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Table of Contents
Introduction: Pala Empire
The Pala Empire, which flourished from the 8th to the 12th century, holds a significant place in the history of ancient Bengal. Emerging in the Indian subcontinent, particularly in the region of present-day Bangladesh and parts of eastern India, the Palas left a lasting impact on the socio-cultural and political landscape of the period.
Known for their patronage of Buddhism, the Pala Kings contributed immensely to the spread and resurgence of the religion. Under their rule, Nalanda, Vikramshila the renowned centers of Buddhist learning, reached its zenith, attracting scholars and students from distant regions.
Pala Empire at a Glance
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Period | 750 CE–1161 CE |
| Major Capitals | Bikrampur, Pataliputra, Gauda, Monghyr (Devapala), Somapura (Dharampala), Mahipal (Murshidabad District), Ramavati (Varendra) |
| Religion | Tantric Buddhism, Mahayana Buddhism, Hinduism, Shaivism |
| Notable Emperors | – Gopala (750–770 CE) (Founder) |
| – Devapala (810–850 CE) (Greatest Expansion) | |
| – Narayanapala (854–908 CE) | |
| – Mahipala I (988–1036 CE) (Revival of Power) | |
| – Govindapala (1139–1161 CE) (Last Emperor) | |
| Preceded By | Khadga dynasty [ruled the areas of Vanga and Samatata (present-day eastern Bangladesh) from 660 CE to 750 CE] |
| Succeeded By | Sena dynasty, Karnata Dynasty [ruled areas of present-day parts of Bihar and Nepal from 1097 CE–1324 CE], Pithipatis of Bodh Gaya [ruled areas around Bodh Gaya from 11th to 13th centuries CE] |
Pala Dynasty Origin
| Source/Theory | Details |
|---|---|
| Khalimpur Copper Plate | Mentions that Gopala, the first Pala king, was the son of a warrior named Vapyata (destructor of foes). |
| Ramacharitam (North Bengal) | States that Varendra (North Bengal) was the homeland of the Palas. |
| Kshatriya Ancestry Claims | Several sources like Ballala-Carita, Taranatha, and Ghanaram Chakrabarty claim the Palas were Kshatriyas (warriors). |
| Shudra Ancestry (Arya-Manjushri-Mulakalpa) | Arya-Manjushri-Mulakalpa, suggests that the Palas were of Shudra (lower caste) origin. |
| Kayastha Origin | Abul Fazl and K. N. Sahay mention that the Palas might have been Kayasthas (a caste of administrators). |
| Al-Biruni (11th-century Persian scholar) | Al-Biruni also mentions that the Pala rulers were of Brahman origin. |
Important points about the Pala Empire
- Overview of the Pala Empire (750-1161 CE):
- The Pala Empire was a major imperial power in the early medieval period of the Indian subcontinent, originating in the Bengal region.
- It was founded when Gopala was elected as the emperor of Gauda in the late 8th century AD.
- Key Struggles and Conflicts: The Pala Empire was involved in a long struggle for control of Kannauj, competing with the Gurjara-Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas.
- Buddhist Influence and Patronage:
- The Pala Empire was the last major Buddhist imperial power in the Indian subcontinent.
- The Pala kings were strong patrons of Mahayana Buddhism.
- Buddhist scholars from the Pala Empire travelled to other regions to spread Buddhism.
- One notable scholar, Atis Dipankar Srijgyan, played a key role in spreading Buddhism to Tibet and Sumatra.
- International Relations: The Pala Empire maintained diplomatic and trade relations with several powerful states, including the Srivijaya Empire, the Tibetan Empire, and the Arab Abbasid Caliphate.
- Historical Accounts: Sulaiman, a 9th-century Arab merchant and traveller, visited Bengal during the Pala Empire’s rule and documented his observations.
Pala Dynasty Capital
The Palas had several capitals during their rule, with each successive king shifting the capital based on political, geographical, or strategic needs.
