Jishnu Gupta, often spelled Jishnugupta, () was a de facto ruler of Nepal in the 7th century during the time of the Lichchhavi dynasty. Initially sharing the administrative powers with Dhruvadeva from 624 CE, he became the highest authority in the realm from around 627. He belonged to the

Abhira-Gupta dynasty The Abhira-Gupta dynasty was a dynasty which existed in the Kathmandu Valley in modern-day Nepal. These Abhira-Guptas had overshadowed the Licchavi kings in the administration. Ravigupta, Bhaumagupta, Jishnugupta and Vishnugupta of Abhira-Gup ...

Usurpation

Amshuverma Amshuverma or Amshu Verma () was a king of Nepal from around 605–621 CE. Initially a feudal lord, he rose to the position of ''Mahasamanta'' (equivalent to prime minister) in about 598 CE when Shivadeva I of the Licchavi dynasty was the ru ...

had appointed his brother-in-law Udaydeva as the

monarch A monarch () is a head of stateWebster's II New College Dictionary. "Monarch". Houghton Mifflin. Boston. 2001. p. 707. Life tenure, for life or until abdication, and therefore the head of state of a monarchy. A monarch may exercise the highest ...

and after the death of the former, the latter became the king in 621. He was soon ousted along with his family to

Tibet Tibet (; ''Böd''; ), or Greater Tibet, is a region in the western part of East Asia, covering much of the Tibetan Plateau and spanning about . It is the homeland of the Tibetan people. Also resident on the plateau are other ethnic groups s ...

, and his brother Dhruvadeva, with the help of Jishnu Gupta proclaimed the throne. Even though Dhruvadeva was the official monarch, Jishnu Gupta exercised much of the authority and from around 627, Jishnu ruled as a de facto ruler.

Reign

He issued several coins issued under his name beginning from 627, and at least ten inscriptions have been found starting from 616. Almost all of his inscriptions substantiate his reign as a de facto ruler under the powerless Lichchhavi monarchs Dhruvadeva, and later his son, Bhimarjunadeva. The Lichchhavis resided at Managriha palace and Jishnu Gupta ruled from Kailashkut Bhawan. The following two addresses, given to the monarch Dhruvadeva "embody the most unostentatious form of address ever ascribed to a sovereign", opiniates historian D.R Regmi.

Personal life

Jishnu Gupta was a grandson of Abhir Bhauma Gupta who, probably, also ascended to the highest authority during the reign of Ganadeva. He died in and was succeeded by the de facto rule of his son Vishnu Gupta with Bhimarjuna as the figurehead monarch.

References

{{authority control 7th-century Nepalese people