The importance of the Himalayan state of Nepal has been obscured by the international campaign to free Tibet and the vicissitudes of the Sino-Indian rivalry. This book presents the history of Nepal’s domestic politics and foreign relations from ancient to modern times. Analysing newly declassified reports from the United States and Britain, published memoirs, oral recollections and interviews, the book presents the historical interactions between Nepal, China, Tibet and India. It discusses how the ageing and inevitable death of the 14th Dalai Lama, the radicalization of Tibetan diaspora and the ascendancy of the international campaign to free Tibet are of increasing importance to Nepal. With its position between China and India, the book notes how the focus could shift to Nepal, with it being home to some 20,000 Tibetan refugees and its chronic political turmoil, deepened by the Asian giants’ rivalry. Using a chronological approach, the past and present of the rivalry between China and India are studied, and attempts to chart the future are made. The book contributes to a new understanding of the intricate relationship of Nepal with these neighbouring countries, and is of interest to students and scholars of South Asian studies, politics and international relations.

Bhimasena Thapa, 1775-1839, former prime minister of Nepal.

Nepal is a living example of contrasts and contradictions.It is a country that was born in medieval times, grew up in the 16th century, and now finds itself engulfed in the high-tech gadgets and material marvels of the 21st century. Nepal has its share of problem which include inadequate economic development and social infrastructure, poverty and corruption, plus worsening pollution, but now it finally has relative peace and quiet after a hasty Maoist uprising. Indeed, it has passed through several democratic elections, and finally seems to be getting on the right track. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Nepal contains a chronology, an introduction, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Nepal.

The present study is an attempt to understand the problem of Maoist insurgency in Nepal since its inception to the withdrawal of the insurgency and the Maoist joining the political mainstream. The Maoist decision in 2006 to join the multi party democracy has not only given a new dimension to Nepali politics but it also raises a number of questions of academic interest. Why did Maoist take a U-turn? What are the problems and prospects of republican state and inclusive democracy in Nepal? How does the Maoist look at their political future in the upcoming political system of Nepal? These are the issues that his book has tried to focus upon. The study runs into seven chapter viz. COMMUNIST MOVEMENT IN NEPAL: HISTORICO-POLITICAL CONTEXT " A MOVEMENT IN THE MAKING PARTIES, GOVERNANCE AND POLITICS BETWEEN 1990-95 " MAOIST IDEOLOGY, ORGANIZATION AND STRATEGY " MAOIST SUPPORT BASES, FACTORS AND FORCES " GROWTH OF MAOIST MOVEMENT " MAOIST MOVEMENT AND HUMAN RIGHTS ISSUES " TAKING A 'U' TURN: MAOISTS JOINNING THE POLITICAL MAINSTREAM " The study is designed to discuss the Maoist problems in their total perspective: from its emergence to their joinning the mainstream politics and afterwards. It is hoped that the book will be useful to both academics and the general readers.