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| By defeating the last king of Avir Dynasty Bhuwansingh in a battle, Kirati King | By defeating the last king of Avir Dynasty Bhuwansingh in a battle, Kirati King | ||
| Yalung or Yalamber had taken the regime of valley under his control. In Hindu mythological perspective, this event is believed to have taken place in the final phase of Dwaparyug or initial phase of Kaliyug or around the 6th century BC. We can find descriptions of 32, 28 and 29 Kirati kings according in Gopal genealogy, language-genealogy and Wright genealogy respectively. | Yalung or ] had taken the regime of valley under his control. In Hindu mythological perspective, this event is believed to have taken place in the final phase of Dwaparyug or initial phase of Kaliyug or around the 6th century BC. We can find descriptions of 32, 28 and 29 Kirati kings according in Gopal genealogy, language-genealogy and Wright genealogy respectively. | ||
| '''Some Major Kirati Kings of Kathmandu Valley''' | '''Some Major Kirati Kings of Kathmandu Valley''' | ||
Revision as of 10:01, 13 June 2021
For other uses, see Kirat (disambiguation).
| Kirata Kingdom | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| c.800 BC–c.AD 300 | |||||||||||
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| Government | Monarchy | ||||||||||
| Hang (King) | |||||||||||
| • c.800 BC | Yalambar | ||||||||||
| • c.540 BC | Jitedasti | ||||||||||
| • c. 250 BC | Sthunko | ||||||||||
| • c.166 BC | Luka | ||||||||||
| • c.AD 205 | Patuka | ||||||||||
| • c.AD 300 | Gasti | ||||||||||
| Historical era | Ancient Era | ||||||||||
| • Established | c.800 BC | ||||||||||
| • Disestablished | c.AD 300 | ||||||||||
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| Today part of | |||||||||||
Kirata Kingdom (Kirat) in Sanskrit literature and Hindu mythology refers to any kingdom of the Kirata people, who were dwellers mostly in the eastern Himalayas. They took part in the Kurukshetra War along with the Parvatas (mountaineers) and other Himalayan tribes. They are widespread in the folds and valleys of Himalayas in Nepal and Bhutan, and in the Indian states of West Bengal (Darjeeling district), Sikkim, Assam and Tripura. Kiratas ruled in Nepal after Gopal and Mahipal. The first king of the Kiratas was Yalamber, who defeated Bhuvan Singh, the last king of Ahir dynasty and established Kirat rule in Nepal. He extended his kingdom as far as the Tista river in the east and the Trishuli in the west.
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History of Nepal Kirat Dynasty (800 BCE)
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King Yalamber’s Empire First King of Yalamber established Kirata Kingdom in Kathmandu Valley 800 B.C. after conquering Central Nepal his kingdom extended from river Trisuli in the west to river Teesta in the east of Bhutan.
Origin and History
The Kirats were the aborigines of North-Eastern Himalayas. According to Baburam Acharya,they came to Nepal in about 700 B.C. and ruled over it. They were short and had robust bodies, broad checks, flat noses, thin whiskers, and dark eyes. They were well trained in the art of warfare, and were very skillful archers.
Kirati are very primitive tribes. They have been mentioned as brave warriors in various ancient Mythological manuscripts. The Kirats have been mentioned not only in the different genealogies of Nepal, but also in the Puranas. From the sources like genealogies, Pashupati Purana, Nepal Mahatmya, Skanda Purana etc. the fact reveals that Kirat dynasty had ruled Nepal before the Lichhavi period can be revealed. It is also mentioned that later Kirats were defeated by the Lichhavies. Although none of the archaeological proofs belonging to Kirat period have been found till date, but in the inscriptions of Lichhavi period we can find different villages, administrative units and various other names naming after Kirati words.
Kirat Rule in Kathmandu Valley
The context of Kirats ruling in Nepal before Lichhavi Dynasty and after Mahispal or Avir Dynasty can be found in different manuscripts. Mentioning the area between Sunkoshi And Tamakoshi as their native land, the list of Kirati kings is also given in the Gopal genealogy.
By defeating the last king of Avir Dynasty Bhuwansingh in a battle, Kirati King
Yalung or Yalamber had taken the regime of valley under his control. In Hindu mythological perspective, this event is believed to have taken place in the final phase of Dwaparyug or initial phase of Kaliyug or around the 6th century BC. We can find descriptions of 32, 28 and 29 Kirati kings according in Gopal genealogy, language-genealogy and Wright genealogy respectively.
