Histroy

Ancient Nepal

Nepal is first mentioned in the late Vedic text, Atharvaveda Parisista as a place exporting blankets, and in the post-Vedic Atharva Siras Upanisad. In Samudragupta's Allahabad inscription it is mentioned as a bordering country. The 'Skanda Purana'(One book among 18 books of Puran) has a separate chapter known as 'Nepal Mahatmya', which "explains in more details about the beauty and power of Nepal." Nepal is also mentioned in Hindu texts such as the Narayana Puja (Holy ceremony of Hindus).

According to Gopal Vansawali, the genealogy of Nepalese monarchy (Country ruled by King and Queen), and the earliest settlers in Nepal were supposed to be Gopalas, followed by Mahispala, followed by Kirata. Tibeto-Burman people probably lived in Nepal 2,500 years ago however, there is no archaeology evidence of Gopala, Mahispala or Kirata rulers other than later documents (Lichchavi and Malla era) mentioning them.

Around 500 BC, small kingdoms and confederations of clans arose in the southern regions of Nepal which started unification. From one of these, the Shakya polity, arose a prince named Siddharta Gautama (traditionally dated 563–483 BC), who later renounced his status to lead an ascetic life and came to be known as the Buddha ("the enlightened one"). It is believed that the 7th Kirata king, Jitedasti, was on the throne in the Nepal valley at the time. By 250 BC, the southern regions came under the influence of the Mauryan Empire of northern India, and Nepal later on became a nominal vassal state under the Gupta Empire in the fourth century BC. Beginning in the 3rd century BC, rulers called the Licchavis governed the Kathmandu Valley and surrounding central Nepal.

There is a quite detailed description of the kingdom of Nepal in the account of the renowned Chinese Buddhist pilgrim monk Xuanzang, dating from 645 BC.

The Licchavi dynasty went into decline in the late eighth century, probably due to Tibetan dominance, and was followed by Thakuri era, from 879 BC (Nepal Samvat 1), although the extent of their control over the country is uncertain. In the 11th century it seems to have included the Pokhara area.

Etymology

Etymology

“Ne” Muni

Local legends say that a Hindu sage namied "Ne" established himself in the valley of Kathmandu in pre-historic times and that the word "Nepal" came into existence as the place protected ("pala" in pali) by the sage "Ne". According to the Skanda Purana , a rishi called "Ne" or "Nemuni" used to live in Himalaya. In the Pashupati Purana, he is mentioned as a saint and a protector. He is said to have practised meditation at the Bagmati and Kesavati rivers and to have taught there. It is also known as Gorkha Land. It is said that during the WORLD WAR brave Nepali showed their unexpected bravery so Nepal is also known as the ‘GORKAH LAND’.

Origin of Nepali

The word "Nepal" is believed by most scholars to be derived from the word "Nepa" which refers to the Newar kingdom, the present day Kathmandu Valley. In early Sanskrit sources (Atharvaveda Parisista) and in Gupta period inscriptions, the country is referred to as Nepala. The Newars of present day Nepal, the inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley and its peripheries, were referred as "Nepa-mi" (citizens of Nepa) before the advent of Shah Dynasty. Citizens of Nepal are also Gorkhali.