The Madhesi Upsurge and the Contested Idea of Nepal (SpringerBriefs in Anthropology)

This Book Is Set Against The Burning Issue Of Ethnic Uprisings In The Madhes Region Of Nepal And Analyses Debates On The Idea Of Contemporary Nepal. The Limited View Of Nepal As A Primarily Hill Nation With Nepali-speaking People Ignores The Vast Ethnic And Linguistic Diversity Of The Country. It Has Particularly Rendered Stateless The Madhesi Community Which Inhabits The Plains Bordering India And Shares Closer Cultural Affinity And Marital Ties Across The Border. Increasing Demands For Ethnic And Territorial Autonomy By The Madhesis Suggest The Need For Redefining The Idea Of Nepal And Establishing Madhesi Identity As Nepali Identity While At The Same Time Addressing The Deeply Contested Idea Of Regional Versus Social Identity In The Region. This Book Uses Narratives From The Madhesi Community Including From Prominent Madhesi Analysts And Activists, To Define Their Identity As Well As Their Aspirations In A Democratic Nepal. It Also Provides A Perspective On The Internal Dynamics Of Caste And Language Of This Region And Their Possible Impact On Consolidating Ethnic Identities In Nepal. History Of Nepal Amid Contentions: The Rise Of Medhesi Identity -- Ethnic Awakening In South Asia: Drawing Analogy With Nepal -- The Construction Of Nepali Identity: Onset Of Madhes Struggle -- Democratic Innovations, Globalisation And Identity Formation -- The Vulnerable Sovereign -- Contemporary Politics: Directions And Dilemma -- End Of A Rebellion Or Beginning Of New Era Of Revolution? Kalpana Jha. Includes Bibliographical References. Front Matter....Pages i-xvii History of Nepal Amid Contentions: The Rise of Madhesi Identity....Pages 1-7 Ethnic Awakening in South Asia: Drawing Analogy with Nepal....Pages 9-23 The Construction of Nepali Identity: Onset of Madhes Struggle....Pages 25-54 Democratic Innovations, Globalisation and Identity Formation....Pages 55-64 The Vulnerable Sovereign....Pages 65-75 Contemporary Politics: Directions and Dilemma....Pages 77-95 End of a Rebellion or Beginning of New Era of Revolution?....Pages 97-103 Back Matter....Pages 105-111