Sakotha lies to the east of Bhaktapur Durbar Square and north of Taumadhi Square. Name of this place seemed to be derived from the name of medieval library Safu Kotha. In Nepal(Newari) Language, Safu means 'Book' and kotha means 'room'. Today the main house where the library was established is partially destroyed by recent earthquake in April 2015.
When Lichhaviees first came to Nepal that is today's Kathmandu Valley, they brought many more valuable manuscripts to Nepal and set up a library in Bhakapur and named it 'Safu Kotha'. The written history of Nepal began from Lichhaviees King Mandev, so it is also said that Safukotha is the first library of Nepal. Today this place is called Sokatha. Sakotha was famous for oriental philosophy and tantrism in 13th to 17th Century. It is said that there were more than 14000 manuscripts in the Library during that time. Bhaktapur was the main capital city before the unification of Nepal.
History tells that during unification of Nepal by Prithvi Narayan Shah, this library was burnt down to destory the manuscripts and books of arts, culture and history since Nepal valley was rich in art, cultures at that time. Unfortunately, most of the manuscripts of Safukotha were burnt out and some historians tell that fire lasted at least a week. Very few were taken to Hanumandhoka. It is said that around 70 percent manuscript preserved in National archives is from Bhaktapur.
References:
Bhaktapur, The Historical City , Professor Purushottam Lochan Shrestha, Ph.D.
Short overviews of libraries in Nepal, Nepal National Library
Nepalese Libraries: Current Situation and Challenges, Ministry of Education
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| Cr. Prajen Gwala Bhadel |
When Lichhaviees first came to Nepal that is today's Kathmandu Valley, they brought many more valuable manuscripts to Nepal and set up a library in Bhakapur and named it 'Safu Kotha'. The written history of Nepal began from Lichhaviees King Mandev, so it is also said that Safukotha is the first library of Nepal. Today this place is called Sokatha. Sakotha was famous for oriental philosophy and tantrism in 13th to 17th Century. It is said that there were more than 14000 manuscripts in the Library during that time. Bhaktapur was the main capital city before the unification of Nepal.
History tells that during unification of Nepal by Prithvi Narayan Shah, this library was burnt down to destory the manuscripts and books of arts, culture and history since Nepal valley was rich in art, cultures at that time. Unfortunately, most of the manuscripts of Safukotha were burnt out and some historians tell that fire lasted at least a week. Very few were taken to Hanumandhoka. It is said that around 70 percent manuscript preserved in National archives is from Bhaktapur.
References:
Bhaktapur, The Historical City , Professor Purushottam Lochan Shrestha, Ph.D.
Short overviews of libraries in Nepal, Nepal National Library
Nepalese Libraries: Current Situation and Challenges, Ministry of Education
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