1. Jan-Feb 2011

HERITAGE
Changing
Times
Text: Ar. Swati Pujari
K
athmandu Valley has been a densely
inhabited urban centre through history.
There have been at least four major
independent dynasties to rule the Valley, and
although the accounts of the Kirat and pre-Kirat
times are shrouded in mystery, the essence of
the Licchavi times can still be seen in records.
The Malla times however are well preserved in the
historic centres of the three ancient kingdoms.
The three major Malla cities Bhaktapur, Patan
and Kathmandu, acted as three independent
fortified kingdoms, mutually competitive in
terms of art and development. Each kingdom
witnessed its times of peace and war, including
attacks from each other as well as outer invasions
by dynasties from northern India. The political
and consequently the economic situation of the
kingdoms have shaped the lives of the rulers and
hence also the development of their kingdoms
and palaces.
The central core of each of the ancient kingdom is
comprised of the royal palace; it is interesting to
note that ancient inscriptions of Vaastu Shastra
recommend the Rajkul or the royal palace to
cover either one-third or one-fourth of the area
of the city, which perhaps justifies their spread
and grandeur. Interestingly both the city and
the palace are constructed in the form of a fort;
the cities were walled with moats and specific
entrances. In times of peace, the entrances
were kept open but during attack, the heavy
gates of the city were closed, blocking out the
attacking force. Similarly even the royal palace
was constructed as a fort, with interconnected
squares and towers. Although the city walls
have not survived through time, the presence of
fortification and tower like structures in the three
Malla palaces of the valley can still be seen.
The circular platform in the top of the
Pratap Dhowj has images of different
animal heads protruding out and the
golden images of Pratap Malla, his
four sons and his two wives, sitting on
a golden throne carried by images of
lions and elephants.
It is difficult to find any architectural entities that
date to a pre-Malla era, yet many records, mostly
stone inscription of the Licchavi times have
helped envision the character of the city and the
palace during the pre-Malla era. It is interesting
to note that all the three major kingdoms of the
Malla dynasties were densely populated cities
even in the Licchavi times, with Patan being
the most populated and Kathmandu being the
administrative centre. Bhaktapur, however, had
not developed to such extents.
www.spacesnepal.com 70
January-February 2011