ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces Nepali civil society, arguing that the notion of citizenship and civil society emerged and evolved in Nepal in conjunction with the concept of state and its successive changes. In Nepal, civil society is referred to as nagarik samaj or “citizen’s society” in contemporary discourse. Beginning with resistance to the patrimonial feudal state of oligarchy and autocracy, Nepal continues to struggle towards inclusive democracy. In this process, civil society took shape and continually transforms itself into newer forms. Tamang argues that civil society, in Nepal should be analyzed in the context of the changing nature of the state and struggle for democracy therein.