Some Major Kirati Kings of Kathmandu Valley From various sources we can find the mentioning of 27 to 32 Kirati kings who had ruled over Nepal. Gopal genealogy mentions 32 Kirati Kings to have ruled over Nepal. Some of the famous Kirati kings have been introduced which is as follows: 1.Yalambar:
Yalambar is regarded as the founder of Kirat monarchical dynasty. He was very brave. He had established the Kirat regime by defeating Bhuwansingh, the ruler of Mahispal dynasty. In some contexts he is also found to be said as ‘Yalung’. It is also believed that Yal , the old name of Patan city was named after him. The posture of Kirati king Yalambar is important in Kathmandu in historical as well as religious perspective. He has also been made related to Indra Jatra, a popular carnival of Kathmandu. Likewise, the head of ‘Akash Bhairab’, which is shown at Indra Chowk, is also worshipped as the idol of Yalambar. Some of the sources of Nepal stated Yalamber as a Kirati King having some essence of lord Mahadeva.
2.Humati:
Humati was the sixth King of Kirat dynasty. He has been mentioned as ‘Hunti’ in Gopal genealogy. Humati is regarded as the Kirati King contemporary to the period of war of Mahabharat. Legends are found that during his regime a war was fought between Kirat-faced Mahadeva and Arjuna. But types of legends can be admitted only as fictions.
3.Jitedasti:
Jitedasti is another remarkable Kirati King. Language-genealogies have regarded him as seventh in the sequence of Kirati Kings. We can find the context of visit of Gautam Buddha in Kathmandu during his period. But according to other evidences Gautam Buddha has never been to Kathmandu, only Ananda, one of his disciple had came to Kathmandu to preach Buddhism here.
4. Sthunko:
In some of the genealogies it is found that Ashoka, the emperor of Maurya, had come to Nepal during the regime of Kirati King Stunko. However, it does not seem to be true. On the basis of other evidences, Ashoka had visited only Lumbini and Kapilvastu. No authentic proof about Ashoka’s visit to Kathmandu has been found till date. Obviously, In order to preach Buddhism, Ashoka had sent peoples to different countries. He might have sent somebody to Nepal.
End of Kirat Rule in Kathmandu Valley
Different genealogies have found to be stating different names of last Kirati King. The Lichhavi monarchical dynasty was established in Nepal by defeating last Kirati King ‘Khigu’, according to Gopal genealogy, ‘Galiz’ according to language-genealogy and ‘Gasti’, according to Wright genealogy. It is not clear yet that when the Lichhavi dynasty was established in Nepal. According to the opinion of Baburam Acharya, the prominent historian of Nepal, Lichhavies were able to establish their independent Lichhavi rule by abolishing Kirati state that prevailed in Nepal around 250 AD. Before coming to Nepal Lichhavis used to rule through republican governance system in Vaishali also said as Basang, which is now located within Muzafferpur city of India. Later, monarchical system gets stronger in the area and being defeated by the King ‘Ajatshatru’ Lichhavies flee to Nepal as refugees in around 1st century AD. The Lichhavis, who had already ruled in Vaishali, expressed their high ambition to win and capture the small, feudal kings of Nepal. In the time of the intense dissatisfaction in public towards their contemporary rulers, Lichhavis led the uprisings in favor of the people’s sentiments. They defeated Kiratis and compelled them to move towards east.
