Editing Kathmandu (section)

=== Ancient history ===

The ancient history of Kathmandu is described in its traditional [[myths]] and [[legend]]s. According to the [[Swayambhu Purana]], present-day Kathmandu was once a huge and deep lake named "[[Nagdaha]]", as it was full of snakes. The lake was cut drained by [[Bodhisattva]] [[Manjushri]] with his sword, and the water was evacuated out from there. He then established a city called Manjupattan, and made Dharmakar the ruler of the valley land. After some time, a demon named [[Banasura]] closed the outlet, and the valley again turned into a lake. [[Krishna]] came to Nepal, killed Banasura, and again drained out the water by cutting the edge of Chobhar hill with this [[Sudarshana Chakra]]. He brought some cowherds along with him, and made Bhuktaman the king of Nepal.<ref name=prehistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.kathmandu.gov.np/index.php?cid=4&pr_id=4 |title=History |access-date=12 December 2009 |publisher=Government of Nepal |archive-date=7 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107015826/http://www.kathmandu.gov.np/index.php?cid=4&pr_id=4 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="travel">{{cite web |url=http://www.newatravels.com/nepal/index.html |title=History:Ancient Nepal |website=Newa Travels and Tours |publisher=New Travels and Tours Ltd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090721111831/http://www.newatravels.com/nepal/index.html |archive-date=21 July 2009 |access-date=18 December 2009}}</ref><ref name="nepalmandal.com">{{cite web |last=Apr |url=http://www.nepalmandal.com/content/7752.html |title=Article:झीसं पत्याः यानाच्वनागु अन्धविश्वास – Author:विपेन्द्र महर्जन Nepalmandal |publisher=Nepalmandal.com |date=21 April 2010 |access-date=15 January 2012 |archive-date=3 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203210240/http://www.nepalmandal.com/content/7752.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Kotirudra Samhita of [[Shiva Purana]], Chapter 11, ''Shloka'' 18 refers to the place as Nayapala city, which was famous for its [[Pashupati]] Shivalinga. The name Nepal probably originates from this city Nayapala.

Very few historical records exists of the period before medieval [[Licchavi (kingdom)|Licchavi rulers]]. According to [[Gopalraj Vansawali]], a genealogy of Nepali monarchy, the rulers of Kathmandu Valley before the Licchavis were [[Pala empire|Gopalas]], Mahispalas, Aabhirs, [[Kirati people |Kirat]], and Somavanshi.<ref name="nepalmandal.com"/><ref>Article:गोपालराज वंशावली Language: Nepalbhasa, Journal:नेपालभाषा केन्द्रीय विभागया जर्नल, Edition:1, Date: 1998, pp. 18–25, 44</ref> The Kirata dynasty was established by [[Yalambar|Yalamber]]. During the Kirata era, a settlement called Yambu existed in the northern half of old Kathmandu. In some of the [[Sino-Tibetan languages]], Kathmandu is still called Yambu. Another smaller settlement called Yengal was present in the southern half of old Kathmandu, near Manjupattan. During the reign of the seventh Kirata ruler, Jitedasti, Buddhist monks entered Kathmandu valley and established a forest monastery at [[Sankhu]].[[File:Kathmandu durbar square.jpg|thumb|Kathmandu Durbar Square, 1852]]
[[File:Boudha Stupa IMG 7804 2018 36.jpg|thumb|The eyes of [[Boudhanath]], a [[World Heritage Site|UNESCO World Heritage]],<nowiki/> associated with the relics of [[Kassapa Buddha]] and [[Shakyamuni Buddha]]|220x220px]]
[[File:Gautam buddha statue.jpg|thumb|Seated [[The Buddha|Buddha]] statues in [[Swayambhu (architecture)|Swayambhunath]], one of the ancient pilgrimage sites of Kathmandu]]
[[File:Kaal Bhairav at Hanumandhoka.jpg|thumb|Temple of [[Bhairava|Kala Bhairava]], a fearsome form of [[Shiva]], worshipped by both Hindus and Buddhists as the 'lord of time and death' at [[Hanumandhoka Palace Complex|Hanumandhoka palace]] of [[Malla (Nepal)|Malla era]]]]
[[File:Nepaul valley map 1802.jpg|thumb|Scan of map of Nepaul, present-day Kathmandu Valley and surrounding areas in Nepal, reduced from original map by [[Francis Buchanan-Hamilton]] and Charles Crawford from surveys in 1802.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://kathmandupost.com/miscellaneous/2017/12/30/the-first-map-of-nepal |author=Sanyukta Shrestha |date=2017-12-30 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230203064042/https://kathmandupost.com/miscellaneous/2017/12/30/the-first-map-of-nepal |url-status=live |publisher=The Kathmandu Post |archive-date=2023-02-03 |title=The First Map of Nepal}}</ref>
]]

