Nepali Nationalism Vis-a-vis Sylvain Levi’sNepal: Hindu Adhirajyako Itihaas November 2013epali Nationalism Vis-a-vis Sylvaievi’sNHitihaartII)andBKoirala’sB.P. Koiralako Adalatko Baya–TulsiRijal 2013 (Part II)and B.P. Koirala’sB.P. Koiralako Adalatko Bayan

Abstract

This researchwork is a study on nationalism. It briefly reviews the western interest on Nepal and analyzes western scholars’ contribution in the formation of modern Nepali nationhood in the light of the theories on nationalism propounded by various scholars such as Earnest Renan, Benedict Anderson, Partha Chatterjee, Mike Featherstone, Gopal Balakrishna, Jose Itzigsohan, B.P. Koirala etc. It mainly focuses upon Sylvain Levi’sNepal:HinduAdhirajyakoItihaas(partII) and B.P. Koirala’s B.P. Koiralako Adalatko Bayan.Levi portrays several signs, symbols, memories, myths of Nepal in his book. In this modern era, since the dynastic and religious allegiance declined, and language became a weak means of national intigrity, these signs, symbols and imageries presented through print contribute its people to imagine their nationhood. Thus, by recognizing and spreading those imageries to all the people who own them he contributes to strengthen Nepali nationalism. Similarly, B.P. Koirala forwards the alternative national narration that stood in contesting relation with state led discourses even in the time when most of the people were illitrate. His idea on nationalism is very modern or convincing-and it helps us to understand the dynamics of Nepali nationalism.