List of Kirat Kings of Kathmandu Valley
According to Mahabharata, a chronicle of Bansawali William Kirk Patrick and Daniel Wright, The Kirat kings were
- King Shree Yelam - 90 years/१। राजा श्री एलम् - ९० वर्ष,
- King Shree Pelam - 81 years/राजा श्री पेलं - ८१ वर्ष,
- King Shree Melam - 89 years/राजा श्री मेलं - ८९ वर्ष,
- King Shree Changming - 42 years/राजा श्री चंमिं - ४२ वर्ष,
- King Shree Dhakang - 37 years/राजा श्री धस्कं - ३७ वर्ष,
- King Shree Walangcha - 31 years 6 months/राजा श्री वलंच - ३१ वर्ष ६ महिना,
- King Shree Hungting - 40 years 8 months/राजा श्री हुतिं - ४० वर्ष ८ महिना,
- King Shree Hoorma - 50 years/राजा श्री हुरमा - ५० वर्ष,
- King Shree Tooske - 41 years 8 months/राजा श्री तुस्के - ४१ वर्ष ८ महिना,
- King Shree Prasaphung - 38 years 6 months/राजा श्री प्रसफुं - ३८ वर्ष ६ महिना,
- King Shree Pawa: - 46 years/राजा श्री पवः - ४६ वर्ष,
- King Shree Daasti - 40 years/राजा श्री दास्ती - ४० वर्ष,
- King Shree Chamba - 71 years/राजा श्री चम्ब - ७१ वर्ष,
- King Shree Kongkong - 54 years/राजा श्री कंकं - ५४ वर्ष,
- King Shree Swananda - 40 years 6 months/राजा श्री स्वनन्द - ४० वर्ष ६ महिना,
- King Shree Phukong - 58 years/राजा श्री फुकों - ५८ वर्ष,
- King Shree Singhu - 49 years 6 months/राजा श्री शिंघु - ४९ वर्ष ६ महिना,
- King Shree Joolam - 73 years 3 months/राजा श्री जुलम् - ७३ वर्ष ३ महिना,
- King Shree Lookang - 40 years/राजा श्री लुकं - ४० वर्ष,
- King Shree Thoram - 71 years/राजा श्री थोरम् - ७१ वर्ष,
- King Shree Thuko - 83 years/राजा श्री थुको - ८३ वर्ष,
- King Shree Barmma - 73 years 6 months/राजा श्री वर्म्म - ७३ वर्ष ६ महिना,
- King Shree Gunjong - 72 years 7 months/राजा श्री गुंजं ७२ वर्ष ७ महिना,
- King Shree Pushka - 81 years/राजा श्री पुस्क - ८१ वर्ष,
- King Shree Tyapamee - 54 years/राजा श्री त्यपमि - ५४ वर्ष,
- King Shree Moogmam - 58 years/राजा श्री मुगमम् - ५८ वर्ष,
- King Shree Shasaru - 63 years/राजा श्री शसरू - ६३ वर्ष,
- King Shree Goongoong - 74 years/राजा श्री गंणं - ७४ वर्ष,
- King Shree Khimbung - 76 years/राजा श्री खिम्बुं - ७६ वर्ष,
- King Shree Girijung - 81 years/राजा श्री गिरीजं - ८१ वर्ष,
- King Shree Khurangja - 78 years/राजा श्री खुरांज - ७८ वर्ष,
- King Shree Gasti - 58 years/राजा श्री खिगु - ८५ वर्ष
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Sattal Akash Bhairava (Yalembar) at Indra Chowk
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Mask of Akash Bhairava (Yalembar) at Indra Chowk
References in Mahabharata
Arjuna's interactions with the Kirat are described in both the Mahabharata and the Skanda Purana, which tell the story of Arjuna fighting with a Kirat Hunter, then discovering that it was Mahadeva. Properly addressing Shiva as Mahadeva, Arjuna begged forgiveness and humbly prayed for blessings to acquire Pashupatrastra. Lord Shiva in a related pastime with Arjuna is described as taking the form of a boya hunter. This is said to be the only form in which Shiva appears black in color. According to Skanda Purana, Lord Shiva resided at Kailasa, in the Tibetan range at this time. (SP 3-39,49). Shiva is described as sometimes assuming the form of Kiratas, Pisachas and Savaras, or other tribes (SP 13,14).
The Kambojas, Gandharas, Kiratas and Barbaras were mentioned together as northern tribes at (12,206).
The Yavanas, the Kiratas, the Gandharvas, the Chinas, the Savaras, the Barbaras, the Sakas, the Tusharas, the Kankas, the Pathavas, the Andhras, the Madrakas, the Paundras, the Pulindas, the Ramathas, the Kamvojas were mentioned together as tribes beyond the kingdoms of Aryavarta. The Aryavarta-kings had doubts on dealing with them. (12,64)
Kiratas as a Mlechha tribe
Kiratas were mentioned along with Pulindas and Chinas, Hunas, Pahlavas, Sakas, Yavanas, Savaras, Paundras, Kanchis, Dravidas, Sinhalas and Keralas. All these tribes were described as Mlechha tribes. Here they were described as the protectors of sage Vasistha and his cow against the attack of the king Viswamitra. (1,177).
Territories of Kiratas
Kirata territories extended along the eastern Himalayan belt of the mountain ranges.
