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HISTORY
Throughout ages, Nepal has preserved its national identity and
independence. It has never been under any foreign rule. Ancient Nepal was
composed of many small autonomous principalities. Prithvi Narayan Shah
unified Nepal in the present form in 1768. Kathmandu has been made the
capital since then. After the 1814-1816 Anglo-Nepali war, the Mechi and
Mahakali rivers became the eastern and western borders of the country. In
1846, Jung Bahadur Rana consolidated his powers as a Prime Minister. His
family became hereditary prime ministers and ruled the country till 1950.
Organized resistance against the Ranarchy began after the end of World War
I. In 1940, four Nepalese youths were hanged to death for anti-Rana
activities. This gained momentum after World War II. A popular revolution
engineered by Shri B.P. Koirala overthrew the Rana Oligarchy in February
1951 culminating in a first experiment in democracy. King Tribhuvan
promised Constituent Assembly Elections but could fulfill. After an
arduous struggle by the people, first General Elections were held under
multi-party system in February 1959. The Nepali Congress party won two
thirds majority in the Lower House of the Parliament, making B.P. Koirala
the first ever elected Prime Minister of Nepal. King Mahendra could not
tolerate the democratic system of governance of the popularly elected
government. Ultimately, the King staged a coup in December 1960, banned
all political activities and imprisoned the Prime Minister and his
comrades without trial till 1968. In January 1972, King Birendra ascended
the throne and continued to remain the sole source of authority and
exercised the broad powers over ;he country. The Palace preferred direct
rule with iron hand but the people waged a relentless struggle even taking
to arms sometimes. During 29-year long continuous struggle, thousands of
multi-party enthusiasts suffered unspeakable pains. Hundreds were maimed,
mutilated and martyred. B.P. Koirala passed away in 1982. Other
weather-beaten leaders like Ganesh Man Singh, K.P. Bhattarai, Girija
Prasad Koirala carried on the struggle as shown by the late Koirala. In
the beginning of 1990 the Nepalese communists led by Man Mohan Adhikary
collaborated with the Nepali Congress led peaceful movement for the
restoration of multi-party democracy launched on the historic democracy
day of Falgun 7 (February 18). People came on to the streets braving
batons and bullets. With the loss of a great many precious lives, they won
the political freedom, which is very dear to their heart. Capital
punishment is now abolished.
GEOGRAPHY, CLIMATE AND ECOLOGY
Elongated along the Himalayas, Nepal is a landlocked country with a total
land area of 147,181 sq.km.. (56,136 sq.mi.). The country is bordered by
the People's Republic of China to the North and the Republic of India to
the South, East and West. Its topography varies from the high snow-clad
peaks and the mid mountain region with fertile valleys to the southern
plains known as Terai. So is the climate ranging from the alpine in the
north to hot and humid in the southern plains.
World's highest peak Mt. Sagarmatha (Everest), 8,848 meters (29028 ft.)
lies in Nepal. Its capital, Kathmandu, is a valley with pleasant climate.
The main rainy season is during the monsoon period (June to September)
with rainfall of over 56 inches a year.
The geography of Nepal is blessed with a number of small and large rivers.
Three main river systems - Kosi, Gandaki and Karnali originate in the
Himalayas, flow southward and empty into the Ganges. Nepal has been a
habitat of different rare species of flora and fauna. In order to protect
the fragile eco-system, Nepal has set up thirteen national parks and
wildlife reserves in different parts of the country.
PEOPLE
Nepal's population in 1991 was 18.4 million with a growth rate of 2.1
percent per annum. Well over half of the population live in the hills and
the rest live in the southern lowlands. Rate of literacy is 39 percent.
Lingua franca is the Nepali language The people of Nepal share a bond of
comrnon aspirations and faith in the independence and
integrity of nation irrespective of religion, race, caste or tribe.
FLAG AND NATIONAL EMBLEMS
The national flag of Nepal consists of two juxtaposed triangular figures
with crimson colored base and deep blue borders, there being a white
emblem of crescent moon and a white emblem of sun in the lower part.
Rhododendron Arboream is the national flower, Crimson is the national
colour, Cow is the national animal and the Danphe (Lophophorus) is the
national bird.
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