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Introduction to Srinivas Malla
Srinivas Malla, born in 1627 A.D., was a king of the Kingdom of Patan, considered one of the most important kings. He ruled Nepal from 1661 A.D. to 1685 A.D.
His father, Siddhi Narsingh Malla, gradually shifted administrative responsibilities to him. In 1652 A.D., Srinivas assumed a more active role in ruling Patan. In 1661 A.D., he was anointed as king of Patan and reigned for over 24 years.
During his reign, he appointed various Chief Ministers, the most well-known of whom was Bhagiratha Bhaiya. Bhagirath Bhaiya is often regarded as his alter ego.
Srinivas Malla expanded the bounds of his kingdom and established political hegemony over the Kathmandu Valley. He made several religious endowments and was a devotee of Shiva. He also erected an image of the Royal goddess, Taleju Bhawani, in the palace’s main courtyard.
His reign ended when he left the throne in disgust, and Yoganarendra was appointed king in December 1685. Srinivas Malla arbitrated between the three kingdoms until his death in 1687. Nine Women went Sati in his death.
Reign of Srinivas Malla
Early Years
By 1641, Srinivas and his father were already sharing administrative roles. He was formally recognized as a joint king with his father eight years later, in 1649 A.D. Then, in 1652 A.D., when Siddhi Narsingh embarked on a two-year trip to India.
King Pratap Malla of Kathamandu signed an agreement under Srinivas’ name in 1658 A.D. His father ultimately abdicated the throne in order to retire religiously. Srinivas is said to have been appointed as the king of Patan in 1661 A.D.
Chief Minister
Throughout his reign, Srinivas Malla appointed various Chief Ministers. The most well-known Prime Minister of King Srinivas Malla’s reign was Bhagirath Bhaiya.
Bhagiratha was his faithful servant and was regarded as his alter ego. Yet, it is unknown who Bhagiratha was or where he came from because he was not a part of the royal family or nobility and may have been an outsider according to Malla Historians.
Later Years
Yoganarendra, Srinivas’s son, was born in AD 1667 and was quickly integrated into the administration. But he began spending money on his own and using the nation’s treasury against the Kindgom of Patan. He had untolerable rage for Bhagirath Bhaiya whom he despised.
Thereafter, it was discovered that Yoganarendra had an alliance with a Common Merchant and associations with Low-Caste Ladies.
Yoganarendra Malla was seen being together with a Low-Class Woman and having friends who were Vaishya in Origin. These activities were considered shameful and unacceptable in the then society.
Srinivasa Malla was much frightened by his Son Yoganarendra Malla. He mother died in 1679 A.D. and one of his wives died again years down the line.
The many breakdowns of the Matsyendranath Chariot throughout the festival foreshadowed a bleak future for him. All these incidents drove Srinivas to leave the throne in disgust to spare the kingdom, and Yoganarendra was appointed as the king in December 1685 A.D.
Like with his father twenty-four years before, the transfer of power from Srinivas to his son was easy and calm. Srinivas continued to arbitrate between the three kingdoms till his death in 1687.
Contributions of Srinivas Malla
Expansion of Patan
The bounds of Srinivas Malla’s kingdom extended westward to Gorkha and Tanahü and northwest to Gajuripeda. Dhunibesi and the surrounding territories beyond Lamidanda were included.
King Jagat Prakash Malla of Bhadgaun (A.D. 1647–72) conquered a military outpost on the Kathmandu–Bhadgaun border in 1658. This incident sparked a conflict that lasted four years and ended in 1662 when peace was restored via Patan’s intercession.
Patan’s mediation role forced Kathmandu to abandon its peace and friendship agreement with that kingdom. In the aftermath, Bhadgaun allied with Patan against Kathmandu. In 1672, Patan and Bhadgaun invaded Kathmandu together but were repelled by Pratap Malla.
From 1672 to 1675, there was a constant conflict between Makwanpur and a coalition of soldiers led by Srinivas Malla that included Patan, Bhadgaun, Gorkha, and Tanahü.
Although headed by the same branch of the Sen Kingdom, Morang sided with Patan in its fight with Makwanpur. Patan and Bhadgaun both gained slight territory gains as a consequence against Makwanpur.
Political Hegemony
Srinivasa Malla took over as the dominant figure in the Kathmandu Valley following the death of King Pratap Malla in 1674.
He was highly successful in Srinivasa Malla. He pushed the accession of Nrpendra Malla over Mahipatindra, whom Pratap Malla had named as his successor. In Kathmandu, he could seat and remove ministers at his pleasure.
His power spread to Bhadgaun, whose king was also a minor. He eventually began to refer to himself as “The King of Nepal”.
Religion
Srinivas Malla, like his father made several religious contributions in Nepal. He made significant land endowments at the temple of Machhindranath. Alongside his wife, Margavati, he erected an image of the Royal goddess, Taleju Bhawani, in the palace’s main courtyard.
Dance and Drama
Srinivas Malla enjoyed literature, dancing, and theater. He wrote a seven-act play named ‘The Drama of the Killing of Kamsa’. He established guidelines for religious and social practices for the Citizens of Patan.
Srinivas Malla made new arrangements for all Buddhist foundations of Patan as Patan is considered as the Valley Capital of Buddhism.
Srinivas Malla was an avid promoter of literature, dance, and theater. As stated earlier, He composed a seven-act drama called ‘The Drama of Kamsa’s Killing’, which demonstrates his literary abilities.
Conclusion
Srinivas Malla was a consistently progressive King of Patan that brough Power, Stability and religious Harmony to the Kingdom of Patan.
Miscellaneous
References
Cite
Pokhrel, A. (2023). King Srinivas Malla – Itihasaa. Encyclopedia of Nepali History. https://itihasaa.com/patan/srinivas-malla/
FAQ’s
Who was Srinivas Malla?
Srinivas Malla was a king of the Kingdom of Patan who ruled Nepal from 1661 A.D. to 1685 A.D. He was considered one of the most important kings, and his father Siddhi Narsingh Malla gradually shifted administrative responsibilities to him.
Who was Srinivas Malla’s Chief Minister?
Throughout his reign, Srinivas Malla appointed various Chief Ministers, the most well-known of whom was Bhagiratha Bhaiya. Bhagiratha was his faithful servant and was regarded as his alter ego, with all edicts and inscriptions carrying both of their names.
What were the contributions of Srinivas Malla?
Srinivas Malla expanded the bounds of his kingdom and established political hegemony over the Kathmandu Valley. He made several religious endowments and was a devotee of Shiva, but also erected an image of the Royal goddess, Taleju Bhawani, in the palace’s main courtyard. He enjoyed literature, dancing, and theater and wrote a seven-act play named ‘The Drama of the Killing of Kamsa’ and passionately continued the Kartik dance-drama sequence established by his father.
What was the reason behind Srinivas Malla leaving the throne?
Srinivas Malla left the throne in disgust to spare the kingdom from further intrigue after he suffered depression due to incidents such as losing his mother in 1679, one of his wives two years later, and Yoganarendra Malla’s association with lowly ladies and alliance with a common merchant.
