147,516

km² Area

30M+

Population

Kathmandu

Capital

Nepali

Language

NPR

Currency

+5:45

UTC Timezone

History of Nepal

From ancient kingdoms to a modern republic, Nepal's history spans thousands of years of civilization, conquest, and transformation.

Ancient Period (Before 1000 CE)
  • 563 BCE - Birth of Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) in Lumbini
  • Licchavi Dynasty rules Kathmandu Valley (400-750 CE)
  • Development of early Nepali civilization and trade routes
Medieval Period (1000-1769)
  • Malla Dynasty rules the Kathmandu Valley
  • Valley splits into three kingdoms: Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur
  • Golden age of art, architecture, and culture
  • Construction of famous temples and palaces
Shah Dynasty & Unification (1769-1846)
  • 1769 - Prithvi Narayan Shah unifies Nepal
  • Establishment of the Shah monarchy
  • Anglo-Nepalese War (1814-1816) with British India
  • Treaty of Sugauli defines modern Nepal's borders
Rana Regime (1846-1951)
  • Jung Bahadur Rana establishes hereditary prime ministership
  • 105 years of autocratic Rana rule
  • Nepal remains isolated from the outside world
  • Limited modernization and development
Democratic Era (1951-Present)
  • 1951 - Democratic revolution ends Rana rule
  • 1959 - First democratic elections
  • 1960-1990 - Panchayat system (partyless democracy)
  • 1990 - People's Movement restores multiparty democracy
  • 1996-2006 - Maoist insurgency and civil conflict
  • 2008 - Monarchy abolished, Federal Republic declared
  • 2015 - New constitution promulgated