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VOL. 27, NO. 30, April 04, 2008 (Chaitra 22 2064 B.S.)
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More Than Mountains
Prominent Swiss scholar Toni Hagen's book, which is translated into Nepali, reveals many important things about Nepal
By A CORRESPONDENT
From Kirk Patrick to Silva Levi and from Brian Hudson to G.H.D Gimlette, many foreigners who visited Nepal and who came here on special missions, have made immense contributions by writing on socio, cultural, political and other events of Nepal.
Even the account of German Prince Waldemar highlighted the contemporary power politics, socio-cultural development and other things about Nepal. After the Anglo-Nepal War of 1814, a number of British came to Nepal on official business and they contributed written commentaries on Nepal.
Nepal: The Kingdom in the Himalayas
By: Tony Hagen
Price: Rs. 250.00
Pages: 111
Published by: Himal Book |
Swiss scholar Toni Hagen also maintained the tradition of western scholar writing the personal account about their visit. Nepal: The Kingdom in the Himalayas is one of them. Originally written in English language, the book is a resource material for scholars who want to know about Nepal.
Although the book is about Nepal, a large number of Nepalese speakers didn't know about this. Thanks to Himal Book and financial support by Toni Hagen Foundation, this book has been translated into Nepali. As Hagen traveled extensively across Nepal, this book deals with Nepal's social, political and geographical aspects.
When Tony Hagen arrived in Nepal on 24 October 1950, he was the guest of then Rana prime minister Mohan Sumsher but six months after his arrival, new political upheaval uprooted Rana regime and established a democratic system.
When Hagen first came to Nepal as a member of Swiss technical team – which was a first foreign aid team- to launch development program, Nepal was completely cut off from the rest of the world. One had to use various modes of transport, including one day trek from Bhimphedi, to reach the capital of the Himalayan nation.
At that time when Swiss technical team began work in Nepal, Hagen saw the drama of revolution orchestrated in Nepal. He describes how Indian embassy was involved in the revolution of 1950 from behind. Hagen also describes Indian ambassador C.P.N. Singh's role in bringing King Tribhuwan into Indian embassy for political asylum in November 1950. His description of political drama of 1950's revolution as an eye witness will be useful for scholars to take the stock of history of Nepal.
He initially worked here as a member of Swiss Technical Assistance Team but he later worked under the United Nations Technical Assistance Administration (TAA). One of the key functions of TAA was to carry out a survey of Nepal's mineral resources. As an expert, Hagen covered a distance of about 14,000 kilometers on foot.
This book is all about his study between 1950-1958 when he studied the general geography of Nepal. His exploration of various places was taken in accordance with the popular rumor or the opinions of former governments. However, the writer was able to carry out a systematic geological survey of Nepal.
This book includes all his experiences, encounters, socio-cultural and ethnic description of Nepal. When Hagen came to Nepal, the country had virtually no schools, hospitals, roads and other basic facilities. However, he had seen drastic transformation in all these areas. Just 265 primary schools in 1950 increasing to 21,473 in 1995 and literacy rate jumping from 4.6 to 60 percent. Similarly, there were no university for higher education when he came here. From 600 km gravel road to 9534 kilometers of blacktopped road, Hagen's book gives detail description of drastic transformation of Nepali society.
From Kirkpatrick to Hagen and just recently, Francis G. Hutchins, a professor of Harvard University, who has written a book Democratizing Monarch, A Memoir of Nepal's King Birendra, western scholars have maintained their tradition of note-keeping and cataloguing.
For Nepalese readers, Hagen book is very worthy as it describes geography, geology and other social and cultural aspects of Neal. Although Hagen died about five years ago, his contribution to Nepal remains immortal.