| Capital | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Bikrampur (Vikrampura) | Present-day Munshiganj district, near Dhaka, Bangladesh | Early capital of the Pala dynasty, particularly during the reign of Gopala, the founder (750–770 CE). |
| Gauda (Gaur) | Present-day Malda district, West Bengal, India | Served as a capital at certain times due to its central position in Bengal. |
| Monghyr (Munger) | Present-day Munger, Bihar, India | Became prominent during Devapala’s reign (810–850 CE), when the Pala Empire expanded significantly. |
| Somapura | Present-day Paharpur, Naogaon District, Bangladesh | Dharampala built the Somapura Mahavihara; it became a major cultural and religious centre, though not a permanent capital. |
| Mahipala (Murshidabad) | Present-day Murshidabad district, West Bengal, India | Mahipala I (988–1038 CE) shifted the capital here. |
| Ramavati (Varendra) | Present-day Northern Bengal (Varendra region) | Capital during the reign of Ramapala (1077–1130 CE), who revitalized the Pala dynasty. |
Sources of the Pala Empire
| Sources | Details |
|---|---|
| Khalimpur copper plate inscription | About Pala King Gopala |
| Arya-Manjusri-Mulakalpa | |
| Ramacharitam (a Sanskrit epic poem written by Sandhyakar Nandi (1084 – 1155 CE) | About Varendra Region also known as Barind (An ancient region of North Bengal, now mostly in Bangladesh and a small portion in the Indian state of West Bengal) |
| Ballala-Charita | Pala Kings belongs to Kshatriya Clan |
Pala Empire Rulers
Gopala I (750–770 CE): Pala Dynasty Founder
- Founder of the Pala Dynasty: Gopala was the founder of the Pala dynasty, which brought stability to Bengal after a long period of disorder.
- Matsya Nyaya and the State of Anarchy:
- After the death of King Shashanka (reign: 590-625AD), Bengal went through about a century of anarchy, a period described as Matsya Nyaya.
- Matsya Nyaya: This term means “Law of the Fish,” where the big fish (the powerful) prey on the smaller ones (the weak), symbolizing chaos and lawlessness.
- To restore order, Gopala was chosen as king by a group of regional chieftains.
- Patron of Buddhism: Gopala is known for building the Buddhist monastery at Odantapuri, located in present-day Bihar, contributing to the region’s cultural and religious growth.
Kingdom of Gauda
- The Gauda kingdom was one of the most important kingdoms that arose after the fall of the Gupta Empire.
- Gaur at that time covered the area of the present Murshidabad district and the northern part of Burdwan division.
- Shashanka was one of the greatest kings of Gaur.
- He was the contemporary of Harsha and of Bhaskaravarman of Kamarupa.
- His capital was at “Karnasubana”.
- Shashanka’s name is mentioned in the 7th-century hill fort Rohtasgarh in Bihar.
- During his reign, the Gaud kingdom extended to the border of Kannauj in the west and Ganjam district in the south.
- He was a ‘worshiper of Shiva’.
Dharmapala (770-810 CE)
- Dharmapala’s Reign:
- Dharmapala was the second ruler of the Pala Empire, ruling from 770 to 810 AD.
- He expanded the empire’s influence, making it a dominant power in northern and eastern India.
- Patron of Buddhism:
- Dharmapala was a great patron of Buddhism.
- He granted 200 villages to Nalanda University, supporting its growth.
- He founded the Vikramashila Mahavihara in Bhagalpur, Bihar, as a major centre of Buddhist learning.
- He also built Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur (modern-day Bangladesh), one of the largest Buddhist monasteries.
- He was a patron of the renowned Buddhist scholar and writer Haribhadra.
- Military Campaigns and the Tripartite Struggle:
- Dharmapala was involved in the Tripartite Struggle for control over northern India, specifically Kannauj, against the Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas.
- His contemporaries in this conflict were the Rashtrakuta king Dhruva and the Pratihara king Vatsaraja.
- He is referred to as Vangapati (Lord of Bengal) in records from both the Rashtrakutas and the Pratiharas.
- According to the Bhagalpur copper plate of Narayanpala, Dharmapala defeated Indrayudha, the ruler of Kannauj, and placed Chakrayudha on the throne.
- Ceremonial and Diplomatic Influence:
- The Khalimpur copper plate of Dharmapala describes a grand ceremony where Dharmapala installed the king of Kanyakubja (Kanauj). Chiefs from various regions, including Bhoja, Matsya, Madra, Kuru, Yadu, Yavana, Avanti, Gandhara, and Kira, attended and bowed in approval.
- The king of Kanyakubja referred to in this ceremony is believed to be Chakrayudha.
- Military Campaigns Beyond Kanauj:
- The Munger copper plate mentions that Dharmapala’s military campaigns extended far beyond Kanauj.
- During these successful campaigns, his attendants performed religious ceremonies at Kedara, likely referring to Kedarnath in the Himalayas, a prominent pilgrimage site.
- Mentions in Contemporary Records:
- Dharmapala is mentioned as a great king of Bengal in the Nesari plates of the Rashtrakuta dynasty (dated 805 AD).
- In the Udayasundarikatha, a Champu-kavya written by the Gujarati poet Soddhala in the first half of the 11th century, Dharmapala is referred to as the “Uttarapathor svamin” or Lord of Uttarapatha (Northern India).
- Champu-kavya is a mixture of prose (Gadya-Kavya) and poetry (Padya-Kavya).
