NEPAL. –
I. GEOGRAPHY
N. extends along the southern (central section) slope of the Himalayas, which separates it from Tibet.Among the valleys through which the waters descending from the lofty mountain ring (at least four peaks rise above 8000 m. there, including Everest, 8880 m., the highest on the globe) flow toward the Ganges, the one traversed by the Gandok River stands out for the abundance of its crops (cereals, tobacco, oilseeds, fruit), the intensity of its livestock raising, and the number of its inhabited centers. It contains, along with the capital of the small State (140,000 sq. km.), Katmandu (110,000 inhabitants), the other major human settlements: Patan (105) and Bhagdaon (93).
Among the population (7 million inhabitants, density 50 per sq. km.), ethnically mixed (indigenous Mongoloids and Asian peoples who came from the densely populated Indian region), the dominant element is represented by a tribe of warlike Hindus, the Gurka, who subjugated the country in the 18th century and created there a strong independent monarchy, setting themselves apart from the aboriginal population also in religion (Hinduism) (Buddhists; there is a vast number of priests living in temples and monasteries).
N. constitutes a hereditary principality, governed by a military oligarchy; the territory is closed to European penetration.
II. EVANGELIZATION
At the beginning of the eighteenth century, in N., then subject to the rule of the Mogul emperor, the Capuchins had established several hospices in order to penetrate Tibet. The first foundation was at Katmandu; Patan and Batgao followed. Through the practice of medicine, they opened the way to the conversion of those peoples. In the hospice of Batgao, the Capuchin fathers opened a small church. Between 1737 and 1755, the children baptized in articulo mortis reached the number of 6,000 or 7,000. It is not known how many adult Baptisms there were, but it appears that the missions of N. at that time were flourishing (Bullarium Ordinis Min. Cap., VII, Rome 1752, p. 252). Later, the war waged by the King of the Gurkhas against the other kingdoms of N. endangered the future of the mission.In 1766 there were only 7 fathers. After winning the war in 1769, the king of the Gurkhas ordered the missionaries to leave. The Capuchin fathers then gathered the Catholics, crossed the Himalayas with them, and settled at Bettiah. On leaving N., the missionaries believed that a truce had been reached, but the gates of this Kingdom were irrevocably closed to any foreign penetration. By a decree of Propaganda dated 19 May 1893, the entire Kingdom of N. was added to the apostolic prefecture of Bettiah, now the diocese of Patna. But to this day no missionary has again been able to evangelize the land of N.