Although Nepal has been portrayed as an isolated country during the 19th century, the large number of reports written by Nepalese envoys stationed at various posts in South Asia offers a new perspective on Nepal’s engagement with the outside world. These reports not only reflect the Nepalese durbar’s efforts to forge alliances with the independent kingdoms in the region—especially after Nepal’s defeat in the Anglo-Nepalese War (1814–1816)—but also serve as evidence of its wide-ranging interest in all manner of political, military, technical, and cultural information—particularly regarding the European colonial powers. Therefore, this body of documents offers insights into the perceptions of Nepal’s political elites regarding foreign affairs and into the crucial role envoys played as cultural brokers and mediators between the Nepalese government and the colonial state.
Reports from foreign lands
DNA_0001_0021: An arjī by Jasapāu Thāpā regarding Raṇajita Siṃ’s failure to achieve victory (undated)
DNA_0002_0054: A report from Candraśekhara Upādhyāya to Bhīmsena Thāpā and Raṇadhvaja Thāpā regarding British military activities (undated, probably 1811)
DNA_0002_0019: An arjī sent by Bam Śāha from Almora regarding British-Indian army casualties in the Battle of Nālāpānī (VS 1871)
DNA_0002_0085: A report by Candraśekhara Upādhyāya to General Bhīmasen Thāpā and Kājī Raṇadhvaja Thāpā regarding a meeting with the governor-general and hostilities between the British and the Marathas [VS 1874]
DNA_0002_0111: A report from Patna by Candraśekhara Upādhyāya regarding Gajarāja Miśra’s death and British overtures of friendship (VS 1874)
DNA_0002_0066: A report from Umākānta Upādhyāya to Bhīmasena Thāpā regarding Ochterlony’s death, etc. (VS 1882)
DNA_0002_0016: A letter from Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya, Devarṣi Upādhyāya, Nāhāra Siṃ Thāpā, and Śālīgrāma Siṃ to Bhavānībhakta Siṃ Khatrī regarding the British predilection for puppet theater (VS 1888)
DNA_0002_0008: A letter from Saṃgada Siṁ and Raṇasura Bhaḍārī to Bhīmasena Thāpā regarding the battle at Bharatpur (VS 1882)
DNA_0002_0044: An arjī from Sāligrāma providing a political report from Patna (VS 1891)
DNA_0002_0022: A report sent by Subbā Caturbhuja Malla from Almora detailing newsworthy events in 1836 CE
DNA_0001_0030: An arjī from Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya regarding the arrival of Prince Henry of the Netherlands in Calcutta (VS 1894)
DNA_0002_0005: A letter from Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya regarding the departure of Governor-General Auckland on a tour and the reassignment of the secretaries (VS 1894)
DNA_0002_0109: An arjī by Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya regarding his meeting with the governor-general (VS 1894)
DNA_0004_0034: A letter from Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya providing a report from Calcutta (VS 1894)
DNA_0005_0028: A letter written from Calcutta by Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya regarding political, military, and geographical information on the British presence in South Asia (VS 1894)
DNA_0001_0032: An arjī by Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya providing a political report from Calcutta (VS 1895)
DNA_0001_0075: An arjī from Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya regarding a conversation with James Prinsep (VS 1895)
DNA_0003_0046: A letter from Lakṣmaṇa Śarmā to Rājaguru Raṅganātha Pauḍyāla regarding activities involving the Mughal emperor and the British resident in Delhi (VS 1895)
DNA_0003_0049: An arjī on the British procurement of grain supplies from Indian rulers (VS 1895)
DNA_0003_0083: A report on various incidents in Delhi, Jaipur, Lahore, and Kabul (VS 1896)
DNA_0001_0068: A report by Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya on his efforts to provide materials regarding a meeting between Raṇajit Siṃha and Lord Auckland to the palace, and British reactions to an alleged Nepalese border violation (VS 1897)
DNA_0004_0031: A letter from Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya regarding the receipt of diplomatic documents and military events in Afghanistan (VS 1897)
DNA_0001_0097: A letter from Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya regarding the departure of the governor-general from Calcutta, a meeting with the governor-general’s secretary, and the British victory in the Battle of Kabul (VS 1899)
DNA_0004_0036: A report from Lokaramaṇa Upādhyāya to Māthavara Siṃha Thāpā on political developments in Sindhia following the Gwalior campaign of 1843 (VS 1900)
Nepal’s missions to China
DNA_0003_0047: An arjī by Jagatsera Khatrī Chetrī regarding his journey through Tibet and China (VS 1925)
DNA_0004_0009: An arjī from Jagatsera Khatrī Chetrī regarding his journey through Tibet and China (VS 1925)
