Gupta's of Nepal

Introduction to Jisnu Gupta

Jisnu Gupta was the Powerful Co-Ruler of Nepal that removed Udayadeva from the throne of Nepal and made his Brother Dhruvadeva the King of Nepal. He had absolute control over the Administration and Political activities of Nepal. He reigned over Nepal from 624 A.D. to 633 A.D. for nine years.

Rise of Jisnu Gupta

Jisnu Gupta was the Grandson of The Great Bhaum Gupta who co-ruled Nepal for nearly three decades. However, King Shivadeva and Amshuverma managed to remove the Gupta Family from 590 A.D. to 621 A.D.

After the death of Amshuverma, Udayadeva, the son of Shivadeva became the King of Nepal. He is said to have been a weak King and Jisnu Gupta tried to remove him from Power. In fact, he made the brother of Udayadeva, Dhruvadeva the New King of Nepal in 624 A.D.

Reign of Jisnu Gupta

The Reign of Jisnu Gupta as the co-ruler of Nepal began in 624 A.D. In an Inscription found in Chinnamasta, he has been praised with multiple qualities whereas the Actual King has just been mentioned without any description.

It indicates that Jisnu Gupta had claimed himself to be even greater than the King. Similar to his Grandfather, Bhaum Gupta, he also co-ruled Nepal by removing anyone else who opposed him.

Since greed had disappeared, Sri Jishnugupta, who had a clear mind, wanted the welfare of the people, had a pure character, had the right to rule with a pure lineage, was obeyed by all the Shahriyas, had received the grace of the feet of Lord Pashupatinath, had received the grace of the feet of Bappa (Father), and was resting in the Kailashkut Palace.

Inscription of Chinnamasta

Jisnu Gupta didn’t even become Sarvadandanayak and Mahapratihar. He appeared straight to be the Joint King Ruler of Nepal. He seated himself in the Kailashkut Palace, built by another Ruler Amshuverma while Lichhavi Kings seated themselves in Managriha. Not only that, he took full advantage of the position set by Amshuverma who claimed the Title of King despite not being a Lichhavi.

Unlike Amshuverma, he didn’t claim the title of Bhattarak Maharajdhiraj but claimed titles such as Paramdaivat, Prajahithai, and Punnyanwayadagatrajya as well. He also added the phrase of Shree and Deva which showed that he wanted to be a True King. He was an ambitious King and didn’t even mention the De-Jure King in some of the inscriptions during his reign.

Inscription of Jisnu Gupta
Inscription of Balambu

Legacy of Jisnu Gupta

Jisnu Gupta provided a lot of Religious Reforms and Administrative Reforms in Nepal. He is said to have brought Religious Tolerance to Nepal. He also provided the Right to Self Governance to multiple local levels of Nepal and make the People of Nepal happy. He equally provided funding and devotion to the Shaivism and Vaishnavism cults of Nepal. Therefore, he allowed both religions to flourish in Nepal.

He encouraged cloth making and decreased the cloth tax in Nepal. He also increased religious tolerance in Nepal and smoothened its administration. After the death of Dhruvadeva, he also co-ruled till 633 A.D. with Bhimarjunadeva, and he also died. Narendradeva returned and claimed the throne of Nepal in 642 A.D. Vishnu Gupta, the son, was defeated by Narendradeva.

Conclusion

Jisnu Gupta can be considered the most powerful Co-Ruler of Nepal after Amshuverma. He reigned over Nepal from 624 A.D. to 633 A.D. for nine years. Jisnu Gupta was the Grandson of The Great Bhaum Gupta, who co-ruled Nepal for nearly three decades. However, King Shivadeva and Amshuverma managed to remove the Gupta Family from 590 A.D. to 621 A.D.

After the death of Amshuverma, Udayadeva, the son of Shivadeva, became the King of Nepal. He is said to have been a weak King, and Jisnu Gupta tried to remove him from Power. In fact, he made the brother of Udauadeva, Dhruvadeva, the New King of Nepal in 624 A.D. Reign of Jisnu GuptaThe Reign of Jisnu Gupta as the co-ruler of Nepal began in 624 A.D.

References

  • Regmi, D. R. (1965). Medieval Nepal: Early medieval period, 750-1350 A.D. India: Firma K.L. Mukhopadhyay.
  • Shaha, R. (2001). Ancient and Medieval Nepal. India: Manohar.
  • Vajracharya, Dhanavajra, and Kamal P. Malla. “The Gopalraja Vamsavali” Nepal Research Centre Publications, 1985
  • Levi Sylvain: Le Nepal, Etuda Historique d’um royaume Izindou, 3 volumes, Paris, 1905
  • Kirkpatrick: An Account of the Kingdom of Nepaul, London, 1811.

Citation

Pokhrel, A. (2023). Jisnu Gupta – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/lichhavi-figures/jisnu-gupta/