Ganga Rani

Ganga Rani or Ganga Devi (Newar: ) was a queen of Bhaktapur first as the consort of Vishva Malla and later as the ruler who in October 1558 took control of the throne and alongside her two sons co-ruled the Kingdom of Bhaktapur for a significant time. Ganga Rani made both her sons Tribhuvana and Trailokya the co-kings of Bhaktapur. Ganga Rani was first a regent for her two sons, but later became the co-ruler or ruling queen of Bhaktapur. She is credited with unifying the kingdom under a single monarch by seizing powers from the cadet branches of Yaksha Malla. During her reign, the Kingdom of Banepa, which included Banepa, Panauti, Dhulikhel, Nala was annexed into the Kingdom of Bhaktapur. The locals of Lubhu believe her to be the founder of their city, although the antiquity of the city can be dated before her reign. She is also credited with fortifying the city of Sankhu. The locals believed her to be a pious leader. She was referred to as "Ganga Maharani".