) was an ancient republic
which existed in what is now Bihar
state of India
, since the before the birth of Mahavira
(b. 599 BC), and later a kingdom in Nepal
which existed in the Kathmandu
Valley from approximately 400
A.D to 750
legends feature Licchavi as a ruling family during Gautama Buddha
's time in India
, however links to the Nepalese kingdom are speculative. The language of Licchavi inscriptions is Sanskrit
, and the particular script used is closely related to official Gupta scripts
, suggesting that India
was a significant cultural influence. This was likely through Mithila
- the northern part of modern Bihar
Licchavi term is probably rooted to Rikshavi,Rukshavi or more Sanskritized to Rkshvavati. Riksha or Rksha in Sanskrit means Star.
A table of the evolution of certain Gupta characters used in Licchavi inscriptions prepared by Gautamavajra Vajrācārya can be found online.
The Lichhavi,having lost their political fortune in India,came to Nepal,attacking and defeating the last Kirat King'Gasti.Lichhavi's were the Rajputs of India,from today's Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.In the Buddhist Pali canon
, the Licchavi are mentioned in a number of discourses, most notably the Licchavi Sutta, the popular Ratana Sutta
and the fourth chapter of the Petavatthu
The earliest known physical record of the kingdom is an inscription of Manadeva 1, which dates from 464. It mentions three preceding rulers, suggesting that the Licchavi dynasty began in the late fourth century.
The Licchavi were ruled by a Maharaja
("great king"), who was aided by a prime minister, in charge of the military and of other ministers.
Nobles, known as samanta influenced the court whilst simultaneously managing their own landholdings and militia.
At one point, between approximately 605 and 641, a prime minister called Amsuvarman actually assumed the throne.
The population provided land taxes and conscript labour (vishti) to support the government. Most local administration was performed by village heads or leading families.
The economy was agricultural, relying on rice
and other grains as staples. Villages (grama
) were grouped into dranga
for administration. Lands were owned by the royal family, nobles, temples or groups of Brahmans
. Trade was also very important, with many settlements positioned along trading routes. Tibet
were both trading partners.
Settlements already filled the entire valley during the Licchavi period. Further settlement was made east toward Banepa
, west toward Tisting
, and northwest toward present-day Gorkha
A stupa was located at Bodhnath
Bhadgaon was a small village called Khoprn
) along the main trade route. This is the precursor to Bhaktapur.
A stupa was located at Chabahil
A shrine of Shiva
was located at Deopatan
A shrine of Vishnu
was located at Hadigaon
Modern day Kathmandu consisted of the two villages of Koligrama
("Village of the Kolis"; Nepal Bhasa Yambu
), and Dakshinakoligrama
("South Koli Village", Nepal Bhasa Yangala
) straddling the main Kathmandu Valley trade route.
Patan was called Yala
("Village of the Sacrificial Post"; Sanskrit Yupagrama
). It is probably the oldest center of Nepal, though building remains are scarce.
A stupa was located at Swayambhunath
The following list was adapted from The Licchavi Kings, by Tamot & Alsop, and is approximate only
, especially with respect to dates. No complete, reliable chronology of Licchavi rulers yet exists.
- Tamot, Kashinath and Alsop, Ian. "A Kushan-period Sculpture, The Licchavi Kings", Asianart.com
- History of Nepal, Thamel.com
- "Nepal: The Early Kingdom of the Licchavis, 400-750", Library of Congress Countryreports.org (September, 1991)
- Vajrācārya, Gautamavajra, "Recently Discovered Inscriptions of Licchavi, Nepal", Kailash - Journal of Himalayan Studies, Volume 1, Number 2, 1973. (pp. 117-134)