The Licchavi Kingdom on the Indian subcontinent existed in modern-day Nepal from 400 to 750 AD. The Licchavi clan originated from Vaishali and Muzaffarpur in modern northern India and conquered the Kathmandu Valley. The language of Licchavi inscriptions is Vajjika which is close to Gupta scripts which were common in India which infers close cultural influence. The Licchavi clan came to Kathmandu attacking and defeating the last Kirat King Gasti. The Licchavi were ruled by a Maharaja who was aided by a prime minister in charge of military operations. Nobles known as samanta influenced the court whilst managing their own landholdings and militia. The population provided land taxes and conscript labor to support the regime. Most local administration was performed by village heads or leading families. The economy was agricultural relying on rice and grains. Lands were owned by the royal families and nobles, and the key trading partners were Tibet and India as the Licchavi Kingdom sat at the crossroads.

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