2 The early dynastic tradition

Nepali chronicles record the Gopala and Mahisapala rulers of the valley, followed by the Kirat dynasty with its long list of kings. These lists come from much later chronicles (vamshavalis), written centuries after the events and serving the interests of their patrons. They are used with care: as evidence of a tradition of kingship and of the valley's antiquity, not as a reliable register of dates.