Kings of Bhaktapur

Introduction to Ranajita Malla

Ranajita Malla was the Last King of Bhaktapur from 1722 A.D. to 1769 A.D. He ruled Bhaktapur ruling for a long 47 years until his eventual downfall and retirement at Kashi after the Unification of Nepal.

King Ranajita Malla was a soft and Kind Hearted King who preferred peace over conflicts. He was also easily deceived and lacked the courage necessary for a King according to Rishikesh Shah.

King Ranajita Malla was born as the eldest son of King Bhupatindra Malla, the greatest King of Bhaktapur by multiple Standards.

However, he wouldn’t live up to his father’s legacy as he would be the last King of Bhaktapur. The Name of his Queen was Jayalaxmi and he had a large conflict with her as well.

Reign of Ranajita Malla

Chronology of Ranajita Malla

Early Years

The Reign of Ranajita Malla started as a new Era of the Kingdoms of Kathmandu Valley. All three Kingdoms crowned New Kings in 1722 A.D. Jagajjaya Malla was crowned in Kathmandu, Ranajita Malla in Bhaktapur, and Yogaprakash Malla in Patan.

However, the risk of Invasion and External Rebellion from Lamjung, Tanahu, and Gorkha had increased drastically by then.

In his initial years as the King, he controlled the Politics of Patan to an extreme level. He had the authority to change and remove kings to his will. He also had good relations with Jagajjaya Malla, the King of Kathmandu.

However, he died in 1733 A.D. and Jayaprakash Malla was crowned the New King of Kathmandu. This Event caused a serious problem for the King.

Ranajita Malla absolutely hated Jayaprakash Malla and did his best to defeat and remove him as well. For this reason, he increased his relationship with Gorkha which was ruled by Narbhupal Shah.

In 1740 A.D. the son of Narbhupal Shah named Prithvi Narayan Shah was sent to Bhaktapur to increase the further relationship between them.

As Ranajita Malla became fond of Prithvi Narayan Shah, he decided to make him Mita Son or Ritual Brother of Vir Narsingh Malla, his son. Therefore, he became the Ritual Father of Prithvi Narayan Shah.

Unfortunately, the son of Ranajita Malla Vir Narsingh Malla would soon die and he would be attached to Prithvi Narayan Shah as his only true Son died.

Although Ranajit Malla saw no problem with this, Prithvi Narayan Shah was only using him to gain help and favor from him. The Weak Temper and Good Nature of the King was the best method for Prithvi Narayan Shah to defeat the Kathmandu Valley.

Crisis on Bhaktapur

The territory of Bhaktapur had been extended to the Dudhkoshi River in the East including the town of Dolakha. So, Bhaktapur had become a real powerhouse.

As Ranajita Malla was ruling Bhaktapur, a severe problem arose. One of his mistresses manipulated Ranajit Malla to make their son the King of Bhaktapur instead of the Crown Prince who was very young. He was also very persuaded by this and started discussing the matters with his ministers.

As the Ministers knew that it was an evil plan hatched by the mistress, they were against it and started to support the Queen to the fullest extent.

Therefore, he was confused and struggled to make a decision. During this period, the Queen left the palace of Bhaktapur and started living in Thimi.

The people of Thimi naturally welcomed her and provided her son as the true heir to the throne of Bhaktapur. Ranajita Malla agreed to the popular demand and guaranteed that the Queen’s Son would become the Future King of Bhaktapur.

This Controversy drained many resources and time of the Bhaktapur Royal Family. King Jayaprakash Malla managed to control some of the territories of Bhaktapur and Patan also seized some lands of Bhaktapur.

Knowing what happened, Ranajita Malla did an agreement with Prithvi Narayan Shah to help him defeat Banepa and other towns and in return gain his lost territory.

Later Years

Within 1757 A.D. Prithvi Narayan Shah had made significant advances toward the Kathmandu Valley because of the help of Ranajita Malla.

However, He realized that Prithvi Narayan Shah had played against him and united with Jayaprakash Malla of Kathmandu and the Feudal Lords of Patan to oppose the Gorkhali King. But the realization of King Ranajita Malla was too late.

Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered Kirtipur in 1765 A.D., defeated Kathmandu made Kathmandu Surrender in 1768 A.D. and ultimately waged a war against Bhaktapur in 1769 A.D.

As Prithvi Narayan Shah made the orders for Ranajita Malla to surrender, he refused and said that he would rather battle.

It was partly because of the insistence of Jayaprakash Malla. Prithvi Narayan Shah easily defeated the troops of Bhaktapur and seriously injured Jayaprakash Malla. 

After the loss in the battle, Prithvi Narayan Shah rightfully asked Ranajita Malla for his last wish. He said that he wanted to live a retired life in Benaras.

He was allowed to go and retire in Benaras and took all his personal wealth with him. He died later in Benaras.

Conclusion

Although the Legacy of Ranajita Malla is forever destroyed because of his Good Nature and his choice to let Prithvi Narayan Shah rise up till 1755 A.D., his weak nature was also accompanied by continuous sympathy, ability to accept one’s wrongdoings, dedication to Religious Affairs and an overall religious King who is forever remembered in the pages of history 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 Ranajita Malla – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/bhaktapur/ranajita-malla/

FAQ’s

Who was Ranajita Malla?

Ranajita Malla was the Last King of Bhaktapur who ruled the Kingdom for 47 years from 1722 A.D. to 1769 A.D. until his eventual downfall and retirement at Kashi.

What was the reign of Ranajita Malla like?

In the early years of his reign, Ranajita Malla controlled the politics of Patan to an extreme level and had good relations with Jagajjaya Malla, the King of Kathmandu. However, later on, he faced severe problems such as conflicts with Jayaprakash Malla, the King of Kathmandu, and a controversy surrounding the succession to the throne of Bhaktapur.

What was the crisis in Bhaktapur during the reign of Ranajita Malla?

During the reign of Ranajita Malla, a severe problem arose as one of his mistresses manipulated him to make their son the King of Bhaktapur instead of the Crown Prince. This controversy drained many resources and time of the Bhaktapur Royal Family, and ultimately, Ranajita Malla agreed to the popular demand and guaranteed that the Queen’s son would become the Future King of Bhaktapur.

What was the Relation of Ranajita Malla and Prithvi Narayan Shah?

Prithvi Narayan Shah was sent to Bhaktapur to increase the relationship between Gorkha and Bhaktapur. As Ranajita Malla became fond of Prithvi Narayan Shah, he decided to make him Mita Son or Ritual Brother of Vir Narsingh Malla, his son. Prithvi Narayan Shah used Ranajita Malla to gain help and favor to defeat the Kathmandu Valley.

What happened in the later years of the reign of Ranajita Malla?

By 1757 A.D., Prithvi Narayan Shah had made significant advances toward the Kathmandu Valley because of the help of Ranajita Malla. However, he realized that Prithvi Narayan Shah had played against him and united with Jayaprakash Malla of Kathmandu and the Feudal Lords of Patan to oppose the Gorkhali King. In 1769 A.D., Prithvi Narayan Shah waged a war against Bhaktapur and asked Ranajita Malla to surrender, but he refused and said that he would rather battle.