The Licchavi Kings: Nepal's First Golden Age

Long before the Mallas and the Shahs, the Kathmandu Valley was ruled by the Licchavi dynasty, a line of kings who turned a Himalayan crossroads into a thriving center of trade, art, and Buddhist learning. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the origins of the Licchavis, their rise to power in the 5th century, and the golden age they oversaw. They follow the reign of Manadeva, the warrior-king who expanded the kingdom, and uncover the story of Amshuvarma, a prime minister who took the throne and opened Nepal to the wider world. Along the way, they visit the great stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath, trace the influence of Gupta India, and consider the mystery of how this dynasty faded into legend. With the Himalayas as a backdrop, they discuss how the Licchavis shaped Nepal's identity as a cultural and religious crossroads, a legacy that still echoes in the valley's temples and festivals today.

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