This monograph follows up and builds on Dr Harka Gurung's Ethnic Demography of Nepal (1996) and Nepal: Social Demography and Expressions (1998), both widely cited references that have proved to be of immense help to those working in diverse fields.

The two censuses held since the 1990 restoration of democracy in Nepal have revealed a very different social picture of the country than was expounded during the earlier period of cultural and social homogenisation actively pursued by the state. Many caste and ethnic groups previously not enumerated have been allowed to claim their rightful place among the peoples of Nepal; near-extinct languages have been granted due recognition; and all religious groups have been properly documented.

 There are still voices that doubt the authenticity and impartiality of the government census. But until empirical evidence to disprove the findings of these censuses can be produced, they will have to be taken as the basis to understand the social structure of our country, as Dr. Gurung has done here.

 Dr Gurung's analysis here is not limited to the 2001 census. He refers to earlier censuses to provide a comparative study of changes in Nepal's demography to provide a comparative study of changes in Nepal's demography to provide information that should be invaluable to anyone seeking to comprehend the complexity that is Nepal. 

The author – 

Harka Gurung graduated with a BA Hons from Patna College; Post-Graduate Diploma in Geography and PhD from the University of Edinburgh. His academic assignments have included Demonstrator, University of Edinburgh; Research Fellow, School of Oriental and African Studies; Lecturer, Tribhuvan University; and Visiting Fellow, Population Institute, East-West Centre, Honolulu. He served the Nepali government as Member and Vice-Chairman, National Planning Commission; Minister of State of Education, and Industry and Commerce; and Minister of State of Tourism, and Public Works and Transport. He had done consultancy work for the Government of Nepal, ADB, ESCAP, IDRC, IFAD, IUCN, UNICEF, UNDP, UNESCO, UNRISD, USAID and The World Bank. Dr Gurung is the author of numerous books and papers. The main areas of professional interest include demography, development planning, environment, geography, sociology and tourism. He has served on the board of Lumbini Development Trust, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and International Institute of Educational Planning (IIEP/UNESCO). His last assignment was as the Director of Asia and Pacific Development Centre, an inter-governmental organisation based in Kuala Lumpur. He is presently associated with New Era, a consulting firm in Kathmandu.