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History of Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kathmandu valley, Nepal
The ancient site is very close to Thamel, the tourist hub in Kathmandu.
This UNESCO World Heritage Sites is surrounded with architectures of Newar artists and craftsmen.
This Durbar Square is also known as Hanuman Dhoka Palace and Bashantapur Durbar Square.
It is an important site for Buddhist and Hindu rituals, holy ceremonies, royal events, and kingly coronations.
Preference for the construction dates back to as early as the Licchavi period in the third century.
Though present palaces and temples have nothing physical remains from that period.
Names like Gunapo and Gupo, in early scriptures, suggest that the palaces were built in the tenth century.
When Kathmandu City became independent under the rule of King Ratna Malla, the palaces in the square became the Royal Palaces for its Malla Kings.
Later Prithvi Narayan Shah invaded the Kathmandu Valley in 1769.
He favored the Kathmandu Durbar Square for his palace. Subsequent Shah kings continued to rule from the square until 1896.
Most unusual sites built during Shah Dynasty is the nine-storied structure called the Nautale, known as Basantapur Durbar.
Currently, the palace is being used as a museum. Devastating earthquake in 2015 severely damaged many of the ancient structures.
Post-earthquake renovations and reconstruction works are still going on at the site.

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