Recorded history begins with the Lichchhavis. When they came to power in around 250 A.D., a golden age emerged in the history of Nepal. The post Lichchavi period is considered as the dark age. The Lichchhavis has genius for the reconstruction of whole of the country. With them the nation entered a new phase of prosperity in art and culture, painting, architecture and sculpture flourished highly and realized a new height of development.

    The Lichchhavis are said to have migrated into Nepal from north India in around 250 A.D. The first Lichchhavi king of historical importance was Manadeva I. A fairly wide kingdom stretching from the Gandaki to possibly the Kosi seems to have existed under him. He emerges from the inscriptions asa powerful and a determined monarch. His structural reforms were Mangriha( the first royal palace at Gokarna ), Changu Narayan <<See Pic>> . His other reforms were "Mananka", the first money and Tape for measuring Land Distances.

    Another important Lichchhavi monarch was Anshuverma who opened trade routes to Tibet. One of his daughters, Bhrikuti, who was married to Tibetan ruler Tsrong- tsong – Gompo, was instrumental in spreading the Gospel of Buddha in Tibet and China. Anshuverma has been referred to as a man of many talents in the accounts of the Chinese traveler Huen Tsang, who had visited India in the 7th century A.D.

    Narendradeva, another Lichchhavi king and son of Udayadeva, initiated friendly relations with China and his successors laid the foundations of friendship with India by entering into matrimonial alliances with the Indian royal families. He build "Bhadradhi Bas" Palace. He ruled the country during 645 BC to 679 BC.

The Lichchhavi rule spanned over a period of about 630 years, the last ruler being Jayakamadeva. On the whole these Lichchhavis kings seem to have been successful in maintaining a stable and prosperous state under whose patronage a thriving tradition of arts flourished. The stone sculptures and metal statuettes of the period proclaim it the golden period of Nepalese art.