Licchavi (kingdom)

Licchavi (also Lichchhavi, Lichavi) was a kingdom which existed in the Kathmandu Valley in modern-day Nepal from approximately 400 to 750 CE. The Licchavi clan originated from Vaishali and Muzaffarpur and conquered Kathmandu Valley. The Lichchhavis elected an administrator and representatives to rule them.

The language of Licchavi inscription was Vajjika, and the particular script used is closely related to official Gupta scripts, suggesting that the kingdoms to the south were a significant cultural influence. This was likely through Mithila, a region now a small part in Nepal. 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.^[1]

Records[]

It is believed that a branch of the Lichhavi clan, having lost their political fortune in Bihar^{[citation needed]}, came to Kathmandu, attacking and defeating the last Kirat King Gasti came In the Buddhist Pali canon, the Licchavi are mentioned in a number of discourses, most notably the Licchavi Sutta,^[2] the popular Ratana Sutta^[3] and the fourth chapter of the Petavatthu.^[4] The Mahayana Vimalakirti Sutra also spoke of the city of Vaisali as where the lay Licchavi bodhisattva Vimalakirti was residing.^[5]

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[]

Copper coin of Jishnu Gupta (c. 622-633) of the Nepalese Licchhavi Dynasty. Obverse. The inscription above the winged horse is Sri Jishnu Guptasya

Copper coin of Jishnu Gupta (c. 622-633) of the Nepalese Licchhavi Dynasty. Reverse

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 actually 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 king ruled but the popular one 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 settlements positioned along trading routes. Tibet and India were both trading partners.

Geography[]

Domain[]

Settlements already filled the entire valley during the Licchavi period. Further settlement was made east toward Banepa, west toward , and northwest toward present-day Gorkha.

Rulers[]

The following list was adapted from The Licchavi Kings, by Tamot & Alsop,^[6] and is approximate only, especially with respect to dates.

185 Jayavarmā (also Jayadeva I)
Vasurāja (also Vasudatta Varmā)
c. 400 Vṛṣadeva (also Vishvadeva)
c. 425 Shaṅkaradeva I
c. 450 Dharmadeva
464-505 Mānadeva I
505-506 Mahīdeva (few sources)
506-532 Vasantadeva
Manudeva (probable chronology)
538 Vāmanadeva (also Vardhamānadeva)
545 Rāmadeva
Amaradeva
Guṇakāmadeva
560-565 Gaṇadeva
567-c. 590 Bhaumagupta (also Bhūmigupta, probably not a king)
567-573 Gaṅgādeva
575/576 Mānadeva II (few sources)
590-604 Shivadeva I
605-621 Aṃshuvarmā
621 Udayadeva
624-625 Dhruvadeva
631-633 Bhīmārjunadeva, Jiṣṇugupta
635 Viṣṇugupta - Jiṣṇugupta
640-641 Bhīmārjunadeva / Viṣṇugupta
643-679 Narendradeva
694-705 Shivadeva II
713-733 Jayadeva II
748-749 Shaṅkaradeva II
756 Mānadeva III
826 Balirāja
847 Baladeva
877 Mānadeva IV

References[]

^ "Gautamavajra Vajrācārya, "Recently Discovered Inscriptions of Licchavi Nepal", Kathmandu Kailash - Journal of Himalayan Studies. Volume 1, Number 2, 1973. (pp. 117-134)". Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2006.
^ "Licchavi Sutta," translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2004).
^ "Ratana Sutta: The Jewel Discourse," translated from the Pali by Piyadassi Thera (1999).
^ "Petavatthu, Fourth Chapter, in Pali". Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
^ Thurman, Robert. "VIMALAKIRTI NIRDESA SUTRA". Retrieved 17 September 2014.
^ Tamot, Kashinath and Alsop, Ian. "A Kushan-period Sculpture, The Licchavi Kings", Asianart.com

External links[]

[1] "Gautamavajra Vajrācārya, "Recently Discovered Inscriptions of Licchavi Nepal", Kathmandu Kailash - Journal of Himalayan Studies. Volume 1, Number 2, 1973. (pp. 117-134)". Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 20 October 2006.

[2] "Licchavi Sutta," translated from the Pali by Thanissaro Bhikkhu (2004).

[3] "Ratana Sutta: The Jewel Discourse," translated from the Pali by Piyadassi Thera (1999).

[4] "Petavatthu, Fourth Chapter, in Pali". Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 22 February 2010.

[5] Thurman, Robert. "VIMALAKIRTI NIRDESA SUTRA". Retrieved 17 September 2014.

[6] Tamot, Kashinath and Alsop, Ian. "A Kushan-period Sculpture, The Licchavi Kings", Asianart.com

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]