Malla dynasty (Nepal)
The Malla dynasty (Nepali: मल्ल वंश:) was the ruling dynasty of the Kathmandu Valley in Nepal from 1201 to 1779. This dynasty was founded by Arideva Malla. Though latter Mallas were regarded as belonging to the Raghuvamsha dynasty, they were also seen as continuation and descendants of the Licchavi dynasty. Later Malla kings also traced one section of their lineage from Nanyadeva, the founder of the Karnat dynasty of Mithila. The term malla means wrestler in Sanskrit. The first use of the word malla in the Kathmandu Valley begins from 1201.
| Malla dynasty मल्ल वंश | |
|---|---|
| Country | Nepal Mandala Kingdom of Kantipur Kingdom of Lalitpur Kingdom of Bhaktapur |
| Founded | 1201 |
| Founder | Ari Malla |
| Final ruler | Jaya Prakash Malla (Kantipur) Ranajit Malla (Bhaktapur) |
| Style(s) | Mahārājdhirāj |
| Deposition | 1769 |
The Malla period was a golden one that stretched over 600 years, as they presided over and flourished the Newar civilization of Nepal Mandala which developed as one of the most sophisticated urban civilisation in the Himalayan foothills and a key destination in the India-Tibet trade route. While Newari was the language of the common people, Maithili was the literary and court language.