Kings of Bhaktapur

Introduction to Jitamitra Malla

Jitamitra Malla was one of the leading Kings of Bhaktapur from 1672 to 1696 A.D. He improved Foreign Relations with Kathmandu and Patan.

Further, he promoted Arts, Architecture, Literature and Intellectual Culture in Bhaktapur. He was a People Centric Kings and brought several developmental activities to make Bhaktapur prosperous.

In matters of Construction, he built annexes to the Royal Palace, constructed Royal Canals, built temples and claimed the Title of Lord of Elephants.

Reign of Jitamitra Malla

Jitamitra Malla was the eldest son of King Jagat Prakash Malla who died at the age of 34 years old. Hence, Jitamitra Malla was made the King of Nepal at a very young age. Although the main administrator isn’t known, a Powerful Minister by the name of Bhagirama is said to have been the Chief Minister of Bhaktapur.

Chronology of Jitamitra Malla

His Chief Minister

He was a clever and successful administrator and was loved by the People as well. In many of Inscriptions of Jitamitra Malla, it is seen that Bhagirama helped Jitamitra Malla in the activities of the Construction of the Royal Palace.

Unfortunately, A Minister by the name of Laxminarayan Josi was also the Chief Minister of Kathmandu. He hated the popularity of Bhagirama and wanted him gone.

He sent a message to the King of Bhaktapur to immediately remove him but the King hesitated. Jitamitra Malla absolutely adored Bhagirama and didn’t want him gone. Therefore, he denied even responding to the request.

In Response, Laxminarayan Josi launched a dangerous blockade against Bhaktapur. As Bhaktapur was dependent on Kathmandu to contact the Western Parts of Nepal and remain in Trade, this blockade caused a severe crisis in Bhaktapur. Many Businessmen couldn’t trade and some necessities of Daily life couldn’t be obtained as well.

Therefore, The People started to oppose Bhagirama until he ran away and was forced to remove himself from the Position. After a short time, the Minister of Kathmandu, Laxminarayan Josi was assassinated.

Relation with Other Kingdoms

This Incident hampered the Administrative Capacity of Bhaktapur as well. Despite that, Jitamitra Malla wanted to maintain peace and friendship with his neighboring Kingdoms which couldn’t be maintained.

In Patan, a Young King named Yoganarendra Malla was ruling whereas Kathmandu was being ruled by Regents without efficiency.

In Consequence, Jitamitra Malla entered into an agreement with King Yoganarendra Malla of Patan to create peace among the citizens of Two Kingdoms. As during the dances, the citizens of Both Kingdoms tried to kill each other, he deemed it necessary to create a peaceful agreement.

King Yoganarendra Malla also agreed for some months but eventually violated it. Not only that, he joined in an agreement with Kathmandu and initiated a deadly attack on Bhaktapur. However, Jitamitra Malla easily repealed it without a flinch.

Politically, Jitamitra Malla played a huge role in the crowning of King Nrpendra Malla, Parthivendra Malla, and Yoganarendra Malla as well.

The name of the Sons of Jitamitra Malla is Bhupatindra Malla and Ugra Malla. The name of his wife is Lalamati. She performed various religious and pious deeds as well.

Last Years

During the Last Years of his reign, he was getting fed up with the administrative duties of Bhaktapur, Therefore, he trained his young son Bhupatindra Malla to become efficient.

By 1696 A.D. he resigned himself from the position of King and focused on Literature and Poetry. He only died in 1709 A.D. 13 years after his resignation.

Contributions of Jitamitra Malla

Development

He built several water channels and canals around Bhaktapur and Thimi. He implemented various rules and individuals to maintain and secure them.

Not only that, he wanted to create harmony within the Society of Bhaktapur. Therefore, he established strict rules and regulations for the usage and sharing of water through the Water Channels. He also made sure that everyone had equal access to the essential resources of Nature.

Arts and Architecture

King Jitamitra Malla is said to have built many additions to the Royal Palace of Bhaktapur and Mulchowk, the main courtyard of Bhaktapur. He also improved the temple and statue of Taleju Bhawani that was situated in the Palace.

