Kathmandu Then and Now

Kathmandu Then

Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, has a rich history and cultural heritage reflected in its name. 

In the indigenous Newar language, known as Nepal Bhasa, Kathmandu is called Yen, derived from Yambu, which historically referred to the northern part of the city. 

The Nepali name Kathmandu originates from Kasthamandap, a traditional wooden pavilion located in Kathmandu Durbar Square. 

This structure, known as Maru Satta in Newari, was built in 1596 by a craftsman named Biseth during King Laxmi Narsingh Malla’s reign. 

It was notable for its construction entirely out of wood, without any iron nails, and legends claim all the timber came from a single tree. 

Sadly, Kasthamandap was destroyed in the April 2015 earthquake but has since been reconstructed.

In historical manuscripts, Kathmandu was referred to as Kāṣṭhamaṇḍap Mahānagar, meaning “The Great City of Kāṣṭhamaṇḍap,” which shows the cultural significance of this pavilion. 

Kathmandu has also been known as Kāntipur in medieval times, a name rooted in Sanskrit where Kānti means “beauty” or “light,” and Pur means “place,” giving it the meaning “City of Light.” 

Among the Newar people, other major cities like Patan and Bhaktapur are called Yala and Khwopa, respectively. 

This rich linguistic and cultural heritage highlights Kathmandu’s diverse history as a center of tradition, architecture, and religious importance in Nepal.

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Kathmandu History

Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, has a deeply rooted history that spans ancient civilizations, legendary origins, and various ruling eras that shaped its rich cultural and architectural heritage. 

Archaeological excavations in Kathmandu have uncovered remnants of early settlements, with the oldest finding being a statue from Maligaon dating back to 185 AD. 

Other discoveries include ancient bricks inscribed with Brahmi script at Dhando Chaitya, estimated to be around 2,000 years old. 

Stone inscriptions scattered across heritage sites in Kathmandu serve as vital records of the region’s early history. 

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The first Western reference to Kathmandu appears in the account of Portuguese Jesuit Father João Cabral, who, in 1628, described “Cadmendu” after visiting the Kathmandu Valley.

According to traditional legends, Kathmandu was once submerged under a vast lake known as Nagdaha, which was believed to be inhabited by snakes. 

Bodhisattva Manjushri is said to have drained this lake, creating the city of Manjupattan and establishing Dharmakar as ruler. 

Another myth credits Lord Krishna with draining the valley again after the lake reformed due to a demon’s obstruction, thus enabling human settlement.

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Early historical accounts refer to Kathmandu as Nayapala in the Shiva Purana, a name linked to its revered Pashupati Shivalinga.

Kathmandu’s documented history begins with the Licchavi era, around 400 AD after the Licchavi rulers from Vaisali defeated the Kirats, who were the valley’s Indigenous rulers. 

During this period, Buddhist monks fled to Kathmandu after the Shakya genocide and established monasteries that gave rise to Newar Buddhism, a Sanskrit-based Buddhist tradition that continues to this day. 

The Licchavi ruler Gunakamadeva is credited with formally founding Kathmandu by merging the settlements of Koligram and Dakshin Koligram, designing the city in the shape of Manjushri’s sword. 

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Kathmandu soon became a trade hub between India and Tibet, attracting artisans whose work significantly influenced the architecture of the valley.

The Malla era succeeded the Licchavis, beginning a time of rapid urban and cultural development. 

This era saw the rise of fortified cities within the Kathmandu Valley, including Kantipur, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and Kirtipur, which each served as separate capitals within the Malla Confederation. 

These cities competed in architecture, art, and culture, leading to remarkable structures like the Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. 

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The kings of this period supported public works, waterspouts, and educational institutions, as well as gut his (trusts) to manage cultural and religious activities. 

This era also saw cultural exchanges with India, Tibet, Persia, and even Europe, which influenced Kathmandu’s unique fusion of styles and traditions.

Kathmandu’s Malla rule ended in 1768 following the Gorkha conquest of the valley, marking the start of modern Nepal. 

The Gorkha rulers, led by King Prithvi Narayan Shah, established Kathmandu as the capital of the newly unified country. 

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This shift centralized power in Kathmandu, and during this time, buildings like the nine-story Basantapur tower were constructed, blending traditional Nepali architectural styles with military innovations introduced under Bhimsen Thapa. 

However, persistent warfare and international conflicts impacted Kathmandu’s economic growth, particularly its trade with neighboring countries.

Rana’s rule began with the Kot massacre in 1846, establishing a regime that would dominate Nepal for over a century. 

The Ranas allied with the British, adopting Western architectural styles, which is evident in buildings like Singha Durbar and the Garden of Dreams. 

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They also introduced infrastructure such as the New Road, Nepal’s first modern street, and the country’s first modern institutions, including Durbar High School, Trichandra College, and Bir Hospital. 

However, the Rana regime was marked by economic exploitation, limited access to education for the general population, and religious oppression. 

This period left a lasting impact on Kathmandu, shaping it into the modern metropolis it is today.

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Kathmandu Now

Kathmandu, officially known as Kathmandu Metropolitan City, is not only Nepal’s capital but also its most populous urban center. 

As of the 2021 census, the city itself is home to 845,767 residents across 105,649 households, while its surrounding metropolitan area encompasses approximately 4 million people. 

Nestled in central Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, the city sits at an elevation of 1,324 meters (4,344 feet) above sea level, which adds to its unique climate and scenic views, surrounded by lush hills and historic landscapes.

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Geographically, Kathmandu is situated in the northwestern part of the valley, north of the Bagmati River, and covers an area of about 50.7 square kilometers (19.6 square miles). 

The city’s average elevation is around 1,400 meters (4,600 feet), lending it a cooler climate than Nepal’s lowland regions. 

This area has been a center of settlement and cultural development for centuries, as it is flanked by several other municipalities, including Lalitpur (Patan) to the south, Kirtipur to the southwest, and Madhyapur Thimi to the east. 

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To the north, Kathmandu’s urban sprawl reaches into several additional municipalities, such as Nagarjun, Tarakeshwor, Tokha, Budhanilkantha, Gokarneshwor, and Kageshwori Manohara.

The city also forms an urban area interconnected by a ring road, connecting it seamlessly with its neighboring cities, especially Lalitpur, creating a sprawling metropolitan area. 

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Beyond these boundaries, Kathmandu’s metropolitan influence extends to nearby municipalities like Bhaktapur, almost encompassing the entire Kathmandu Valley. 

This interconnected urban environment has led to a blend of modern and traditional lifestyles, where historic architecture and temples coexist with modern buildings and infrastructure, reinforcing Kathmandu’s role as the heart of Nepalese culture, history, and governance.

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