Seto Bagh-Diamond Shamsher Rana: Book Summary & Reveiw

“Seto Bagh” is a historical novel by Diamond Shamsher Rana that tells the story of the Nepalese monarchy during the 19th century Rana dynasty. The book focuses on Jung Bahadur Rana, the founder of the dynasty and Nepal’s prime minister.

The novel explores themes of power, ambition, and betrayal through Jung Bahadur’s perspective. It starts with his rise from a low-ranking soldier to Nepal’s prime minister, and how he consolidates his power by eliminating his rivals.

Throughout the story, we meet various characters with their own motivations, such as Jung Bahadur’s brothers and cousins who are also vying for power. The novel also explores Jung Bahadur’s personal life, including his relationships with his wife, mistress, and children.

“Seto Bagh” provides an intriguing glimpse into Nepalese history during the Rana dynasty. It is a must-read for those interested in Nepalese history or anyone looking for an engaging and thought-provoking novel.

Here is the table of contents for the book “Seto Bagh” by Diamond Shamsher:

Part 1: The Rise of Jung Bahadur

Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End
Chapter 2: The Attack on Birgunj
Chapter 3: The Death of Mathabar Singh Thapa
Chapter 4: The Coup Against Rajendra Bikram Shah
Chapter 5: The Rise of Jung Bahadur

Part 2: The Reign of Jung Bahadur

Chapter 6: The First Years of Power
Chapter 7: The Visit of the British Envoy
Chapter 8: The Construction of the Rana Palace
Chapter 9: The Building of the Rana Regime
Chapter 10: The Assassination of Kot Massacre
Chapter 11: The Continuing Legacy of Jung Bahadur

Part 3: The Fall of the Rana Regime

Chapter 12: The Early Years of the 20th Century
Chapter 13: The Visit of King Edward VIII
Chapter 14: The Growing Unrest
Chapter 15: The Revolution of 1950
Chapter 16: The End of the Rana Regime

Part 4: The Aftermath

Chapter 17: The Establishment of the Constitutional Monarchy
Chapter 18: The First Democratic Elections
Chapter 19: The Maoist Insurgency
Chapter 20: The Royal Massacre
Chapter 21: The End of the Monarchy

Part 5: The Future of Nepal

Chapter 22: The Challenges of Democracy
Chapter 23: The Post-Maoist Era
Chapter 24: The Earthquake of 2015
Chapter 25: The Current Political Landscape
Chapter 26: The Future of Nepal

Part 1 of “Seto Bagh” is called “The Rise of Jung Bahadur” and it covers the events that led to his rise to power in Nepal. Chapter 1 describes the declining state of the Shah dynasty, the ruling family of Nepal, and the increasing power struggles among the nobility. Chapter 2 talks about the attack by the British East India Company on Birgunj, a town on the border with India, which made the Nepali court worry about further British aggression. In Chapter 3, Mathabar Singh Thapa, one of the most powerful nobles, is assassinated, leading to more instability. Chapter 4 talks about the coup against King Rajendra Bikram Shah, in which Jung Bahadur played a major role. Chapter 5 explains how Jung Bahadur consolidated his power and established the Rana regime, which would rule Nepal for over a century.

“Seto Bagh” provides a vivid account of the political turmoil in Nepal during the 19th century. Part 1 sets the stage for the rise of Jung Bahadur Rana and the establishment of the Rana dynasty, which would shape the country’s history for many years to come. Anyone interested in the history of Nepal or political intrigue will find “Seto Bagh” a captivating read.

Part 2 of “Seto Bagh” is called “The Reign of Jung Bahadur” and it covers the years when Jung Bahadur Rana ruled Nepal and established the Rana regime. Chapter 6 explains how he consolidated his rule and implemented various reforms in the initial years of his power. Chapter 7 talks about the visit of the British envoy to Nepal, which helped establish friendly relations between the two countries. Chapter 8 details the construction of the grand Rana Palace, which symbolized the Ranas’ power and wealth. Chapter 9 explains how the Rana regime was built through the suppression of dissent and consolidation of power. Chapter 10 discusses the brutal assassination of the Nepali court known as the Kot massacre. Chapter 11 covers the lasting legacy of Jung Bahadur, who remained a powerful figure in Nepal even after his death.

“Seto Bagh” is an insightful account of the political and cultural history of Nepal during the Rana dynasty. Part 2 provides a fascinating glimpse into the reign of Jung Bahadur and the establishment of the Rana regime, which brought about significant changes in Nepalese society. Anyone interested in the history of Nepal, the Rana dynasty or the politics of power will find “Seto Bagh” an engaging read.

Part 3 of “Seto Bagh” is titled “The Fall of the Rana Regime” and covers the events that led to the end of the Rana regime in Nepal. Chapter 12 talks about the early 1900s, when the Rana regime faced many challenges from different groups. Chapter 13 details King Edward VIII’s visit to Nepal, which showed the world how isolated and undeveloped the country was. Chapter 14 talks about the growing unrest in Nepal, including protests and rebellions against the Rana regime. Chapter 15 describes the revolution of 1950, which led to the overthrow of the Ranas and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. Chapter 16 covers the end of the Rana regime and the beginning of a new era in Nepal’s history. This part of the book is a fascinating look at the changes and struggles that Nepal went through during this time.

Part 4 of the book, “The Aftermath,” discusses what happened after the fall of the Rana regime. Chapter 17 covers the establishment of the constitutional monarchy in Nepal and the early years of democracy. Chapter 18 describes the first democratic elections in Nepal and the challenges faced by the new government. Chapter 19 discusses the Maoist insurgency in Nepal, which was a violent conflict that lasted for over a decade. Chapter 20 covers the Royal Massacre of 2001, in which several members of the Nepali royal family were killed. Chapter 21 describes the end of the monarchy in Nepal and the establishment of a republic. The section explores the challenges faced by Nepal in the post-monarchy era, including the establishment of a new government, economic development, and political stability. The book provides an in-depth look at the history and politics of Nepal and is a valuable resource for those interested in the country’s past and present.

Part 5 of this article is titled “The Future of Nepal.” It talks about the current state of Nepal and what might happen in the future. Chapter 22 talks about the challenges Nepal faces with democracy. It covers corruption, political instability, and ethnic tensions. Chapter 23 talks about what happened after the Maoist insurgency ended. It covers the challenges of reintegrating former rebels into society. Chapter 24 covers the earthquake in 2015 that caused a lot of damage and loss of life. Chapter 25 talks about Nepal’s current political landscape. It covers the challenges the ruling government faces and debates over federalism and secularism. Chapter 26 explores what might happen in Nepal’s future. It talks about the potential for economic growth, political stability, and social development. The section concludes with a reflection on Nepal’s past, present, and future.