Tatters of the King - User contributions [en-gb]

Nepal

2006-09-10T07:20:12Z

202.74.222.80:

[[Image:Nepal.jpg|right]]

Nepal is a mountainous landlocked country between [[India]] and Tibet. The border with Tibet is along the line of the Himalayan mountains and Nepal contains 8 of the world's highest mountains. The single highest mountain, Everest, lies half in Nepal and half in Tibet. The Nepalese ''Sherpa'' people are skilled mountain guides.

The terrain and climate of Nepal varies with altitude, the Southern plains beinf relatively low-lying and lush, with the Northern highlands being cold and arid.

Nepal was granted its independence from the British Empire in 1923 after a long history of supporting the British in conflicts ranging from the Sepoy rebellion to the Great War. Despite this friendship nepal has long been closed to foreigners, and those who do enter, such as diplomats and trade representatives do so by invitation of the Nepalese government and rarely see any of the country outside the capital, Kathmandu.

Nepalese culture is influenced by Tibetan culture in its Northern provinces, but these are sparesely populated and the vast majority of Nepalese are Hindu with a culture very much like that of India. Despite this Hindu domination, Nepal was the birthplace of the ''Buddha'', Prince Siddharta, and there is a sizable Buddhist minority in the North.

In the North of the country can be found the little-known, sparsely populated kingdom of [[Mustang]], which is the likely destination of [[Malcolm Quarrie]]'s [[Pilgrimage of Grace]].

India

2006-09-10T07:18:28Z

202.74.222.80:

[[Image:India.jpg|right|thumb|500px|The Indian Empire]]

The only practical way to reach [[Nepal]] is through India. Access from Tibet requires passage through high mountain passes that are closed in the winter months.

[[Quarrie]] and [[Anzalone]]'s expedition went through India.

The main port of entry into India for British Ocean Liners is the city of [[Bombay]].

Considered the 'jewel in the crown' of the British Empire, India is a bewildering mix of sights sounds and smells. Its prevalent Religion is Hinduism, though there are large Moslem, Christian, Sikh and Buddhist minorities. The caste system is still firmly entrenched, with Hindu society split into ''Brahmins'' (priests and intellectuals), ''Kshatriyas'' (warriors and nobility), ''Waishyas''(skilled men), ''Shudras'' (workers) and at the bottom of the social pile the ''Parjanya'' or untouchables.

Indian Muslim society has its own, parallel caste system.

Another major cultural feature of India is the ubiquity of arranged marriages, and the number of women of both Hindu and Moslem religion who live in ''purdah'', which means they stay in the family home and never venture out with their faces uncovered.

India is well-served by one of the world's great railway networks, and British influence is strong in the major cities, with English being widely spoken by those in high places and cricket being a national obsession.

In recent years the followers of Mohandes K, Gandhi have been agitating against British rule, the caste system and the practice of ''purdah'', but at present India remains a loyal part of the Empire.

Bombay

2006-09-10T07:18:03Z

202.74.222.80:

[[Image:Bombaymap.jpg|right|500px|thumb|The Island of Bombay]]

Bombay is one of [[India]]'s most important ports, and is the standard port of entry for the liners of the P&O and White Star lines, travelling from Europe or the Americas.

The name Bombay is from the Portuguese ''Bom Bahia'' which means 'good harbour'. The main part of the city sits on Colaba Island, one of seven inhabited islands that make up the area of greater Bombay. the highest point in the city is Malabar Hill and the Southern end of Colaba Island surrounds a fine harbour.

The climate of the city is humid, but alleviated by ocean breezes, and this made it a popular spot for Westerners to settle. Consequently the city has a strong European influence in its architecture and culture. Despite this, Gandhi's passive resistance movement is strong in Bombay and resentment of British colonialism is growing.

The city is home to India's Parsees, a group descended from Persians and known for their black skullcaps and liberal, Western ways. Many other cultures are represented though, and the majority is still Hindu.

A common way of getting about Bombay's teeming streets is by horse-drawn buggies called ''ghari''. The city is also a contradictory mix of extremely rich merchants and dirt-poor beggars, and as in any major Indian cities Westerners are constantly pestered by a mix of lepers, the maimed and the plain indolent.

[[Image:Bombay.jpg|left|260px|thumb]]