Nepal carries long history of
civilization, culture, tradition, politics and heritage. Eve
-n 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.
