Despite its small size, Nepal is an ancient nation with a glorious history. The origin of Nepal is shrouded in mystery giving rise to different conflicting theories. The nation was known by the name of Satyavati in the Satya Era, Tapovan in the Treta Era, Muktisopan in the Dwapar Era and Nepal in the Kali Era, according to Hindu scriptures. As per the oral history, the first rulers of the country were the Kirats. However, there is a general lack of sufficient documented archeological evidences from that period. The Kirats were displaced by the Lichchhavis, whose rule is proved by the troves of archeological findings, including engraving, stone tablets, coins and antique sculptures. They were superseded by the Malla dynasty from the late 9th century whose rule lasted until they were vanquished by King Prithvi Narayan Shah in 1768 AD. According to the Nepali history, the period before 880 AD is known as Lichchhavi era, while the period between 880 AD and 1768 AD is known as the Medieval era. The Nepalese calander year “Nepal Sambat” starts from the year. Kings of the Thakuri and Malla clans had ruled Nepal after Lichchhavis.
The country was united under the central rule from the Kathmandu valley during the Lichchhavi era. However, this was not the case in the middle ages, when the country was disintegrated into dozens of minor kingdoms under the Mallas. There were 22 principalities, collectively known as the ‘Baise Rajya’ in the western-most Karnali region, while the near-Western Gandaki region was ruled by the 24 princely states known collectively as the ‘Chaubise Rajya’. These fractious states, along with the 3 major city states of the Kathmandu valley, were in a state of perpetual war, and borders never remained constant. By the late 18th century, the existence of so many small kingdoms within such a small area raised the risk of foreign domination. The colonial British, who were consolidating their grip on India at that time, had also set their eyes on the strategically placed region. During such a crucial time the small kingdom of Gorkha started a campaign to unite the naion. According to the history Gorkhali King Narabhupal Shah started the campaign a little earlier than 1740, but when his son King Prithvi Narayan Shah ascended the throne the unification campaign started in earnest. The king also considered as the builder of the nation had made a huge contribution to the unification campaign. Shah died leaving his unification drive still unfinished, but has successors continued his work. Queen-mother Rajendra Laxmi Shah, Prince Bahadur Shah and King Rana Bahadur Shah also made significant contribution aided by thousands of brave commanders and soldiers. The rule of the shah dynasty in Nepal lasted for 240 years, until the last shah king , Gyanendra Shah, was dethroned by the people’s movement of 2006, the country was declared a republic on May 30,2008.
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