Editing Kathmandu (section)

==== 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.