Nepal

          Nepal is an underdeveloped land locked nation of enormous cultural and ethnic diversity. It has a population of about 30000000 6000rivers and rivulets, 5000 species of vascular and 175 species of mammals and 850species of birds. Its total areas are 147881 sq km. It is 35time smaller than India and 68 times smaller than China. Its territory runs 885kms, from east to west having a non – uniform mean width of 193 kms. North to south latitude 26⁰ 22 N to 30⁰ 27 N and longitude 80⁰ 4 E to 88⁰ 2 E. Nepal is divided into three diverse ecological zones: - the Terai, Hill and Mountain. The Terai is that lowland narrow strip with rich valuable soil suitable for extensive cultivatation of food and case crops. The Terai runs from east to west along the southern part of the county occupying 21.4%of the tolal area. The Hill region lies between an attitude of 610 meters and 4,877meters above sea level. It Cover 44.4% of the total land area, including several beautiful valleys, basin, lakes, herbs and precious stones. There is also a subtropical forest including chlripine forest in the western part.

      Administratively, Nepal is divided in to five development region 14 administrative zones 75 districts and 3995 VDC

Before its unification in A.D 1768 Nepal was divided into several micro principalities. Prithivi Narayan Shah (1723-1775) master builder of modern Nepal, initiated the process of territorial integration continued even after his death in 1775 and by 1808 the frontiers of Nepal extended a distanced of approximately 1,300 miles from east to west. Unfortunately war with the British east India compahy from 1814 to 1816 led it a confinement of the Mechi River in the east and the Mahakali River in the west, the total area being 147181sq km. From 1768 onward the shah officer led a bloody coup in 1846 and established himself as de facto ruler of Nepal relegating the power of the shah king of a jure head. The Rana autocratic family rule that lasted for 104 years from 1846 to 1950, plugged Nepal into unproductiveness and complete isolation from the rest of the world.

          Newely born democracy in 1951 unfortunately receive a big jolt when the late king Mhendra (1920-1972) dismissed the elected government banned all political practice and announced a direct leadership of the king and the constitution  empowered sovereignty of the people in the crown. The panchayat rule lasted for about three decades (from 1961 – 1999) restored democracy in Nepal. The salient features of the constitution of Nepal 2047B.S (1991) assimilate constitutional monarchy, adult franchise and a multiparty system.

Geographical of Nepal

Location: - Nepal is situated in the southern slope of Himalayas between china and India.

Land area: - Present total area is 147181sq kms and Nepal’s average length is 885 kms. Its width is between 241kms

Physical features: - Broadly, Nepal is characterized by three geographical which are given below:-

1)   The Mountain and Himalayas

2)   The Hill

3)   The Terai

The Mountain areas range attitude from 8,787 meters above from sea level. This regain include the world’s most famous peak, Mountain, which is 8,848 meters above from the sea level. The hilly area is mostly between 610 meters and 4,877 meters in attitude from sea level and includes the Kathmandu valley. The Terai region of Nepal are the extension of the undo- Genetic  plain of India and form a low flat land belt  including most of the fertile and dense forest area of the country. The mountain and the hill together comprise almost 83% of the total land. The terai region comprises 17% of the total land. The Terai is known as the granary of Nepal.

Briefly introduction to Neplies culture and History

          Before the unification of Nepal, the Kathmandu valley used o is called Nepal. So, it is unification in the 18^th century by the Prithivi Naryan shah. Reference to Nepal is found in the famous Hindu epic Mahabhara to and puranes, and in the Buddhist and Jain scriptures, which established the independent entity? According to the vamshavalish, the Gopals, the Abhiras and the Kiratas ruled over a long period of the time. They are the ancient ruler of the Nepal.

Kirat Period

             The kitat period is the dawn of the Nepalies History. Lack of reliable evidence and inscriptions the kirat Period is a dark and prehistoric period of Nepalese History. No proof has been found regarding of the antiquity of the kirat People. Kitats are mentioned in the Mahabharat they are of Tibeto- Burman families living between the Himalayas and the genetic plain. According to some scholars the term kirat is a corrupt from a Kiriyat meaning fort or town .The ancient people who used to reside in for began to called kirat. Some thinks that the forerunners of the Indus valley civilization were the kirats. Some other people connected them with samer or Egypt.  When they were defeated in their original home land they migrate towards the east. One section move toward central Asia and the second toward India. In India when they were defeated by Aryans they took shelter in the Himalayan region, entered the Kathmandu valley and start out their kingdom there, likely in the 8^th century or 7^th century BC.

