The Malla Era of Visnupur
By Hariprasad G. Shastri
Summary
The Malla Era of Visnupur, current in the Bankura district of Bengal, is a dependent era, one hundred and one years behind the Bengali Saka era. Introduced by Emperor Akbar in 1560, it was established by adding 101 years to the existing Saka year. By 1926, the Malla era was 1345, while the Saka era was 1333, creating a 12-year discrepancy. A manuscript (ASB No. 10,816) of Goylcandra’s commentary on Jumaranandin’s work synchronizes the Saka and Malla eras, indicating the Malla era began in 616 Saka (694 AD). Historical accounts suggest a northern Indian prince, during a pilgrimage to Jagannath in 695 AD, fathered a child in Bankura’s jungles, who later founded the Malla dynasty. The child, raised by Brahmins, grew to establish a 33-year reign, extending the dynasty’s influence. His son, Jayamalla, made Visnupur the capital, and forty princes followed, expanding their dominion and constructing temples. The forty-ninth prince, Dhara Himbira, acknowledged Delhi’s suzerainty, while his son, Vira Himbira, became a renowned Vaisnava figure. Though the era remains locally current, its usage is declining.
Conclusion
The Malla Era of Visnupur offers a unique lens into regional chronology and political dynamics in Bengal, tracing the era's origins to 694 CE and its intricate synchronization with the Saka calendar. By analyzing a manuscript from the ASB Library and cross-referencing historical accounts, the study clarifies the era's contested starting point and its gradual decline in contemporary usage. The research underscores the Malla dynasty's enduring legacy—marked by territorial expansion, temple patronage, and cultural contributions—while situating it within broader Indian political traditions. The era's eventual subordination to the Delhi Sultanate reflects shifting power structures, yet its persistence in local memory highlights its cultural resonance. This work not only resolves longstanding ambiguities about the Malla chronology but also enriches our understanding of regional historiography and its interplay with broader Indian political narratives.