The history of India is shrouded in antiquity. The country has been thought of as a nation of philosophers with a well-developed and even idyllic society. Excavations of sites belonging to the Harappan era show that the people lived in brick houses in towns with excellent drainage. One of the oldest scriptures in the world is the four-volume Vedas that many regard as the repository national thoughts that anticipated some of the modern scientific discoveries.
Despite formidable barriers in the form of the mighty Himalayas and oceans, India also received a succession of foreigners, many of them carrying swords and guns. But nearly all of them stayed on. Out of these waves of immigration has emerged the composite culture of India and made it a land of unity in diversity. India became a land of assimilation and learning, a land of change and continuity. The Aryans were among the first to arrive in India, which was inhabited by the Dravidians. Others who came here included Greeks, Persians, Mughal and even British, Portugese and French.
Over the years there have been many major ruling dynasties like the Shakas, the Kushans, the Maurayas and Guptas. Nearly every major religion in the world I represented in India, which is also the land of the Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira and Guru Nanak Dev, the founders of Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Despite formidable barriers in the form of the mighty Himalayas and oceans, India also received a succession of foreigners, many of them carrying swords and guns. But nearly all of them stayed on. Out of these waves of immigration has emerged the composite culture of India and made it a land of unity in diversity. India became a land of assimilation and learning, a land of change and continuity. The Aryans were among the first to arrive in India, which was inhabited by the Dravidians. Others who came here included Greeks, Persians, Mughal and even British, Portugese and French.
Over the years there have been many major ruling dynasties like the Shakas, the Kushans, the Maurayas and Guptas. Nearly every major religion in the world I represented in India, which is also the land of the Lord Buddha, Lord Mahavira and Guru Nanak Dev, the founders of Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
In its quest for modernization, India has preserved its ancient civilization and never lost sight of the ideals that gave her strength through countless centuries. Science and technology provide the tools for improving the lot of its poor; but the nation of over 900 million continues to live with some of its traditions that go back 4,000 years, and more.
In a world where nations, big and small, are breaking into micro entities, often with disastrous consequences, India has demonstrated its inherent resilience. This strength comes from its composite culture that has made India a truly vibrant democracy.
In a world where nations, big and small, are breaking into micro entities, often with disastrous consequences, India has demonstrated its inherent resilience. This strength comes from its composite culture that has made India a truly vibrant democracy.
Nepal has a long glorious history. Its civilization can be traced back to thousands of years before the birth of Christ. Modern Nepal is an amalgamation of a number of principalities which had independent entitites in the past. Before the campaign of national integration launched by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, the Kathmandu Valley was ruled by the Malla kings, whose contributions to art and culture are indeed great and unique. As the popular legend goes, the original settlers of the Kathmandu Valley were the Gopalas, the Abhiras and the Kiratas, later succeeded by the Lichchhavis, who in turn where succeeded by the Thakuris and Mallas. In 1768 A.D. the Shah dynasty ascended the throne of the unified Kingdom. His Majesty King Birendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev, is the tenth king.
The revolution of November 1950 brought to an end of Rana regime who ruled the country for 104 years since 1846 A.D. After the fall of Rana regime on February 1951, Nepal saw the dawn of democracy. The parliamentary government under the multi-party system was adopted for some years which was followed by Panchayat System since 1960. The popular demcoratic revolt of 1990 has reinstated the multi-party democratic system since April. The new democratic constitution of the Kingdom was promulgated on November 9, 1990.
The revolution of November 1950 brought to an end of Rana regime who ruled the country for 104 years since 1846 A.D. After the fall of Rana regime on February 1951, Nepal saw the dawn of democracy. The parliamentary government under the multi-party system was adopted for some years which was followed by Panchayat System since 1960. The popular demcoratic revolt of 1990 has reinstated the multi-party democratic system since April. The new democratic constitution of the Kingdom was promulgated on November 9, 1990.
