B.1.1 Pala Dynasty

Foundation and Expansion

• Founded by: Gopala (c. 8th century CE)
• Capital: Pataliputra (later moved to Mudagiri)
• Founding Context: Established in the Bengal region after the decline of the Gupta Empire and the rise of the Sena dynasty.
• Expansion: The Pala dynasty expanded its influence through military campaigns and strategic alliances.
• Key Regions Controlled:
  • Bengal (modern-day West Bengal and Bangladesh)
  • Bihar
  • Parts of Assam and Orissa
• Administrative Reforms:
  • Centralized administration
  • Introduction of a well-organized bureaucracy
  • Revenue collection system

Kings

• Gopala (c. 8th century CE):

  • First ruler of the Pala dynasty
  • Laid the foundation of the dynasty
  • Known for his administrative reforms and military prowess

• Shashanka (c. 7th century CE):

  • Not a Pala king, but a predecessor in the region
  • Laid the groundwork for the Pala dynasty

• Dharmapala (c. 815–850 CE):

  • Second ruler of the Pala dynasty
  • Expanded the kingdom significantly
  • Promoted Buddhism and patronized scholars
  • Established the Vikramashila University

• Govinda Pala (c. 9th century CE):

  • Third ruler
  • Continued the expansion and consolidation of the kingdom
  • Promoted religious and cultural activities

• Bhaskara Pala (c. 10th century CE):

  • Fourth ruler
  • Faced internal and external challenges
  • Known for his patronage of the arts and literature

Conflicts

• Internal Conflicts:
  • Succession disputes among Pala rulers
  • Struggles for power between different branches of the dynasty
• External Conflicts:
  • Sena Dynasty: The Sena dynasty emerged as a rival to the Palas in the 11th century, leading to a series of conflicts.
  • Chola Dynasty: The Cholas invaded Bengal in the 11th century, leading to the decline of Pala power.
• Religious Conflicts:
  • The Palas were strong supporters of Buddhism, which led to conflicts with Hindu rulers in the region.
  • The decline of Buddhism in the region contributed to the weakening of the Pala dynasty.

Decline

• Causes of Decline:
  • Internal Strife: Succession disputes and weak central authority
  • External Pressures: Invasions by the Sena and Chola dynasties
  • Economic Decline: Reduction in revenue and administrative inefficiency
  • Religious Shift: Decline of Buddhism and rise of Hinduism
• Key Events:
  • 11th century CE: The Sena dynasty, led by Samanta Gupta, defeated the Palas and established their rule in Bengal.
  • 12th century CE: The Pala dynasty was largely extinguished, with the last ruler being Devapala.
• Legacy:
  • The Pala dynasty is remembered for its patronage of Buddhism and the establishment of important centers of learning like Vikramashila and Nalanda.
  • The dynasty played a crucial role in the cultural and religious development of medieval Bengal.

Key Facts for Competitive Exams (SSC, RRB)

• Founder: Gopala (c. 8th century CE)
• Capital: Pataliputra (later Mudagiri)
• Important Rulers: Dharmapala, Govinda Pala, Bhaskara Pala
• Notable Contributions: Vikramashila University, promotion of Buddhism
• Rivals: Sena Dynasty, Chola Dynasty
• Decline: Due to internal strife, external invasions, and religious shift
• Significance: Pala dynasty is known for its cultural and religious contributions to medieval Bengal

Important Terms and Definitions

• Vikramashila University: A major Buddhist center of learning established by Dharmapala.
• Buddhism in Bengal: The Pala dynasty was a major patron of Buddhism, which flourished during their rule.
• Sena Dynasty: A rival dynasty that eventually overthrew the Pala dynasty in the 11th century.
• Chola Invasion: The Chola dynasty’s invasion in the 11th century contributed to the decline of the Pala dynasty.