Devalakshmidevi

Jayarudra Malla died in 1326 C.E and without any male heirs, his daughter Nayakadevi was the heir to the House of Tripura. Nayakadevi was initially married to Harischandra, a refugee from Kashi, but in 1335 he was poisoned by the nobles. Then onwards, Devaladevi worked on gaining political supports from courtiers and nobles and later on her son, Jagatsimha, married Nayakadevi.^[1]

Following the death of the then presiding monarch Jayari Malla in 1344, Devaladevi made an agreement with the House of Bhonta that a monarch would be installed from Bhonta on the condition that she remained the de facto ruler of the valley. In 1347, Jayarajadeva was crowned as the King following the agreement and Devaladevi remained the controlling figure.^[2] She was given higher titles than the King himself.^[1]

In 1347, a daughter, Rajaladevi, was born to Nayakadevi and Jagatsimha. Nayakadevi died ten days later and after a violent outbreak in the palace, Jagatsimha was thrown into prison where he died. This event left Rajaladevi, the heir to the House of Tripura, under the care of Devaladevi.^[4][2]

She was in constant political conflicts with the rebels and in 1348 she imprisoned Pashupati Malla, a powerful rebel.^[1]

In 1354, Devaladevi brought Jayasthiti Malla, a man of obscure but noble birth, from the Mithila region to marry Rajaladevi, her granddaughter and the heir to the House of Tripura. Jayasthiti Malla later united the broken kingdoms of Kantipur, Patan, and Bhadgaon.^[1][2]

Devaladevi played a very active role in politics until her death in 1366.^[1][2][4]