State Formation and its Socio-Political and Economical Dimensions

         

From the point of view of human settlement, we can understand that human beings had lived in Nepal from the ancient time. Looking at Nepalese society and culture from the point view of state formation, Nepal was an independent and an indivisible state from the ancient time itself. People of Aryan and Mongolian origin lived here. Aryans had come to Nepal from the north while Mongolians had come here from south. The main reason for this could bs that Nepal was geographically rich and diverse, rich in resources and was fertile seen from historical point of view Nepalese society was Kabila type. Those Kabilas were mainly aboriginal and related with Aryan and Mongolian dynasties. This is a two fold division . Those Kabilas were mainly aboriginal and related with Aryan and Mongolian dynasties. This is a two fold division. Those Kabilas changed rapidly in Nepalese society during Kirant period. At that time refugees and immigrants entered Nepal. Lichchhavis, Shakays, Kolias and Mallas had entered Nepal during the same time (Upprety and Thapa 2053). Before the entry of Kirants and Khas people like Kali and Bhil of Ashtol dynasty used to live in Nepal. In the Sixth and 7th centuries B.C. states like Devdaha, Ramgram and Kapilvastu had been established in the western Terai of Nepal and Mithila had been established in southern terai (Dahal and Khatiwada, 2057).

Looking at Medieval, Nepal it becomes clear that the rulinh system of the stat was influenced by Hinduism. Specially, Jayasthiti Malla tried to convert Nepalese society into Hindu caste system. According to which, the then Nepalese Society was dividend into 4 Varnas and 64 castes. The influence of this could be seen on state mechanism. The impact of Hinduism on Nepalese society can be seen from that time. Politically, Nepal of Medieval and Mallas period was divided into multiple status. While twenty-two and twenty-four states had already developed in Nepal, Kathmandu valley was dividend into Kantipur,Bhadgun and Lalitpur.

Internally, the divided Nepal represented different regions, ethnicities and castes. There were distinct state systems, economic strued the self-pride and national integrity of Nepal. The territory of Nepal became ctures and socio-cultural practices. But the East india Company that had established it empire in india had set its eyes on this diversity of state structure. It also wanted to spread its empire to Nepal. Though Nepali’s were successful in defeating the imperialists by attacking them from Hilly regions, they had been advancing on different parts of the Terai region. Sugali treaty was signed between Nepal and East india Company in 1815 A.D. This weakened the self-pride and national integrity of Nepal. The territory of Nepal became narrower. Nepal’s dependence on British India and then on India increased and their pressure on Nepal still exists. The unequal Sugauli treaty in the cause behind this.

The disintegrated Nepal was later annexed to the Hilly powerful state Gorkha under the leadership of Gorkha. It was a great success for the leading King Prithvi Narayan Shah. This process resulted in maintaining the dominance of Hilly Khas state over other various ethnic states. Right from that time the interference of center on different social, cultural and economic systems increased. Control of the center continued on local tax collection systems, sources of income and natural resources. The low level development of today’s Nepalese society can be attributed to that historical process. With this process of centralization then Gorkha kingdom (state) controlled all the other small states and helped to increase their dependence on the center. As an example of this we can take Kipat system which later came to an end. Through the same process, central law became powerful and community systems became useless. The system of working in the community developed through state mechanism. 

Following works done in the process of National building with the centralization of Nepal.

1. Central independent state system (mechanism)
2. Nepali as national language
3. Hindu kingdom (Hinduization)
4. Economic reform

This process created a situation where these was the influence of Hill Khas on the process of national building. In addition to this their was also the impact of central policies and programs on the community level subsistence economy.

The lost land of Nepal couldn’t be regained even after the British left India. Though Nepal was not a colony externally, the rulers were not able to win the heart of the people. Their concern was more for power than the interests and welfare of the masses. In this sense, the internal political leadership of Nepal was similar to the Indian expansionist nature. Neither the Nepalese government nor the Indian, they did not want to talk about history which would weaken their power and position. The impact of these events can still be seen on the political powers of Today’s Nepal. It has negatively impacted Nepalese economic development.