Kiratas of diverse regions in ancient India
Numerous chiefs of the Kiratas, armed with hunting weapons and ever engaged in hunting activities, eating of fruits and roots and attired in skins (animal-skins or tree-barks), were mentioned to dwell on the northern slopes of the Himavat and on the mountain from behind which the sun rises (Arunachal Pradesh) and in the region of Karusha on the sea-coast (could be the mouths of Ganges in Bangladesh or the mouths of Sindhu in Pakistan) and on both sides of the Lohitya mountains (in eastern Assam and western Arunachal Pradesh). They were mentioned as bringing tribute to Yudhishthira during his Rajasuya sacrifice. They brought with them, loads upon loads of sandal and aloe as also black aloe, and heaps upon heaps of valuable skins and gold and perfumes, and ten thousand serving-girls of their own race, and many beautiful animals and birds of remote countries, and much gold of great splendour procured from mountains (2,51). The Kairatas (Kiratas), the Daradas, the Darvas, the Suras, the Vaiamakas, the Audumvaras, the Durvibhagas, the Kumaras, the Paradas along with the Vahlikas, the Kashmiras, the Ghorakas also were mentioned, here as bringin tributes
The various tribes of Kiratas were mentioned along with the Pahlavas and the Daradas and Yavanas and Sakas and the Harahunas and Chinas and Tukharas and the Sindhavas and the Jagudas and the Ramathas and the Mundas and the inhabitants of the kingdom of women and the Tanganas and the Kekayas and the Malavas and the inhabitants of Kasmira. They were described as accepting the sway of Yudhishthira, performing various offices in his palace. (3,51)
The Kiratas who were fierce in battles mostly dwelled in the vastness of the Himavat.It is believed by some scholars that they were vanquished by Karna.
Kiratas under the Himalayan kingdom called Pulinda
Pulinda king is described as the king of Kiratas also at (2,4). He is said to attend the inauguration of the new court of Pandava king Yudhishthira at Indraprastha along with many other kings of Ancient India (Bharata Varsha). His kingdom lay close to the Kailas range in Tibet.
Domains of king Suvahu, the lord of the Pulindas, is mentioned as situated on the Himalayas abounding in horses and elephants, densely inhabited by the Kiratas and the Tanganas, crowded by hundreds of Pulindas, frequented by the exotic tribes, and rife with wonders. Pandavas stayed here for some time on their onward-journey to the Himalayan regions (3,140).
Then all those warriors, viz the Pandavas having in due course happily lived at Badari (Badrinath, Uttarakhand), for one month, proceeded towards the realm of Suvahu, king of the Kiratas, by following the same track by which they had come. And crossing the difficult Himalayan regions, and the countries of China, Tukhara, Darada and all the climes of Kulinda, rich in heaps of jewels, those warlike men reached the capital of Suvahu (3,176).
Their final destination was the source of Yamuna. Thus they could have made a circular path, from Badari (Badrinath) to Tibet and Kashmir and finally to Himachal Pradesh.
Kiratas under Paundraka Vasudeva
There was a king named Paundraka Vasudeva, who was an enemy of Vasudeva Krishna. This king used to dress like Vasudeva Krishan and mock him. He mentioned to rule over the kingdoms of Vanga (West Bengal), Pundra (north-Bangladesh) and Kiratas (2,14). The Kiratas mentioned here were those living in the vicinity of Darjeeling Himalayan region.
Kiratas under Bhagadatta
Kiratas and Chinas were mentioned as forming the army of Pragjyotisha (Assam) king Bhagadatta (5,19). This army took part in the Kurukshetra War for the sake of Kauravas and its size was one Akshouhini (a huge army unit).
Kiratas conquered by Bhima
Bhima, during his military campaign in the eastern countries to collect tribute for Pandava king Yudhishthira's Rajasuya sacrifice, conquered Kirata kings, close to the Videha Kingdom
Bhima, the son of Pandu, sending forth expeditions from Videha Kingdom, conquered the seven kings of the Kiratas living about the Indra mountain (2,29). These were considered to be the Kiriatas in Nepal.
Kiratas conquered by Nakula
Nakula during his military campaign in the western countries to collect tribute for Pandava king Yudhishthira's Rajasuya sacrifice, conquered Kiratas in the western hills
Nakula, the son of Pandu, then reduced to subjection the fierce Mlechchas residing on the sea coast (in Karachi area), as also the wild tribes of the Palhavas (an Iranian tribe), the Kiratas, the Yavanas and the Sakas (2,31). These Kiratas lied in the western mountains in Pakistan.
