Nepal Travel Information

Nepal has seen many rulers and ruling dynasties. The earliest rulers were the Kirantis, who ruled from 9th century B.C. to first century A.D. Legends. The chronicles mention that the Indian Emperor Ashoka had come to Nepal and visited Lumbini, the place where the Buddha was born and where he erected a huge stone pillar to commemorate his visit to that spot.

Later on, Licchavis had replaced the Kirantis, who, according to the earliest evidences in inscriptions of the 5th century A.D. found in the courtyard of Changunarayan temple which is about 15 km north east of Kathmandu, ruled this country from 1st century to 9th century A.D. This period is noted for the many temples and fine sculptures built around the Kathmandu valley.

Subsequently, the Thakuris had replaced the Licchavis and afterward, the Mall dynasty had conquered the Lichhivis and they had ruled out focusing mainly on the Kathmandu valley, which has been the residence for most Nepali rulers from time immemorial.

And next, Shah Dynasty had ruled in the country, as Prithvi Narayan Shah, the King of Gorkha, who annexed small principalities including three states in the Kathmandy valley [Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur] and unified Nepal in a single kingdom, conquering over the Mall Dynasty.