Ancient history of Nepal

Nepal is a country with a rich and fascinating ancient history. While much of this history remains shrouded in mystery, archaeological and historical evidence suggest that Nepal has been inhabited by human beings for at least 10,000 years.

One of the earliest known civilizations in Nepal was the Kirat people, who are believed to have lived in the region from around 700 BCE to 300 CE. The Kirat people were followed by the Lichchhavi dynasty, which ruled Nepal from around 300 CE to 600 CE. During this time, Nepal was an important center of Buddhist culture, and many Buddhist temples and monuments were built throughout the region.

In the 7th century, the Licchavi dynasty was replaced by the Thakuri dynasty, which ruled Nepal until the 12th century. During this time, Nepal was divided into numerous small kingdoms, each ruled by a local king.

In the 12th century, the Malla dynasty came to power in Nepal, and they ruled the region until the 18th century. This was a period of great artistic and cultural development, and many of Nepal’s most famous temples, palaces, and monuments were built during this time.

One of the most famous Malla-era monuments is the temple of Pashupatinath, which is considered to be one of the most sacred Hindu sites in the world. Other famous Malla-era temples include the Changu Narayan Temple, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and the Patan Durbar Square.

In the 18th century, Nepal was invaded by the Gorkha kingdom, which was ruled by the Shah dynasty. The Shah dynasty established the modern state of Nepal and ruled the region until the mid-20th century, when Nepal became a democratic republic.

While much of Nepal’s ancient history remains shrouded in mystery, the region’s rich cultural heritage is still visible today in its many ancient temples, monuments, and palaces. These historic sites continue to draw visitors from all over the world who are interested in learning more about Nepal’s fascinating past.