Kingdoms Beyond the Clouds

An enthralling travel book on the Himalayas as Jonathan Gregson goes in search of the region's often elusive leaders - and meets with surprising results.

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Of the numerous Himalayan kingdoms and princely states that survived until the British left India, only two - Nepal and Bhutan - are now fully-fledged sovereign states. The others have been annexed or otherwise 'integrated' into their larger neighbours. Yet in many cases, the royal family survives and remains the focus of local traditions and loyalties. Jonathan Gregson has travelled widely throughout the Himalayan region, to Bhutan, Nepal, Sikkim, Mustang and Dharamsala, in search of their kingly rulers. Kingdoms Beyond the Clouds is the story of these journeys and of his conversations with these often elusive leaders - some of whom scarcely ever grant interviews to outsiders.

'A delightful and thought-provoking read about a fascinating part of the world' Mark Tully