Ranajit Malla

Ranajita Malla was the last king of the Malla dynasty who ruled Bhaktapur from 1722 to 1769. He is widely known for his contribution to Newari and Maithili literature, in particular his plays are generally praised by modern scholars. He has been generally described as a peace loving, simple and pious monarch who allowed his citizens to advise and criticize him. During the later parts of his reign, he ruled Lalitpur briefly, after being invited by the city's nobles. He was also, during his later years, generally respected by people in the valley due to him being of old age and the only direct descendant of Yaksha Malla.

After his defeat by the Gorkhali forces of Prithivi Narayan Shah in 1769, he was per his choice sent into exile in Varanasi, and on its way composed a Newar language Dapha song from the hills of Chandragiri, which is regarded as an important literary work of the Newar Language.

Early life Ranajit Malla at 9, with his father Bhupatindra Malla. Miniature from a Paubha dated 1712. Ranajit Malla was born to Vishva Lakshmi and Bhupatindra Malla on 18 November 1702. Similarly, his annaprashana ceremony (Newar: macā janko) was held on 27 August 1703 in the town of Thimi.

Physical contributions Ranajit Malla like many other Malla Kings of Bhaktapur contributed in beautifying Bhaktapur by building many heritages. As Ranajit Malla reign was in a politically unstable period, his contributions are few compared to his forefathers.

Lūn Dhwākhā Known among tourists as the Golden gate, Lūn Dhwākhā (Nepal bhasa: ) is the entrance to the Mulā Chwōkā containing the shrine of Taleju. As per the gilt copper inscription on the gate, it was installed on the year 874 of the Nepalese era(= 1753 CE) by King Ranajit Malla and his Queen Jaya Lakshmi Malla. Ranajit however used the profits that he gained from trading with the Tibetans on building the golden gate. This kind of bell is present on the Durbar Square of both Patan and Kathmandu. Locally known as Tagoun Gān , its sound was once said to be heard anywhere in the town. This bell was installed by Ranajit Malla on 6 January 1737 CE. Ranajit Malla is said to have loved collecting old and antique things which were kept in the Sāfukuthi along with various books relating to religion, science and medicine. He himself was a prolific singer himself and was said to have spent more time reciting poems and songs than the politics of the kingdom. This song written in the seasonal Pahan Charhe tune is still sung as a seasonal song during Biska Jatra in Bhaktapur.

As Ranajit Malla aged, his interest in singing started to increase. By the time of the Battle of Bhaktapur, the old Ranajit had almost given up on politics and spent most of his time on singing devotional songs. As he was singing hymns and ragas while waiting for Yama to take him, Bhaktapur was mostly in the hands of his sons who were supportive of the Gorkha King. The first lines of the song appear below. Nepal Bhasa 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14.

Nepal Bhasa (Romanized) 1. hāya hāya rāma rāma gathe maluma nepāla 2. śatru durjananaṃ phuṭakālayo āva 3. jhinidola rājyasaṃ madatayo jita vāsa 4. videśayā vāsa jula thani āva rāma rāma 5. nhethu janmayā pāpaṃ manenāgu svaya dhunaṃ 6. pañjalasa cvanāmhadutheṃ ji nona rāma rāma 7. navadurgā gaṇeśayāke sahasra jiṃ vinati yānā 8. lāsalāpi aparādha kṣemā yāhu rāma rāma 9. lhāya gohmayāke jina dukhayā vedanā 10. thugu pāsa phenio sunānaṃ rāma rāma 11. pirati yānāva conā chala yāta durjananaṃ 12. hāya hāya chu nugala jula rāma rāma 13. suryavaṃśī kulamaṇī śrī raṇajīta malla 14. talejūnaṃ bila vaikuṇṭha vāsa rāma rāma

Translation 1. Oh Ram! Oh Ram! How could I survive without remembering Nepal? 2. The evil enemy destroyed me now 3. [There is] no more shelter [for me] in the country of twelve thousand [households]! 4. A foreign land has become my abode now on! Oh Ram! Oh Ram!! 5. As the fruit of the sin that I committed in my previous life, I have already seen what I have not even heard of! 6. There is no point of living in a cage! Oh Ram! Oh Ram!! 7. I pray million times to Goddess Nava-Durga and God Ganesa! 8. For a pardon over the crimes I committed! Oh Ram! Oh Ram!! 9. To how many people the grief of pain I express? 10. No one can make me free from this anguish! Oh Ram! Oh Ram!! 11. Kept on showing affection, the evil [conspirator] deceived [me]! 12. Alas! Alas! What sort of thinking [of mine] caused this? Oh Ram! 13. [To] this Ranajit Malla, the jewel of the Solar Dynasty, 14. A shelter in heaven is offered by Goddess Taleju! Oh Ram! Oh Ram!!

Ranajit Malla has 30 dramas credited to his name and was a prolific writer like his father Bhupatindramalla. So far, only one of these dramas has been published and was written in the Maithili language. This was titled the Mādhavānala-Kāmakandalā-nātaka.

Marriage and Children Ranajit Malla had along with his queen, Briddhi Lakshmi, five other concubines, Jaya Lakshmi, Riddhi Lakshmi, Buddhi Lakshmi and Manamaiju. Among them, Jaya Lakshmi was his favourite as her name appears in many of his songs and inscriptions. Jaya Lakshmi is also mentioned as his wife in the gold plate inscription on the Golden Gate of the royal palace that he consecrated.

From his legitimate queen, Briddhi Lakshmi, he had a son named Vira Narasimha Malla, who was also known as Devendra Malla. From his concubines he had seven children and gave each of them a house to live outside of the palace. His eight children were:

Vira Narasimha Malla

He was born from Briddhi Lakshmi in Thimi on July 1738. He was also the heir apparent of the kingdom until his assassination.

Battle of Bhaktapur

When both Kantipur and Yela fell to the Gorkha kingdom, the kings of both these kingdoms came to Bhaktapur seeking refuge.

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