Kings of Kathmandu

Introduction to Sivasimha Malla

Sivasimha Malla was the Son of Mahendra Malla who ruled Kathmandu from 1578 A.D. TO 1617 A.D. for 39 years. He replaced his Half-Brother Sadasiva Malla to become the King of Kathmandu. He conquered Patan and increased the Territory of Kathmandu.

Sivasimha Malla is one of the most ambitious Malla Kings. He was actually the illegitimate son of King Mahendra Malla to a Thakuri Concubine.

Reign of Sivasimha Malla

Sivasimha Malla was formally acknowledged as the monarch of Kathmandu, assuming the title of Reign of Sivasimha Malla. His complete titles were Rajadhiraja Parameswara Paramabhattaraka Sri Sri Sivasimhasya Vijayarajye.

Sivasimha Malla had a resolute determination to rule Kathmandu, despite his status as an illegitimate offspring of King Mahendra Malla and a Thakuri concubine.

Under the reign of Sivasimha Malla, Kathmandu had significant expansion, resulting in its transformation into a highly prosperous and prominent urban centre within Nepal.

He successfully captured the city of Patan and thereafter designated his son, Hariharasimha, as the appointed Governor of the region, while retaining his own position as the reigning monarch in Kathmandu.

Nevertheless, following the unforeseen demise of Hariharasimha, a void of authority emerged in Patan. Subsequently, one of Sivasimha’s consorts assumed the role of regent and appointed Siddhinarasimha, her son, as the Governor. Later, Siddhinarasimha became the Malla King of Patan after Ratna Malla.

Chronology of Sivasimha Malla
Chronology By D.R. Regmi

Sivasimha Malla died suddenly in 1617 A.D. after ruling Nepal for 39 years. His death caused great sorrow among the people, with Siddhinarasimha‘s inscription saying that his death drowned the people in sadness.

He had cemented himself as the strongest king of the Kathmandu Valley during his reign.

Contributions of Sadasimha Malla

As the son of the great ruler Mahendra Malla, Sivasimha Malla was born with a legacy of power and prestige. He ascended to the throne of Kathmandu in 1578 A.D. and ruled for an impressive 39 years, until 1617 A.D. During his reign, he made significant strides in expanding Kathmandu and implementing reforms.

Conquest of Patan

Sivasimha Malla wasted no time in proving himself as a skilled warrior and leader. Shortly after his ascension, he conquered Lalitapattana, also known as Patan, which was ruled by the Feudal Overlord named Purandarasimha.

Before his conquest of Patan, Historians have argued that a civil war was occurring between the two brothers during this time (Sadasiva Malla and Sivasimha Malla), with some territories being gained by Sadasiva Malla, who died in 1581 A.D.

After his brother’s death, he emerged as the undisputed ruler of the Kingdom of Kathmandu and later Patan.

Religious Reforms

During his reign, Sivasimha Malla made significant contributions toward the preservation and renovation of religious sites in the Kathmandu Valley. He repaired the iconic Stupa of Syambhunath, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, demonstrating his dedication towards Buddhism.

He also managed to renovate the Temple of Changunarayan in Bhaktapur, another important religious site in the Kingdom of Bhaktapur

Expansion of Territory

Sivasimha Malla was not content with simply maintaining his kingdom, he aimed to expand Kathmandu toward the eastern frontier. He occupied the lands of Dolakha, which had been ruled by the Deva Dynasty for nearly a century.

This expansion proved to be a significant milestone in the history of Kathmandu, as it cemented Sivasimha Malla‘s status as a powerful and ambitious leader.

Conclusion

Sivasimha Malla is remembered as a fearless king who made significant contributions toward the expansion and development of Kathmandu. The Syambhu inscription loudly praises him as a monarch of widespread fame who vanquished his enemies with tremendous valor. His dedication to preserving the religious sites has also been respected in Nepal’s History.

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 Sivasimha Malla – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/kathmandu/sivasimha-malla/

FAQ’s

Who was Sivasimha Malla?

Sivasimha Malla was the illegitimate son of King Mahendra Malla and a Thakuri concubine who ruled Kathmandu from 1578 A.D. to 1617 A.D. for 39 years.

What did Sivasimha Malla do?

Sivasimha Malla expanded the city of Kathmandu, conquered Patan, made significant contributions towards the preservation and renovation of religious sites, and aimed to expand Kathmandu towards the eastern frontier.

Who Conquered Patan and what happened?

After conquering Patan, Sivasimha Malla installed his son Hariharasimha as the Governor of Patan while maintaining his position as the King of Kathmandu. However, after Hariharasimha’s sudden death, Sivasimha’s wife installed Siddhinarasimha, the son of Hariharasimha, as the Governor of Patan.

What was Sivasimha Malla known for?

Sivasimha Malla was known for his patronage of Buddhism and Hinduism, his religious reforms, his expansion of the city of Kathmandu, and his conquest of Patan.

When did Sivasimha Malla die?

Sivasimha Malla died suddenly in 1617 A.D. after ruling Nepal for 39 years. His death caused great sorrow among the people, with Siddhinarasimha’s inscription saying that his death drowned the people in sadness.