King Jagajjaya Malla

Introduction to Jagajjaya Malla

Jagajjaya Malla, who reigned from 1722 to 1733 A.D., was the son of Kumudini Devi, the daughter of Mahipatendra Malla. His relative and the King before him, Bhaskara-Mahendrasimha, had adopted him as his successor.

Mahīpatendra Malla, Jagajjaya‘s maternal grandfather, had been deprived of his right to succession and died as a fugitive during the reign of his brother Parthivendra Malla and Nrpendra Malla.

Rise of Jagajjaya Malla

Kumudini Devi’s son Jagajjaya Malla was his relative Bhaskara-Mahendrasimha’s adoptive son. During his brother Parthivendra Malla’s rule, Mahipatendra Malla, his maternal grandpa, lost his right to succeed and passed away as a runaway. Mahipatendra Malla was the son of Pratap Malla.

Still, he exercised power and ordered coins struck with his mother’s and his maternal grandfather’s names on them. Also, the rulers of Makwanpur and Morang gave him tribute.

With the ascent of new kings in all three kingdoms, the Kathmandu Valley witnessed a shift of leadership in 1722. Jagajjaya Malla took over as the ruler of Kathmandu, Ranajita Malla became the ruler of Bhadgaun, and Yogaprakāśa Malla was crowned the ruler of Patan.

The Two major reasons for the adoption of him by King Bhaskara Malla were that he was the grandson of Mahipatendra Malla, the son of Pratap Malla. Not only that, but he was also the son of Kumudinidevi, a close relative of Bhaskara Malla.

Reign of Jagajjaya Malla

Even though his family had a stormy past, Jagajjaya Malla reigned with integrity and sincerity. In addition to wanting to help the populace, he was selflessly committed to living a life of devotion and purity. His accomplishments for Nepal are remarkable.

An important turning point in Nepal’s Christian history occurred when Jagajjaya Malla allowed Capuchin missionaries to work in Kathmandu in 1722.

His daughter was married to Vişņu Malla, the king of Patan, hence he had a cordial connection with Patan despite his repeated clashes with King Bhupatindra Malla of Bhadgaun.

Additionally, he forced tribute payments from the monarchs of Tanahu, Makwanpur, and Morang, strengthening Kathmandu’s finances. He is also well-known for giving Kotyahuti as a ritual sacrifice.

Local Pancha and lords opposed Jagajjaya Malla, but it is reported that he defeated them bravely in the face of the enemy’s evil plot, and the people celebrated their triumph.

Death of Jagajjaya Malla

King Jagajjaya Malla had several sons named Rajendra Malla, Jaya Prakash Malla, Rajya Prakash Malla, Narendra Prakash Malla, and Candra Prakash Malla.

After the untimely death of Rajendra Malla and the eventual death of Jajajjaya Malla in 1734 A.D. He ruled Kathmandu for a total of 11 years. After him, Jaya Prakash Malla became the King of Kathmandu, the last king of Kathmandu.

The reign of his son, Jayaprakash Malla would be an unfortunate one. From the beginning of his reign, he was opposed by his Brothers and also by the courtiers. He was also replaced for six years by his own son because of the dislike of Jayaprakash Malla.

Also, Jagajjaya Malla wasn’t the direct descendant of Yaksha Malla, he had less love and Nationalism in him than other Malla Kings which seems obvious from his allowance of Christian Missionaries in Nepal.

Conclusion

King Jagajjaya Malla is one of the least talked about Kings of Nepal and rightfully so. He didn’t directly belong to the lineage of Yaksha Malla and Jayastithi Malla. It means that he wasn’t a hereditary king.

Despite that, he managed to have been a moderate King with a moderate reign that was neither outstanding like that of Jayastithi Malla and Pratap Malla nor as disgusting as Sadasiva Malla.

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