Nepali art has the most distinctive identity of all the cultural artefacts of this country. The identity can be seen at both the vertical and horizontal levels - in the system of culture through the times and the socio-political structures that Nepal saw with every change within the country and in the neighbouring countries of India and China (Tibet included). Therefore the study of Nepali art involves the study of its history, government, politics, role of elites and cultural policies adopted at different times.