Remittances and the reconfiguration of rural finance in Nepal (1900–1960)

Remittances have been a crucial component in the lives of Nepali people since beginning 20th century. Despite their importance, remittances only gained attention scholars and policymakers towards end More recently, become linked to global financial inclusion agenda what has termed ‘financialisation remittances’. This article proposes temporal spatial shift explore historical antecedents financialisation (1900–1960) beyond Global North focus on context rural Nepal. I investigate role reconfiguration finance social hierarchies. propose concept ‘debt-reign’ as political formation that allows analyse links between statecraft technologies, debt caste relations, remittances. Drawing document analysis, expert interviews group discussion, shows transformative power bring about: (re)negotiation relations; an emancipation from Together, these dynamics contribute power, challenging domination certain castes elites re-stratifying The analysis also highlights colonial legacies prepared ground introduce formal infrastructure areas which is fundamental contemporary financialisation.