Chapters
Introduction to Jayaprakash Malla
Jayaprakash Malla, the last king of Kathmandu, ruled the city from 1734 to 1768 AD. He dealt with a number of difficulties and disputes from various kingdom groups throughout his rule, both from inside and beyond.
He was a brave, self-centered, and despotic Ruler who did all in his power to oppose Prithvi Narayan Shah but was unable to do so because he mistrusted his own Close Ones.
Early Reign of Jayaprakash Malla
After Jagajjaya Malla, his father, passed away in 1734, Jayaprakash Malla assumed the throne in Kathmandu. But the Khasa military men from the hills who served in his army expressed their distaste for him even before he became king.
They devised a scheme to overthrow Jayaprakash Malla and favoured Rajyaprakasa, Jagajjaya’s second son. The downfall of this insurrection took four months.
Jayaprakash Malla also faced resistance from the nobility of his father’s era. He appointed Ranavira Thapa of Palanchok as Chief Officer of the Court, taking the position of the old nobleman Shuka Bha.
Following Prithvi Narayan Shah’s successful conquest of Nuwakot from Kathmandu, Jayaprakash Malla accused Kasiram Thapa, a Palanchok-based Thapa official, of being involved in Prithvi Narayan Shah’s plans. When Kasiram Thapa and his comrades received death sentences, the wealthy Thapa family turned against him.
The problem was exacerbated by Ranajita Malla of Bhadgaun, who was against Jayaprakash Malla and backed Prithvi Narayan Shah’s proposal to barricade the Valley. Rajyaprakasa Malla, the King of Patan, and he had a falling out.
After Gorkha’s army subjugated Sankhu and Gokarna, chaos broke out in the Kathmandu Valley. Bhadgaun’s Ranajita Malla was unable to help as he had already made a deal with Prithvi Narayan Shah. Conversely, Patan moved quickly to interfere and sent soldiers to free Sankhu and Gokarna.
Eventually, under the regency of his mother Dayvati, they overthrew Jayaprakash Malla and installed his younger son, Jyotiprakasa Malla, in his stead from 1746 to 1752 A.D. Following Taudika’s appointment as a court minister in Kathmandu, the Gorkhalis were forced to retire past the Sanga pass.
The most tragic kingship of them was that of Jayaprakash Malla. He had to live with murder, disobedience, and mistrust. He didn’t love or cherish anyone, and he wasn’t adored by anyone. All he was was a lonely king seeking to hold onto his crown.
Character of Jayaprakash Malla
“Jayaprakash Malla is a great tyrant and because of this man, so many times revolts have occurred. Often the missionaries have tried to correct him and admonish him but with little effect.
He exhibits intolerance towards his own people, though he listens to us. He is corrupted by undesirable ministers. ” (Extracted From Italian Missionary Volume II)
Jayaprakash Malla was brave and patriotic, but temperamentally he was highly suspicious, irritable, arrogant, and at times cruel and revengeful. Because of his nature, he made many enemies both in his own principality and neighboring capitals. Knowing Jayaprakāśa’s nature the Gorkha ruler played many stratagems to make him (Jayaprakāśa) ever suspicious about his own surroundings and friends.Jayaprakash with his overbearing manners and haughty temper, and suspicious mind was largely responsible for the late that he met in the defeats of the Malla rulers at the hands of the Gorkha Victor.
Medieval Nepal Part II Page 201
Final Reign of Jayaprakash Malla
Jayaprakash Malla remained in exile with a few loyal officers for at least four years. He ultimately returned in 1752 A.D. He reclaimed power following his wife’s scandalous affair with an officer named Garudadhvaja. Taudika abandoned his support for Dayavati, and Garudadhvaja was murdered.
He imprisoned his wife after regaining power as a punishment for her role in the plan against him. Taudika was exiled once more.
Jayaprakash Malla did his best to resist Prithvi Narayan Shah’s actions, which attempted to weaken the Kathmandu Valley’s defenses. He aided Kirtipur when it was invaded by Gorkhali soldiers in 1757 and 1764, with the help of Bhadgaun and Patan.
