प्राचीनकालीन नेपालको इतिहास

(b) Mahispala dynasty

After the Gopala dynasty, the Mahispala (Ahir) dynasty ruled the Kathmandu Valley in the ancient period. According to the Gopalraj Vamshavali, the Gopalas were followed by the Mahispalas, who were pastoral rulers associated with cattle rearing.

Two reasons for considering the Lichhavi dynasty as a 'Golden age':

1. Flourishing of art, architecture and culture — remarkable progress in art and architecture, with the construction of temples, stupas, and palaces (e.g., the Changu Narayan temple, the Mangriha and Kailashkut palaces), along with the development of Sanskrit literature and inscriptions.

2. Political stability and economic prosperity — a strong, well-organised central administration, expansion of trade (including trans-Himalayan trade with Tibet and India), and the introduction of a land and revenue system that brought peace and economic growth to the people.

The Kirats are the first dynasty of the Kathmandu Valley for which the Vamshavalis give a regular list of rulers. According to the Gopalraj Vamshavali, they came to power after the Gopala and Mahispala (Abhira) rulers, and they are said to have ruled for several centuries (roughly 800 BCE to the 3rd century CE; the dates are traditional and uncertain).

Rulers: The Vamshavalis record about 32 Kirat kings. The first was Yalamber, the most famous, who is said to have captured the Valley from the Mahispalas and to have taken part in the Mahabharata war. Sthunko, the 14th king, is linked to Emperor Ashoka's visit to Nepal (c. 250 BCE), and Gasti, the last king, was defeated by the Licchavis.

Administration and society: The Kirats ruled through the king, assisted by clan chiefs and village heads. Society was tribal and organised in clans. People lived by agriculture, animal rearing, hunting and simple crafts. Their religion centred on nature and ancestor worship, and they are credited with early Shiva worship in the Valley.

Contribution: They created the first organised political order in the Valley and began the settlement and cultural traditions that later rulers built on. They are regarded as the ancestors of the present Rai and Limbu communities.

Decline: The Kirat rule was ended by the rise of the Licchavis, who established their rule in the Valley around the 3rd century CE.

Gopalas and Mahisapalas (Mahispalas)

The Gopalas and the Mahisapalas are the earliest dynasties of the Kathmandu Valley mentioned in the vamshavalis (chronicles), especially the Gopalraj Vamshavali. They were pastoral (cattle-rearing) peoples, as their names show: gopala means cowherd and mahisapala means buffalo-keeper. Since the evidence is mainly traditional chronicles, historians treat the dates and details with caution.

1. The Gopala dynasty

• According to the Vamshavali, the Gopalas were the first rulers of the Valley, ruling before the Mahisapalas.
• Their first king is named Bhuktaman, and the chronicle lists about eight rulers, including Jaygupta, Paramagupta, Harshagupta, Bhimagupta, Manigupta, Vishnugupta and Yakshagupta.
• The chronicle assigns them a very long total rule, of several centuries.
• They are traditionally said to have come from the cattle-rearing community and to have been devotees of Pashupati. The name Pashupati is connected with the Valley's early religious life.
• The chronicle says the Gopalas were later displaced by the Mahisapalas.

2. The Mahisapala (Ahir) dynasty

• The Mahisapalas, also called Ahir, followed the Gopalas.
• Only three kings are named: Varasimha, Jayamati Simha and Bhuvana Simha. The whole dynasty is said to have ruled for a much shorter time than the Gopalas, about 160 years.
• Their rule ended when the Kiratas, led by Yalambar according to tradition, took over the Valley.

3. Features common to both

• Their economy rested on animal husbandry and simple agriculture.
• Their rule was limited mostly to the Kathmandu Valley.
• Their religion centred on Shiva worship and local deities.

4. Historical importance and limits

• They show that the Valley was settled and organised under rulers long before the Lichchhavis.
• The sources are late chronicles with no contemporary inscriptions or coins, so many historians doubt the exact names and reign lengths. Their historical value is therefore partly legendary.

Conclusion: The Gopalas and Mahisapalas mark the earliest known phase of political history of the Kathmandu Valley. Their rule laid the base for the Kirata and later Lichchhavi periods, though more archaeological evidence is needed to confirm the chronicle accounts.

Lichchhavi King Amshuvarma (Amsuvarma)

Amshuvarma was one of the greatest rulers of the Lichchhavi period. He was first a Thakuri noble and the son-in-law (some sources say) of the king Shivadeva I, and later became a ruler himself. He ruled in the early seventh century A.D. (around 605-621 A.D.).

1. Rise to power He first served as a mahasamanta (chief feudatory) and then as regent under Shivadeva I. As Shivadeva grew weak, Amshuvarma took over the power and ruled in practice as the king, while Shivadeva remained the nominal ruler. His inscriptions are dated in the Samvat of Shivadeva and later in his own name.

2. Political achievements

• He restored the power of the state, which had weakened in the Valley, and kept the nobles under control.
• He gave Nepal a strong administration.
• He kept peaceful relations with neighbours. He is said to have given his daughter Bhrikuti in marriage to the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo, which improved relations with Tibet.

3. Administrative work

• He divided the administration into units and appointed trusted officials.
• Inscriptions list officials and titles used in his time.

4. Cultural and economic work

• He built the palace Kailashkuta Bhavana, which was famous even in China. The Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsiang (Xuanzang) wrote about it and about Amshuvarma's learning.
• He encouraged Sanskrit learning and himself wrote a Sanskrit grammar, called Shabdavidya, according to Hiuen Tsiang.
• He promoted trade and issued coins (the manank type is linked to earlier kings).
• He built and repaired temples, water spouts and rest houses.

5. Foreign relations Relations with Tibet and the arrival of Buddhism and Nepali craftsmen in Tibet during his time are mentioned. The Chinese Tang envoys also recorded Nepal during this period.

Importance Amshuvarma is remembered as a capable administrator, patron of learning and a diplomat. His reign is seen as the golden age of the Lichchhavi period.