Commemorative coin of Chandragupta and his Licchavi Queen Kumaradevi, minted circa 335–375 CE. Obverse: Kumaradeva and Chandragupta standing, legend to the left Śrī Kumāradevā, to the right /Cha-ndra/gu-pta vertically. Reverse: Goddess seated on lion, with the legend 𑁊 Li-ccha-va-yah.[3]
The Licchavis of Nepal (Nepali: लिच्छवि, also Lichchhavi, Lichavi) ruled over a kingdom in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal from approximately 450 to 750 CE. The Licchavi clan originated from a branch of the Licchavis of Vaishali who ruled in the territory of modern-day Bihar and who later conquered the Kathmandu Valley.[4][5][6] The Licchavis were ruled by a maharaja, aided by a prime minister and other royal officials, but in practice local communities were controlled by caste councils.[7]
The ruling period of this dynasty was called the Golden Period of Nepal. A table of the evolution of certain Gupta characters used in Licchavi inscriptions prepared by Gautamavajra Vajrācārya can be found online.[8]
Records
It is believed that a branch of the Licchavi clan, having lost their political fortune and military power in Vaishali (Bihar),[9] came to Kathmandu and married with the ruling Queen, Mandeva Shree Vogini of the Nagvanshi clan beginning their rule in Nepal. Source. They also battled with local militias in Chyasal to gain control of Nepal. In the Buddhist Pali canon, the Licchavi are mentioned in a number of discourses, most notably the Licchavi Sutta,[10] the popular Ratana Sutta[11] and the fourth chapter of the Petavatthu.[12] The MahayanaVimalakirti Sutra also spoke of the city of Vaishali as where the lay Licchavi bodhisattvaVimalakirti was residing.[13]
In the 4th century CE, during the reign of the Gupta emperor Samudragupta, the "Nepalas" are mentioned among the tribes subjugated by him:
The earliest known physical record of the kingdom is an inscription of Mānadeva, which dates from 464. It mentions three preceding rulers, suggesting that the Licchavi dynasty began in the late 4th century.
Government
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 Amshuverma 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. Many kings ruled but the popular ones were Manadeva, Amshuverma etc.
Economy
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 and nobles. Trade was also very important, with many trading settlements.
Geography
Domain
Settlements already filled the entire valley during the Licchavi period. Further settlement extended east toward Banepa, west toward Tistung Deurali, and northwest toward present-day Gorkha.
Rulers
The following list was adapted from The Licchavi Kings, by Tamot & Alsop,[17] and is approximate only, especially with respect to dates.
Copper coin of Jishnu Gupta (c. 622–633) of the Nepalese Licchavi Dynasty. Obverse. The inscription above the winged horse is Sri Jishnu GuptasyaCopper coin of Jishnu Gupta (c. 622–633) of the Nepalese Licchavi Dynasty. Reverse
/
Cha-ndra/gu-pta vertically.
𑁊 Li-ccha-va-yah.[3]
![Coinage of Licchavi king Amshuverma (605–621 CE). Obverse: winged lion, with Brahmi legend Śri Amśurvarma "Lord Amshurvarma". Reverse: Bull with Brahmi legend Kāmadēhi ("Incarnation of Kāma").[1] of Licchavi](File:Amshuverma_of_Nepal.jpg)
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