He also created various Windows on the Palace to preserve its beauty and added Smooth Oily Bricks as well. He also brought various Stones into the Palace and constructed a special railing for lighting purposes. He also added a water conduit for himself.

He also repaired a Pond constructed by Jagajyotir Malla and set up a beautiful pole with Vasuki’s Statue on the Top.

Literature

Jitamitra Malla was also a man of Literature and wrote several original works of Poetry as well as Plays. He wrote poems in Sanskrit and Maithili Language which shows that he had learned these languages as well.

Not only that, he wrote a commentary on a famous poem named Gita Govinda which was written by a 12th Century Artist named Jayadeva.

Legacy of Jitamitra Malla

In 1696 A.D., he abdicated in favor of his son Bhupatindra Malla. He retired and ultimately passed away in 1709 A.D.

Conclusion

Jitamitra Malla was amongst the Greatest Kings of Bhaktapur, who like his predecessors and Successors prioritized Artistic and Architectural Development. Therefore, Jitamitra is considered to be one of the Three Greatest Kings of Bhaktapur.

Miscellaneous

References

  • Regmi, Dilli Raman. “Medieval Nepal” Four Volumes. Firma K, 1965-66
  • Shaha, R. (2001). Ancient and Medieval Nepal. India: Manohar.
  • Slusser, Mary S Nepal Mandala, “A Cultural Study of the Kathmandu Valley Two Volumes” Princeton University Press, 1982 C.E.
  • Levi Sylvain: Le Nepal, Etuda Historique d’um royaume Izindou, 3 volumes, Paris, 1905
  • Subedi, Raja Ram, 2061, “Nepalko Tathya Itihas,” Sajha Prakashan
  • Sangraula, Narayan Prasad, 2068, “Prachin tatha Madhyakalin Nepal,” Kankai Publishers and Distributors
  • Petech, Luciano. Medieval History of Nepal Volume II. Rome, 1985

Cite

Pokhrel, A. (2023). King Jitamitra Malla – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/bhaktapur/jitamitra-malla/

FAQ’s

Who was Jitamitra Malla?

Jitamitra Malla was a significant ruler of Bhaktapur from 1672 to 1696 A.D. He was an artistic person who built annexes to the royal palace, commissioned murals and beautiful struts, and wrote literary works in Sanskrit and Maithili. He claimed the Title of Lord of Elephants as well.

What are the contributions of Jitamitra Malla?

Jitamitra Malla was a ruler committed to the welfare of his people. He built several water channels and canals around Bhaktapur and Thimi. He implemented various rules and individuals to maintain and secure them. He was also a patron of arts who ordered the creation of many additions to the Royal Palace of Bhaktapur and Mulchowk, the main courtyard of Bhaktapur.

Who was Jitamitra Malla’s chief minister?

Bhagirama was the Chief Minister of Bhaktapur and played a significant role in the administrative activities of construction during the reign of Jitamitra Malla. However, Laxminarayan Josi, the Chief Minister of Kathmandu, wanted Bhagirama gone and launched a dangerous blockade against Bhaktapur. The people started to oppose Bhagirama until he ran away and was forced to remove himself from the position.

What was the relationship between Jitamitra Malla and other kingdoms?

Jitamitra Malla played a huge role in the crowning of King Nrpendra Malla, Parthivendra Malla, and Yoganarendra Malla. He entered into an agreement with King Yoganarendra Malla of Patan to create peace among the citizens of Two Kingdoms. However, King Yoganarendra Malla violated the agreement and joined Kathmandu in initiating a deadly attack on Bhaktapur. Nevertheless, Jitamitra Malla easily repealed it.

How did Jitamitra Malla’s reign end?

Jitamitra Malla resigned from the position of King and focused on Literature and Poetry in 1696 A.D. He trained his young son Bhupatindra Malla to become efficient, and he died in 1709 A.D., 13 years after his resignation.