Thanks for Hemlata Rai's excellent article on Prithvi Narayan Shah ("The Great Unifier", #76). However, a few points need elaboration. Who ruled the proto-Nepal mentioned in Samundra Gupta's stone inscriptions? Were Magars recruited into the Gorkhali army to increase people's participation or merely as cannon fodder? Were they allowed to rise to positions of military, administrative and political leadership?

Wasn't the system in Patan by which ministers could replace a monarch fantastic and far ahead of anything at the time in what is modern Nepal and not something to be deplored as Ms Rai subtly does? She also mentions the reputation of the Gorkhali raja for justice and welfare. Well, he is the same person who first cultivated and then ruthlessly exploited friendship and trust with neighbouring kingdoms to advance his political ambitions. No wonder, he banished Roman Catholic missionaries from Kathmandu Valley. "Love thy neighbour" could prove very uncomfortable and embarrassing (Not that Christian imperialists themselves were practising this precept).

Ram Limbu
Sydney

Just read in your Internet edition the informative article on Prithvi Narayan Shah. However, I failed to see the logic behind the three cops hanging around at the base of the statue of the Great Unifier.

Jack Prasai
Botswana