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Pala Empire

The Pala Empire was a dynasty of northern and eastern Indian subcontinent, mainly comprising of Bihar and Bengal region from 8th to 12th century. The name Pala (Modern পাল pal) means "protector" and was used as an ending to the names of all Pala monarchs.

Pala Empire
750–1161 CE
Pala Empire under Devapala.[1][2]
Pala Empire under Devapala.[1][2]
Capital
List
Religion
Buddhism, Hinduism
GovernmentMonarchy
• First Emperor
Gopala
• Last Emperor
Gobindapala
Preceded by		 Succeeded by
Gauda kingdom
Sena dynasty
Today part ofIndia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Afganistan

History

Establishment

After the Gauda kingdom fell, Bengal was in a state of anarchy and there was no central authority, and there was constant fighting between minor chieftains. Gopala ascended the throne as the first Pala king during these times.[5]

Indian Kanauj triangle map
A map of the Tripartite struggle [6]

Expansion

Gopala's empire was greatly expanded by his son Dharmapala and his grandson Devapala. At first, Dharmapala was defeated by the Pratihara ruler Vatsaraja. Later, the Rashtrakuta Emperor Dhruva defeated both Dharmapala and Vatsaraja. After Dhruva returned to the Deccan, Dharmapala built a powerful empire in northern India.[7] Soon, Dharmapala's expansion was stopped by Vatsaraja's son, Nagabhata II, who took control of Kannauj and defeated Chakrayudha. Nagabhata II then moved towards Munger and defeated Dharmapala in a fierce battle. Dharmapala had to surrender and seek help from the Rashtrakuta emperor Govinda III, who then invaded Northern India and defeated Nagabhata II.[8]

Dharmapala was then succeeded by his son Devapala. During the reign of Devapala, the Pāla Empire reached its greatest extent. Devapala is known for subjugating the Dravidas (Pandyan Empire), the Gurjaras (Gurjara Pratihara Dynasty), the Utkalas of Odisha, the Pragjyotishas of Assam, and the Hunas and Kambojas in the northwest, as recorded in his inscriptions and the inscription that records of his reign.[9][10]

Dharmapala's eldest son, Rajyapala, died before him, so his next son, Mahendrapala, became king. Mahendrapala likely kept control of his father's large empire and fought against the Utkalas and Hunas.[11] He passed the empire to his younger brother Shurapala I, who ruled over Bengal, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, as confirmed by his Mirzapur copperplate.[12] What happened during the rule of Shurapala's son, Gopala II, remains unknown. After Gopala II, Dharmapala's lineage ended, and the throne was taken by the descendants of Dharmapala's younger brother, Vakapala.

List of rulers

RC Majumdar (1971)[13] AM Chowdhury (1967)[14] BP Sinha (1977)[15] DC Sircar (1975–76)[16] D. K. Ganguly (1994)[17]
Gopala I 750–770 756–781 755–783 750–775 750–774
Dharmapala 770–810 781–821 783–820 775–812 774–806
Devapala 810–c. 850 821–861 820–860 812–850 806–845
Mahendrapala NA (Mahendrapala's existence was conclusively established through a copper-plate charter discovered later.) 845–860
Shurapala I 850–853 861–866 860–865 850–858 860–872
Vigrahapala I 858–60 872–873
Narayanapala 854–908 866–920 865–920 860–917 873–927
Rajyapala 908–940 920–952 920–952 917–952 927–959
Gopala II 940–957 952–969 952–967 952–972 959–976
Vigrahapala II 960–c. 986 969–995 967–980 972–977 976–977
Mahipala I 988–c. 1036 995–1043 980–1035 977–1027 977–1027
Nayapala 1038–1053 1043–1058 1035–1050 1027–1043 1027–1043
Vigrahapala III 1054–1072 1058–1075 1050–1076 1043–1070 1043–1070
Mahipala II 1072–1075 1075–1080 1076–1078/9 1070–1071 1070–1071
Shurapala 1075–1077 1080–1082 1071–1072 1071–1072
Ramapala 1077–1130 1082–1124 1078/9–1132 1072–1126 1072–1126
Kumarapala 1130–1125 1124–1129 1132–1136 1126–1128 1126–1128
Gopala III 1140–1144 1129–1143 1136–1144 1128–1143 1128–1143
Madanapala 1144–1162 1143–1162 1144–1161/62 1143–1161 1143–1161
Govindapala 1155–1159 NA 1162–1176 or 1158–1162 1161–1165 1161–1165
Palapala NA NA NA 1165–1199 1165–1200

[18]

