PALA DYNASTY (8th–12th Century)

PALA DYNASTY (8th–12th Century) – UPSC NOTES

ORIGIN OF PALA DYNASTY

The Pala dynasty emerged in eastern India (Bihar and Bengal) around 750 CE after a period of political instability following the decline of the Gauda kingdom and the death of Harsha. The absence of a centralized authority led to a situation of continuous conflict among minor chieftains (Matsyanyaya).

• In this context, Gopala, a Kshatriya chief, was elected by a group of chiefs to restore order.
• This marks a unique feature in Indian history where a ruler was chosen through election rather than heredity.
• His initial kingdom lay in Vanga (southern Bengal), covering present-day southern West Bengal and southwestern Bangladesh.

Political Context

• The Palas were involved in the Tripartite Strugglewith:
  • Pratiharas (Western India)
  • Rashtrakutas (Deccan)
• Objective: Control over the Ganga–Yamuna Doab and Kannauj region

Territorial Extent

• Controlled Bengal, Bihar, and parts of Assam, Odisha
• Dominated the eastern Gangetic plain
• Maintained commercial contacts with Southeast Asia

PALA DYNASTY MAP (GEOGRAPHICAL EXTENT)

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• Core region: Bengal (Vanga) + Magadha (Bihar)
• Expansion under Dharmapala and Devapala
• Influence extended to Punjab, Rajputana, Malwa, Berar (through suzerainty)

MAJOR RULERS OF PALA DYNASTY

Chronological Table

Key Rulers in Detail

1. Gopala

• Founder of Pala dynasty
• Established political stability
• Founded Odantapuri Mahavihara (Bihar)

2. Dharmapala

• Transformed kingdom into a major imperial power
• Controlled Bengal and Bihar directly
• Accepted as overlord by rulers of:
  • Punjab, Rajaputana, Malwa, Berar
• Assumed titles:
  • Paramesvara, Parambhattaraka, Maharajadhiraja
• Major contributions:
  • Vikramashila University (Bhagalpur)
  • Somapura Mahavihara (UNESCO Site, Bangladesh)

3. Devapala

• Expanded empire up to Assam (Kamarupa)
• Defeated Amoghavarsha (Rashtrakuta ruler)
• Strengthened Nalanda University
• Granted 5 villages to Sailendra king (Sumatra)

4. Mahipala I

• Revived declining empire
• Checked advance of Rajendra Chola (1020–25 CE)
• Repaired structures at:
  • Nalanda, Sarnath, Bodh Gaya

5. Ramapala

• Last major ruler
• Attempted restoration of lost glory
• After him, decline accelerated

ADMINISTRATION OF PALA DYNASTY

Nature of Rule

• Monarchical system
• King held supreme authority with titles:
  • Parameshwara, Paramvattaraka, Maharajadhiraja
• Assisted by Prime Ministers
  • Notably Garga lineage served for ~100 years

Administrative Structure

• Administration extended from grassroot level to imperial court
• Some regions governed by vassal chiefs (autonomous but tributary)

PALA DYNASTY RELIGION

1. Buddhism (Dominant Religion)

• Patronised Mahayana Buddhism
• Major centres:
  • Nalanda University
  • Vikramashila University

Key Features

• Dharmapala patronised Haribhadra
• Established 50 religious institutions
• Devapala supported international Buddhist relations
• Bengal became a major centre of Buddhism

Global Influence

• Spread to:
  • Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Southeast Asia

2. Shaivism (Parallel Patronage)

• Palas also supported Shaivism
• Evidence:
  • Mahipala I, Nayapala – initiated as Shaivites
  • Vigrahapala III – Shiva devotee
• Construction of:
  • Shiva temples
• Patronage to:
  • Shaiva ascetics (Golagi-Math)

Religious Synthesis

• Coexistence of:
  • Buddhism + Shaivism + Vaishnavism
• Art includes:
  • Buddha, Vishnu, Shiva, Sarasvati

ART, ARCHITECTURE & EDUCATION

Architecture

• Major Mahaviharas:
  • Nalanda
  • Vikramashila
  • Somapura
  • Odantapuri

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• Somapura = UNESCO World Heritage Site (1985)
• Influenced architecture of Myanmar & Indonesia

Sculpture & Painting

• Development of Pala School of Sculpture
• Influenced by Gupta art
• Features:
  • Bronze casting
  • Stone sculptures
• Famous artists:
  • Dhiman and Vitapala

Education

• Nalanda:
  • ~10,000 students
  • Global centre of learning
• Vikramashila:
  • ~1000 students
  • Specialised in Tantra studies

LITERATURE

Important Works & Authors

• Growth of:
  • Buddhist Tantric literature
  • Sanskrit scholarship
• Folk tradition:
  • Mahipalageet (Bengal)

DECLINE OF PALA DYNASTY

Reasons

• Weak successors after Mahipala I
• Rise of powerful rivals:
  • Sena Dynasty (Vijayasena)
• Internal instability

Final Phase

• Ramapala last strong ruler
• After his death:
  • Kingdom reduced to Magadha (Bihar)
• Madanapala expelled from Bengal

SUMMARY (EXAM POINTERS)

• Founded by Gopala (750 CE) through election
• Core region: Bengal + Bihar
• Key rulers: Dharmapala, Devapala, Mahipala I
• Known for:
  • Mahayana Buddhism patronage
  • Nalanda & Vikramashila Universities
  • Pala School of Art
• Administration:
  • Bhukti → Vishaya → Mandala structure
• Decline due to:
  • Weak rulers + Sena dynasty rise

BUDDHIST MONASTIC NETWORK (PAN-INDIA CONTEXT)

Buddhism continued to flourish in several regions of India during the early medieval period (up to 12th–13th centuries) through an extensive network of monasteries and viharas.