In both instances, Prithvi Narayan Shah had already begun to isolate the Valley from its southern connections through the kingdoms of Makwanpur, Hariharpur, and Vijayapur.
He had developed cordial connections with the kings of the Terai and Mithila regions, as well as a contract with the British East India Company. All of these incidents reduced Jayaprakash Malla‘s standing in Kathmandu.
In 1767, troops from Gorkhali launched a massive offensive on the Valley, starting with a surprise attack and capture of Kirtipur. Despite their gallant efforts to defend the Valley, he and his allies from Bhadgaun and Patan were finally annihilated.
After that, the Malla dynasty in Nepal was essentially overthrown and the Shah dynasty established when the Gorkhalis took control of Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur.
Contributions of Jayaprakash Malla
The Capuchin mission received a charter from Jayaprakash that allowed them to spread their religious teachings across the Kathmandu principality. The popularity of fathers and missionaries in Nepal expanded as a result of this charter, fostering communication between Nepal and other nations.
He also minted a lot of coins throughout his reign. His coins have dated the Long Years from 1736 A.D. to 1752 A.D. His resources were so drained by the Wars and Rebellions that he had to mint Clay Coins.
Jayaprakash Malla also fought with Bravery and continuity. He attempted to unite the Mallas of Kathmandu against the Common Invader by the name of Prithvi Narayan Shah.
Legacy and Conclusion
In Nepalese history, Jayaprakash Malla is regarded as a prominent character even though he was ultimately defeated. He faced a number of issues throughout his rule, from subordinates who were rebellious to foreign threats from nearby nations.
He used every effort to block Prithvi Narayan Shah’s plans to erode the defences of the Kathmandu Valley. Even though Gorkhali soldiers ultimately defeated him, his memory as a brave and devoted monarch lives on in Nepalese history.
Miscellaneous
References
Cite
Pokhrel, A. (2023). King Jayaprakash Malla – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/kathmandu/jayaprakash-malla/
FAQ’s
Who was Jayaprakash Malla?
Jayaprakash Malla was the last king of Kathmandu who ruled the city from 1734 to 1768 AD. He was a selfish, tyrannic, and courageous ruler who tried his best to combat Prithvi Narayan Shah but failed because of his distrust of his own close ones. He had to live in mistrust, rebellion, and murder, and his reign was the most tragic of all kings
What was the early reign of Jayaprakash Malla like?
Jayaprakash Malla became the king of Kathmandu after his father’s death in 1734. However, he faced opposition from the Khasa military officers who served in his army, and they hatched a plot to dethrone him. He also encountered opposition from his father’s time’s aristocracy, and his suspicion of Kasiram Thapa.
Why is Jayaprakash Malla considered Weak?
Jayaprakash Malla faced opposition from various factions during his reign, and his distrust of his own close ones led to his downfall. The Khasa military officers who served in his army preferred Jagajjaya’s second son, Rajyaprakasa, and hatched a plot to dethrone him. The Thapa family turned against him after he sentenced Kasiram Thapa and his friends to death. His falling out with his own brother, Patan’s King Rajyaprakasa Malla, further weakened his position.
How did Jayaprakash rule Kathmandu at last?
Jayaprakash Malla remained in exile with a few loyal officers for at least four years, and he ultimately returned in 1752 A.D. He reclaimed power following his wife’s scandalous affair with an officer named Garudadhvaja. He did his best to resist Prithvi Narayan Shah’s actions, which attempted to weaken the Kathmandu Valley’s defenses. He aided Kirtipur when it was invaded by Gorkhali soldiers in 1757 and 1764, with the help of Bhadgaun and Patan.
What was the character of Jayaprakash Malla?
Jayaprakash Malla was brave and patriotic, but temperamentally he was highly suspicious, irritable, arrogant, and at times cruel and revengeful. He made many enemies both in his own principality and neighboring capitals. He was intolerant towards his own people, corrupted by undesirable ministers, and often faced revolts.
