Ancient and Medieval Nepal History

Ancient Period (500 BC - 300 AD)

• The Kirat people inhabited the valley of Kathmandu, establishing the Kirat dynasty
• The Licchavi dynasty (400 BC - 750 AD) brought significant cultural and economic development
• The Licchavis introduced Buddhism and established trade relations with India and Tibet

Medieval Period (300 - 1750 AD)

• The Malla dynasty (1200 - 1769 AD) saw the rise of city-states in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan
• The Mallas developed a feudal system, built temples, and encouraged art and architecture
• Nepal was divided into three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan

Unification and Expansion (1750 - 1814 AD)

• Prithvi Narayan Shah unified the three kingdoms, creating the Kingdom of Nepal
• Shah expanded the kingdom through conquests of neighboring regions
• The Shah dynasty ruled Nepal from 1768 to 2001

Rana Rule (1846 - 1951 AD)

• The Rana family seized power and ruled Nepal as prime ministers, reducing the Shah kings to figureheads
• The Ranas introduced modernization and Westernization, but also suppressed democracy and human rights
• Nepal remained isolated from the world, with limited foreign influence

Democracy and Modernization (1951 - Present)

• The Nepali Congress, led by BP Koirala, overthrew the Ranas and established a multiparty democracy
• Nepal became a constitutional monarchy, with the Shah kings holding ceremonial roles
• Modernization efforts continued, with Nepal joining the UN and participating in international organizations
• The Maoist insurgency (1996 - 2006) and the subsequent peace process led to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a federal republic in 2008

Ancient Period (500 BC - 300 AD)

• The Kirat people inhabited the Kathmandu valley and established the Kirat dynasty.
• The Licchavi dynasty (400 BC - 750 AD) brought cultural and economic development, introducing Buddhism and establishing trade relations with India and Tibet.

Medieval Period (300 - 1750 AD)

• The Malla dynasty (1200 - 1769 AD) saw the rise of city-states in Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan, with a feudal system, temple construction, and encouragement of art and architecture.
• Nepal was divided into three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan.

Unification and Expansion (1750 - 1814 AD)

• Prithvi Narayan Shah unified the three kingdoms, creating the Kingdom of Nepal.
• Shah expanded the kingdom through conquests of neighboring regions.
• The Shah dynasty ruled Nepal from 1768 to 2001.

Rana Rule (1846 - 1951 AD)

• The Rana family seized power, ruling Nepal as prime ministers, and reducing the Shah kings to figureheads.
• The Ranas introduced modernization and Westernization, but suppressed democracy and human rights.
• Nepal remained isolated from the world, with limited foreign influence.

Democracy and Modernization (1951 - Present)

• The Nepali Congress, led by BP Koirala, overthrew the Ranas and established a multiparty democracy.
• Nepal became a constitutional monarchy, with the Shah kings holding ceremonial roles.
• Nepal joined the UN and participated in international organizations, with continued modernization efforts.
• The Maoist insurgency (1996 - 2006) and the subsequent peace process led to the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a federal republic in 2008.