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History of Nepal's Architecture

Nepal is a landlocked country located between India and China. It has a long history dating back to 257 BC. Major periods include the Lichchavi period from 500-900 AD, the Malla period from 1200-1769 AD, and the Shah dynasty from 1800-1950 AD. During the Malla period, Nepal attained glorious architecture seen in the Durbar squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. The Shah dynasty saw influences from British colonial architecture in India and the evolution of modern architecture after 1950.

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180 views6 pages

History of Nepal's Architecture

Nepal is a landlocked country located between India and China. It has a long history dating back to 257 BC. Major periods include the Lichchavi period from 500-900 AD, the Malla period from 1200-1769 AD, and the Shah dynasty from 1800-1950 AD. During the Malla period, Nepal attained glorious architecture seen in the Durbar squares of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur. The Shah dynasty saw influences from British colonial architecture in India and the evolution of modern architecture after 1950.

Uploaded by

Dani Min
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Nepal, 

 country of Asia, lying along the southern slopes of the Himalayan


mountain ranges.
 It is a landlocked country located between India to the east, south,
and west and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north.
 Its territory extends roughly 500 miles (800 kilometres) from east to
west and 90 to 150 miles from north to south. The capital
is Kathmandu.

Pre- historic period:


• 257 BC (earliest recorded history)
•The Pillars inscripted by Emperor Ashoka, at Lumbini and in Kathmandu
•Lumbini- birthplace of Guatama Buddha.

1. Lichchavi period (500-900 AD)


• Considered as the golden age of Nepal
• originated in India ( Vaishali and Muzaffarpur )
• it maintained close ties to India, and had an economic and political
relations with Tibet thus becoming a cultural centre linking central and
southern Asia
•The era ended when Amusuvarman founded the Thakuri dynasty.

Changunarayn

- Oldest Hindu temple


- Constructed 14th century
- One of the 7 structure cited by UNESCO

2. Thakuri Dynasty ( 900-1200 AD)


• replaced the Lichchavis by the Thakuri rulers signified the start of new era
as ' Nepal Era'
 To commemorate this important event, Raghv Dev started the 'Nepal Era'
which began form 20th October, 869 A.D.
Kasthmandap
3. Malla Period ( 1200-1769 AD)
 Malla era attained the glorification of Nepal architecture.
 Kathmandu valley get three distinct Durbar square:
- Kathmandu Durbar square
- Pata Durbar square
– Bhaktapur Durbar square
*Durbar square- generic name used to describe plazas opposite old palaces
in Nepal.

(Kathmandu Durbar Square)

(Patan Durbar square)

( Bhaktapur square)

-Typical formal feature is the monumental pillar supporting a metal


superstructure adorned with mystical symbols, group of dynasties and portrait
statuary of royalties. The temples were mainly pagoda.
* These three became the epitome of traditional Nepalese Architecture.
*The great age of Nepali architecture come to a dramatic end when King
Prithvi Narayan Shah invaded the valley in 1769.

4. Shah dynasty (1800-1950)


• Evolution of contemporary art
• influences of colonial Architecture from British Empire at India.
Some Examples:
- Thapathali Durbar

- Dharahara

- Seto Durbar
5. Modern Architecture (stared 1950)
• starts from about the time the Sarashwati Sadan(2000 BS) was built, which was
a milestone in the history of modern Architecture.
Sarashwati Sadan

- designed by Bed Prasad Lohani


-1st concrete structure in Nepal
- simple, functional, and structurally stable
Thapathali Durbar
 a palace complex in Kathmandu, the capital of the Nepal.
 It was initially built by Nain Singh Thapa of the but was later occupied by Jung Bahadur
Rana.

Dharahara
 also called Bhimsen Tower, was a nine-storey, 61.88-metre-tall (203.0 ft).
 Tower at the centre of Sundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal. 
 It was built in 1832, was a part of the architecture of Kathmandu recognized
by UNESCO.

Seto Durbar

 Was a Rana palace in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal.


 Incorporated in an impressive courtyards, furnishings and guest halls.
 Seto Durbar was built by Bir Shumsher JBR in 1893 CE.

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