History of kirtipur

History says that the ancient city of Kirtipur was founded by Shiva Deva  between 1099 AD and 1126 AD and during the reign of the Malla Kingdom in the 15th century the city was developed for human settlement. Kirtipur’s fortress was considered impregnable. The Gurkha King Prithvi Narayan Shah laid siege to it three times before 1768 A.D. finally taking the town and then, it is said, only after it had been betrayed.  Even today the weapons from those former battles are mounted at the roof of Bagh Bhairav Temple.He exacted terrible revenge for heavy Gurkha losses – his brother was among those killed – by cutting off the nose and lips of every man and boy over the age of 12. Only wind-instrument players were spared – they were required to celebrate his triumph. The line of the old town wall, pierced by 12 gates, is still clearly visible. Most of the townspeople were weavers and farmers, the lower castes living outside the wall.