Location – Paharpur, Bangladesh
It became a World Heritage Site in 1985
Read More:
Devpala (810-850 CE)
- Devapala’s Reign and Conquests (810–850 AD):
- Dharmapala’s son and successor Devapala (810-850 AD) inherited a vast kingdom and expanded it further by conquering new territories.
- His military campaigns extended as far as Kamboj in the northwest and Vidhya Mountain in the south.
- He is believed to have conquered various regions, including the Hunas, Gurjars, Dravidas, Utkalas, and Pragjyotis (Assam).
- Fights for Supremacy: Devapala successfully defended his dominance in North India by fighting against three successive Gurjara-Pratihara kings, including Bhoja.
- Badal Pillar Inscription:
- The Badal Pillar Inscription praises Devapala’s rule and highlights the contributions of his Brahman ministers Darbhapani and his grandson Kedaramisra.
- According to the inscription, Darbhapani’s diplomacy allowed Devapala to extract tributes from the entirety of Northern India, stretching from the Himalayas to the Vindhya Mountains, and from the Eastern to the Western seas.
- Patronage of Buddhism:
- Devapala was a significant patron of Buddhism.
- His influence extended to Buddhist regions outside India, including Sumatra.
- King Balputradeva of the Shailendra dynasty of Sumatra and Javadwip sent an envoy to Devapala, asking for support for a monastery he built at Nalanda. Devapala granted his request by providing five villages to fund the monastery.
- Notable Figures and Writings:
- Vajradatta, a Buddhist scholar and the author of ‘Lokesvarashataka‘ was Devapala’s court poet.
- Sulaiman, an Arabian traveller, mentioned that Devapala’s army was larger than his rivals, the Rashtrakutas and Pratiharas. His army reportedly included 50,000 elephants and a vast support system of 10,000 to 15,000 men to assist the soldiers.
Mahendrapala
- Mahendrapala has been mentioned in some Pala records, but earlier, historians used to believe that those mentions referred to the Gurjara-Pratihara king Mahendrapala I.
- After the discovery of the Jagjivanpur copper plate, it is clear that he was a distinct Pala emperor, who succeeded Devapala.
Gopala II
- The information about Gopala II and his ancestors is found in the Bhagalpur copper-plate inscription of his son, Narayanapala.
Restoration of the Pala Empire Under Mahipala I (988-1038 CE)
- Succession and Initial Struggles: Mahipala I ascended the throne around 988 AD after his father, Vigrahapala II. The Pala Empire at this time was in a weakened state, with much of Bengal under the control of rival dynasties and invaders.
- Efforts to Reclaim Bengal: Mahipala I is credited with recovering Eastern Bengal (Samatata) and Northern Bengal (Varendra).
- Rajendra Chola’s Invasion: During Mahipala I’s rule, the Chola emperor Rajendra Chola I launched an expedition to the north (1021–1023 AD) to bring back sacred water from the Ganges. Chola forces invaded Bengal, defeating several local rulers, including Mahipala, and capturing Uttara-Radha (Northern Radha).
- Lasting Legacy: Mahipala I is remembered as one of the most significant rulers of the later Pala dynasty due to his efforts to restore and consolidate Pala’s power in Bengal after a period of decline. The “Mahipala geet” (songs of Mahipala), a set of folk songs about him, is still popular in the rural areas of Bengal.
Nayapala (1038-1055 AD)
- Nayapala’s reign: He became king after his father Mahipala I and ruled from around 1038 to 1055 AD.
- Conflict with Kalachuri: Nayapala had a long battle with Karna, the king of Kalachuri. Karna’s inscriptions mention his raids on the chiefs of Bengal.
Pala Literature
Ramacharita by Sandhyakara Nandin:
- Historical Kavya: Ramacharita is a significant example of a historical Kavya (poetic narrative) from Bengal. It uses wordplay (Slesa) to narrate two stories simultaneously- one about the epic hero Rama, and the other about Ramapala, a king of the Pala dynasty.
- Dual Themes: Each of the 220 Arya verses has two meanings- one relating to the Ramayana and the other to the historical exploits of Ramapala.
- Authorship: The author, Sandhyakara Nandin, calls himself “Kalikala-Valmiki” and was likely from Pundravardhana in Varendra. He was the grandson of Pinaka-Nandin and son of Prajapati-Nandin, an official in Ramapala’s court.
- Historical Significance: The poem tells the story of the Kaivarta revolt in North Bengal, which led to the murder of King Mahipala II, the subsequent uprising, and the restoration of Ramapala.
