Kingdom that governed the Kathmandu Valley between 1200 and 1769 CE, chiefly from Bhaktapur, preceded by the Licchavis and overthrown by the Shahs of Gorkha. Rulers apparently from different families bore the name ‘Malla’ as an honorific suffix instead of, or along with, the earlier ‘Deva’ (‘lord’); it means ‘victor’ or ‘wrestler’ in Sanskrit, and is not an ethnic or dynastic name. The Mallas claimed descent from the Licchavis and the Malla confederacy of ancient India; later Mallas also traced their lineage to the Karnat dynasty of nearby Mithila. The Malla period is noted for extensive literary and scholarly output in Newar — then the official state language — as well as Sanskrit and Maithili. The Kathmandu Valley under the Mallas witnessed a decline in Buddhism and marked development in Hindu devotional cults, with strong Brahmanical influence from Mithila, with patronage to construct several notable temples, viharas, and infrastructural projects. Scholars also note the flourishing of metallurgy, stone sculpture, and painting under the Mallas.