Erika and the King

by Erika Leuchtag

""Erika and the King"" is a heartwarming story written by Erika Leuchtag that tells the tale of a young girl named Erika who is tasked with teaching the King of Siam's children. Set in the 1860s, Erika travels from her home in Vienna to Siam to teach the children of the King. She faces many challenges as she tries to adapt to the new culture and customs of Siam, but with her determination and kindness, she gains the trust of the King and his family. Through her experiences, Erika learns about the importance of acceptance, respect, and understanding. This book is a beautiful story of friendship, cultural exchange, and personal growth that will inspire readers of all ages.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

266 pages, Hardcover

First published July 23, 2009

Reviews

[Hazeanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a saying, "Behind a successful man, there's a strong woman behind. Do you know behind the liberation of King Tribhuvan of Nepal (1906-1955) from the gilded imprisonment; there's a woman tirelessly advocated for the freedom of His Majesty and the Royal Family, which subsequently free the Nepalese people from the iron grip rule of Rana Dynasty? The woman who sow the seeds for its happening.

On that fateful Monday in November 1950, the 8th King of Nepal and his immediate family sought asylum at the India Embassy. Soldiers immediately surrounded the area.
Supplies (foods etc) to the embassy cut off. Failed in their attempt to get Crown Prince Mahendra to take residence back in the Narayanhiti Palace; by the next day Rana's regime dethroned King Tribhuvan and installed the Crown Prince's second son, the 3 years old Prince Gyanendra***(who deliberately left behind) as the new King. On 10 November, under the diplomatic protection of Indian officials, the Royal Family flown to New Delhi; welcomed by Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of India on arrival.
*** Reigned twice. 1st reign Nov 1950 - Feb 1951. 2nd reign, as the last King of Nepal 2001-2008.

The aftermath of this asylum and exile triggered the Nepalese Revolution 1951. A chain of events that toppled the 104 years tyrannical rules of Rana Dynasty. Delhi Accord were signed between King Tribhuvan, Nepali Congress and Ranas. It created a democratic constitutional monarchy, with elected representatives, no restriction on any political parties, all the political prisoners freed, weapons handed over, and interim government for the transition. King Tribhuvan returned to Nepal with the Nepali Congress members and resumed the throne. February 18th 1951, His Majesty made a historic proclamation by declaring the first step of democracy. Today this event is celebrated annually as the National Democracy Day. .

Now, let me introduce you to Erika Leuchtag, the woman who actually made the first move for it to happen. She was the physiotherapist to the Senior Queen Kanthi Rajya Laxmi Devi. She was a guest of Maharani of Patiala when enquiries came if she could accept the appointment to serve to the Queen. This is the woman, held in high regard and trusted by the King, who made her the honorary member of the Nepal royal family.

In 1949, she came to Nepal to serve her appointment; along with her servant, and a pet dog. They traveled through the mountainous route by railroad, caravan, walking, being carried in sedan chairs and lastly, by car. It was a 5 days journey from Simla (India), through the Chandragiri Pass until it reached the Kathmandu Valley. This mountainous route is now; the King Tribhuvan highway.

The government provided her with accommodation at the guesthouse Tripureshwar no 1, along with bodyguard, chauffeur, housekeeper and cooks.

Now, what do I mean by gilded imprisonment?

It's Their Majesties' state of living under the regime of Rana's hereditary rule since 1846. The direct impact of Kot Massacre which happened earlier that year. It wiped out most of other powerful clans in the country. The King and Queen went to exile and Jung Bahadur Rana consolidated unrivalled power. He had the newly installed King Surendra to hand over all ruling power in perpetuity. The Rana clan was elevated as a royalty. The Rana's Prime Minister was also the Maharaja of Lamjung and Kaski, small hilly states with united Nepal with the style of His Highness. Beside premiership, all the highest military post also held hereditary by Rana dynasty.

So, what were their conditions of living as seen or known by Erika?
1) Their Majesties' could only ventured outside the Narayanhiti palace upon permission by Rana's Prime Minister. Once given, Rana officer* will accompany the King. It was under a rare permission of family leopard hunting at the mountains, that the Royal Family managed to go to the said embassy.

2) During any official ceremony that necessitated the presence of monarch, the King was always flanked by the Premier, or other Rana officer. Probably to keep watchful eyes.

