NEPAL A SOVEREIGN STATE

Country Of Ancient Civilization

Nepal: is a country of ancient civilization which can be traced thousands of years before the birth of Christ (B.C.). In its long and glorious history Nepal has remained always sovereign and never bowed to any foreign power. Although Nepal was modernized by King Prithivi Narayan Shah of present dynasty after consolidating number of principalities and conquering the Kathmandu Valley in 1768 A.D., there were many glorious dynasties who contributed a lot to its sovereignty, In fact most of the monuments, Pagodas and Stupas, Monasteries which stand as an example of our glorious past originated from the Mall dynasty i.e. from 12 to 18 century.

With the fall of Rana regime in February 1951 after a popular revolution, Nepal saw the dawn of democracy. A democratic revolt of 1990 has restored the Multi-Party-Democratic Country with constitutional monarchy according to the new constitution of November 1990.

Nepal is located in southern Asia and it has a highly varied topography. Its southern area is dominated by the flat Ganges River plain, also known as the Tarai, while the central part of the country is hilly and the northern part is rugged the Himalayan Mountain Range. The highest point in Nepal is also the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest at 29,035 feet (8,850 m). Its lowest point is Kanchan Kalan at 230 feet (70 m).

Nepal’s climate also varies based on location because of its topography. Its northern areas have cool summers and very cold, severe winters, while the south has humid subtropical summers and mild winters. Nepal’s capital, Kathmandu, is located in its central region and it has a January average low of 35.8˚F (2.1˚C) and a June average high of 82.8˚F (28.2˚C).

Nepal having a population of more than 28 million with a complex mixture of different ethnic groups each with a distinctive lifestyle and cultural flavor speaking different languages and dialect.

PEOPLE-Various Groups of Living

The Sherpas live mainly in the mountain of eastern and central Nepal, in particular in the Solu Khumbu (Everest) region. The Sherpas are probably the best known Nepalese ethnic group originally from Tibet, they settled in the area about 500 years ago. The Sherpas also known as “snow leopard” live in the Himalaya region up to an average altitude of 4570m.

Bahuns and Chhetris are simply the two highest castes, the Bahuns and Chhetirs are spread generally over most parts of the Kingdom. The progeny of Bahun men and hill women were considered Chhetri and a number of high status families from other hill groups have also adopted Chhetri status, so some do have Mongoloid tribal ancestry. All Bahuns and Chhetris are Hindu.

The Newars constitute and important ethnic group in the capital valley Kathmandu. The Newaris of the Kathmandu valley are a good example of the result of this Himalayan melting pot. The Gurung and Magars live mainly in the west and on the southern slopes of Annapurna, Himalchuli and Ganesh Himal mountains. The Magars and Gurungs also often work as Gurkha soldiers.

The Rais, Limbus, and Sunuwars inhabit the slops and valleys of the eastern mid hills and many have migrated to the eastern Tarai. Larger number of people find employment with Gurkha regiments. Tamangs are one of the largest Tibet – Burman ethnic group in Nepal. Around half the Himalayan zone of Nepal is inhabited by Tamangs. Many Tamangs have been influenced in their dress by both western and Newari styles. Traditionally, women wear a colorful wraparound skirt, a blouse, jacket and scarf. On important occasion they wear chunky gold or brass ear and nose rings set with semiprecious stones. Men wear loincloths or the traditional Newari pant, short – sleeved jackets and topis. Both men and women wear several miters of cloth wrapped around the waist.

The Thakalis live mainly Kali Gandaki valley in central Nepal; the Thakalis are a Tibeto Burman people who have become the entrepreneurs of Nepal. Originally Buddhist, many pragmatic Thakalis have now adopted Hinduism. The actual number of Thakalis is very small.

Tharus, Yadavs, Satar, Rajvanshis, and Dhimals are spread generally in the Tarai region. Tharus are one of the largest ethnic groups in Nepal.