Kathmandu History dates back to 5th century AD with the emergence of the Lichavi dynasty. The inscriptions on the walls of Changu Narayan Temple testify the existence of Lichavi Kingdom under King Manadeva I who ruled from 464 AD To 505 AD. The Lichavis were succeeded by the Malla dynasty and thereafter by the Shah rulers till the 19th century.
Kathmandu Lichavi Dynasty
The Lichavis migrated from north India to Nepal towards the middle of the 3rd century AD. King Manadeva I was the first recognized ruler of the Lichavi dynasty, who reigned from 464 AD to 505AD. Anshuverma was another renowned king of this dynasty. Anshuverma established trade inks between Kathmandu and Tibet. He married his daughter Bhrikuti to Tibetan ruler Tsrong-tsong Gompo. Bhrikuti was instrumental in spreading the teachings of Lord Buddha in China and Tibet.
The other noted rulers were Narendradevlal who strengthened ties with India and China, and Jayakamdeva, the last Lichavi king. The Lichavi household entered into matrimonial alliances with royal Indian families. The Lichavi reign lasted for a period of around 630 years.
Kathmandu Malla Regime
In the history of Kathmandu, the Malla regime has played a significant role. Malla rule started in 12th century AD with Ari Malla in Kantipur, presently Kathmandu. Till the next two hundred years the kingdom of the Mallas grew prosperous and famous. Jayasthiti Malla was the most prominent ruler of this dynasty towards the close of the 14th century. He introduced many administrative, economic and social reforms. Land survey and allocation was done afresh. Sanskrit was introduced at all levels of administrative activities.
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After Jayasthiti Malla, his grandson Yakshya Malla gained fame as an able administrator and a considerate king. After his death in the end of the 15th century, the kingdom of Malla was divided into three independent kingdoms, namely, Bhaktapur, Patan, and Kathmandu. These kingdoms got further sub-divided into twenty-two and ultimately twenty-four principalities (Chaubisi).
Shah Dynasty of Kathmandu
The Shah Dynasty in Kathmandu shot into prominence with the ascendancy of Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1743. Prithvi Narayan Shah, who succeeded his father King Nara Bhupal Shah of Gorkha race, felt the importance of a unified kingdom. Accordingly, he annexed Nuwakot, Kuti Pass, hills around Kathmandu, and Kiritpur. Prithvi Narayan Shah defeated the combined forces of Jaya Prakash Malla and the British in 1768. By 1769, Prithvi Narayan Shah annexed Bhaktapur and Patan also. Consequently, the people of Kathmandu accepted Prithvi Narayan Shah as their undisputed ruler.
King Prithvi Narayan Shah was successful in bringing the different ethno-religious groups together. This helped in establishing a closed-door economic policy for his kingdom against the British regime, which had established itself in India quite strongly by then.
Subsequently, between 1814 and 1816, a series of battles was fought between the Nepalese and British armies, with the Nepalese army finally succumbing to the superior British force. In 1816, the Treaty of Sugauli was signed between these two parties. Nepal was given the territory between the rivers Mechi in the east and Mahakali in the west.
Kathmandu history, since the 5th century till the 19th century, has been very eventful and attractive to all historians and travelers.
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