King Mahendra Malla

Introduction to Mahendra Malla

Mahendra Malla, the fourth ruler of Kathmandu after Ratna Malla is considered to be one of the greatest Kings of Kathmandu because of his Economic and Legal Contributions. He ruled from 1560 A.D. to 1574 A.D. and was the son of King Narendra Malla. Mahendra Malla is renowned for his artistic, economic, architectural, and legal reforms in Nepal.

Mahendra Malla was a strategic yet peace-loving King who directed the Kingdom of Kantipur toward economic and religious Prosperity. He constructed several temples, promoted Nepal as an entre-pot Economy, and improved the basic living standard of the citizens of Kantipur.

Reign of Mahendra Malla

The Reign of Mahendra Malla was short and efficient. He was born into the Royal Family of Kathmandu as the Crown Prince. His Father was Narendra Malla / Amara Malla. The Details of the Life of the king aren’t well known at all.

He has several manuscripts and Inscriptions of his reign that shed light on some aspects of his Regnal Years.

Before his reign had even started, the Kingdom of Patan had already declared its independence from Nepal. The Seven Mahapatras or Feudal Overlords of Patan took matters into their own hand, declared independence and Visnusimha was crowned the King of Nepal.

Visnusimha had died four years before the crowning of the Great King

During the reign of Mahendra Malla, the Sons of Visnusimha were ruling the Kingdom of Patan. All the other sons of Visnusimha died except Purandharsimha who ruled Patan till 1596 A.D. after which his grandson Sivasimha Malla conquered and annexed Patan.

Later, one of his descendants named Siddinarasingh Malla mentioned him as his Great Grandfather.

Mahendra Malla was a peaceful King who desired to bring economic and legal reforms in Nepal instead of causing war, conflict, and hostility. He didn’t fight against the Kingdom of Patan but tried to maintain peace between the two Kingdoms.

Contributions of Mahendra Malla

Building of the Taleju Temple

According to Levi, Mahendra Malla is the builder of the Taleju temple in Kathmandu, which was erected on the Bhatgaon model. Pratap Malla has confirmed Mahendra Malla’s act of building the Taleju Temple in his Pashupatinath Inscription.

Bhimasena copper plate of 1563 A.D. also mentions his having built and ceremonially celebrated the opening of Taleju‘s shrine.

Royal Palace of Kathmandu

Mahendra Malla was given credit for building the Royal Palace of Kathmandu by Parthivendra Malla’s Pashupati Inscription, with it having been modelled after Bhadgaun Palace and featuring Taleju Temple within its complex. Construction on this palace began around 1563 A.D.

Legal Reforms

Mahendra Malla issued rules of conduct for Nepalese society that followed in the footsteps of his forefathers and King Jayasthiti Malla’s code to regulate social, economic, religious hierarchy and behavior among his subjects.

Prithvi Narayan Shah acknowledged and respected his rules and regulations.

Economic Reforms

Mahendra Malla was responsible for the introduction of Nepalese silver coins known as Mahendramalli into circulation across Nepalese lawful tender system as legal tender in all Nepalese hill states and Tibet.

Legend states that Mahendra Malli secured permission from the Delhi Moghul to establish a mint in Nepal, with silver from Tirhut being sent over. Subsequently, Nepali silver coins came to be known by his name – thus becoming known as Mahendra Malli’s coins.

As such, he circulated Malli coins to Tibet, brought back gold from Tibet which he sold back into India, and made significant profits as well as encouraging trade between local merchants.

His laws stipulated that merchants shouldn’t disclose Nepalese secrets to foreigners through merchant trading. Furthermore, he encouraged individuals to travel overseas in order to acquire skills which could then be implemented within Nepal.

Social Reforms

Mahendra Malla attempted to implement positive social reforms in Kathmandu and abolish social evils and unnecessary practices, as well as alleviate poverty by creating policies designed to combat hunger in Kathmandu Valley.

He allowed refugees to settle in Kathmandu and even granted them land grants, and permitted Muslim traders in the Kathmandu Valley.

Religious Reforms

Mahendra Malla was a religious King who promoted Taleju Bhawani throughout his kingdom and religious sentiments and norms within it. Additionally, he constructed a Shiva Temple at the Southern Gate of Taleju Bhawani Temple as well as four statues of Vishnu (Vasudeva, Sankarshan, Pradhumyna and Anirudra) within Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square.

He also built the Kotilingeshowor Mahadeva Temple and initiated religious dances and Yagyas annually; further developing diplomatic ties through religion with the King of Bhaktapur.

Administrative Reforms

Mahendra Malla was an able administrator, and Pratap Malla describes him as a King with creative administrative and Political Policies.

As King of Nepal, Mahendra Malla promoted good governance and people-centred governance during his reign. According to Mahendra Malla’s Laws, decentralization was also promoted with rights granted to Mukhiyas (village elders) and Seniors from villages.

Death

Mahendra Malla died in 1574 A.D. September and his mistresses Dunni and Hera were sent back to Sati as part of his will.

Miscellaneous

References

Cite

Pokhrel, A. (2023). King Mahendra Malla – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/kathmandu/mahendra-malla/

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