History and development

History and development
Nepal Bhasha words appeared in Sanskrit inscriptions in the Kathmandu Valley for the first time in the fifth century. The words are names of places, taxes, and merchandise indicating that it already existed as a spoken language during the Licchavi period (approximately 400-750 AD).
Inscriptions in Nepal Bhasha emerged from the 12th century, the palm-leaf manuscript from Uku Bahah being the first example. By the 14th century, Nepal Bhasha had become an administrative language as shown by the official proclamations and public notices written in it. The first books, manuals, histories, and dictionaries also appeared during this time. The Gopalarajavamsavali, a history of Nepal, appeared in 1389 AD.
Nepal Bhasha developed from the 14th to the late 18th centuries as the court and state language of Nepal. It was the definite language of stone and copper plate inscriptions, royal decrees, chronicles, Hindu and Buddhist manuscripts, official documents, journals, title deeds, correspondence, and creative writing. Records of the life-cycle ceremonies of Malla royalty and the materials used were written in Nepal Bhasha.
The period 1505-1847 AD was a golden age for Nepal Bhasa literature. Poetry, stories, epics and dramas were produced in great numbers during this time which is known as the Classical Period.
Outside Nepal Mandala
Inscriptions written in Nepal Bhasha occur across Nepal Mandala and outside.
In Gorkha, the Bhairav Temple at Pokharithok Bazaar contains an inscription dated Nepal Sambat 704 (1584 AD). The Palanchowk Bhagawati Temple situated to the east of Kathmandu contains an inscription recording a land donation dated Nepal Sambat 861 (1741 AD).
In Bhojpur in east Nepal, an inscription at the Bidyadhari Ajima Temple dated Nepal Sambat 1011 (1891 AD) records the donation of a door and tympanum. The Bindhyabasini Temple in Bandipur in west Nepal contains an inscription dated Nepal Sambat 950 (1830 AD) about the donation of a tympanum.
Outside Nepal, Nepal Bhasha has been used in Tibet. Official documents and inscriptions recording votive offerings made by Newar traders have been found in Lhasa. A copper plate dated Nepal Sambat 781 (1661 AD) recording the donation of a tympanum is installed at the shrine of Chhwaskamini Ajima (Tibetan: Palden Lhamo) in the Jokhang Temple.



Geographic distribution
Nepal Bhasha is spoken by over a million people in Nepal according to the 2001 census.
In Nepal: Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City, Bhaktapur Municipality, Kirtipur Municipality, Madhyapur Thimi Municipality), Dolakha, Banepa, Dhulikhel, Bhimphedi (Makwanpur), Panauti, Palpa, Trishuli, Nuwakot, Bhojpur, Biratnagar, Baglung, Bandipur, Birgunj, Hetauda and other chief cities.
In India: Sikkim, West Bengal
In Tibet: Khasa
With an increase in emigration, various bodies and societies of Nepal Bhasha-speaking people have emerged in countries like the US, the UK, Australia, and Japan.