Reforms in Nepal

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 994, 10 June 1930, Page 8

Reforms in Nepal

BROTHERS’ ACHIEVEMENTS

REFORMS similar to those which brought about the downfall of King Amanullah in Afghanistan and plunged that turbulent State into a welter of bloodshed are being made successfully in little-known Nepal. Besides being famous for its Gurkha fighters, Nepal is now securing a reputation for successful legislation. These changes, which seem to mean prosperity for the active independent State in the shadows of the Himalayas, are, strangely enough, the results of the legislation of two brothers.

The more famous of these two, Sir Chandra Shamser Jang, an hereditary Prime Minister of Nepal, died only last November, but, in the brief space of time that has elapsed, his brother and successor, General Bhim Shamser Jang Rana, is known to have confirmed and consolidated the many wise reforms brought about by Sir Chandra. In many particulars, the reforms have been founded on the principles of Western civilisations, and it is curious to see success in Nepal, whose people are even more secluded than the Afghans, where stark failure has been noted in Afghanistan. Perhaps the Afghan resentment lay in the knowledge of the complete Westernisation of Amanullah and his Queen during their tour of Europe; Amanullah left his country an Oriental prince and returned in the appearance of a European administrator. The changes in Nepal, though they have, within a generation, converted a purely Eastern land into a country conducted largely on Western principles, have been more gradual. Sir Chandra Jang did not make the error of abrupt enforcements, and his brother is apparently determined to employ the same easy methods. Nepal, while it does not associate itself with British administration in India, is a firm friend of the British Empire and an observer of British methods. It seems to have been untouched by the effects of the propaganda distributed in Afghanistan, and in many states of India. PRAISE FOR BRITAIN Indeed, when General Bhim Sliamser Jang Rana was installed as Prime Minister last December, and watched troops in a march past three miles long, he referred to the British Empire in this manner: “It is a matter for much felicitation that the friendship of Nepal with our neighbour, the mighty British Government, continues as cordial as ever. I shall try my best to foster and improve this much-

esteemed and traditional friendship. We count it as a priceless asset in our uational existence.” The Government of Nepal is a military oligarchy and Royal authority is invested in the Prime Minister. No active part in the internal administration is taken by the British Resident at the capital, Khatmandu, which was founded in the eighth century, and which is chiefly known to the world as the scene of the tragedy enacted in that dire poem “The Green Eye of the Yellow God.” Across the Himalayas from Nepal stretch the wide and bleak domains of mysterious Tibet; Bhutan and Sikkim lie east; and west are the north-western provinces of India. The Gurkhas are the dominant strain in the population, and there are aborigines of Mongolic origin. ARYANISED TRAITS The Mongoloid traits and the primitive animism of the chief tribes, the Kha, the Gurung and the Mangar, have been considerably Aryanised. Hinduism is professed by the Sans-krit-speaking Mangar and Kha and the Gurung have a form of Buddhism. The fighting qualities displayed by the Gurkhas in the Great War are well remembered. Ten thousand Gurkhas were placed at the service of India, and, during the war, 55,000 recruits were received. In the war. the GurJjias used the national weapon, the kukri. One of the notable reforms achieved was the Government's' purchase and freeing of 50,000 slaves. The rite of Suttee and trial by ordeal have been abolished. Within Nepal are many famous peaks of the Himalayas, including Everest, the highest mountain of the world, and Dhaulaghiri. The hill slopes of the land are rainy and forest covered. The land is drained by the upper waters of the Gogra, the Ghandak and the San Kosi. The area of Nepal is 54,000 square miles, and the population approaches 5,700,000. The present Prime Minister of Nepal has twice been honoured by King George for his services.