Nepal carries long history of civilization, culture,
tradition, politics and heritage. Even Kathmandu
valley was thought to be under the primordial lake.
Legend goes that the Vipaswi Buddha, a holy one,
came and sat on the hill of Nagarjun to meditate.
Inspired, he planted the lotus seed in the lake.
Later it bloomed but not with ordinary blossom, a
blue flame emanated from it and illuminated the
image of Swayambhu, “The self-existent one”.
Furthermore the Bodhisattwa Manjushri came here all
the way from Tibet to meditate and with his sword;
he cut the gorge at Chovar in one stroke, thus
draining the water from the valley. Its early
History rested in legend and myths. However; it was
definitely inhabited long before 7 or 8 BC .from
where starts the political history of the country.
Kathmandu , the present capital of Nepal was
governed by different dynasties .
The presence of the Kirati who came from East &
believed to be of the Mongolian origin was the first
record of the valley as far as the establishment of
powerful kingdom is concerned.
Then Licchavis ruled the valley for long period and
they left very good examples of their love for Arts
and Crafts in the forms of Temples and other
structures. In other words Licchavis were the people
who raised the enthusiasm for arts and crafts in the
heart of the inhabitants and the examples of the
same can be seen embodied in the heart and soul of
the people living here It was during the period of
the Licchavis, Araniko, the master of wood carving
went to China to spread the essence that was born in
Nepal in the form of Pagoda architecture. The first
stone inscription for the history dated 464 AD. was
from the one of the king of this period. After the
downfall of the Licchavis Mallas. Who came from the
Indian territories were the ones to give continuance
not only to the political history of this country
but also to the continuance of the spread of the
arts and crafts through the addition of more temples
and other structures. They brought all the practices
of Hindu religion and irrigated with their own
customs in the valley. Social as well as family life
got a chance to breathe ethical air as they based
the system of the whole society on the Hindu
principle of living a pious and meaningful life.
Still it is worthy to note that their influences can
be seen in each and every corners of this city and
also in the life of every person. Their love for the
art proved the model city till the date.
The rule of the Mallas was followed by rule of the
Shahs from Gorkha of which the foundation was laid
by Prithivi Narayan Shah in 1768 AD with his
energetic work of Unification of this country lying
in the lap of the mighty Himalayas. The country that
remained divided for centuries got a chance to merge
into one creating a unified Nepal. It had been a
tough task as the people were divided not only
politically but the main factor behind such
diversity was the ethnicity, culture, tradition,
heritage and way of life. The process of unification
was started from Gorkha in 1745 AD. Many worthy sons
of this country added their service to the pious
work of unification and the fragrance of the same
has been enjoyed by many since the unification. Now
the country is divided into different administrative
regions and the country is practicing the multiparty
democracy after the advent of Democracy in the year
1990 AD. |