At the turn of the millennium; Nepal was the world's last remaining Hindu kingdom. Even the most skeptical of observers could hardly imagine that the institution of the monarchy could soon be in jeopardy. In 2001; however; Nepal's popular King Birendra was killed in the royal palace. Though the crown passed to his brother Gyanendra; the monarchy would never fully recover. Nepal witnessed an anti-king uprising in April 2006 and over the course of two years; an interim administration systematically took over all the king's duties and privileges. Most decisively; beginning in the summer of 2007 the government began blocking the king from participating in his many public rituals; sending the prime minister in his place instead.Demoting Vishnu argues that Nepal's dramatic political transformation from monarchy to republic was contested-and in key ways accomplished-through ritual performance. Mocko theorizes the role of public ritual in producing Nepal's state ideology. She examines how royal ritual once authorized kings to serve as the privileged apex of national governance and shows how in the twenty-first century those rituals stopped serving the king and began instead to authorize rule by a party-based "head of state." By co-opting state ritual; the king's opponents were able to attack the monarchy's social identity at its foundations; enabling the final legal dissolution of kingship in 2008 to take place without physically harming the king himself. All once-royal rituals continue to be performed; but now they are handled by the country's president-a position created in 2008 to take over state ceremonial functions. Demoting Vishnu illustrates how upheaval in ritual contexts undermined the institutional logic of the monarchy by demonstrating in very public ways that kingship was contingent; opposable; and ultimately dispensable.
#327407 in Books Gross Kali Nicole 2016-02-03Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 5.80 x 1.10 x 8.40l; .0 #File Name: 0190241217232 pagesHannah Mary Tabbs and the Disembodied Torso A Tale of Race Sex and Violence in America
Review
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful. Must readBy CustomerWonderful book. The construction of the text was inspired! No dry historical text here; the case was brought back to life and the analysis was woven into story in a complimentary manner that did not detract from the narrative of events. Gross' research is impressive. I am suggesting this book to everyone I know!2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. but also because it was beautifully written. In additionBy atreborI was personally a huge fan of this book for many reasons. First of all it was extremely captivating. I found it to be a page turner right from the start; not only because this case was fascinating; but also because it was beautifully written. In addition; the significance of this book is huge. It's about the only one of its kind- a book about a female black criminal in Philadelphia in the time period after the Civil War. This gruesome true story sheds a light on a part of history that is time and time again overlooked; and I applaud Kali Gross for not shying away from it. This story is meant to be talked about; and she is a trailblazer in the conversation. Would definitely recommend this book.5 of 5 people found the following review helpful. powerful and thought provokingBy MickiRaeI read this after an interview with the author was featured on the Stuff You Missed in History podcast. I'm so glad I did (I get many great reading recommendations from them). This takes a fascinating look at the role of race; gender and politics in post-Civil War Philadelphia after a horrendous crime; its investigation and trial. I recommend reading this AND listening to the author's interview on the podcast for additional perspective. Tracy B. Wilson on the podcast called it "academia and true crime" and that's the perfect description!
