Born in Kantipur (present-day Kathmandu)
Pratap Malla
Deceasedप्रताप मल्ल
Also known as Kavindra
One of the most celebrated kings of Kathmandu, a poet-king who expanded Hanuman Dhoka palace and secured a monopoly on trade with Tibet
About
Pratap Malla seized the throne of Kantipur from his own father, in 1641. He went on to become one of the most ambitious and celebrated rulers of the Malla era. People remember him as much for his poetry as for his statecraft, the skill of running and governing a country. He composed 138 poems in the Newar language. He reportedly knew fifteen languages.
He greatly expanded and beautified Hanuman Dhoka palace. He built the Krishna Temple and the Rani Pokhari pond. He secured Kantipur’s lucrative, highly profitable, monopoly over trade with Tibet.
Despite repeated military campaigns, he never achieved his central ambition: uniting the Kathmandu Valley’s three rival kingdoms, Kantipur, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, under his rule.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1623
- Birthplace
- Kantipur (Kathmandu), Nepal
- Profession
- Monarch, Poet
- Nationality
- Nepal
- Status
- Deceased
- Died
- 1674-04-16
Previous roles
King of Kantipur
Malla dynasty · 1641–1674-04-16
Career & life timeline
- 1623
- 1641
Imprisoned his father on grounds of insanity and ascended the throne
- 1660s
Repeatedly attempted, but failed, to conquer and unify Lalitpur and Bhaktapur into Kantipur
- 1674-04-16
Died; his son Chakrabartendra Malla died the day after taking over administration
Achievements
Composed 138 poems in the Newar language
Secured Kantipur's monopoly over trade with Tibet
Expanded and beautified Hanuman Dhoka palace
Including construction of the Krishna Temple and Rani Pokhari
Organizations & affiliations
- Malla dynasty
Last updated: 2026-09-06