The Malla dynasty emerged
in the last part of the dark ages. After the fall of the Lichchhavis came
the Malla period during which the foundation
of the city
of Kantipur (later Kathmandu) was laid. The
early Malla rule started with Ari Malla in the 12th century and over the
next two centuries grew into a large empire before disintegrating into
small principalities, which later became known as the Baisi (i.e. the
twenty-two principalities). This was more or less coincidental with the
emergence of the Chaubisi (i.e. twenty-four principalities). The history
of these principalities remains shrouded up until the time when they joined
other kingdoms, both large and small, to form the unified Kingdom of Nepal.
Jayasthiti Malla, with whom commences the later Malla period in the Kathmandu
Valley, reigned towards the end of the 14th century. Though his rule was
rather short, his place among the rulers in the Valley is eminent for
the various social and economic reforms.
In general Malla rulers transformed their capitals into what might be called open-air museums of arts and architecture. Almost all the fine examples of art and architecture, the graceful pagodas in the shape of temples places, and homes; the prevailing customs of the various castes and the many festivals cycling round the year are the products of Malla period. They are still a living phenomenon and influence the life of the people with the same impulse as it used to do more than four hundred years ago.
Yakshya Mall, the grandson of Jayasthiti Malla, ruled the Kathmandu Valley until almost the end of the 15th century. After his demise, the Valley was divided into three independent kingdoms- Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan – in about 1484 A.D. This division led the Malla rulers into internecine wars for territorial and commercial gains. Mutually debilitating wars gradually weakened them and by the time of King Prithvi Narayan Shah's incursion of the Valley, they had by themselves reached the brink of political extinction. The last rulers were Jaya Pradash Malla, Tej Narsingh Malla and Ranjit Malla of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur respectively.
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In general Malla rulers transformed their capitals into what might be called open-air museums of arts and architecture. Almost all the fine examples of art and architecture, the graceful pagodas in the shape of temples places, and homes; the prevailing customs of the various castes and the many festivals cycling round the year are the products of Malla period. They are still a living phenomenon and influence the life of the people with the same impulse as it used to do more than four hundred years ago.
Yakshya Mall, the grandson of Jayasthiti Malla, ruled the Kathmandu Valley until almost the end of the 15th century. After his demise, the Valley was divided into three independent kingdoms- Kathmandu, Bhaktapur and Patan – in about 1484 A.D. This division led the Malla rulers into internecine wars for territorial and commercial gains. Mutually debilitating wars gradually weakened them and by the time of King Prithvi Narayan Shah's incursion of the Valley, they had by themselves reached the brink of political extinction. The last rulers were Jaya Pradash Malla, Tej Narsingh Malla and Ranjit Malla of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur respectively.