Jaya Prakash Malla


Jaya Prakash Malla was the last king of Yen or Kantipur which corresponds to present-day Kathmandu. He ruled from 1736 to 1746, and then from 1750 until his death in 1768.
He spent most of his reign in constant conflict with other Nepali kingdoms including that of Prithvi Narayan Shah in the Battle of Kathmandu. He was the last king of Kathmandu before King Prithvi Narayan Shah attacked Kathmandu when the Kathmandu city folk were celebrating the festival of Indrajatra and conquered it.
He contributed to the literature of Nepal Bhasa with works such as "Padma Samuchaya" and three dramas that were concerned with Hindu mythology being Ratneshwar Pradurbhav, Birdhwojopakhyan Natakam and Bhairavpradurbhav.
When Gorkhali king Prithvi Narayan Shah attacked Nuwakot, a protectorate of Kantipur, Jaya Prakash Malla sent troops under Kashiram Thapa. The battle occurred in 1746 where Kashiram Thapa lost the war and Jaya Prakash Malla thought of deceit. Jaya Prakash Malla was angered and killed him. In the day of Indrajatra, when there was festival going on, Prithvi Narayan Shah attacked Yen. Jaya Prakash Malla was helpless and he went to Lalitpur to seek asylum. Tej Narasimha Malla ruled that kingdom. After some time Prithvi Narayan Shah attacked Lalitpur and Jaya Prakash Malla along with Tej Narasimha Malla ran to Bhaktapur to seek asylum. When Prithvi Narayan Shah attacked Bhaktapur, Ranajit Malla surrendered. Later, Ranajit Malla was sent to Kashi to spend rest of his life; Jaya Prakash Malla was sent to Pashupatinath and Tej Narasimha Malla was kept in lifetime detention. Thereafter, Jaya Prakash Malla then lived in Pashupatinath and Swoyambhunath as a devotee of Bhagwan.