Reference

  1. ↑ Chakrabarti, Dilip K.. Ancient Bangladesh, a study of the archaeologcial sources (1992)Delhi ; New York : Oxford University Press. p. 74. ISBN 978-0-19-562879-1.
  2. ↑ Rahman, Shah Sufi Mostafizur. Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District: From Early Historic to Early Mediaeval Period (in en) (2000)International Centre for Study of Bengal Art. p. 50–51. ISBN 978-984-8140-01-7.
  3. ↑ Michael C. Howard. Transnationalism in Ancient and Medieval Societies: The Role of Cross-Border Trade and Travel (2012)McFarland. p. 72. ISBN 978-0-7864-9033-2.
  4. ↑ Huntington 1984, p. 56.
  5. ↑ Sengupta, Nitish K.. Land of two rivers: a history of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib (2011). New Delhi: Penguin Books. p. 39–49. ISBN 978-0-14-341678-4.
  6. ↑ Keay, John. India: A History (2000)Grove Publication. p. 198. ISBN 0-8021-3797-0.
  7. ↑ Bindeshwari Prasad Sinha. Dynastic History of Magadha (1977). New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. p. 175–176. ISBN 978-81-7017-059-4.
  8. ↑ Bindeshwari Prasad Sinha. Dynastic History of Magadha (1977). New Delhi: Abhinav Publications. p. 179. ISBN 978-81-7017-059-4.
  9. ↑ Chakrabarti, Dilip K.. Ancient Bangladesh, a study of the archaeologcial sources (1992)Delhi ; New York : Oxford University Press. p. 74–75. ISBN 978-0-19-562879-1.
  10. ↑ Rahman, Shah Sufi Mostafizur. Archaeological Investigation in Bogra District: From Early Historic to Early Mediaeval Period (in en) (2000)International Centre for Study of Bengal Art. p. 50–52. ISBN 978-984-8140-01-7.
  11. ↑ Bhattacharya, Suresh Chandra, Pāla Kings in the Badal Praśasti — A Stock-Taking, Journal of Ancient Indian History, University of Calcutta, Vol. XXIV, 2007-08, pp. 73-82.
  12. ↑ Sanyal, Rajat. The Pala-Sena and Others. History of Ancient India Vol 5 Political History and Administration (C. Ad 750-1300) (Regional Powers and Their Interactions) 5 (1 January 2014). Retrieved 26 September 2024.
  13. ↑ R. C. Majumdar. History of Ancient Bengal (1971)G. Bharadwaj. p. 161–162.
  14. ↑ Abdul Momin Chowdhury. Dynastic history of Bengal, c. 750-1200 CE (1967)Asiatic Society of Pakistan. p. 272–273.
  15. ↑ Bindeshwari Prasad Sinha. Dynastic History of Magadha, Cir. 450–1200 A.D. (1977)Abhinav Publications. p. 253–. ISBN 978-81-7017-059-4.
  16. ↑ Dineshchandra Sircar. Indological Notes - R.C. Majumdar's Chronology of the Pala Kings. Journal of Indian History IX (1975–76). p. 209–10.
  17. ↑ Dilip Kumar Ganguly. Ancient India, History and Archaeology (1994)Abhinav. p. 33-41. ISBN 978-81-7017-304-5.
  18. ↑ Susan L. Huntington. The "Påala-Sena" Schools of Sculpture (1984)Brill Archive. p. 32-39. ISBN 90-04-06856-2.

Pala Empire Media

  • Vishnu with His Consorts, Lakshmi and Sarasvati, 11–12th century, Bihar or Bengal, Pala period

  • An illustration of the Kannauj triangle

  • Coin of the Pala Empire, Mahipala and later. Circa 988–1161 CE

  • Bronze crowned Buddha, Bihar, Pala Empire, 10th–11th century

  • Maitreya and scenes from the Buddha's life. Folios were probably from the Pala period under Ramapala, considered the last great ruler of the Pala dynasty.

  • Vishnu Flanked by His Personified Attributes, early 9th century CE, Pala period, Bihar, India

  • The Badal Pillar Inscription of Narayanapala (7th Pala Emperor)

  • Nalanda is considered one of the first great Buddhist Mahaviras in recorded history. It reached its height under Palas.

  • Atisha was a Buddhist teacher who helped establish the Sarma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

    • Country: India.*Site Name: Nalanda.*Monument: sculpture of Khasarpana Lokesvara.*Iconography: Khasarpana.*Gestures: padma (lotus), varada mudra (gift-bestowing gesture).*Dynasty/Period: Pala.*Date: ca. ninth century CE, 801 CE - 900 CE.*Material: stone.*Dimensions: H - ca. 42.00 in W - ca. 15.00 in.*Current Location: National Museum, New Delhi, India. description from Huntington Archive

References




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