Stone inscriptions in the Kathmandu Valley

Inscription in 15 languages dated 1654 AD at Kathmandu Durbar Square.
Epitaph in Latin and Nepal Bhasa dated 1745 on the tombstone of Father Della Penna who was buried in Patan.
Detail of stone inscription in Nepal Bhasa and Tibetan at Swayambhu.

Stone inscriptions in the Kathmandu Valley (Nepal Bhasa:नेपाःमन्दःया ल्वंह पौत) refer to ancient stone slabs, pillars and pedestals with text carved on them. They are the most important sources for the history of Nepal. A vast majority of the inscriptions found in Nepal are from the Kathmandu Valley where they are an ubiquitous element at heritage sites. They consist of royal edicts and dedicatory notes on Hindu and Buddhist temples, stupas, statues, water spouts and other architectural structures.[1] Stone inscriptions are locally referred as Lōhan Pau (Nepal bhasa:𑐮𑑂𑐰𑐴𑑅 𑐥𑑁‎).

The early inscriptions are from the Licchavi period, and date from the fifth to the ninth centuries. They number more than 170, and are carved in Sanskrit language and Gupta script.[2][3] Inscriptions from the 14th century onwards, which are the most numerous, are in Newar language (Nepal Bhasa) and Nepal script.[4] The earliest dated inscription in Nepal Bhasa is dated Nepal Era 293 (1173 AD).[5]

  1. ^ Gutschow, Niels (1997). The Nepalese Caitya: 1500 Years of Buddhist Votive Architecture in the Kathmandu Valley. Edition Axel Menges. p. 25. ISBN 9783930698752. Retrieved 25 March 2014.
  2. ^ Vajracarya, Gautamavajra. "Recently discovered inscriptions of Licchavi Nepal" (PDF). Kailash: 117–133. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  3. ^ Arvind, Krishan Dev Agrawal (2010). Importance of Nepalese Sanskrit Inscriptions (PDF). New Delhi: Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan. ISBN 978-81-86111-37-6. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  4. ^ Clark, TW (1976). "Nepali and Pahari". In Albert Sebeok, Thomas (ed.). Current Trends in Linguistics. Walter de Gruyter. p. 253.
  5. ^ Malla, KP. "Classical Newari Literature" (PDF). p. 1. Retrieved 19 March 2014.