Nepal


Figure 1.--Here we see two Nepalese children in 1962. At the time most children workedand only a few children attended scchool. The caption of this press photo read, " ... slings pressing gainst their heads a tiny boy carries basket while his sister carries their baby brother, as they make their way barefooted over path in central Nepal."

Nepal is a small Himalayan country wedged between India and Tibet is one of the most isolated places in the world. It is one of the highest places on earth. The northern part of the country includes a substantial part of the Himalayas, incluing Everest. The Gurkas seized control of Nepal (18th century), just as the British were taking control of India to the south and beginning to createg the Raj. Nepal signed treaties with the British (beginning 1792). Nepal was never incorporated into the British Raj. Britain recognized the country's complete independence (1923). Grukas served in the British military, including World War II. The country was ruled by a pemier from the Rana family. Revolts conveyed power to the king who had been a figurehead (1951). The King prclaimed a new Constitution (1959). Problem exist with India which appears to believe it has a say in Nepalese domestic politics. Much of the population is located in the Nepal Valley. Social life continues to be very traditional. Nepal has had an economy based on agriculture and herding, but it is changing. Servives now dominate the econnomy in terms of output value (50 percent) and is growing. Agriculture (35 percen) is still the next most important sector, but contracting. Industry (15 percent) is relatively limited and not growing. Agriculture while not the most importantbsector by value is still how most Naplis make theiliving (over 75 percent). Agriculture is this mounatneous country is mostly conductedin the Terai region bordering India. Crops include: tea, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, anf fruit. Livestick poducts include milk. and water buffalo meat. Industry primarily involves the processing of agricultural produce, including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Modernizing the economy is limited by a shortage of skilled labor. Almost all of the country's trade is wih India and China (Tibet). The population is primarily Hindu (80 percent). Shiva is seen as the guardian deity of the country. The famous Lord Shiva temple, the Pashupatinath Temple, attracts Hindus from all over the world for pilgrimage. Hindu mythology depicts the goddess Sita of the epic 'Ramayana' as being born in the Mithila Kingdom of King Janaka Raja. There is also a Buddhist minority (about 10 percent. Nepalese is a Tibetian-Burman language.

Geography

Nepal is a small Himalayan country wedged between India and Tibet is one of the most isolated places in the world. Nepal because of its lack of coastline and high mountains, it has led an extremely isolated national life. The country is one of the highest places on earth. The northern part of the country includes a substantial part of the Himalayas, incluing Everest.

History

The Gurkas seized control of Nepal (18th century), just as the British were taking control of India to the south and bginning to create the Raj. Nepal signed treaties with the British (beginning 1792). Nepal was never incorporated into the British Raj. Britain recognized the country's complete independence (1923). Grukas served in the British military, including World War II. The country was ruled by a pemier from the Rana family. Revolts conveyed power to the king who had been a figurehead (1951). The King prclaimed a new Constitution (1959). Problem exist with India which appears to believe it has a say in Nepalese domestic politics. A pro-Indian CongressPartyand a Maoist Communist Party play major roles in Nepalese politics which have been basically chaotic

Economics

Nepal is a very poor country. Percapita income in 2016 ws about $2,500. One ranking places Nepal 199th out of 230 countries around the world. [CIA] The Nepalese economy is based on agriculture and herding, but it is changing. Servives now dominate the econnomy in terms of output value (50 percent) and is growing. Agriculture (35 percen) is still the next most important sector, but contracting. Industry (15 percent) is relatively limited and not growing. Agriculture while not the most important sector by value is still how most Napalis make their living (over 75 percent). Agriculture is this mounatneous country is mostly conducted in the Terai region bordering India. Crops include: tea, rice, corn, wheat, sugarcane, root crops, and fruit. Livestock poducts include milk. and water buffalo meat. Industry primarily involves the processing of agricultural produce, including jute, sugarcane, tobacco, and grain. Modernizing the economy is limited by a shortage of skilled labor. Almost all of the country's trade is with India and China (Tibet). Nepal like mos of the contries that emerged from the post-World War decomonization procss adopted statist-sovialist policies. Unlike its neigbors to the north and south, thre has been no significat efforts at market reforms. A free market asessment reports, "Nepal’s economy lacks the entrepreneurial dynamism needed for stronger economic growth and long-term development. Overall, weak reform efforts have failed to stimulate broad-based poverty reduction. The state continues to hinder private-sector development, and political instability further weakens the capacity to implement economic reform or create a stable development environment." [Heritage Foundation] A problem here has been political instability and ethnic divisions. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist-Center) is a strong force in Nepalese politics and does not support the business-friendly market policis that might help moderize the Nepalese economy as they have in China and India.

Chronology


Activities

Nepal is an isolated, traditional country. And as a poor country, many children still have to work. Many children work in agriculture, especially on family farms. Boys often serve as shepards in remote locations. Many more children, including some girls now attend school than was the case in the past. Widespread School attendance is a modern phenomenon and heavily influenced by British connections. The first modern school was set up for the ruling family and court (1851). Few commoners received an educatiion only after a popular movement led to the end of the autocratic Rana family regime and the adoption of a democratic system (1951). School is now required for all Nepalese children between 6-10 years of age. School attendance is becoming widely accepted for boys, but it Nepal's conservative society are reluctant to send their girls to school. Religion is still a major activity, but outside secular influences are becoming more important. The population is primarily Hindu (80 percent). Shiva is seen as the guardian deity of the country. The famous Lord Shiva temple, the Pashupatinath Temple, attracts Hindus from all over the world for pilgrimage. Hindu mythology depicts the goddess Sita of the epic 'Ramayana' as being born in the Mithila Kingdom of King Janaka Raja. There is also a Buddhist minority (about 10 percent). The Nepalese are playing sports as foreign influences continue to affect Nepalese culture. The most important are British sports that have become important in neighboring India. The most popular are football fand cricket. There are also some traditional sports.

Demographics

Much of the population is located in the Nepal Valley.

Culture

Social life continues to be very traditional. Nepalese is a Tibetian-Burman language.

Sources

CIA. "Country comparison: GNP--Country compaisons GDP percapita," World Factbook.

Hritage Foundation. "Nepal," 2017 Index of Economic Freedom.








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Created: 5:52 AM 10/8/2012
Last updated: 2:42 AM 8/16/2017