KATHMANDU, JANUARY 11
Nepalaya is set to launch a book titled Prithvi Narayan Shah, authored by Mahesh Raj Pant, on the occasion of Prithvi Jayanti today.
King Prithvi Narayan Shah, credited with shaping Nepal's modern history, remains a subject of extensive discussion and analysis. Author Pant, who has been leading Samsodhan Mandal-Nepal's foremost institution for historical excavation and evidence-based rewriting since the Rana era-has compiled this book after nearly half a century of research on Prithvi Narayan Shah. The book features 11 carefully selected, extensively revised articles written by Pant between 1972 and 2019, highlighting Shah's contributions and legacy.
Pant, who honed his expertise in Sanskrit, literature, and historical research at the institution founded by his father, historian Nayaraj Pant, also holds a Ph.D. in Indology from the University of Hamburg, Germany, according to the statement.
To date, he has authored 18 books and approximately 800 research articles. His academic contributions include his work with the Nepal-German Manuscript Preservation Project and research roles in France and Germany. Furthermore, Pant has served as the editor of the history-focused journal Purnima since its inception in 1964, maintaining his role for the past six decades.
Pant emphasizes that understanding Nepal's modern history necessitates a comprehensive grasp of Prithvi Narayan Shah's actions and philosophies.
"This book examines official materials from Shah's time to dispel misconceptions and uncover the realities of his reign," Pant explains. "Although there is significant interest in this subject, the lack of detailed historical documentation compelled me to compile this work into a comprehensive book."
Titled Prithvi Narayan Shah, the book includes chapters such as "Historical Consciousness of Prithvi Narayan Shah," "Hero to Antihero, Back to National Hero," "When Is Unification Day?" "Authenticity of Prithvi Narayan Shah's Counsel," "Significance of Shah's Edicts," and "Did Shah Cut Off the Noses of Kirtipur Residents?" among others. It also contains photographs and a full transcript of Shah's celebrated address, commonly known as the Divyopadesh, delivered at Nuwakot Palace before his demise, reads the statement.
On the occasion of its 20th anniversary, Publication Nepalaya has launched new initiatives, including collaborations with distinguished scholars to deliver unique works to readers.
Since January's second Saturday coincides with Prithvi Jayanti, the book will be made available in bookstores and on the e-commerce platform thuprai.com. International readers will also be able to purchase the book via Amazon following the launch.
The 133-page book is priced at NPR 495 and will be available across Nepal and online starting Prithvi Jayanti.