History of Nepal
The history of Nepal is believed to have begun in the 7th century BC with the arrival of Kiratis from the east, considered to be the first inhabitants of Nepal, who also brought Buddhism to the country. Buddhism was replaced by Hinduism in the 3rd century, when the Licchavi kings from India defeated the Kiratis. The caste system was also introduced during this period. Nepali history is divided into three categories: ancient Nepal (Licchhavi dynasty), Medival Nepal (Malla dynasty), and the Shaha dynasty.
Around the turn of the 7th century, the Thakuris took over power from the Licchavis, making Anshu Varma, the first Thakurian king. The following period was often called the Dark Ages because of the instability and invasion surrounding many parts of the reign.
The Malla dynasty began in 1200 and ended in 1769 when they were dethroned by the Shah rulers, who ruled comfortably until the 19th century. During the mid-1300s, Nepal began dividing into many small states. Prithvi Narayan Shah, the king of Gorkha, is known as the unifier who conquered many independent hill states, even taking over three Malla kingdoms within the valley and was successful in extending the territory even further in the 18th century. In 1846, the Kot Massacre, orchestrated by Jung Bahadur Rana, brought Ranas into power. The Ranas, who ruled Nepal for 104 years, are often criticized for leading Nepal into poverty. In the 1950s, the Shah Kings, who had virtually no power during the Rana rule, came back into power. King Birendra succeeded King Mahendra in 1972, who in 1990 approved constitutional monarchy for the first time.
After the royal massacre in 2001, Gyanendra, brother of King Birendra, was made king. However, he was ousted by the People's Revolution in 2006. Nepal was declared a Federal Democratic Republic secular state in 2008. Nepal's history is old and diverse.
