 |
| |
VOL. 27, NO. 40, June 20 , 2008 (Ashadh 06 2065 B.S.) |
|
"This Is Very Power Centric And Self Centric Society"
Dr. Saphalya Amatya
Dr. SAPHALYA AMATYA, who completed his Ph. D from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi in 1975, is a renowned historian and expert on Nepalese culture. Having served more than three decades in government service Dr. Amatya has extensive knowledge on Nepal's arts and culture. Dr. Amatya spoke to KESHAB POUDEL on various cultural issues following the abolition of monarchy. Excerpts:
How do you see the current change in the history of Nepal?
In the history, there were many occasions when the roles of monarchs had been overshadowed. Even in Lichhivi period, there were dual power centers. Anshuverma was not a king, he was just a Mahasamanta of Bishnu Gupta and Jishnu Gupta. He took over power overshadowing them. Even during the Malla period, there were many occasions when some people enjoyed de facto power making the monarch just a de jure head. For instance, the six Pradhan of Patan who even replaced the king on their own will.
Was it a tradition?
There is a tradition in our country to rule through de facto power centers. Even in the Shah period this continued. After the death of Prithivi Narayan Shah, the Thar and Ghar ruled the country as de facto rulers. During the reign of Pratap Singh Shah, Swarup Singh Karki was the most powerful person. Swarup Singh was more powerful than then king. Similarly, Bhimsen Thapa ruthlessly ruled the country. Jung Bahadur even established his own dynasty. In this way, rulers of Nepal's Shah Dynasty were in fear psychology. One must read the history where powerful persons overshadowed almost all Shah Kings. That may be the reason why king Tribhuwan had shown his political ambition by making himself active in power after the political change of 1950.
How long is the history of monarchy in Nepal?
Monarchy remained the integral part of Kathmandu Valley which was originally known as Nepal. Before Prithivi Narayan Shah unified Nepal, Kathmandu valley was known as Nepal. According to scripture by king Jayabardhan of Handigaun, the monarchy was here in 2 AD. Lichhivi rulers came here in around second century. The history shows that monarchy in Nepal is about two thousand years old.
How many dynasties changed during this period?
Major dynasties include Lichhivi, Thakuri, Malla and Shah.
After the abolition of monarchy, what will be the state of culture, religion and festivals in Nepal?
In every country, the festivals and cultures are tied up with the rulers. They will flourish under the protection of rulers. Nepal's culture and religion will continue to exist as history and culture are dynamic things. Of course, monarchy has been abolished but the culture and festivals are identity of the country and they will be there. If any culture cannot transform, it will lose its utility in the long run. Culture continued even after changes of several dynasties in the past and it will continue without Shah Dynasty also.
Who will perform religious and cultural roles, which till now the monarchs were performing?
President or prime minister will perform the role. In the last one year, prime minister Girija Prasad Koirala has been performing the role, which traditionally monarchs had been performing. There will be somebody who will perform the role as a head of the state. That will be his duty to fulfill the wishes of the people. If such ruler does not fulfill the cultural wishes of the people, country's identity will collapse. They should not neglect it.
After the abolition of monarchy, do you think the modern institutions will be able to keep intact Nepal as a unified nation?
Of course, it will be difficult to cope with new situation. If we want to live as an independent and unified nation, we don't have any alternative other than to live together as in the past. Like in our family, when our father or head of family dies, the new leader of family will lead it. Similarly, in the past, we were living under the protection of king and now we have to live under a new system.
Monarchy remained unifying factor for Nepal throughout its history. What will be the situation now?
Monarchy was necessary in 17th, 18th and 19th century to unify the nation because the country had not taken the shape. Now our country has taken a shape. One of the crucial things is that our state has already been built and strengthened. Nepal will be there in the geography as long as the world exists. Nepal will loose its identity only when the person likes Hitler is born again. The world's map has already taken a shape and Nepal is there as an independent and sovereign nation. Now, there is no historic necessity for monarchy as a unifying factor. Had it continued, it would definitely have provided some advantages for Nepal. Whether one likes it or not, now the political leaders have to fill the vacuum of political necessities. Prime minister and president will have to fulfill the role as a unifying factor.
As a scholar of history, how do you see the possibility of revival of monarchy in Nepal as similar things had happened in many countries around the world?
We had seen restoration of monarchy in many parts of the world. Not only in the old history of England, even in recent history there are cases of revival of monarchy. Monarchy was restored in Spain and monarchy was revived in Cambodia and Laos. Interestingly, Cambodia is a communist country. It will depend on the person of ruling dynasty and its contribution. If political leaders fail and are unable to settle the political issues, the monarchy can revive.
In all the phases of history, the people in Kathmandu have obeyed the person in power denouncing their past. What kind of culture is that?
Our system is feudal and people were uneducated, thus, barbaric. Not only in Malla period, even in Shah period there were many instance of barbarism. Sher Bahadur Shahi assassinated his brother king Rana Bahadur Shah.
Don't you think the society of Kathmandu is power-oriented?
Nepali society is highly power-oriented society. Look at our culture, festival and religion, we always worship power. Whether it is Dashain festival, Durga puja or Ganesh Puja, we worship power. Once Girija Prasad Koirala is out of power, there will be no one behind him. He has a large number of follower now because he is in power. Prachandaji will also have to face similar situation. This is very power centric and self centric society. There is no morality among educated people. A friend can easily turn into a foe. Every one knows one needs power and money to be respected. Every one wants power to make money. We always see minus points once he or she is out of power.
Some people have been saying that abolition of monarchy ends feudalism?
It is very difficult to define feudalism. Monarchy is not just a part of feudalism. Feudalism is related to land. There are many feudal. I don't think feudalism will be uprooted just by the abolition of monarchy.
How do you see the rise of family dynasties in South Asian politics? Don't you think it is the continuation of feudalism?
Not only in Bangladesh, Pakistan and India, Nepal too has Koirala dynasty. Koirala family has political influence since 1950. King Tribhuwan appointed Matrika Prasad Koirala as a prime minister. B.P. Koirala was first elected prime minister and G.P. Koirala brother of B.P and Matrika Prasad Koirala was longest serving prime minister. In Koirala family, there is a person who wants to maintain legacy like in Nehru family in India, Bhutto family in Pakistan and two former prime ministers of Bangladesh. There is a legacy factor in South Asia. Since we live in a monarchical system there is a legacy and mentality to worship powerful families. Why did Prakash Man Singh emerge after the death of Ganeshman? There is a human weakness as one cannot generalize this. Why Rajiv Gandhi was brought into politics after the death of Indira Gandhi? And, again after his death, Sonia became a leader and now her son, too, is going to be a leader. This is human weakness.
Is there any case in Nepal where the monarchy was revived through foreign intervention?
There were incidents in the past. The Lichhivi king Narendra Dev was brought back by Chinese. In recent case, Rana Bahadur Shah came to Nepal with the backing of East India company. Similarly, Tribhuwan was brought back with support from India. After king Tribhuwan took asylum in Indian embassy, India started to involve in internal politics of Nepal. This is the weakness of our leaders. Those who want to do politics on his own are also termed as anti-Indians. Even B.P. Koirala was termed anti-Indian.