• Important centres:
  • Sanchi and Amaravati → Flourished till 12th–13th centuries
  • Sindh (north-west) → Evidence from Chachnama indicates active Buddhist presence
  • Kashmir:
    • Declined monasteries: Jayendra (Shrinagara), Raja monastery (Parihasapura) by 11th century
    • Flourishing monasteries: Ratnagupta, Ratnarashmi (Anupamapura) in 11th–12th centuries
  • Orissa:
    • Remains at Lalitagiri and Ratnagiri (stupas, monasteries, sculptures)
  • Himalayan region:
    • Growth of viharas in Nepal, Ladakh, Lahul and Spiti

PALA DYNASTY AS PATRONS OF BUDDHISM

The Palas of Bengal and Bihar played a central role in sustaining and expanding Buddhism, especially during a time when it was declining in other parts of India.

Major Monastic Centres under Palas

• Nalanda
• Odantapura (near Nalanda)
• Vikramashila (Antichak, Bhagalpur)
• Somapuri (Paharpur)

These centres flourished under royal patronage and became major hubs of learning and religious activity.

INTERACTION AND INTERNATIONAL LINKAGES

• There was active interaction between Tibetan monks and Indian monasteries, indicating:
  • Cross-cultural exchange
  • Spread of Buddhist knowledge beyond India
• Pala domains became a bridge between India and the Buddhist world

TANTRIC BUDDHISM

• The dominant form of Buddhism in this period was:
  • Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana influence)
• Most major monasteries functioned as:
  • Centres of Tantric practices and teachings

NALANDA AS A PREMIER EDUCATIONAL CENTRE

Historical Development

• Literary references date Nalanda back to 6th/5th century BCE
• Possible early association with Ashoka
• No pre-Gupta remains initially found, but:
  • Later excavations suggest pre-Gupta existence
• Became prominent during:
  • Late Gupta period
  • Harshavardhana’s reign
  • Pala patronage

Accounts by Travellers

• Faxian → Does not mention Nalanda
• Xuanzang → Stayed there; provides detailed account

Significance

• One of the most renowned educational centres
• Continued patronage ensured its long-term prosperity
• Ultimately destroyed by Turks in 12th–13th centuries

POLITICAL BACKGROUND AND PALA POSITION

Nature of Early Medieval Kingdoms

• Boundaries were fluid and difficult to define
• Kingdoms identified by:
  • Core regions
  • Political centres

Major Contemporary Powers

• Palas
• Rashtrakutas
• Cholas
• Pratiharas

Tripartite Struggle

• Among:
  • Palas
  • Rashtrakutas
  • Gurjara-Pratiharas
• Objective:
  • Control over Kannauj

MILITARY AND POLITICAL STRUCTURE (PALA CONTEXT)

• Politics marked by:
  • Continuous warfare
  • Importance of military strength
• Armies consisted of:
  • Core troops
  • Mercenaries
  • Allied forces

Evidence from Pala Inscriptions

• Recruitment from diverse groups:
  • Gaudas, Malavas, Khashas, Kulikas, Hunas, Karnatas, Latas
• Indicates:
  • Wide geographical recruitment
  • Military diversity

DECLINE OF PALA POWER

Phase-wise Decline

• Late 9th century:
  • Weak rulers
  • Defeats by Rashtrakutas and Pratiharas
• Subordinate regions like:
  • Assam (Kamarupa)
  • Orissa
    → Became independent

Revival Attempts

• Mahipala I (late 10th century):
  • Temporary revival
• 11th century:
  • Brief recovery
• 12th century:
  • Final decline

REGIONAL POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS (RELEVANT TO PALAS)

Assam (Kamarupa)

• Under Devapala, controlled by Palas temporarily
• Around 800 CE:
  • Harjaravarman asserted independence
• Emergence of Salamba dynasty (c. 800–1000 CE)

Gurjara-Pratiharas

• Emerged as major rivals
• Continuous conflicts with Palas and Rashtrakutas
• King Bhoja:
  • Fought Palas but later recovered strength

Chandellas

• Initially vassals of Pratiharas
• Later:
  • Asserted independence
  • Conflicted with Palas and Kalachuris

LAND GRANTS UNDER PALAS

Features of Land Grants

• Land granted with:
  • Boundaries, grass, pastures, trees, water, barren land
• Included rights over:
  • Revenue sources (bhaga, bhoga, kara, hiranya)
• Grants were:
  • Tax-free
  • Permanent and hereditary

Administrative Terms

• A-chata-bhata-praveshya:
  • Land exempt from entry of royal troops

Judicial Rights (Debated Terms)

• Sa-dash-aparadha:
  • Interpreted as:
    • Right to fines
    • Immunity from punishment
    • Judicial authority
• Sa-chauroddharana:
  • Right to:
    • Punish theft
    • Collect fines