Nepal emerged as a unified state over two hundred years ago centred on theKathmandu Valley with its two thousand years of urban civilisation. While JohnWhelpton... » 

Nepal emerged as a unified state over two hundred years ago centred on theKathmandu Valley with its two thousand years of urban civilisation. While JohnWhelptons history focuses on the period since the overthrow of the Rana familyautocracy in 195051 the early chapters are devoted to the origins of thekingdom and the evolving relations of its diverse peoples. By drawing on recentresearch on Nepals environment society and political institutions the authorportrays a country of extraordinary contrasts which has been constantlybuffeted by its neighbours the two Asian giants China and India. Economic andpolitical turmoil over the last fifty years came to a climax in the massacre ofthe royal family in 2001 when the country erupted into civil war. The book iscomprehensive and accessible approach will appeal to students professionalsand those visiting the region. «