==== Licchavi era ====

The Licchavis from [[Vaishali (ancient city)|Vaisali]] in  modern-day [[Bihar]], migrated north and defeated the [[Kirat people|Kirats]], establishing the Licchavi dynasty, circa 400 AD. During this era, following the genocide of [[Shakya]]s in [[Lumbini]] by [[Virudhaka (raja)|Virudhaka]], the survivors migrated north and entered the forest monastery, masquerading as Koliyas. From Sankhu, they migrated to Yambu and Yengal (Lanjagwal and Manjupattan) and established the first permanent Buddhist monasteries of Kathmandu. This created the basis of [[Newar Buddhism]], which is the only surviving Sanskrit-based [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] tradition in the world.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dsbcproject.org/manuscripts/short-history |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130414141212/http://www.dsbcproject.org/manuscripts/short-history |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 April 2013 |title=A Short History of Sanskrit Buddhist Manuscripts |publisher=Dsbcproject.org |access-date=24 November 2013}}</ref> With their migration, Yambu was called Koligram and Yengal was called Dakshin Koligram<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kathmandu.gov.np/Page_Ward+No.+23_38 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622181813/http://www.kathmandu.gov.np/Page_Ward%2BNo.%2B23_38 |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 June 2012 |title=Kathmandu Metropolitan City |publisher=Kathmandu.gov.np |access-date=24 November 2013}}</ref> during most of the Licchavi era.<ref name="काष्ठमण्डप कि होममण्डप">{{cite web |url=http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/gopa.detail.php?article_id=37878&cat_id=22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706165415/http://www.gorkhapatra.org.np/gopa.detail.php?article_id=37878&cat_id=22 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 July 2012 |title=काष्ठमण्डप कि होममण्डप |publisher=Gorkhapatra.org.np |access-date=24 November 2013}}</ref>

Eventually, the Licchavi ruler [[Gunakamadeva]] merged Koligram and Dakshin Koligram, founding the city of Kathmandu.<ref name="काष्ठमण्डप कि होममण्डप" /> The city was designed in the shape of ''Chandrahrasa'', the sword of Manjushri. The city was surrounded by eight barracks guarded by [[Ajima]]s. One of these barracks is still in use at [[Bhadrakali Temple (Kathmandu)|Bhadrakali]] (in front of [[Singha Durbar]]). The city served as an important transit point in the trade between India and Tibet, leading to tremendous growth in architecture. Descriptions of buildings such as Managriha, Kailaskut Bhawan, and Bhadradiwas Bhawan have been found in the surviving journals of travellers and monks who lived during this era. For example, the famous 7th-century Chinese traveller [[Xuanzang]] described Kailaskut Bhawan, the palace of the Licchavi king [[Amshuverma]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ekantipur.com/kantipur/news/news-detail.php?news_id=224549 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120203517/http://www.ekantipur.com/kantipur/news/news-detail.php?news_id=224549 |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 January 2012 |title=राष्ट्रपति अचानक ग्यालरीमा &#124; कला र शैली &#124; :: कान्तिपुर |publisher=Ekantipur.com |access-date=15 January 2012}}</ref> 

The trade route also led to cultural exchange as well. The artistry of the Newar people—the indigenous inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley—became highly sought after during this era, both within the Valley and throughout the greater Himalayas. Newar artists travelled extensively throughout Asia, creating religious art for their neighbours. For example, [[Araniko]] led a group of his compatriot artists through [[Tibet]] and China. [[Bhrikuti]], the princess of Nepal who married Tibetan monarch [[Songtsen Gampo|Songtsän Gampo]], was instrumental in introducing Buddhism to Tibet.

==== Malla era ====

[[File:Kathmandu 1811 high (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Skyline of Kathmandu, {{c.|1811}}|205x205px]]
The Licchavi era was followed by the [[Malla (Kathmandu Valley)|Malla era]]. Rulers from [[Tirhut]], upon being attacked by the [[Delhi Sultanate]], fled north to the Kathmandu valley. They intermarried with Nepali royalty, and this led to the Malla era. The early years of the Malla era were turbulent, with raids and attacks from [[Khasas|Khas]] and [[Turkic peoples|Turk Muslims]]. There was also a devastating earthquake which claimed the lives of a third of Kathmandu's population, including the king [[Abhaya Malla]]. These disasters led to the destruction of most of the architecture of the Licchavi era (such as Mangriha and [[Kailashkut Bhawan]]), and the loss of literature collected in various monasteries within the city. Despite the initial hardships, Kathmandu rose to prominence again and, during most of the Malla era, dominated the trade between India and Tibet. Nepali currency became the standard currency in trans-Himalayan trade.

During the later part of the Malla era, Kathmandu Valley comprised four fortified cities: Kantipur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur. These served as the capitals of the Malla confederation of Nepal. These states competed with each other in the arts, architecture, esthetics, and trade, resulting in tremendous development. The kings of this period directly influenced or involved themselves in the construction of public buildings, squares, and temples, as well as the development of waterspouts, the institutionalisation of trusts (called [[guthi]]s), the codification of laws, the writing of dramas, and the performance of plays in city squares. Evidence of an influx of ideas from India, Tibet, China, Persia, and Europe among other places can be found in a stone inscription farom the time of king [[Pratap Malla]]. Books have been found from this era that describe their [[Tantra|tantric]] tradition (e.g. Tantrakhyan), medicine (e.g.&nbsp;Haramekhala), religion (e.g.&nbsp;Mooldevshashidev), law, morals, and history. Amarkosh, a Sanskrit-Nepal Bhasa dictionary from 1381, was also found. Architecturally notable buildings from this era include [[Kathmandu Durbar Square]], [[Patan Durbar Square]], [[Bhaktapur Durbar Square]], the former durbar of [[Kirtipur]], [[Nyatapola Temple|Nyatapola]], [[Kumbheshwar Temple|Kumbheshwar]], the Krishna temple, and others.