Lalitpur, city in Nepal, on the Baghmati River, in the Kathmandu Valley, just south of Kathmandu. Lalitpur is the administrative center of Lalitpur District. The area surrounding the city produces barley, wheat, millet, oats, corn, rice, potatoes, and vegetables. The city is known for its metalwork, brassware, woven textiles, matches, and handicrafts; an industrial area was established in the 1960s. The site of Lalitpur is very old, having parts of ancient walls and Hindu temples dating from the 3rd century BC and Buddhist temples of the 15th and 16th centuries. Founded about AD650, Lalitpur was the capital of the traditional first king of Nepal. During the Middle Ages the area was alternately an independent Newar kingdom or tributary to Kathmandu or Bhaktapur, until the Shah dynasty conquered it in 1768. The city was formerly known as Patan; the present Sanskrit name is now in official use. Population (1991) 117,203.Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia 2001
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