Chapter I: Front Matter

This ebook was transcribed by Les Bowler.

[Picture: View of the Temple of Bouddhama]

AN ACCOUNT OF
THE KINGDOM OF NEPAL

AND OF THE TERRITORIES
ANNEXED TO THIS DOMINION BY THE

HOUSE OF GORKHA.

_FRANCIS BUCHANAN HAMILTON_, M.D.

* * * * *

ILLUSTRATED WITH ENGRAVINGS.

* * * * *

TO

THE MOST NOBLE

RICHARD MARQUIS WELLESLEY, K.G.

_&c._, _&c._, _&c._

THE FOLLOWING WORK IS INSCRIBED,
AS A MARK OF THE AUTHOR’S ESTEEM,
RESPECT, AND GRATITUDE.

CONTENTS.

Page INTRODUCTION. 1 CHAPTER FIRST. _Of the Tribes inhabiting the Territories of Gorkha._ Original Inhabitants—Hindu Colonies, their 9 period—Brahmans, History—Colony from Chitaur—Colony of Asanti—Success of Colonization in the West, in the East—Colony of Chaturbhuja—Hindu Tribes east from the River Kali—Language—Brahmans, Diet, Festivals, Offspring—Rajputs, adopted, illegitimate—Low Tribes—General Observations on the Customs of the Mountain Hindus east from the Kali—Of the Hindus west from the Kali—Of Tribes who occupied the Country previous to the Hindus—Manners—Magars—Gurungs—Jariyas—Newars—Murmis— Kiratas—Limbus—Lapchas—Bhotiyas CHAPTER SECOND. _Nature of the Country._ Division into four regions from their relative 61 elevatiom—First, or Plain Region, or Tariyani—Soil—Productions, Animal and Vegetable—Cultivation—Climate—Rivers—Second, or Hilly Region—Productions—Minerals—Forests—Birds—Vallies called Dun—Cultivation—Climate—Third, or Mountainous Region—Elevation—Climate—Diseases—Cultivation—Pasture— Sheep and Cattle—Minerals—Spontaneous Vegetables—Extent—Fourth, or Alpine Region—Vallies—Mountains—Productions, Mineral, Animal, and Vegetable CHAPTER THIRD. _Laws and Government._ Parts east from the Kali—Courts, and Forms of 101 Proceeding—Punishments—Provincial Government—Revenue and Endowments—Officers of State—Military Establishment—Differences in the parts west from the River Kali—Revenue and Civil Establishment—Military Establishment PART SECOND.

ACCOUNT OF THE PARTICULAR STATES WHICH FORMERLY EXISTED, AND OF THE FAMILIES BY WHICH EACH WAS GOVERNED. INTRODUCTION. 117 CHAPTER FIRST. OF THE STATES EAST FROM THE RIVER KALI. SECTION FIRST. _Country of Sikim._ Inhabitants—Government—Extent—History—Geography 118 SECTION II. _Dominions of the Family descended from Makanda Sen, Raja of Makwanpur._ General History—Branch of Lohango which occupied the 128 Country of the Kiratas—History—Former Government—Military Force, Police, and Revenue, and Justice—Present State—District of Morang—District of Chayenpur—District of Naragarhi—District of Hedang—District of Makwanpur—Western Branch, which occupied chiefly the Country of Palpa—History—Description—Tanahung Family and its Possessions, and Collateral Branches—Rising, Ghiring, and Gajarkot SECTION III. _Nepal Proper._ Name—History previous to the Conquest by the 186 Gorkhalis—Extent and Topography—Population—Buildings—Revenue—Trade—Coins— Weights—Measures—Agriculture—Tenures—Crown Lands—Lands held for Service—Charity Lands—Tenants—Implements—Crops—Manufactures—Price of Labour—Slaves—Diet