3) The king was forbidden to speak to any European without permission from prime Minister. It happened to Charles Baskerville, an American artist once commissioned to paint the official potrait of the King. According to Baskerville, throughout the whole painting session, never once King Tribhuvan said anything. Not even replied to any of his greeting. Of course, His Majesty wasn't allowed to. But Baskerville didn't know about the restriction imposed to the King.

4) Being spied upon and constantly under watchful eyes of officers who will have to submit report to the Prime Minister. All letters intercepted and never made it to the King. Even Erika had to submit her report on Queen's health and treatment. Also on her activities inside the palace while not giving treatments. Erika knew that her bodyguard was not only employed to ensure her safety, but also to watch on her.

5) The King will be summoned every Thursday to the prime minister's residence. Waiting for hours, until the Premier was ready to receive him. If there's anything needed to be discussed upon.

6) Even His Majesty himself didn't know how the royal crest looked like. Until Erika showed her the royal warrant awarded by the government to her. The seal was kept locked in Prime Minister's desk in Singha Durbar, probably since a century ago.

7) All his sons were taken away from him since young, tutored by Rana and later being arranged to marry Rana's princess. Later, his eldest son the Crown Prince Mahendra (later King Mahendra) also live in Narayanhiti Palace compound, albeit in different residence.

8) Being slandered, so nobody will not have any sympathy or question anything. What kind? Being a dissolute man, enjoying vices, debauchery, alcoholism, drug addictions.

9) Reading material allowed? Mail order catalogues from various department stores around the world. Calcutta, Paris and London. I'm sure, we Goodreads' members will go nuts if that's the only thing we could read.

This is a very valuable account because, it offering unique glimpse and view to the personal live of King Tribhuvan and his family, in a time window not known to the world. Erika luckily escaped the suspicion of Rana's administration because the Premier thought she was a naive and stupid Western lady. So, she wasn't accompanied by the royal physician when giving treatments as per original order.

There's good enough travelogue materials to be read here. Her observations of Nepalese, their social conditions, architecture, customs, religions and its related festivities is very astute and noteworthy. She's eager to learn about the country, while being neutral.

In 1949, Nepal was still very much a closed country. Earlier in that year, there was less than 20 European there. Distrustful of foreigners; which seldom seen there except for religious pilgrimage. Very much unlike now, where tourism played a major part in its economy. She went sightseeing to various natural attractions, visiting temples, hills, browsing goods at the Middle Bazaar.

I really like Erika. She's very respectful of other culture and customs. She took it as serious as her own.

I couldn't help but feeling, she loved the King. At minimum, she deeply cared from the bottom of her heart. One might ask, why she went to such length? She approached Indian high officials; revealed the plights of the King and Royal Family and requesting their oassistance. Read this book, then you will understand why I feel this way.

[Subin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The late king Tribhuvan is a revered figure in Nepal as an egalitarian monarch -- he used to be called the 'Father of Democracy'. I read about his contributions to the establishment of democracy in Nepal in the school history classes, but I didn't know much about him as a person. This book gives an intimate account of King Tribhuvan, his mannerism, attitude, hobbies, and so on. The relationship between the author and the King is also intriguing, was it just a deep friendship, or was there some romantic interests? If the accounts in this memoir are accurate, the author played a crucial role in helping the king escape the country and in the eventual end of the Rana regime in Nepal. The book is definitely a good read for those interested in the history of Nepal.

[Suyesh Bhandari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was truly a hidden gem. I wish somebody picked up Erika's story and turn it into a movie. It was intriguing to witness Nepal during the Rana rule, through her eyes. Wish more people read this and learned about her contribution that changed the course of an entire country. It's fascinating how a very small character and their small contribution make such a huge impact on history, and yet, they are either unknown or quickly forgotten.

[a.d. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always wary of reviewing books I discover through work, as they are very particular and may fall flat if not read at the right time. But Erika and the King was a pleasant surprise. It is an Exquisitely written intimate look into the life of King Tribhuvan of Nepal (1906 – 1955; for reference: the book takes place in the late 40s, after the Second World War) during the twilight of the Rana rule. Narrated by Erika, who is invited to Nepal to treat the Senior Queen, quickly strikes up a unique friendship, and perhaps something romantic as well, with the King who is a mere figurehead, lesser than ceremonial, shut away from the world – his image reduced to that of a hedonist whoremonger by the Rana propaganda.
The writing has traces of western exoticism, sure, but it gradually fades with Erika's familiarity with the family and Kathmandu – she is not writing a social novel that delves deeply into the conditions of Nepali during the Rana rule (it would be unfair to judge the book by such premeditated standards, since it is never her aim to paint that side in detail). What she does write about is the tale of a spirit caged, a spirit that dreams of breaking free and visiting the Riviera, a spirit that balances sweet melancholy with explosive hope – can it be surprising that even kings and queens have the same feelings as anybody else?

