CrazyHorse,

I think SATI was outlawed in nepal during chandra samsher's rule. He had outlawed slavery(kamara-kamari Pratha) too. So it is sometime between 1970-1980 BS. I am preety sure that SATI pratha was in practice till that time as one of my great-grand aunt has done so. What i have noticed is not all widow were supposed to practice that. It was more of choice for the widow. Many widows with younger kids had chosen to stay alive and had taken care of their kids. Those widows without kids were more inclined or forced by society to follow their husband's path.

About the origin of Sati Pratha in nepal, what i believe is, this ritual is in fabric of hindu culture. So i agree with yr view that this practice has entered nepal with the Licchavis ascending to the thorne of Nepal or at least came in wide spread practice after their rise in power. I don't mean to say Kirantis were not Hindu. The BIRUPAKCHYA which u can see in Pashupati was itself made in the times of First Kiranti king Yalambar. Kirantis, still being Hindus, had a lot of unique rituals and practices. They may not have practiced Sati.

With the rise of Gupta vansha in india, Licchavis were forced out of vaishali (a place near to patna in modern day india). if u try to get materials related to Gupta Vanshas of India or prior to it, you might be able to know more about SATI.

Good luck for yr project.....u r hitting some interesting topics....