The museums of Kathmandu celebrate and preserve the legacies of numerous historical and cultural figures:
* **King Prithvi Narayan Shah:** The 18th-century founder of modern Nepal; his personal artifacts and military history form a core exhibit at the National Museum. * **Arniko:** A legendary 13th-century Nepali architect and artist who spread Newari architectural styles (like the pagoda) to Tibet and China. * **Lain Singh Bangdel:** The late, eminent Nepali artist, novelist, and art historian who played a crucial role in documenting stolen Nepali antiquities. * **Chandra Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana:** The early 20th-century Prime Minister who built the Chhauni Silkhana, the arsenal building that now houses the National Museum. * **Dina Bangdel:** A prominent art historian and curator who championed the global recognition of Nepali traditional and contemporary art.