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Introduction of Ashok Challa
King Ashok Challa was a powerful King of the Khas Malla Kingdom who ruled it for 22 years from 1255 A.D. to 1277 A.D. He was the son of the Great King Krachalla. He was honored with the title of The Greatest of All Kings.
He is known to have promoted Intellectuality and Education in Khas Malla Kingdom. He also expanded the Khas Malla Kingdom and its Borders while bringing several developmental Reforms.
Reign of Ashok Challa
Ashok Challa was the son of King Krachalla and the Father of Jitari Malla. The Life and Events of his personal life aren’t well recorded in the Inscriptions.
He has been mentioned as the Great Follower of the Mahayana Sect of Buddhism. He has also been mentioned as the Greatest of All Kings.
Another one of the Inscriptions mentions him as The Maharajadhiraja of the Kingdom of 14 Lakhs. By the reign of Ashok Challa, the Khas Malla Kingdom had largely expanded to cover the Western Region of Nepal because of the efforts of King Nagaraja and King Krachalla.
Contributions of King Ashok Challa
King Ashok Challa is an almost legendary figure of the Khas Malla Kingdom because of his manyfold and diverse Contributions. Some of his contributions are listed below:
Military Expansion of Ashok Challa
King Ashok Challa expanded the state’s borders to Kumaon, Garhwal, Tehri, and Ladakh in the west and reached the Gandaki region in the east, West Tibet in the north, and the Ganga River in the south, according to Various Sources.
The Inscriptions of Ashok Challa provides that “His military might was acknowledged by all the surrounding kings and feudal lords who bowed down to him”.
Religious Freedom to Buddhism
King Ashok Challa was a devout Hindu, but he respected Buddhism and its followers. He, further, revived Buddhism throughout the Kingdom and increased the Artistic and Literary Importance of Buddhism.
He also worshipped Buddha, followed Buddhist Monks and confessed his sins if he had any. King Ashok Challa has been provided the Epithet of “The Great Follower of the Mahayana Sect of Buddhism”.
Architecture
King Ashok Challa was also known for his yearnings to build architectires. He built a Shivalaya and other temples near the Latikoyali hill of Surkhet and constructed a Kankre Vihar in Western Nepal.
He built several palaces such as Ukum Mahal, Ajay Merum Mahal, Bhurti’s Panchadeval, and Asaikhya Naula and Mugrau in the modern day Karnali Region of Nepal.
Conclusion
King Ashok Challa’s fame spread far and wide, and his reputation was high. According to Khas Scholars, he expanded the Kingdom of Nepal threefold. After his reign, his son Jitari Malla became the king of the Khas Malla Kingdom in Karnali Province.
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FAQ’s
Who was King Ashok Challa and how long did he rule?
King Ashok Challa was a powerful king of the Khas Malla Kingdom who ruled for 22 years from 1255 A.D. to 1277 A.D. He was the son of the Great King Krachalla and was honored with the title of The Greatest of All Kings.
What were the contributions of King Ashok Challa?
King Ashok Challa made many contributions, including military expansion, promoting education and scholarly pursuits, reviving the Buddhist tradition, and monumental architecture.
How did King Ashok Challa expand the borders of the Khas Malla Kingdom?
King Ashok Challa expanded the borders of the Khas Malla Kingdom to Kumaon, Garhwal, Tehri, and Ladakh in the west, the Gandaki region in the east, West Tibet in the north, and the Ganga river in the south through his military might.
What is the legacy of King Ashok Challa?
King Ashok Challa’s legacy includes his contributions to education, religion, military, and architecture. He remains a legendary figure in the history of the Khas Malla Region.
Who succeeded King Ashok Challa?
After King Ashok Challa’s reign, his son Jitari Malla became the king of the Khas Malla Kingdom in Karnali Province.
