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Birth of Buddhism
Aryan tribes began arriving around 1500 BCE from the northwest. Around 1000 BCE, small kingdoms and confederations of clans arose in the region. One of the earliest confederations was that of the Shakya clan, whose capital was Kapilavastu, near the present-day border with India. One of its princes was <> Siddharta Gautama (563–483 BCE), who renounced his royalty to lead an ascetic life and came to be known as the ''''Buddha'''' ("the enlightened one"). By 260 BCE, most of North India northern India was ruled by the <>. Although not all of Nepal was under Maurya rule, there is evidence of at least the influence of <> the Great (the ruler of the Maurya Empire from 273 BCE 273 to 232 BCE). The remains of a Buddhist convent have been found in the Kathmandu Valley. In the fourth century CE, the area fell under the <>. Cultural diffusion is evident despite the lack of direct control of Nepal by the Gupta Empire.
Published: October 15, 2007
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