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VOL. 27, NO. 39, June 13 , 2008 (Jestha 31 2065 B.S.)
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History Through French Eyes
French scholar Sylvain Levi's contribution helps understand many important aspects of Hindu Nepal
By A CORRESPONDENT
Nepal's politicians, civil society members and others have been talking about New Nepal. Nobody is interested about old Nepal and its centuries-long history, which proves that Nepal is one of the oldest countries of the world.
This is what one can read in the book written by renowned French scholar Sylvain Levi. In his book Nepal a History of Hindu Kingdom, Levi has detailed Nepal's long history of continuity in this part of the world.
Originally written in French by a renowned scholar of continental Europe, it was recently translated into Nepali. In this book one can find many interesting observations on characters of Nepalese people, geography, rulers, temples and culture.
Translated by Dilli Raj Upreti into Nepali language, this book helps understand how rich and diverse Nepalese culture is. Although the French author had traveled just within Kathmandu valley, he had made all the efforts to look into Nepal's overall situation.
The author had arrived in Nepal at the time of Rana Prime Minister Dev Sumsher. Levi also tells about the difficulties and challenges he faced to come to Nepal from India crossing dense forest of south which was very dangerous from wild animals as well as Malaria.
In this first volume, Levi explores the history of Nepal and its identity as an independent nation. He also discusses the rulers of various periods and influences Asia's two major countries India and China have in religion and culture in Nepal.
This first volume is full of facts and incidents related to the historical development and evolution of Nepal. In the first chapter, French historian Levi discusses about the Kingdom of Nepal and the history related to Kathmandu valley.
Levi studied various historical documents written by Europeans, particularly British, Chinese, Tibetans and locals. These documents show Nepal's long history of existence.
At a time when every one is talking about the need to make a New Nepal, many seem to have forgotten Nepal's old and long history of existence in this part of the world. Levi's book reminds this fact.
From writing about the lifestyle, traditions and culture of local Newar residents, author Levi also describes Gurkhas who conquered Kathmandu valley. He also discusses Nepal's legal, social and political foundations.
In its history of more than two thousand years, the country has gone through various dynasties and rulers. One of the important parts of history of Nepal was the continuity with change. Kirant, Lichhivi, Thakuri, Malla and Shah dynasties displaced each other but what they accepted was the culture and values of Kathmandu as a core value.
The rulers respected their predecessors and protected their contributions. This is the reason why Nepal still has all the historic architectures and sites intact. This protection helped understand the achievement of the past. Unlike the present brand of politicians who destroyed almost all important statues of Shah dynasty and condemned the history of the past 240 years of unified Nepal, there was a sense of justice during that period.
Thanks to Himal Book, every Nepali now has the opportunity to read the historical phase of their country as observed by a French scholar. Unlike British historians who also have made immense contributions to find out Nepal's history, Levi's perception is more neutral and objective since French author did not have any axe to grind.
Le Nepal: Etude Historique d'un Royaume Hindu (Part I)
Nepal : Hindu Adhirajya Ko Itihass
By: Sylvain Levi
Pages: 260
Translated by: Dilliraj Upreti
Edited by: Pramod Khakurel, Victor Pradhan and Bashanta Thapa
Price: Rs. 400
Published by: Himal Book
