Modernist Imagination in Nepal: A Study on Nepali Modernity in the First Half of Twentieth Century

Abstract

This dissertation aims at exploring the major ideas of Nepali modernity that took shape in the first half of Twentieth century, tracing the root of those ideas, comparing them with the ideas of European modernity and seeking the local version of Nepali modernity. The ideas of European modernity are deeply rooted to the capitalist venture and the Eighteenth century Enlightenment movement. Scientific and rational thinking, capitalistic mode of life, bureaucratization, education system, concept of nation-state, democracy, alternative ideas of socialism etc are the major concepts of European or Western modernity. In Eighteenth and Ninetieth centuries, European Imperialist missions spread throughout the world. The Imperialism remained instrumental to export these ideas of modernity to the colonies and the world. Nepali modernity, flourishing in the first half of Twentieth century, instigated its first moves from Indian territories. Calcutta, Banaras and Darjeeling were major hubs for the expatriate and migrant Nepalis. Nepali print capitalism, literary and political movements, and publications all began in those cities. Nepali activists' ideas of modernity were deeply ingrained in the Indian nationalist movement as well as the Western ideals of democracy, liberalism and capitalism that Nepali activists had learned in India. Nepali modernity hence being shaped in the first half of Twentieth century had its own mode of mimicry, innovation and localization. The shared feeling with Nepali diaspora in Indian territories and the ideas being employed in Nepal through literary, social and political movements and uprisings give a distinct character to the Nepali modernity. Today Nepal still breathes in the same ideas sowed in the first half of the Twentieth century, yet inventing its own dimensions freshly arising in recent movements and uprisings.