rule: The Malla Kingdoms, Thirteenth to Eighteenth Century The Malla RulersThe Urban Culture of the NewarsThe Three Royal Cities of the Kathmandu ValleyChapter 6: From Gorkha to Nepal: The Imperial Saha Monarchy, 1768/69-1846Prthvinarayana and His FollowersThe Consolidation of Gorkhali PowerAnglo-British EncountersSino-Tibetan EncountersChapter 7: Patrimonial Rule: The Rana Period, 1846-1951The Kivara Rana, 1846-1885The Samsera Rana, 1885-1951Landholding and AgricultureLabor and Slavery Economy and TradeThe Legal and Administrative SystemEducation and the MediaHealing Systems and ShamanismHunting and ElephantsRana Architecture The Legacy of the Saha and Rana PeriodsChapter 8: From Monarchy to Republic, 1951-2022The Restoration of the SahasThe Maoist InsurgencyThe Decline of the Monarchy and the Emergence of DemocracyPower and Authority: King, Prime Minister, and Maoist LeaderAdministration and LawThe Urbanization of the Kathmandu ValleyLiterature, Art, and MusicChapter 9: Alliances and Resistance: Ethnic Groups and Their HistoriesThe Tarai: From Mithila to the Madhesi UprisingThe SherpaMustangThe Kiranti (Rai-Limbu) in Eastern NepalFrom Empire to Nation StateConclusion Appendices The Sources Lists of Rulers, Prime Ministers, and British EnvoysNotesBibliographyIndex

Few of those who have tried to write the history of Nepal are equally competent in handling ancient Sanskrit inscriptions, medieval chronicles, priestly handbooks, and contemporary politics. Axel Michaels - polymath, founder of Ethno-Indologie, and long at the heart of the German scholarly community working on Nepal - has all these competencies and more, so a new history of Nepal from his hand is both highly welcome and likely to stand for a long time as an essential guide to the country.