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The Nepal Nexus: An Inside Account of the Maoists, the Durbar and New Delhi
This racy, comprehensive account of Nepal traces the recent history of the country, including the impact of the Maoist 'people's war', the palace massacre, the end of monarchy and developments in the Terai region. Sharma profiles all the major players involved and also analyses the trajectory of Nepal-India relations. This is a must-read for all those interested in the contemporary events in the Indian subcontinent.
494 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 24, 2019
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219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 13, 2020
I didn't find anything new in this book, may be because I've been following up on Nepal's geo politics and have read the original work in Nepali back in 2013. If you have read 'prayogshala' then don't read this book. You know almost everything described here.
As the writer is one of Nepal's finest reporter, he offers a wider perspective on the civil war, maoist and the politics of constitution making in Nepal.
If you haven't read the original one in Nepali then you should definitely read this updated book to understand the modern day Nepal and it's recent political developments.
The added chapters on the process of constitution making, and blockade in 2015 adds value to this edition.
A must read for Nepal enthusiasts.
As the writer is one of Nepal's finest reporter, he offers a wider perspective on the civil war, maoist and the politics of constitution making in Nepal.
If you haven't read the original one in Nepali then you should definitely read this updated book to understand the modern day Nepal and it's recent political developments.
The added chapters on the process of constitution making, and blockade in 2015 adds value to this edition.
A must read for Nepal enthusiasts.
March 1, 2020
this book is a MUST-READ. to people who wish to know about the nepalese politics and how external forces and the internal forces were and still are manipulative in terms of determining the future of nepal, this book shouldn’t be kept away- at any cost. the brutal truth about the heinous and self-centered play for power in politics from every single actors involved in the revolution of any sort, not for the country and the country people but for the sake of chair is described in this book in a chronological manner which makes it easier for the readers to understand the political context of nepal from the initiation of maoist led armed conflict to the present oli government. i love how the writer has presented the series of event and provided persuasive explanations yet left rooms for the readers to question and build their own opinions. this has made it intriguing and full of insights. if you love your motherland, this book will make you scoff, it will make you laugh, it will make you swell with pride at some instances and still, it will make you extremely sad for the inability of nepal to bloom in its power. it will definitely make you want to work and legit work for building your own nation because no one else is going to. you will want to protect your motherland and fight for it because it has created you, given you identity and there is this time now, that you need to be firm in your roots and stand up for it. all for the love of nepal.
December 27, 2022
Covers a turbulent couple of decades of politics in Nepal. The narrative is pacy, overcoming the sometimes mind-numbing detail. Of use of anyone interested in Nepal's recent history and local geopolitics.
June 15, 2020
Written by one of the leading editors in Nepal, the book provides a comprehensive account of the recent past and present of Nepali politics and geopolitics. The author had a ringside view of the developments of the last 2+ decades within Nepal. For anyone interested to know about political developments in Nepal and make sense of the many political parties, their alignments and re-alignments, the role of monarchy and the Indian establishment, this is a great book to read.
June 10, 2021
"What actually happened between India and Nepal that two countries connected through culture, religion and history could diverge so tragically and painfully that in spite of so many ties they have become estranged to become bitter enemies." I as many other readers always wanted a comprehensive narrative to actually find out how did the two countries reach where they are today and there I came across this book and what an eye opener. The author effortlessly is able to narrate how Nepal transformed from a Hindu Monarchy to a secular communist state because of immature and preconceived interference from a secular and insecure India, a cunning China and a vily PAKISTAN and selfish communist party of Nepal who assumed that their aspirations were the same as the common Nepalese people. This book almost like a fiction narrates how India nurtured an alien idea of communism even when it was itself reeling from left wing extremism to prop up a pro India dispensation but at the end it was India which was played and the result still hurts India Nepal relationship. The author with his deep understanding of Nepali politics and unrestricted access to both sides of the divide is very deliberate in presenting his understanding of how it all started and how things spiralled out of control and reached where they are right now. This book is highly recommended for anyone wanting to understand Indo Nepal politics in one book.
