The Dynastic History of Northern India (Early Mediaeval Period) v1.c14.119.1

v1.c14.119.1

After this ruler a new type of royal names appears in the list of Nepalese rulers. The prince who succeeded Vijayakāmadeva was not his son. He was named Arimalladeva, and was the son of Jayaśi(?) malladeva, a chief of unknown origin. Many of the chronicles call him simply Arideva, and explain the term *Malla* in the name of his son by referring to a story that the latter was born when his father was amusing himself with wrestling. Though this word certainly has the meaning of an athlete or wrestler, Lévi, I think, was right in reading in the word an ethnic significance.¹ The word *Malla* as the name of a tribal group of North-eastern India is well known in Indian historical tradition. At the time of Buddha the Mallas formed a non-monarchical confederacy with the Licchavis of Vaiśālī (mod. Basarh, Muzaffarpur District, Bihar). Kuśinagar and Pāvā, where the two greatest heretical teachers of Hinduism died, were situated in their territory. In the epic and Paurāṇic tradition the Mallas are always associated with Kosala, Videha (Tirhut), and Magadha. The *Manusaṁhitā* mentions the Mallas by the side of the Licchavis in its social organisation and it is not a little surprising to find their name again reappearing with their old confederates of Vaiśālī in the land of Nepal.