[Om Pokharel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Erika and the King is a poignant memoir by Erika Leuchtag that offers an insider's personal perspective on King Tribhuvan of Nepal. Through her vivid descriptions, she captures the melancholy and frustration that Tribhuvan felt as a mere pawn in the hands of the Rana prime ministers. This memoir provides a unique lens through which we can understand the king's personality, emotions, joys, sorrows, and sufferings. I believe that this book should be regarded as the authentic history of King Tribhuvan, as it reflects not just what historians have heard but what Erika actually witnessed.

We often learn in history classes about the roles of King Tribhuvan, the Nepali Congress, and the C-Class Ranas in overthrowing the Rana regime. However, it was only after reading Erika's account that I realized the significance of her role, which was even more crucial than that of the others.

While King Tribhuvan worked alongside Dharma Bhakta Mathema and other Nepali democracy activists, the book reveals a softer side of the king—his love and respect for his wives and daughters, and the affection they reciprocated. This humanization of a historical figure adds depth to our understanding of him beyond his political actions.

Moreover, through Erika's keen sense of observation, we are treated to vivid descriptions of Narayanhiti's majestic gardens and detailed portrayals of the people she encountered during her time there.

One striking moment in the book occurs on page 103, where Erika describes the monkey god Hanuman: "His knees and feet were black with flies clustering on the blood of sacrificial goats." It is fascinating, though, to note that the practice of offering sacrifices to Hanuman is not found anywhere in Nepal.
What makes this memoir particularly engaging is that, despite being non-fiction, it reads with the same captivating allure as a novel like दरबार बाहिरकी महारानी Durbar Bahiraki Maharani .

Overall, Erika and the King is a compelling read that combines personal narrative with historical insight, making it a significant contribution to our understanding of King Tribhuvan and the complex dynamics of Nepal's political history.

[AN · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a blend of romance, history and psychology. The relation King and Erika share is not that of lovers but there's this subtle yet undeniable chemistry between them that makes the reading quite exciting. The writer has a knack for details, crafting her lines thoroughly and with much clarity - giving the readers a vivid picture of Kathmandu in late 40s, personalities of the royal members, the covetous Ranarchy, life of the common people, her relation with her friends and people around her, and even the interiors of Narayanhiti Palace or carving details of temples she visited. Among all the details she provides, compelling are her interaction and conversation with the King - giving us an insight into his personality and psychology even. It is, however, for us readers to read between the lines and decipher how his imprisonment reflects on his attitude and approach towards his family or even his pets.

I recommend this book for anyone interested in learning about Nepal and a fragment of its history, or anyone interested in royal family and their lifestyle. What makes it gripping than any regular royal novels is that it tells a story of a linage that has endured imprisonment in their own land for more than a century. This book could also be perceptive for those simply looking to delve into human behavior and its influences.

[Nishan Baral · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in two parts ... It was quiet slow in the middle and bored me because of which it took me more than a year to open the 2nd half of the book... And once i opened it... I completed it...
The details in which erika has written this book is exquisite... One will love it from start to end... And along with it will learn about king tribhuwan, the ways of royal family and a bit of Nepalese history and a picture of Kathmandu in late 1940's or early 50's .. a very compassionately written memoir by erika leuchtag

[silverace08 · Rating 5 out of 5]

exquisitely written with a nuanced language this account is an unique contribution to the life of the royal family of nepal with insights that only someone like erika can offer to us a jewel in the lotus in its vivid description of the kathmanduvalley its people its customs and it transports the reader to another time

[kiran kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

a forgotten person who contribute directly and indirectly to change the history of Nepal.

[shishir · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good read, gives a good knowledge of how King Tribhuwan was and how beautiful Nepal was back then.

[Nini Itit · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a book with a very personal touch from Erika about her perception of Nepal, King Tribhuwan and Royal life.

[Gaurav Kapadi-Bhatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just want to make a movie out of this book.

[Sujan Shrestha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has potrayed the life of the king tribhuvan and old kathmandu perfectly