Visit Nepal

HISTORY




In many ways—historically, culturally and linguistically—Nepal has been the meeting point between the mongoloid people of Asia (who speak Tibeto-Burmese languages) and the Caucasoid peoples of the Indian plains (who speak Indo-European languages). In earlier times, Nepal was able to exploit its position as intermediary in the trade between India and china. Today, the country continues to take advantage to its strategic position between these two uneasy giants.



Over the centuries, the boundaries of Nepal have extended to include huge tracts of neighboring India, or contracted to little more than the Kathmandu Valley and handful of surrounding city-states.



Legends recount that the Kathmandu valley was once a great lake and that Manjushree broached the valley wall with a magical sword, draining the water and creating the Kathmandu valley we know. Or perhaps it wasn't Manjushree; he was after all, a Buddhist from china. Hindus claim it was Krishna who performed the mighty deed, hurling a thunderbolt to create the Chobar Gorge, choose whichever legend you prefer, but scientists agree that the valley was submerged at one time and the rivers of the valley do indeed flow southward through the narrow Chobar Gorge.