Lichchhavi Dynasty of Nepal

The Lichchhavi ran a republican rule in Baisali, Bashadh of Mujaffarfur India. During the 1st century AD, monarchy got hold in the area and they got defeated by King Ajaat Shatru. Then they entered into Nepal Valley as refugees. In fact, Lichchhavi was the name of the king of Ayoddhya of India, who was the eighth descendent of famous Surya King Dasharath. 

According to the 790 BS inscription of Jayadev II at Pashupatinath, Supushpa became the king after 12th generation of king Lichchhavi and was ahead of Jayadev, by 23rd generation. Thus many scholars believe that Supushpa had established the Lichchhavi rule in Nepal in around the 3rd century AD. 

However, others who regard 1st century AD as the beginning of this rule, believe Jayadev I as the first Lichchhavi king. The factual history of Nepal commenced after Mandev, son of Dharmadev and 16th generations after Jayadev I, ascended the throne.

The Lichchhavi rule in Nepal is regarded as the golden age because during this very rule, Nepal entered into the new era of social, economic, political, linguistic, literacy, architectural and cultural development. 

The Lichchhavi rule is famous for many reforms, development and welfare works like architectural construction of Mangriha, Kailaskut Bhawan, Bhadradhibas, Changunarayan Temple, the systematic inscription of historical records for the first time; introduction of independent currency, republican system of governance, organized social life, developed education, foundation of unique Nepali culture and the like.

Based on the historical evidence, there have been a long chain of Lichchhavi kings who are Jayadev I, Haridatta, Brishadev, Shankardev, Dharmadev, Mandev (521-562 BS), Basantadev (563-589 BS), the dual rule of Basantadev – Rabigupta, the joint rule of Ramdev – Kramalil, Gangadev – Bhauma Gupta, Shivadev I (641-661 BS), joint rule of Shivadev – Amshubarma, Amshubarma (662-678 BS), Udayadev (678-681 BS), dual rule of Dhrubadev – Jishnugupta, Bhimarjundev (688 BS), Jishnugupta, Narendradev (702-726 BS), Shivadev II, Jayadev II, Bhashkardev Burma, Baladev or Balantadev (1107-1119 BS), Shankar (1125-1135 BS), Bamadev, Shivadev III, Mahendradev (1184-121 BS), Anandadev, Bardev or Arimudi, Gunakamadev and so on. 

Among the Lichchhavi kings, the later ones were not so powerful and benevolent as the early kings. After King Amshuvarma, mostly there prevailed dual rule. Badly depleted by the dual rule, it is believed that the Lichchhavi Government took no time to collapse when there occurred a huge public agitation against the feudal lords of the time where upon the Thakuri rule made its entrance. The territorial boundary of that time was as much as that of present Nepal.