Gopal Period and Mahispal Period: Adv. Amrita Gautam Asst. Prof. Kathmandu School of Law

Gopal Period and Mahispal
Period
Adv. Amrita Gautam
Asst. Prof.
Kathmandu School of Law
History of Development of Nepalese Civilization
and Culture
❑Age of Truth – ‘Satyayuga’
❑Land of Truth – ‘Satyawati’
❑Land of Solitary, Meditation and Penance – ‘Tapovan’
❑Silver Age – ‘Treta Yuga’
❑Ladder of Salvation (Muktisopan) The copper age– ‘Dwapar Yuga’
❑Nepal in the Iron Age – ‘Kaliyuga’
Sources of History of Nepal
Chronicles –Bansawalis
Colophons –Hand written manuscripts of ancient times
Ancient Religious Texts: Puranas, Ramayana, Mahabharat
Stone and Copper Inscriptions
Ancient Buildings, Temples and Stupas
Foreign Accounts; Kautilya’s Arthashastra
Archaeological Findings –Vessels, Coins, Utensils, Images, Taps
Origin of Nepal: Nepal as a Sovereign
Country
Ancient Period- Gopal, Mahispal, Kirat, Lichchhavi
Medieval Period-Mallas, Khas, and Doya Rajya (Three Powers )
Modern-Shah rulers and unification of nation, Rana period, Rise of

Democracy, Panchayat, demolition of monarchy, Nepal as a republic
sate and Nepal as a Federal Democratic Republic State.
ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD NEPAL
• In the Newari language 'Ne' means 'center' and 'pa' means 'country'. So, 'Ne pa'
means a country situated at the center. Nepal is situated in between the two
great countries, China and India. So, it was called a central country, i.e., Nepal.
• In the Tibetan language 'Ne' means 'home' and 'pal' means 'wool'. Sheep were
reared in Kathmandu valley and much wool was produced. So, it was called the
home of wool, i.e., Ne Pal.
• Long, long ago, the kings of the Gopala dynasty ruled over it. They were called
'Nepa', so, after the name of the dynasty who ruled over it, the country was
named as 'Nepal'.
Gopal Dynasty (Origin)
• There are many saying as the reason for the settlement of this Dynasty,
Manjushree split Chobar hill and let go the water of the valley. –Baudha
Anushrutee
Hindu Anushrutee gives this credit to lord Krishna saying, Gwala came
along with Sri Krishna from Dwarika to help his grandson letting water out
from valley.
The Himmat Khanda, Swayambhu Purana, Nepal Mahatmeya Grantha and Vishnu
Purana –described the existence of Nagas in proximity to rivers.
-Tribal head Kali Naga was defeated by Lord Krishna.
• Gopal Dynasty is the 1st dynasty to rule over Nepal.
• Prof. Dhundi Raj Bhandari opines that Gopala tribe who trotted India
got themselves divided into 2 groups and one entered through
Gandaki while other group headed for western India.
• ‘Bahedri’ The mysterious cow –Bhumi Gupta was declared King. In this
very time, the Jyotirlinga (flaming idol) of Pashupatinath was
discovered.
 Matatirtha –centre of their administration.
Gopal dynasty ruled 521 years. 8 (Eight) kings ruled 521 years. (Wright)
Bhumi Gupta was considered to be 1st king of this dynasty
First to establish authority and kingship.
One to start civilization in Nepal in our geography.
Started culture of bowing down before Brahmins and paying ‘Dakshina
Dan’.
Worshipping cow started from that very period.
farming started and flourished.
The economy was based on Animal Husbandry basically cow herding.
• Yaksha Gupta; The last king of Gopal Dynasty was heirless and have
no one to continue the Kingship.
• Mahispal was also from the same clan.
• Being from same clan kingship was transferred from gopal
Mahispal Dynasty of Nepal
This dynasty is also known as Aabhir or Aahir Dynasty.
The Aabhir / Aahir, come from the south (India), defeated childless
Jitgupta, the last king of Gopal Dynasty and took rule in their hand.
The only difference between Gopal and Mahispal was their occupation.
They were the herders of Rajput family of India. Mahispals were living in
between Simrangadh and Janakpur with their own Armed Force.
How Mahispal Gained the throne of Gopal Dynasty?
 -Mahispal attacked Jeet Gupta and established the throne.
 -Last king of Gopal Dynasty Jeet Gupta was childless and Mahispal
became the king.
3 kings rules in Mahispal Dynasty;
Acc. To Wright Vanshawali
Vara Singh was first Mahispal King,
Jaya Singh was after him,
Bhuwan Singh the last.
According to some historians,
Bada Simha, Jaymati Simha and Bhuban Simha were the 3 kings.
These kings ruled for 161 year and 2 months.
Some historians believed that they ruled for 111 years and 7 month, and
some believed it to be 200 years.
At the time of Bhuwan Singh, the Kirati’s came to Kathmandu Valley
from eastern part of Kathmandu and Bhuwan Singh was defeated by
Yalambar.
Thus, Kirat Dynasty started ruling after Mahispal Dynasty.

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Gopal Period and Mahispal

Medieval Period-Mallas, Khas, and Doya Rajya (Three Powers )

Modern-Shah rulers and unification of nation, Rana period, Rise of

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