The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c14.42.2

v1.c14.42.2

A critical study of the inscriptions of the period anterior to this shows that they refer only to *grāmas* and to a rural community which lived mainly by agriculture. Deva-Pattana, standing near the temple of Paśupati, was the only city in the Valley. The king lived near the temple, and the court and pilgrims assured to the *pattana* a sufficient number of customers for the merchandise of the small bazar. But gradually with regular intercourse with the Indian plains commerce developed with a mutual exchange of goods. The formation of the Tibetan kingdom opened up a new direction. As Nepal guarded the important routes which led from the Indian plains to Tibet and China its people soon came into contact with a wider world and left the comparatively less un-remunerative fields for trade and commerce. Lévi has pointed out that at the time when the History of the T'ang (618-905 A.D.) was compiled, merchants were numerous and cultivators rare in Nepal. The growth of commerce and city life also synchronised with the development of manual arts and industries. Goldsmiths, metal founders, painters, illuminators, found a ready market for their handicrafts in the neighbouring countries.¹ Guṇakāmadeva is said to have instituted at Katmandu a *Yātrā* in honour of Lokeśvara Khasarpaṇa, probably in imitation of the *Yātrā* of Matsyendranātha at Patan.² He made large benefactions to the god Paśupati, and appears to have extended his power outside the Valley towards the east.