History

Historical background of Nepal

Before Nepal's emergence as a nation in the latter half of the 18th century, the designation 'Nepal' was largely applied only to the Kathmandu Valley. Thus up until the unification of the country, Nepal's history is largely the history of the Kathmandu Valley.

The Vamshavalis or chronicles, the oldest of which was written during the 14th century, are the only fairly reliable basis for Nepal's ancient history. The Vamshavalis mention the rule of several dynasties the Gopalas, the Abhiras and the Kiratas -- over a stretch of centuries. The documented history of Nepal begins with the Changu Narayan temple inscription of King Manadeva I (BC 464-505 A.D.) of the Lichavi dynasty.

Lichavi Dynasty

The Lichavis are said to have migrated into Nepal from north India in around 250 A.D. The first Lichavi king of historical importance was Manadeva 1. Another important Lichavi monarch was Anshuverma who opened trade routes to Tibet. One of his daughters, Bhrikuti, who was married to Tibetan ruler Tsrong-tsong Gompo, was instrumental in spreading the Gospel of the Buddha in Tibet and China.

Narendradeval another Lichavi king, initiated friendly relations with China and his successors laid the foundations of friendship with India by entering into matrimonial alliances with the Indian royal families. The Lichchhavi rule spanned over a period of about 630 years, the last ruler being Jayakamadeva.

Malla Dynasty

After the fall of the Lichchhavis came the Malla period during which the foundation of the city of Kantipur (later Kathmandu) was laid. The early Malla rule started with Ari Malla in the 12th century and over the next two centuries grew into a large empire.

Jayasthiti Malla, with who commences the later Malla period in the Kathmandu Valley, reigned towards the end of the 14th century. Yakshya Malla, the grandson of Jayasthiti Malla, ruled the Kathmandu Valley until almost the end of the 15th century. The last rulers were Jaya Prakash Malla, Tej Narsingh Malla and Ranjit Malla of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur respectively.

Shah Rule

The real Shah rule started in Nepal after the unification of the Kathmandu Valley by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1769.

The Rana Oligarchy (1846-1951)

Jung Bahadur, the founder of the century-long Rana oligarchy in Nepal, emerged as the most powerful leader in 1839. Their obstinacy to keep Nepal unchanged eventually led to their downfall in 1951.

King Tribhuvan Bir Bikram Shah (1906-1955)

The Rana regime collapsed and in February 1951, oligarchy gave way to democracy. King Tribhuvan thus became known as the ''The Father of the Nation'.

Panchayat System

15, 1960, King Mahendra introduced Panchayat System, as the country's partyless democratic political system. This System was intended to be based on the selection of the ruling government through the active cooperation of the whole people, and embodying the principles of decentralization.

Democratic Movement of 1990's

With tide of political changes happening around the world in the late 80's and early 90's, Nepal was also not immune from the changes. As a result of the popular people's movement in 1990, King Birendra Bikram Shah announced the inception of the new multi-party system bringing an end to the Panchayat system, instituted by his father King Mahendra Bikram Shah.