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The history of Kathmandu is really a history of
the Newar people, the main inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley.
While the documented history of the valley goes back to the Kiratis,
around the 7th century BC, the foundation of Kathmandu itself dates
from the 12th century AD, during the time of the Malla dynasty.
The original settlements, in what is the southern half of the old
town, grew up around the trade route to Tibet and in early pilgrim
resthouses such as the Kasthamandap, which later lent its name to
the city.
Originally known as Kantipur, the city flourished during the Malla
era, and the bulk of its superb temples, buildings and other
monuments date from this time. Initially, Kathmandu was an
independent city within the valley, but in the 14th century the
valley was united under the rule of the Malla king of Bhaktapur. The
15th century saw division once more, this time into the three
independent kingdoms of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. Rivalry
between the three city-states led to a series of wars that left each
state weakened and vulnerable to the 1768 invasion of the valley by
Prithvi Narayan Shah.
The ensuing Shah dynasty unified Nepal and made the expanded city of
Kathmandu its new capital - a position the city has held ever since.
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