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 SEMESTER II / I BA HISTORY/HISTORY OF INDIA FROM 712 C.E. TO 1707 CE.

                                        UNIT I: REGIONAL KINGDOMS AND DYNASTIES

                                                       

PALA DYNASTY:

§  8th to the 12th century. ["Pala" is a Sanskrit word which means 'protector']

§  LANGUAGE: Sanskrit, Prakrit and Pali.

§  RELIGION: Mahayana Buddhism.

PROMINENT RULERS OF PALA DYNASTY:

Gopala (750–770 AD): First Emperor: He unified Bengal under his control, and even brought Magadha (Bihar) under his control. The monastery at Odantapuri, Bihar, was founded by Gopala. He was regarded as the first Buddhist monarch of Bengal after converting to the religion. His reign was marked by a tripartite struggle between the Palas, the Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas for the control of Kanauj and North India.

Dharmapala (770-810 AD): Son of Gopala was succeeded A.D. 770. He captured Kanauj and conducted a grand darbar. He took the greatest imperial titles of the period, including Paramabhattaraka, Paramesvara and Maharajadhiraja.

Devapala (810–850 AD): Son of Dharampala and Rannadevi, the princess of the Rashtrakuta dynasty. He had expanded the empire to eastern India, including the kingdoms of Assam, Odisha, and Kamarupa. He had constructed several monasteries, including temples, in Magadha. He carried out raids in the north, the Deccan, and the peninsula.

Mahipala I: In 988 AD, Mahipala-I ascended to the throne. When he came into power, the Pala kingdom started to flourish once again and reclaimed the northern and eastern portions of Bengal and Bihar. Along with his brothers Stirapala and Vasantapala, Mahipala-I is thought to have conquered Varanasi.

ADMINISTRATION:

The Pala kings gave land grants to brahmanas, Buddhist monasteries, priests, Kaivartas who were peasants and temples, Rajas, Rajputras, Ranakas, Rajarajanakas, Mahasamantas, Mahasamantadhipatis, etc. They were probably feudatories who were given lands in lieu of military services. The Pala grants are specifically related to maintenance of law and order and of administration of justice. These grants were permanent.

The Palas operated from several loci of power viz. Pataliputra, Mudgagiri, etc., all located on the Ganga.Villages under the Palas were grouped into units of one and ten under the charge of Gramapati and Dasagramika respectively.They were royal officials responsible for the administration for these units.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE:

The distinctive growth of Pala Dynasty art and architecture revealed the creation of the "Pala School of Sculptural Art."- gave importance to terracotta, sculpture, and painting. Perfect carving and bronze sculptures - Terracotta plaques flourished throughout this period.

The creation of Dharmapala's the Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur is one of the finest architectures of the Pala dynasty. It was a renowned intellectual hub until the 12th century.-Vikramshila Vihar, Odantpuri Vihar, and Jagaddal Vihar all have gigantic constructions that are considered to be the works of art of the Palas.


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