In analysing and interpreting the non-Sanskrit words encountered in the Sanskrit inscriptions of ancient Nepal, four interrelated hypotheses have provided the main conceptual framework in the author's work:
- the non-Sanskrit words in the running text of Sanskrit inscriptions provide valuable evidence for prehistoric tribal-Hindu ethnic contacts;
- mostly these words belong to the Tibeto-Burman languages, basically to proto-Newari from which the present day Newari has developed;
- in the course of the Hindu political-cultural domination by the Licchavis (A.D. 464-879), the Thakuris (A.D. 880-1200), and the Mallas (A.D. 1201-1769), the tribals were Hinduised or Sanskritised; and
- in the process, different species of tribal toponyms were Sanskrised, including the name of the country itself.
In the present paper, the author presents some more evidence in support of his hypotheses. He looks at the names of the hillocks - like water sources, the rivers and their confluences, are susceptible to veneration as sacred cult objects. The sanctification of hillocks and mountains is a form of the veneration of high places.
