Historical Background

The Kathmandu valley civilization is around 3000 years old. It has been claimed that the valley was a large pond in the early geological period and it was only when the pond was drained that the valley was ready for human settlements. There is also a legend which reinforces the story that a certain Bodhistava called Manjushree came to Kathmandu valley and cut the gorge in Chobar with his flaming sword and drained the water out of the valley making it ready for human settlement.


The fertile supported large settlements, and over the centuries different dynasties that ruled the valley patronized an urban civilization with its rich cultural heritage. Politically the present day Nepal was divided into various petty principalities and the earliest ruling class of Nepal were the Gopals, Mahispalas and Kirata dynasties who were followed by Licchavi (185-750 A. D.). The Licchavi period is known as the classical period of Nepalese history because it was during this period that art and architecture began to take shape. Trade and crafts flourished under them, and they built magnificent temples, palaces and monuments.


But it was only under the later Malla period and the early Shah period from 14th – 18th centuries the valley’s fabulous cities with their exquisite Pagoda, shikhara and stupa architecture, ornate palaces and artistic temples came to take shape in the form that we wee them today.

However, the present day neoclassical buildings were built only during the second half of the 19th century with Nepal’s first contact with the western world.


Sculptures, wood craft and stone works were the medium and means on which the expert hand and imagination of the artists acted on with impressive originality and ingenuity.


The historical monuments of the world heritage sites of Kathmandu valley are marked by the presence of three prominent architectural style namely the Pagoda, Shikhara and the Stupa style. The Pagodas are multi-tiered monuments tapering towards the top with intricate wood carving in the forms of doors, pillars, windows and struts. These ubiquitous wooden historical structures are supplemented by bronze works and stone sculptures together forming the squares and palaces with profuse representation of images of gods, goddesses, demons, beasts, mythical figures, kings and the ordinary human beings engaged in their day to day activities.

Glance of Nepal