L1_Pre-Historic Nepal

HISTORY OF NEPALESE ARCHITECTURE

  • YEAR III PART I

  • Lecture 1: PRE-HISTORIC NEPAL

  • Prepared by Rajani Shrestha

Epigraphic History

Early Records

  • Earliest epigraphic records found are the pillars erected in Lumbini and Nigali Sagar in 257 BC by Mauryan emperor Ashoka (269-232 BC).

  • Discovered in December 1895-96, these inscriptions indicate Ashoka's visit to pray at the spot where Lord Buddha was born.

  • Lumbini designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997.

Additional Pillars

  • Another pillar at Nigali Sagar was found with an inscription from 254 BC detailing repairs and expansion of a stupa dedicated to previous Buddha, Konakama, and Ashoka's reverence visit in 249 BC.

Ashoka Stupas

  • Five “Ashoka Stupas” located in Patan, credited to Ashoka:

    • Lagan Thura (Southern Stupa)

    • Teta Thura (Eastern Stupa)

    • Pucho Thura (Western Stupa)

    • Ibahi Thura (Northern Stupa)

Stupas and Chaityas

  • Debate exists on the origins of stupas; Slusser proposes pre-Buddhist funerary mounds, while Neils Gutschow and Tiwari disagree, suggesting they are no older than the 16th century.

  • Four chaityas linked to Ashoka: Chilancho Chaitya, Kirtipur Swayambhu Chaitya, Chabahil Chaitya, and Patuko mound of Patan.

  • The Swayambhu Purana links Ashoka’s daughter Charumati to local prince Devpala, but Indian and Sri Lankan records do not corroborate.

Later Epigraphic Records

King Jaya Varma

  • The discovery in 1992 of a stone sculpture of King Jaya Varma dated 185 AD honors him as the 4th king, aligning with other records from the Pashupati stele.

  • Prior dated document is the stone inscription of Changu Narayan by Mandeva (464 AD).

Trade Networks

  • Buddhist accounts depict monks at Sravasti indicating trade existed between India and Kathmandu Valley in the 5th-6th century BC.

  • Kathmandu connected to Uttarapatha, the northern Indian trade route, facilitating trade to the Near East through multiple routes.

  • Until the late 18th century, trade was vital for the Valley’s wealth.

Descriptions of Nepal

Literary References

  • Kautilya mentioned woolen blankets from Nepal in his work Arthasastra (244 BC).

  • Italian excavations at Hadigaon revealed built cultural remains dating back to 150 BC, suggesting urban settlement patterns aligned with economic activities.

Pilgrim Accounts

  • Hsuan-tsang, in the mid-7th century, noted merchants and agricultural rarity in Kathmandu Valley.

  • Records from 4th century AD mention 'Nepala' as a frontier state.

Historical Periods of Nepal

Classification

  • Pre-historic 1: Gopala Period (before 700 BCE)

  • Pre-historic 2: Kirata Period (circa 700 BCE to circa 78 CE)

  • Lichchhavi Period (circa 78 CE to circa 880 CE)

  • Transitional or Dark Period (circa 880 CE to circa 1200 CE)

  • Malla Period (circa 1200 CE to 1768 CE)

  • Shah Period (1768 CE to present)

Kathmandu Valley's Formation

Creation Stories

  • Early legends suggest the valley was initially a lake, later settled after draining.

  • Geological evidence shows alluvial soil indicating lake existence approx 30,000 years ago.

  • Legends like Swayambhu Purana narrate events of draining the lake and establishment of habitats for aboriginal settlers.

Settlement Patterns

  • Initial settlements likely occurred on hilltops surrounding the valley.

  • Over time, settlements moved into the valley, including areas like Balaju and Thimi.

  • The shift towards valley centers is traced back to the Lichchhavi period.

Cultural Practices and Ancestry

Indigenous Beliefs

  • Aboriginal settlers worshipped serpents, known as Nagas, who had matriarchal societies.

  • Cultural practices, such as stone worship, persist among Newars and other groups, indicating lineage to the Nagas.

Historical Ancestry

  • The Gopalas and Mahispalas identified with pastoral communities; Gopalas associated with cow herding and Mahispalas with buffalo herding.

  • They are seen as predecessors to current Newar caste system.

Villages and Matrikas

  • Villages including Satungal, Boshigaun, and Kirtipur represented settlements of Gopalas and Mahispalas.

  • Jatra festivals unite guardian goddesses at Vishandevi temple, hinting at ancient traditions.