Kiratas in Kurukhsetra War
Kiratas and Chinas were part of the one Akshouhini of troops of Pragjyotisha (Assam) king Bhagadatta who joined the side of the Kauravas(5,19).
Western Kiratas were mentioned along with the Sakas, and Yavanas, the Sivis and the Vasatis as marching in the huge army of Kauravas (5,198). The Sakas, the Kiratas, the Yavanas, and the Pahlavas were mentioned in a battle-array formed by the Kauravas (6,20). Similarly, they are mentioned in another battle-array formed on another day at (6,50).
Words of Satyaki a Yadava chief on the side of Pandavas, during Kurukshetra War:- Those other elephants 700 in number, all cased in armour and ridden by Kiratas, and decked with ornaments, the king of the Kiratas, desirous of his life, had formerly presented to Arjuna. These were formerly employed in doing good to Yudhishthira. Behold the vicissitudes that time brings about, for these are now battling against Yudhishthira. Those elephants are ridden by Kiratas difficult of defeat in battle. They are accomplished in fighting from elephants and are all sprung from the race of Agni. Formerly, they were all vanquished in battle by Arjuna. They are now waiting for me carefully, under the orders of Duryodhana. Slaying with my shafts these Kiratas difficult of defeat in battle, I shall follow in the track of Arjuna (7,109).
The Tusharas, the Yavanas, the Khasas, the Darvabhisaras, the Daradas, the Sakas, the Kamathas, the Ramathas, the Tanganas the Andhrakas (obviously not the southern Andhras), the Pulindas, the Kiratas of fierce prowess, the Mlecchas, the Mountaineers, and the races hailing from the sea-side, were all united in battle for the purpose of the Kaurava king Duryodhana. (8,73) The ruler of the Kiratas died in battle (8,5).
Arjuna's conquests after Kurukhsetra War
Countless was the fete of Kshatriyas, of kings in myriads, who fought with Arjuna on the occasion of his military campaign to collect tribute for Yudhishthira's Ashwamedha sacrifice, for having lost their kinsmen on the field of Kurukshetra. Innumerable Kiratas also and Yavanas, all excellent bowmen, and diverse tribes of Mlechechas too, who had been discomfited before (by the Pandavas on the field of Kurukshetra), and many Arya kings, possessed of soldiers and animals, encountered Arjuna in battle (14,73). He battled with the Kasis, the Angas, the Kosalas, the Kiratas, and the Tanganas (14,83)
Absence of Brahmins among Kiratas
The Mekalas, the Dravidas, the Lathas, the Paundras, the Konwasiras, the Saundikas, the Daradas, the Darvas, the Chauras, the Savaras, the Varvaras, the Kiratas, the Yavanas, Kambojas, Hunas, Sakas and numerous other tribes of Kshatriyas, have become degraded into the status of Sudras through the absence of Brahmanas. (13,35)
See also
References
- Radhakumud Mukharji (2009), Hindu Shabhyata, Rajkamal Prakashan Pvt Ltd, ISBN 978-81-267-0503-0,
... किरात (मंगोल) : द्रविड़ भाषाओं से भिन्न यह भाषाओं में किरात या ...
- Shiva Prasad Dabral (1965), Uttarākhaṇḍ kā itihās, Volume 2, Vīr-Gāthā-Prakāshan,
... प्राचीन साहित्य में किरात-संस्कृति, किरात-भूमि ...
- "Kingdom of South Asia Nepal".
- "History of Nepal everyear in Map".
- {cite web|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3VUOQVtWu0U%7Ctitle=Most powerful Kings of Nepal Countdown 10}}
- "The Kirāts".
- "The Lichhavi and Kirat kings of Nepal". telegraphnepal.com. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- P.5 India Nepal Relations: Historical, Cultural and Political Perspective By Sanasam Sandhyarani Devi, Vij Books India Pvt Ltd, 28 Dec 2011
- P.109 History of Nepāl By Daniel Wright, Cambridge University Press, 1877
- "Nepal in the Mahabharata Period, Part 13".
- Mahabharata of Krishna Dwaipayana Vyasa, translated to English by Kisari Mohan Ganguli
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