The Licchavi kingdom, also known as the Lichchhavi or Lichavi, existed in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, from approximately 450 CE to 750 CE. This clan originally hailed from Vaishali, in modern-day Bihar, and eventually conquered the Kathmandu Valley. Governed by a maharaja, who was supported by a prime minister and other officials, the true power often lay with local caste councils. This era is often referred to as the Golden Period of Nepal. A notable resource is a table showing the evolution of certain Gupta characters in Licchavi inscriptions, prepared by Gautamavajra Vajrācārya, available online. It is believed that a branch of the Licchavi clan, after losing their political and military power in Vaishali, migrated to Kathmandu. They established their rule by marrying Queen Mandeva Shree Vogini of the Nagvanshi clan and battling local militias in Chyasal. The Licchavi are mentioned in several Buddhist texts, including the Licchavi Sutta, the Ratana Sutta, and the fourth chapter of the Petavatthu. Additionally, the Mahayana Vimalakirti Sutra speaks of the city of Vaishali as the residence of the lay Licchavi bodhisattva Vimalakirti.
In the 4th century CE, during the reign of the Gupta emperor Samudragupta, the "Nepalas" are mentioned among the tribes subjugated by him. The Allahabad pillar inscription of Samudragupta (circa 350-375 CE) details how frontier rulers, including those of Nepal, paid tributes and executed orders in his honor. Samudragupta was the son of Gupta Emperor Chandragupta I and Licchavi princess Kumaradevi. Gold coins bearing portraits of Chandragupta and Kumaradevi, with the legend "Li-ccha-va-yah" ("the Lichchhavis"), have been discovered in various locations across India.
The earliest known physical record of the Licchavi kingdom is an inscription of Mānadeva from 464 CE, which mentions three preceding rulers, indicating that the Licchavi dynasty began in the late 4th century. The government was headed by a maharaja, assisted by a prime minister responsible for the military and other ministers. Nobles known as samanta influenced the court while managing their own landholdings and militia. At one point, between approximately 605 and 641, a prime minister named Amshuverma assumed the throne.
The population supported the government through land taxes and conscript labor (vishti). Local administration was primarily handled by village heads or leading families. The economy was agricultural, relying on rice and other grains, with villages grouped into dranga for administrative purposes. Trade was also significant, with many trading settlements. During the Licchavi period, settlements filled the entire valley and extended east toward Banepa, west toward Tistung Deurali, and northwest toward present-day Gorkha.
The Licchavi era is prominently mentioned in various Buddhist texts, underscoring its importance in religious history. The Licchavi Sutta and Ratana Sutta, along with the fourth chapter of the Petavatthu, highlight the presence of the Licchavis in Buddhist literature. The Mahayana Vimalakirti Sutra further emphasizes the spiritual significance of Vaishali, where the Licchavi bodhisattva Vimalakirti resided.
During the Gupta Empire's expansion under Samudragupta, the Licchavis were among the subjugated tribes, as noted in the Allahabad pillar inscription. This connection underscores the broader geopolitical landscape of the time, with the Licchavis integrated into the extensive Gupta Empire. The relationship between the Guptas and Licchavis is also evidenced by the gold coins featuring Chandragupta I and Kumaradevi, which have been found across several regions in India, indicating a blend of Licchavi and Gupta heritage.
