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Ancient Nepal was divided into many tiny
principalities and ruled by different dynasties. But its present
boundaries are expanded after many decades.
The history of modern Nepal began its evolution in the sixteenth century
with founding of the house of Gorkha by Darbya Shah in 1559 AD. In 1769
Prithvi Narayan Shah, the ruler of Gorkha unified these divers kingdoms
and established the general shape of the present borders of Nepal. The
succeeding Nepalese generations have recognized him as founding father
of the nation. Since that time Kathmandu has been the capital of Nepal,
which was, believe to be a lake in the ancient period. He started the
process of unification of Nepal. By 1814 AD Nepal was stretching through
the Himalayas up to Sutlej River at the west and Tista River in the
east. The expansion process brought Nepal into conflict with the British
East India Company, resulting into Ango-Nepalese war from 1814 - 1816.
The wars lead to the treaty of Sugauli there by bringing Nepal to its
present sized and border. After Kiratis, the Lichhavis as the second
ruler of the country began rule 4th to 7th century.
The Mallas were benevolent patrons of the arts and it was during their
reign that a ranaissance of arts, statues and temples flourished. During
the 147th century Malla ruled this valley for a total period of 568
years. At that period this country was divided into small principalities
and kingdoms of 24 groups in western and 22 groups in far western
Kathmandu valley was divided into three states of Kantipur, Lalitpur &
Bhaktapur.
From the tiny Kingdom of Gorkha, halfway between Kathmandu and Pokhara
the king of Shah dynasty gradually strengthened and extended their
power. In 1768 king Prithivi Narayan Shah defeated the Malla kings and
Nepal has been ruled by Shah kings ever since. His Majesty King
Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev is the eleventh king in this shah dynasty.
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