Understanding Nepali Nationalism

Abstract

This article explores the foundations of Nepali nationalism and its articulation in contemporary Nepal. It makes informed readings of the historical antecedents of Nepali national identity and argues that Nepali national identity was forged in an attempt to create and maintain a boundary with 'outsiders'mainly India and China. Data collected through online content analysis of the editorial commentary pages of two Nepali print media, followed by in-depth interviews, show that in the changed political context, the boundary still persists though its narrative has changed. This article argues that the expression of Nepali nationalism can be understood as the maintenance of this boundary; its forms and articulation shaped by the changing political contexts.

Making Sense of Nepal’s Nationalism: Implications for the India–Nepal Relationship

“…His project to advance a monolithic sense of 'Nepaliness' by promoting the Nepali language and culture attempted to reduce the importance of other languages and cultures that many Nepalis shared with India, thereby attempting to create a cultural boundary between the two countries. Such initiatives contributed to creating and maintaining India as the 'Other' (Bhandari, 2016). Accordingly, Nepal instituted policies that were aimed at reducing Indian presence and influence in Nepal.…”

A Rumour of Empire: The Discourse of Contemporary Hindu Nationalism in Nepal

“…Historically, the lion's share of suspicion fell on India, but in recent years the suspicion has expanded to include a general sense of foreignness. This practice has had the effect of making an externally oriented, threat‐based iteration of Nepali nationalism a dominant form in recent years (Bhandari ). The influx of foreigners supporting Nepal's post‐conflict transition served in part to bolster the claims of those concerned with the influence of foreigners.…”