June 5, 2020
Nepal has gone through a lot of political turmoil since 1950. A selfish durbar and incompetent political leaders were key to destabilize the country internally. And our great south neighbor India, who greatly capitalize every opportunity it got to showcase its dominance in Nepal. Finally Maoiats, who at first appeared to rise to a determined mission to transform the nation towards progress and unity, lacked the capability of perseverance at every critical moment. A true showcase of personal interest prevailing above the whole country's interest.
This book gives a proper inside account of the political turmoil in Nepal. A must read for young Nepalis.
This book gives a proper inside account of the political turmoil in Nepal. A must read for young Nepalis.
May 28, 2021
I was recommended by my Nepalese friend to read this to know in details the events of two decades from start of a rebellion to finally reaching a new federal Republic. By far the best and honest journalistic endeavor.
Though it looks Nepal is still looking for a visionary leadership as the past recorded by Sudheer Sharma in this book reveals that political actors were just pettit players trying to promote self (ego and interest). Recommend to those who didn't follow the events of last 20 years (from 1996 to 2015) and specially for journalists, how a reporting is done without taking sides.
Though it looks Nepal is still looking for a visionary leadership as the past recorded by Sudheer Sharma in this book reveals that political actors were just pettit players trying to promote self (ego and interest). Recommend to those who didn't follow the events of last 20 years (from 1996 to 2015) and specially for journalists, how a reporting is done without taking sides.
March 15, 2020
As a kid, I read all the events in papers. But I couldn't connect the dots. It was fun to know what happened (assuming whatever is written actually happened). I recommend the book to anyone who is interested in Nepali politics 101. It was a real page turner. There are two most funny events from the book:
1) Birendra always used to speak English with the politicians
2) Gyanendra says Girija is corrupt, Girija retorts saying Gyanendra might have a hand in Palace massacre.
1) Birendra always used to speak English with the politicians
2) Gyanendra says Girija is corrupt, Girija retorts saying Gyanendra might have a hand in Palace massacre.
December 4, 2020
This book written originally by a Nepali journalist and translated later into English giveaway a clear view of the power weilded by RAW and its impact in Nepalese politics from as late as 1950. It explains of the changed Nepalese policies towards India due to India's influence in the region. But its a geopolitical fact Nepal can't survive without India however it may align itself with China.
To know more , go through the book .
To know more , go through the book .
June 23, 2020
I really liked the way the facts have been compiled and presented in this book. This will be a go-to book to understand how Nepal was micromanaged by South Block in New Delhi and all the political turmoils that happen in between.
September 10, 2021
The book is a must-read for someone who would like to know about the recent political history of Nepal. The book might not hold any new information if one is following Nepali politics, but for someone who hasn’t, this book gives a good insight into the political unfolding in Nepal.
February 12, 2021
The accounts of events and details is similar to large extent as in प्रयोगशाला. So for Nepali readers who've already read प्रयोगशाला, buying this book may not be of worth.
June 2, 2021
Decades of India's intervention into Nepal's politics, from micromanaging the policies of Nepal for its benefits . The book gives very good insight of Nepal's politics and its development.
July 4, 2021
A must-read to know about India thoughts on Nepal as well as Maoist insurgency 1996-2006
December 5, 2025
Book Review: Sudheer Sharma's The Nepal Nexus.
This is perhaps one of the most gripping long reads I've ever completed. A book stretching over 500 pages, yet I devoured 'The Nepal Nexus' in just four days. Nepal has long been one of my favourite countries, but its extraordinarily complex political and social landscape has always felt like an enigma to me. Sudheer Sharma's masterful work finally untangles that knot.
The book chronicles two momentous decades of modern Nepali history with astonishing clarity and depth: the people's war (Jana Yuddha) of the 1990s, the decade-long Maoist insurgency, the dramatic abolition of the monarchy, and the turbulent transition to a republic.
Sharma traces every twist and turn: the armed rebellion, the ideological shifts and betrayals among the Maoist leadership, India's expansionist agendas, and the broader regional power play. What makes it so special to me is that this is a well articulated "inside account."
The author had extraordinary access: interviews with top Maoist commanders, politicians across the spectrum, Indian and Chinese officials, palace insiders, and ordinary Nepalis caught in the crossfire. The result is a narrative that never feels dry or academic; instead, it reads almost like a political thriller.
