3 Review(s)

Battles of the New Republic: A Contemporary History of Nepal follows Nepal’s transition from monarchy to republic, war to peace and Hindu monarchy to a secular state. Summary of the Book Battles of the New Republic is a meticulously researched book by Prashant Jha. In the last decade, Nepal has undergone a major political transformation. Several new social groups in favor of identity-based politics have emerged into the mainstream and overturned the Hindu monarchy. This process of change has crippled the nation’s fragile polity. The first Constituent Assembly failed to draft a Constitution under stress from various forces. And the Maoists, on the other hand, started an armed revolution in Nepal which chronically paralyzed the governance initiative to solve all of Nepal’s political problems. India, being a powerful neighbor of the country, played an extraordinary role in national politics, choosing to interfere or stay away at critical junctures. The book also investigates Nepal’s status as a partly-sovereign country, and examines the anguish of having to prove one’s loyalties to one’s own motherland. Battles of The New Republic will make for an informative and educating read for those interested in the politics of Nepal. About Prashant Jha Prashant Jha is an Indian author and editor. He is working as an Associate Editor at Hindustan Times. He has done extensive research and has covered Nepal’s political transformation over the last few years. He was a political columnist for the country’s leading dailies. He was born in Kathmandu, and is currently based out of New Delhi.