kingdom · South Asia
Malla dynasty (Nepal)
Origins
The Malla period in the Kathmandu Valley begins with Ari Malla, who took the throne in 1201. The early centuries were marked by raids from the Khasa Malla kingdom and the Karnat dynasty, and by rivalries between noble houses based at Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu.
Rule and society
Jayasthiti Malla, ruling from Bhaktapur in the late 14th century, is remembered for codifying caste and social rules and patronising Sanskrit and Newari learning. Yaksha Malla extended the kingdom and built temples in Bhaktapur. Newar artisans produced metalwork, painting and architecture for Hindu and Buddhist patrons, and the valley profited from trade between India and Tibet.
Decline and legacy
On Yaksha Malla's death in 1482 the realm was divided among his sons, producing the Kingdom of Bhaktapur, the Kingdom of Kantipur and later the Kingdom of Lalitpur. These Malla states lasted until the Gorkha conquest of 1768 to 1769.
Lineage
On the connections map
Open the full map →Cite this page
- APA
- The Epoch Institute. (2026). Malla dynasty (Nepal). In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/malla-dynasty-nepal
- MLA
- “Malla dynasty (Nepal).” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/malla-dynasty-nepal. Accessed .
- Chicago
- The Epoch Institute. “Malla dynasty (Nepal).” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/malla-dynasty-nepal.
- Harvard
- The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Malla dynasty (Nepal)’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/malla-dynasty-nepal (Accessed: ).
Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