It is one of the most common questions people ask about Nepal, and the answer is simple: no. Nepal is an independent, sovereign country with its own government, constitution, currency, flag and time zone. It was never part of British India and was never colonised.
Quick answer: Nepal is a separate country between India and China. It has close ties with India: an open border, shared Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and a currency pegged to the Indian rupee. Indian citizens can visit Nepal without a visa; most other nationalities need one.
A brief history
The modern state of Nepal was unified in the 18th century by King Prithvi Narayan Shah of Gorkha. After the Anglo-Nepalese War of 1814–1816, Nepal lost some territory under the Treaty of Sugauli but remained independent. It was ruled by kings and, for a century, by the Rana prime ministers, before becoming a democracy and, in 2008, a federal republic.
How Nepal and India are connected
- Open border: Nepali and Indian citizens can cross the border without passports or visas.
- Culture and religion: both countries share Hindu and Buddhist traditions; Janakpur in Nepal is revered as the birthplace of Sita.
- Currency: the Nepali rupee is pegged to the Indian rupee, and Indian rupees are accepted in many places, though there are restrictions on some notes; check the current rules.
- Work and army: many Nepalis work in India, and Nepali Gurkhas serve in the Indian Army.
Differences you'll notice
- Nepal's time is 15 minutes ahead of India's.
- The main language is Nepali, though Hindi is widely understood.
- Nepal uses its own calendar, the Bikram Sambat.
- Nepal's landscape ranges from the plains to the highest mountains on Earth.
Travelling between Nepal and India
You can fly between Kathmandu and Indian cities, or cross by land at border points such as Sunauli–Bhairahawa (for Lumbini) and Raxaul–Birgunj. Foreign visitors need a Nepal visa; see our Nepal visa guide.