Madhava’s Contribution:
- Madhava is a significant figure in Indian medical literature, particularly known for his work Roga-viniscaya (commonly referred to as Nidana). This text focuses on pathology and diagnosis, describing various diseases and their symptoms.
Jimutavahana’s Works:
- Daya-Bhaga:
- The most well-known and significant of Jimutavahana’s works, Daya-bhaga is a text on the Hindu law of inheritance, partition, and women’s property (Stri-dhana) in Bengal. It differs from the Mitaksara, another major legal text, in several key points.
- Daya-Bhaga discusses inheritance principles-
- a father’s authority over ancestral property,
- partitioning among sons,
- succession, and
- women’s property.
- It also covers topics like excluded persons from inheritance, non-divisible property, and partition disputes.
- Many commentaries exist on the text, including one by Raghunandana.
- Dayabhaga was followed as the law of inheritance and was in use until the Hindu Succession Act was enacted in 1956.
- Vyavahara-Matrika:
- This work focuses on judicial procedure. It covers the-
- structure of courts,
- the qualifications of judges (Pradvivaka), and
- the duties of court members (Sabhyas).
- Divided into four Padas, it explains legal processes, including filing a complaint (Purva-paksha), the defendant’s reply (Uttara), evidence (Kriya), and the final decision (Nirnaya-pada).
- This work focuses on judicial procedure. It covers the-
- Kala-Viveka:
- This work addresses the appropriate timing for performing religious duties and ceremonies, focusing on selecting the right seasons, months, days, and hours.
- It discusses festivals like Kojagara and Durga Puja and provides criticism of earlier authors.
Varendra Under the Kaivarta Chiefs
The Varendra rebellion (Kaivarta revolt) was a revolt against King Mahipala II (1070–1075 CE) in Northern Bengal. The rebellion is mentioned in Sandhyakar Nandi’s Ramacharitam.
Rise of the Kaivarta Chiefs:
- Divyak, a feudal lord of the Varendra region, played a key role in overthrowing King Mahipala II. He established the Kaivarta rule in Varendra.
- Varendra, also known as Barind was a region of the Northern part of Bengal.
- The Ramacharita, a literary source from that time, portrays Divyak as an ambitious rebel.
Conflict with Eastern Bengal:
- Divyak likely came into conflict with Jatavarman, the king of Eastern Bengal, as suggested by inscriptions in the Belava copper plate of Bhojavarman.
Succession and Stability:
- After Divya’s death, his younger brother Rudroka succeeded him, though not much is known about his reign.
- Rudoka was followed by his son, Bhima, who was praised in the Ramacharita for his kingdom’s virtues and strength.
- Bhima restored peace and prosperity in Varendra.
Challenges During Bhima’s Reign:
- Despite Bhima’s efforts to strengthen the kingdom, heavy taxation before Ramapala’s conquest suggests internal difficulties during his reign.
- Ultimately, external forces led by Ramapala began preparations to defeat Bhima later and end the Kaivarta rule in Varendri.
Legacy:
- The Kaivarta pillar of Dinajpur still bears Divyak’s memory.
Pala Art and Architecture
Will be uploaded soon.
Pala Dynasty UPSC PSC MCQs
Who was the founder of the Pala Dynasty?
UPPSC (Mains) 2015
(a) Dharmapala
(b) Deopala
(c) Gopala
(d) Ramapala
Answer: (c) Gopala
Who established the Odantipuri Buddhist Mahavihara?
(a) Gopala I
(b) Dharmapala
(c) Devapala
(d) Mahipala
Answer: (b) Dharmapala
Who among the following had built the Sompura Mahavihara?
[UPPSC (Pre) 1999]
(a) Kumaragupta I
(b) Harsha
(c) Dharmapala
(d) Vijaysena
Answer: (c) Dharmapala
Which one of the following rulers established Vikramshila University?
[UPRO/ARO (Mains) 2018]
(a) Gopala
(b) Devapala
(c) Mahipala I
(d) Dharmapala
Answer: (d) Dharmapala
In which among the following states, Odantipur Education Centre was situated?
[BPSC 2018]
(a) Bengal
(b) Bihar
(c) Gujarat
(d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: (b) Bihar
In which modern-day state, the University of Vikramshila was located?
[JPSC (Pre) 2013]
(a) Madhya Pradesh
(b) Odisha
(c) Bihar
(d) Jharkhand
Answer: (c) Bihar
The ruler of Suvarnabhumi, who founded a Buddhist Monastery at Nalanda and requested Devapala through his ambassador to grant five villages for its maintenance, was:
[BPSC (Pre) 2018]
(a) Dharanindra
(b) Sengramadhananijaya
(c) Balaputradeva
(d) Chudamani Varmana
Answer: (c) Balaputradeva