Pratap Malla

Pratap Malla was the king of Kantipur (Kathmandu). His father’s name was Lakshim Narasinha Malla. He was very ambitious. He imprisoned his father and sat on the throne in 1698 B.S. He extended his territory. He fought with Patan and Bhaktapur to annex them to his kingdom but could not succeed. Pratap Malla was a lover of literature. He was a poet. He wrote Kavindra before his name Kavindra means the king of poets.

He was fond of building temples. He set up an image of Hanuman beside his palace. Since then, the palace is called ‘Hanuman Dhoka’. Besides this, he built a temple of Krishna with the image of Kala Bhairav in front of hanuman Dhoka and a temple of Guheshwari. He offered a gold umbressa to pashupatinath. He had great respect for Buddhism. He introduced Seto Machchhindranath Jatra.

When his son died, his wife was deeply shocked. So he dug a pond in Kathmandu and put water in it from many holy places. There is a temple in the middle of the pond. This pond is called Rain Pokhari. He installed an image of narayan in the Rani Pokhari temple. This image is like that of budhanilkantha. It is said that budhanilkantha told him in dream not to see him. Since then the  kings of Nepal do not visit Budhanilkantha.

The rumour is that Pratap Malla had three hundred queens. He was a lustful king. He ruled for 33 years and then died in 1731 B.S.

Siddhi Narasinha Malla

Siddhi Narasinha Malla was the son of king Hariharsinha Malla. He sat on the throne of patan in 1675 B.S. Patan had no good relation with Kathmandu. Siddhi Narasinha Malla forced Kathmandu to conclude a treaty with Patan.

Of all the Malla kings of Patan Siddhi Narasingh Malla was the greatest. He was a virtuous, wise and kind hearted mean. He built many water spouts, inns, ponds, temples and monasteries. He built the famous Krishna Temple of Patan. It is a masterpiece  of art important events of the Ramayan and the Mahabharat are carved on the walls of the temple of Taleju Bhawani. He led a very hard religious life In summer he sat in the centre of Panchagni (five fires). In winter he used to lie down on a nold stone in the open courtyard of his palace. He introduced religious dances.

During his rule trade developed in Patan. Patan had trade relations with Tibet. He issued his own coins. He was a learned man. He was fond of art, poem and drama. He abdicated his throne and spent his life in Varanasi. He died in 1767 B.S.

Bhupatindra Malla

King Yaksha Malla’s sons divided the Malla Kingdom intor three states-Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. Raya Malla got Bhaktapur. Bhupatindra Massa was his descendant. His father’s name was Jitamitra Malla. He ascended the throne of Bhaktapur in 1753 B.S. He was experienced, clever and brave. He had to fight with Kantipur and Lalitpur. He got victory in those battles.  Bhupatindra Massa was very fond of constructive work. He built temples, taps inns and palaces. He built a place called pachapanna Jhyale Durbar (places with fifty-five windows) in Bhaktapur. Its golden gate and windows are objects of great admira-tion. In front of the Durbar stands a stone pillar on which there is  abrass statue of Bhupatindra Malla with folded hands. The Durbar is unique in beauty. Another excellent work of Bhupatindra Massa is a five-storeyed temple called Nyatapol. On the steps of the temple there are images of wrestlers, elephants and lions. Inside the temple is set up Siddhilaxmi, the goddess of Tantras. Tourists do visit this temple and the palace.  He wrote mahy songs, dramas and religious books. Ushaharan, Jaimini Bharat, Bauri Vivah, Ramayan, Mahabharat etc are his famous works.

Jayasthiti Malla

Jayasthiti Malla ascended the throne of Nepal in 1350 A.D. (1438B.S.). At that time the condition of the country was very bad. There was political disturbance in the palace. The country was economically weak. There was social disorder. A competent and resolute ruler was necessary. Jaysthiti Malla made reforms. He reorganized the caste system. Each caste had its own occupation, dress and manners. He made temples and placed idols in them. He performed Kotihom. He was a lover of literature. He encouraged Sanskrit and Newari languages. Poems and dramas were written. He brought economic reforms. Land was divided into four classes according to the production of crops. He introduced measuring units called mana, pathi, pau and dharni. The work of measuring land and house was given to the Kshertadar and Takshakar respectively. He introduced the system of imposing fines on cfiminals.

Jayasthiti Malla was a great reformist. He was an expert politician. He brought political stability in the country. There was peace and prosperity in the country. He died in 1452 B.S.

Malla Kings

The Mallas came to Nepal from India. They had their kingdoms in India. They were afraid of the growing power of Ajatshtru. So the Lichchhavi, Massa and Shakya kings fled towards the Himalayas. The Mallas founded their states in the hills . when the Lichchhavis became wead in the Kathmandu Valley, the Mallas’ power grew. It is said that Aridev Malla (or Ari Malla) was the first historical Malla king of the Kathmandu Valley.

Anshuverma

After Mandev his son Shivdev I sat on the throne. He was a religious minded, learned and patient king. He entrusted the task of administration with Anshuverma. Anshuverma was a high official in the court of Shivded I. The king was very pleased with him and made him Mahasamant. At last he was made king by Shivdev I.

Anshuverma was an able king. He was very clever. He always thought about he good of his people. He encouraged foreign trade. Many things from Nepal were sent abroad. He brought reforms in weight and measurement. He made arrangements for irrigation. So agriculture and animal husbandry developed. The economic condition of the subjects improved. To protect the country he made forts. He was a devotee of Vishnu, but he respected Buddhism. He built temples and vihars. He was a learned man and respected the learned. He made a seven-storeyed grand palace called Kailashkut Bhawan. He conducted administration from there. He loved the freedom of his country. King Srong Tsang Gampo of China and King Harshavardhan of India were very powerful. They wished to extend their territories. Anshuverma give his daughter Bhrikuti to srong Tsang Gampo in marriage. so king Harshavardhan could not dare attack Nepal. Anshuverma introduced a samvat. There was peace in the country. Nepal progressed during his rule.