The Khasa-Malla Kingdom, often referred to as the Khasa Kingdom or Yatse in Tibetan, stands as a significant chapter in the medieval history of the Himalayas, emerging around the 11th century in the regions that are now part of far-western Nepal and Uttarakhand, India. This kingdom was ruled by the Khasa tribe, a powerful ethnic group whose rulers bore the family name "Malla"—a title that should not be confused with the later and more widely recognized Malla dynasty of the Kathmandu Valley. The Khasa Malla kings were influential figures who controlled vast territories across western Nepal from the 11th to the 14th centuries. This period marked a crucial era in the region's history, with the Khasa-Malla Kingdom extending its influence through military conquests, cultural integration, and strategic alliances.
The origins of the Khasa people are deeply embedded in ancient Indian mythology and history. They are mentioned in several legendary texts, including the Mahabharata, as a prominent tribe of the northern frontiers. Inscriptions dating from the 8th to the 13th centuries CE further corroborate the existence and prominence of the Khasas, establishing them as a dominant force in the Himalayan region. The Khasa Malla Kingdom was characterized by a loose federation of principalities that, while independent in nature, were united under the overarching authority of the Khasa kings. This feudal structure allowed the kingdom to manage vast and diverse territories, particularly around the Karnali River basin, which served as the heartland of the Khasa Malla domain. One of the most notable figures in the kingdom's history was King Nāgarāja, also known as Jāveśvara, who reigned in the 12th century. Nāgarāja, hailing from Khāripradeśa (present-day Ngari Province), was a formidable warrior-king who expanded the Khasa Malla Kingdom significantly. He conquered the Jumla Kingdom, a principal domain in the central Himalayas, and extended his rule eastward to the Bheri River, westward to the Satluj River, and northward to the Mayum pass in Tibet. His establishment of the capital at Semjā marked a significant consolidation of Khasa power, laying the groundwork for future expansions. The Khasa Malla dynasty, which likely originated even earlier than the 11th century, saw its influence grow under Nāgarāja's leadership, with his conquests and administrative reforms bolstering the kingdom's prominence in the region.
The kingdom reached its zenith under the rule of King Prithvi Malla, who ascended to the throne around 1413 A.D. Prithvi Malla is widely regarded as the most renowned and effective ruler of the Khasa Malla dynasty, overseeing a period of great territorial expansion and consolidation. Under his reign, the Khasa Malla Kingdom reached its greatest extent, encompassing regions such as Guge, Purang, and parts of what is now Nepal, stretching from Dullu in the southwest to Kaskikot in the east. This era of prosperity, however, was short-lived. Following Prithvi Malla's death, the kingdom began to fragment, leading to its eventual disintegration into smaller states that formed the Baise rajya confederacy—a group of 22 principalities that continued to wield power in the region, albeit on a much smaller scale.
The historical significance of the Khasa Malla Kingdom is further illuminated by the various inscriptions left by its rulers. These inscriptions, often found on stone pillars, copper plates, and temple walls, provide valuable insights into the kingdom's religious, cultural, and political life. One of the earliest and most significant inscriptions is the copper plate of King Krachalla, dated Poush 1145 Shaka Samvat (1223 A.D.), which is housed in the Baleshwar temple in Sui, Kumaon. This inscription not only records Krachalla's military victories, such as his conquest of the Kartikeyapur (Kumaon) region but also highlights his deep devotion to Buddhism, as he describes himself as "Paramabhattaraka Maharajadhiraja Shriman Krachalladeva Narapati," a devout Buddhist king. Krachalla's reign marked a period of religious and cultural flourishing, with Buddhism playing a central role in the kingdom's identity.
The inscriptions of later rulers, such as Ashok Challa and Ripu Malla, further attest to the kingdom's complex religious landscape. Ashok Challa, who issued several inscriptions in modern-day Bodhgaya, Bihar, referred to himself as the "Khasha-Rajadhiraja," or "emperor of the Khashas," signifying the kingdom's prominence and its rulers' aspirations for regional dominance. Ripu Malla, another significant ruler, left his mark on the Ashoka Pillar of Lumbini and Nigalihawa, where his inscriptions, written in a combination of Sanskrit and early Nepali, reflect the kingdom's gradual shift from Buddhism to Hinduism. Prithvi Malla's inscriptions, dated to the late 13th century, further illustrate this religious transition, as they blend Buddhist and Hindu elements—indicative of a kingdom in the midst of cultural and religious transformation.
The Sinja Valley, which served as the ancient capital of the Khasa Mallas, was not only a political center but also a cultural and linguistic hub. The valley is recognized as the birthplace of the Khas language, the precursor to modern Nepali. Some of the earliest examples of Devanagari script, used to write the Khas language, date back to the 13th century and were discovered in archaeological sites across Jumla, Surkhet, and Dailekh districts. This script played a crucial role in the development of Nepali as a literary language, cementing the Khasa Malla Kingdom's legacy in the cultural history of Nepal. The kingdom's religious landscape was diverse, with early Khasa Malla kings primarily practicing Buddhism. However, as the kingdom expanded southward and increased its interactions with the Indian subcontinent, there was a gradual shift towards Hinduism. This transition is evident in the inscriptions and religious practices of the later Khasa Malla kings, who began to incorporate Hindu rituals and iconography into their court and religious life. The reigns of King Punya Malla and Prithvi Malla, in particular, were marked by a strict adherence to traditional Hindu customs, signaling a definitive shift in the kingdom's religious orientation.
Titles such as "Challa" and "Malla" were not just family names but also signified the royal and noble status of the kingdom's rulers and princes. High-ranking officials, often referred to as "Rāulā," played crucial roles in the administration of the kingdom, while titles like "Mandalesvara" or "Mandalik" were conferred upon powerful individuals, including royal princes and defeated kings, who were integrated into the kingdom's administrative framework. These titles and ranks reflect the kingdom's complex social and political hierarchy, which was instrumental in maintaining order and stability across its vast and diverse territories.
In summary, the Khasa-Malla Kingdom was a formidable medieval state that played a crucial role in the history of the Himalayan region. Its rulers, military conquests, cultural achievements, and religious transformations left an indelible mark on the history of Nepal and the surrounding areas. The kingdom's legacy is preserved in the inscriptions, language, and cultural practices that continue to influence the region to this day, making it a significant chapter in the history of South Asia.