Lichhavis and their cultural History

        Krats king ruling in the Kathmandu valley where gradually suppressed by Lichhavis. The rulers of Vaishali established a new state in the Himalayas in the early centuries of the christen era. They were lichivis. During this period a cultural metamorphosis of sorts took place. Some off shot of the lichhivis started to worship Pashupati.  Some idols were worshipped as Siva in some form. Later, pashupati worshipped by Buddhists as avalokitsuara. During the period of Lichhavs had already established feudal patterns brought Aryan Brahmanic tradition? The Sanskrit language and also artistic feature from India. Hinduism and Buddhism   were practiced side by side and they influenced the culture of the valley.

Two major factors are responsible for the prolific   development of cultural during the Lichhavi Period. First Lichhivis rulers were not only tolerant of all ideas, religious and thoughts but also patronized all work of art and culture liberally. Second they maintained their kingdom as a trade route between India, Tibet and China and Kathmandu becomes the center of trade. Other factors that shared and contributed to the promotion and development of culture in the Kathmandu valley was agriculture. The valley replaced the practice of the shifting cultivation and the people become settled agriculturists. Geometrical farming knowledge is reflected in the temple architecture as well as in the iconography of Nepal. More ever abundant crops in the valley gave artisans ample resources and leisure to indulge in art and festivities. By the beginning of the 15^th century, the Lichavis had established an absolute monarchy in the valley. Institutions were set up to regulate and govern the liaison between the ruler and the ruled. Religious congregations as well as panchalika enjoyed.

Women were highly respected in the society. They took part in social- activities. Rajyavatti the mother of Mandeva used to take interest even in administrative matters. She was a great source of inspiration to the golden period of the History of Nepal.

    Monument of the Lichhavis

The political border of Nepal was extended greatly during the period. In order to run the administration they built monumental building like kailashkut Bhaban and Managrina.

    Administration system

Although the king was the final authority, suggestions were sought from people. A king of Minister existed and the country was divided into several administrative units power was decentralized. Justice was carried out through the legal codes.

    International relation

The lichhavis had very good relation with India, Tibet, and China. The marriage of the princes Bhrikuti was a good step. During this period culture, religion, society and art influenced the lifestyle of the people.

    Religion system

Salvaism and Buddhism coexisted in the society. The lichhavis were Hindus but did not prohibit Buddhism. The king had respect for all religious. Many Temple were constructed stone taps, well, roads, and monasteries were also constructed in many places.

Medieval Nepal and the Malla Dynasty

      Before 600 B.C there existed the small petty states of the malla king near the near the border of Nepal and India. After the Mahanirvan of Buddha, king Ajatasatru of Magadha defeated the kingdom of the Lichhavis and sakyas. As result of their defeat these groupmigrated to the Himalayan region in the north. During this period the Malla moved toward the mountain and Lichhavis fled to the Kathmandu valley. During the 13^th century A.D there was a strong Malla kingdom in Dulla in far western Nepal. King Manadeva of the Lichhavi dynasty and earlier defeated the Malla of west, so these Malla were waiting for on opportunity to take revenge. Eventually the Mallas become stronger while the Lichhavis became very malla king. He ruled from 1201 to 12196. 

Jayasthiti Malla

            King Jayasthiti Malla was a very ambitious king. He was a lover of literature and reformer and he revolutionized the social, political, economic, and religious life of Nepali society. During his period many communities of different castes from Terai had migrated to Kathmandu. Tourism was developing in the society and the traditional religious system was deteriorating (make wrong), people were becoming undisciplined and economic conditions were very bad. In the meantime, there were earthquakes, quarrels and revolts which had weekend the economic system of Nepal. Malla took strong steps to control such events with multiple reforms.

Reforms of Jayasthiti Malla

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v    Social Reforms

         Malla stratified the whole society according to the Varma system in to various casts and sub castes based on the ancient system of Hindu Philosophy. The basis of the caste system was maintained according to hierarchy occupation and commensality. The Newar community was also divided in to the various castes and sub castes. Malla made strick rules for each caste and sub caste.

v                        Religious Reforms

Jayasthiti Malla was a religious minded king. He constructed many temple and shrines and established trusts for their management and renovaton.

v    Reforms in Art

During Jayasthiti Malla’s time Newari and Sanskrit language developed equally, Poems written in Sanskrit language. He told some scholars to write dramas about Ramayan.He were very fond of songs, music, dances and painting.

v    Economic and other Reforms

Jayasthiti Malla began to systematize laws. Criminal were punished, fines were taken from such criminals. He divided the land on the basis of productivity in to four categories. He started the modern of measurement by creating measuring units such as Mana, Pathi, Pau, Dharni etc.