Pala Empire & Kaivarta Revolt

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• The Pala Empire was an imperial power during the Late Classical period on the Indian subcontinent, which originated in the region of Bengal.
• It is named after its ruling dynasty, whose rulers bore names ending with the suffix of Pala (“protector” in Sanskrit).
• They were followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism.
• The empire was founded with the election of Gopala as the emperor of Gauda in 750 CE.
• The Pala dynasty stronghold was located in Bengal and Bihar, which included the major cities of Vikrampura, Pataliputra, Gauda, Monghyr, Somapura, Ramvati (Varendra), Tamralipta and Jaggadala.

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Rulers of Pala Empire

Gopala (750 – 770)

• Gopala was the first Pala king and founder of the dynasty.
• According to the Khalimpur copper plate inscription, Gopala was son of Vapyata, was probably a military officer in the Gaud Kingdom.
• Gopala was elected by a group of people.
• At the time of his death, Pala kingdom included Bengal and most of Bihar.
• He built the monastery at Odantapuri, Bihar.
• Gopala is considered as the 1st Buddhist king of Bengal.

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Dharmapala (770 – 810)

• Son and successor of Gopala.
• Dharmapala founded the Vikramshila University at Bhagalpur, Bihar.
• He founded Somapura Mahavihara, Bangladesh.
• Dharmapala had frequent wars with the Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas.
• The Palas became the most powerful kingdom in northern and eastern India during his rule.
• According to Khalimpur copper plate,Dharmapala defeated Indraraja, the ruler of Kanauj, a vassal of Gurjara-Pratiharas.
• He handed over the throne of Kanauj to his own nominee Charkayudha.
• Haribhadra, buddhist author was at the court of Dharmapala.
• Khalimpur copper plate was inscribed by Tatata.

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Devapala (810 – 850)

• Son of Dharmapala and Rannadevi, a Rashtrakuta princess.
• Extended the kingdom to Assam, Odisha and Kamarupa.
• Was a staunch Buddhist and built many monasteries and temples in Magadha.
• Buddhist poet Vajradatta who composed Lokesvarashataka, was in Devapala’s court.
• Defeated the Rashtrakuta ruler Amoghavarsha.

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Mahipala I

• Recovered northern and eastern Bengal.
• He appointed Atish Dipankar as the chancellor of the Vikramshila

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Ramapala (1077-1120)

• The last strong Pala king.
• He founded Jagaddala Mahavihara, Bangladesh.
• The kingdom disintegrated during his son Kumarapala’s reign.
• Sandhyakar Nandi wrote the epic poem Ramacharitam.

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Madanapala (1144 – 62)

• The last Pala king.
• After him, the Sena dynasty replaced the Palas.

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Legacy of the Pala Dynasty

• The Pala period is also known as a ‘Golden Era’ in Bengali history.
• They also patronised Buddhist centres of learning like Nalanda University and the Vikramshila University.
• The first Bengali literary work Charyapada is attributed to this period.
• Balaputradeva, the Sailendra king of Java sent an ambassador to Devapala.
• Many Buddhist teachers from the Pala kingdom travelled to Southeast Asia to spread the faith.
• Atisha preached in Sumatra and Tibet.
• Sanskrit scholars were also patronised by the Pala kings.
• Gaudapada composed Agama Shastra during the time of the Palas.

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Pala Empire Accounts

• Ramacharita, a Sanskrit work by Abhinanda (9th century)
• Ramacharitam, a Sanskrit epic by Sandhyakar Nandi (12th century)
• Subhasita Ratnakosa, a Sanskrit compilation by Vidyakara (towards the end of the Pala rule)
• Silsiltut-Tauarikh by the Arab merchant Suleiman (951 CE), who referred to the Pala kingdom as Ruhmi or Rahma

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pala empire Dharmapala Kaivarta revolt vikramshila university founded by

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Kaivarta Revolt

• The Varendra rebellion also known as the Kaivarta revolt.
• The revolt was against King Mahipala II led by Divya.
• It is known as not only the 1st successful rebellion of Bengal but also of Indian Subcontinent.
• The Kaivarta were able to capture Varendra region by this rebellion.
• It is said that the rebellion took place from 1075 to 1082 in the reign of Mahipala II and Rampala II.
• In 1082, King Rampala was succeeded to recapture his fatherland Varendra by defeating Vim with the assistance of neighbouring vassals.
• Thus, the first revolt of rebellious Kaibarta came to an end.
• The Kaivartas were mainly aboriginal fishermen tribal communities.
• They earned their livelihood by fishing from their ancestor.
• But as the Pala emperors were non-violent in their religious beliefs, they were against of eating fish and meat.
• So, they always tried to discourage Kaivartas from catching fishes.
• As a result, the Kaivartas were abused by the Pala emperors.
• Besides, King Mahipala II arrested his two brothers Shurapala II and Rampala II in the time of ascending the throne.
• As a result, some vassals of the two arrested brothers also took part in the rebellion.
• Pala employee Divya called for revolution.
• Kaivartas responded on his call and the rebels were easily able to capture the Varendra region.
• As the Kaivartas were very expert in boating, they capitalized on naval war.
• Mahipala II was killed by the rebels and the Pala armies were forced to fall back.
• As a result, Varendra was declared a separate state by Divya.
• After the death of Divya, first Divya’s brother Ruddoka and then Ruddoka’s son Vima were declared king of Varendra.
• Vima established himself as a successful and expert ruler.
• He made the war-torn Varendra prosper.
• The Kaivarta pillar is still standing in Dinajpur of Bangladesh as a sign of the dynasty.

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