Strengths and failures of the Maoist movement are laid bare without romance or apology. Sharma neither glorifies the insurgents nor demonises them; he simply shows how idealism curdled into pragmatism and reactionary nationalism, and how revolutionary fervour eventually bargained its way into parliamentary power.
And a huge thanks to my dear Nepali friend who recommended it for me. If you have even a passing interest in Nepal, South Asian politics, or the messy reality behind revolutionary movements, The Nepal Nexus is an essential reading.
This is perhaps one of the most gripping long reads I've ever completed. A book stretching over 500 pages, yet I devoured 'The Nepal Nexus' in just four days. Nepal has long been one of my favourite countries, but its extraordinarily complex political and social landscape has always felt like an enigma to me. Sudheer Sharma's masterful work finally untangles that knot.
The book chronicles two momentous decades of modern Nepali history with astonishing clarity and depth: the people's war (Jana Yuddha) of the 1990s, the decade-long Maoist insurgency, the dramatic abolition of the monarchy, and the turbulent transition to a republic.
Sharma traces every twist and turn: the armed rebellion, the ideological shifts and betrayals among the Maoist leadership, India's expansionist agendas, and the broader regional power play. What makes it so special to me is that this is a well articulated "inside account."
The author had extraordinary access: interviews with top Maoist commanders, politicians across the spectrum, Indian and Chinese officials, palace insiders, and ordinary Nepalis caught in the crossfire. The result is a narrative that never feels dry or academic; instead, it reads almost like a political thriller.
Strengths and failures of the Maoist movement are laid bare without romance or apology. Sharma neither glorifies the insurgents nor demonises them; he simply shows how idealism curdled into pragmatism and reactionary nationalism, and how revolutionary fervour eventually bargained its way into parliamentary power.
And a huge thanks to my dear Nepali friend who recommended it for me. If you have even a passing interest in Nepal, South Asian politics, or the messy reality behind revolutionary movements, The Nepal Nexus is an essential reading.
November 3, 2025
A Nepali friend gifted me this book as a present after my defense. Then mass protests occurred in Nepal that toppled the government, so I decided to get around to reading this book at last.
I'm glad I did! This book did a solid job showing the history of the Nepali Maoists in the late 90s and early 2000s, and how they struggled against the Nepali monarchy (the Durbar) as well as influence from India in their effect to convert their protracted people's war into a vehicle for mass societal transformation. It covers several important moments, including the palace massacre, the 2005 coup, and the new constitution and transition to parliamentary democracy in the mid-00s well. Seeing the tensions within the various radical left formations about how to approach state power, rural/urban issues, diplomacy with India and China, and the question of Nepali nationalism and the role of the monarchy were very interesting. It also sets up well *why* the Maoists were unable to really do much with their almost 2 decades in power, and how their reliance on basically subsuming the nationalistic role the monarchy once held made them incredibly vulnerable to popular revolt this summer. Interesting book, glad to have read it!
I'm glad I did! This book did a solid job showing the history of the Nepali Maoists in the late 90s and early 2000s, and how they struggled against the Nepali monarchy (the Durbar) as well as influence from India in their effect to convert their protracted people's war into a vehicle for mass societal transformation. It covers several important moments, including the palace massacre, the 2005 coup, and the new constitution and transition to parliamentary democracy in the mid-00s well. Seeing the tensions within the various radical left formations about how to approach state power, rural/urban issues, diplomacy with India and China, and the question of Nepali nationalism and the role of the monarchy were very interesting. It also sets up well *why* the Maoists were unable to really do much with their almost 2 decades in power, and how their reliance on basically subsuming the nationalistic role the monarchy once held made them incredibly vulnerable to popular revolt this summer. Interesting book, glad to have read it!
March 3, 2023
This book extensively briefs the history of nepal post 90s. It has shown how the India has treated Nepal over the discourse of events. It reasons with the facts for the fall of monarchy, rise of revolution and Maoists and the establishment of federal republic of Nepal with its newly formed constitution. It sheds light on the political careers of many leaders but nevertheless the book can be found being biased on different events of history.
May 13, 2022
Well written. It's a balanced read and helps to understand the geopolitical status of Nepal in a borad context. Anyone willing to know how the politics and diplomacy works can benifit a lot even from an academic prospective.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews