history of nepal. - Sanskrit Manuscripts Project, Cambridge

I.) INTRODUCTORY SKETCH. 9
to g1ve a short description of the present cond1tion of a
few of the most important.
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, stands near the
..
centre of the valley, in Lat 27°42"N, and Long. 85()36'E.
It is situated at the JUnction of the Bagrnat1 and Vlshnumati
rivers, but lies closer to the latter, extending
along its eastern bank for about a 1n1le. When seen
from above, 1ts shape is very 1rreg ular, but It is said
by the natives to resemble the Khora or sword of Devi.
It Is known by several nan1es, such as Yindesi, Kant1pur,
and Kathmadu or Kathmandu It is sa1d to have been
founded by Rt\Ja Gunakamadeva, In the Kal1gat year
3824 (A D 723)
The town IS built on no regular plan; but the main
street may be sa1d to run nearly north and south, and
1t is crossed at var1ous angles by several others, whjle
between these is a network of narrow dark lanes. The
population, Including that of the suburbs, 1s stated at
50,000) but probably 30,000 would be nearer the truth.
The houses are from two to four stories high, and arc:'
all built of br1ck and tiled, except i11 the suburbs, where
the roofs are of thatch. The better class of buildings is
elaborately ornamented with plaster and paintings, and
the houses In general possess large projecting wooden
wmdows or balconies, which are r1chly carved. Some of
the w1ndows represent a peacock with outspread tail ;
others contain groups of figures of gods, men, griffins,
horses, birds, l1zards, etc , and are surrounded by garlands
of flowers. The carving, as a rule, is bold and wellexecuted,
but the best specimens are to be found on the
older buildings, as the taste for it seems to be dying
out. In several parts of the town 1there are small open
spaces, paved l1ke the streets \Vlth brick and stone. In