The Malla Dynasty is a ruling dynasty of Nepal c. 1201–1769.

It is during their reign that the people living in and around the Kathmandu Valley begin to be called "Newars".

The Mallas are the ruling clan of the Malla Mahajanapada.

They claim Kshatriya status.

The Mallas (literally "wrestlers" in Sanskrit) had been forced out of India and their name can be found in the Mahabharata and in Buddhist literature.

The first of the Malla kings comes to power in Kathmandu Valley around 1200.

The Malla period is a golden one that stretches over six hundred years, though ithere is intermittent conflict over the valuable trade routes to Tibet.