Learn about the role of the Pala Dynasty in Eastern Indian politics and Buddhism, their contributions to the cultural heritage of India, and the legacy they left behind.

Bengal History: From the Maurya and Gupta Empires to the Pala Dynasty

Bengal had been part of the Maurya and Gupta empires. For long stretches of its early history, Bengal is not known to have played an important role in the political history of India even after the decline of the Guptas.

• The Reign of Sasanka: First Significant Ruler of Bengal

  The first significant ruler of Bengal was Sasanka, who ruled roughly between 606-637 A.D. Sasanka is considered the first historically known ruler of the area that constituted Bengal. He extended his political sovereignty beyond the geographical boundaries of Bengal.

  • Capital and Military Expansion

    Sasanka established his capital at Karnasuvarna (near Murshidabad) and extended his rule as far as Odisha. His military campaigns included advances against Kanauj, which was under the rule of the Maukhari dynasty.

  • Conflict with Thanesar and Harshavardhana

    His successful military campaigns eventually led to conflict with the rulers of Thanesar. Harshavardhana, who later became king of Thanesar, attempted to defeat Sasanka but failed. Only after Sasanka’s death did Harsha succeed in his conquest of Bengal.



• Post-Sasanka Bengal: Political Decline and External Attacks

  Following Sasanka’s death, Bengal faced a period of political decline. It was invaded by Yasovarman of Kanauj, Laitaditya of Kashmir, and possibly the king of Kamrupa. These invasions weakened central authority, leading to the rise of independent chiefs.

  • The Rise of Gopala and the Establishment of the Pala Dynasty

    Amidst the chaos, the chiefs elected Gopala as the ruler of Bengal. He founded the Pala dynasty and brought stability and prosperity to the region. His accession is generally believed to have occurred in the second half of the 8th century A.D. Gopala ruled until his death around 780 A.D. and was succeeded by his son Dharmpala.

• Dharmpala's Reign: Military Campaigns and Patronage of Buddhism

  R.C. Majumdar describes Dharmpala as one of the greatest kings of Bengal. He elevated the kingdom’s prestige, playing a significant role in the famous tripartite struggle between the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas to control northern India.

  • Military Campaigns and Empire Building

    Despite initial defeats, Dharmpala managed to establish an empire that encompassed a large portion of northern India. His achievements are primarily documented through copper plate inscriptions discovered at Khalimpur.

  • Patronage of Buddhism and Establishment of Vikramshila University

    Dharmpala was a well-known patron of Buddhism. He established many Buddhist monasteries, with the most renowned being Vikramshila University, which earned him considerable fame.

The History of the Pala Dynasty in Early Medieval India

• Devapala's Reign and Achievements

  Devapala, son of Dharmpala, ruled for about 40 years. According to R.C. Majumdar, his fame extended to the distant isles of the Indian Archipelago. Devapala was the last prominent king of the Pala dynasty. After him, Vigrahapala succeeded him but ruled for a short period, preferring an ascetic life over military conquests.

• The Tripartite Struggle: Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas

  Both Dharmpala and Devapala gained fame through their victories in the Tripartite Struggle, a contest among the Pratiharas, Palas, and Rashtrakutas for control of Kannauj and dominance in northern India.

  • Pratihara Expansion and Conflict

    The Pratiharas under Vatsaraja expanded across Rajputana and central India. The westward expansion of the Palas inevitably led to conflict with the Pratiharas. The battle near Prayagraj marked the first major encounter between the two powers.

  • Rashtrakuta Involvement and the Beginning of Struggle

    Dhruva, the Rashtrakuta king, defeated both Vatsaraja and Dharmpala in the Ganga-Yamuna Doab, marking the commencement of the Tripartite Struggle. However, the death of Dhruva caused internal conflict in the Rashtrakuta kingdom, providing the Palas and Pratiharas a chance to recover.

• The Imperial Assembly at Kannauj

  Following his recovery, Dharmpala established his supremacy over northern India. He organized a grand imperial assembly at Kannauj with numerous vassal kings in attendance, symbolizing his authority. His influence extended across regions like Punjab, Sindhu, Kangra Valley, and Malwa.

• Nagabhatta’s Victory and Dharmpala’s Response

  Nagabhatta, son of Vatsaraja, defeated Dharmpala’s nominee at Kannauj and emerged victorious in subsequent conflicts. Dharmpala sought the assistance of Govinda III of the Rashtrakutas, who defeated Nagabhatta, resulting in the restoration of Dharmpala’s dominance.

• Devapala's Restoration of Power

  After the death of Dharmpala, his son Devapala succeeded him. He expanded the Pala Empire, defeating the Dravidas, Gurjaras, and Hunas, and extended his dominion from the Himalayas to the Vindhyas, and from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea.

• The Decline of the Pala Dynasty

  Following Devapala, the Pala kingdom weakened due to invasions from the Kalachuris, Candellas, and Rashtrakutas. Mahipala I managed to restore stability by defending against invasions from the Kambojas and Cholas.

• Ramapala’s Restoration of the Pala Empire

  Ramapala successfully defeated the Kaivarta rebels in north Bengal and subdued the rulers of east Bengal. He restored the power and prestige of the Pala kingdom, conquering Kamarupa and asserting his authority over Odisha. However, after his reign, the kingdom disintegrated under the rule of his sons, Kumarapala and Madanapala.

Historical Analysis and Interpretation

As B.D. Chattopadhyay notes, the political history of early medieval India, with its complex power struggles and frequent shifts in control, serves as a reflection of the evolving polity of the period. These events provide insights into the administrative, military, and socio-political structures of early medieval India.

The Nature of Polity Under the Palas

• Pala Land Grants and Administrative Policies

  The Pala kings (referred to as Parambhattaraka, Parameshwara, and Maharajadhiraja) gave permanent land grants to brahmanas, priests, and temples. These grants also extended to Buddhist monasteries and carried various economic and administrative privileges.

  The Pala grants were closely related to maintaining law and order and ensuring the administration of justice. An inscription from 802 A.D. mentions an official in north Bengal called Dasagramika, who was given one kula of land as inferred from Manu. Additionally, land grants were given to Kaivartas, who were peasants.

• Feudal Structure Under the Palas

  The Pala records (land charters) refer to several ranks of feudatories such as rajas, Rajputras, Ranakas, Rajarajanakas, Mahasamantas, and Mahasamantadhipatis. These individuals were granted lands in return for their military services.

  There is no evidence of subinfeudation under the Palas. However, royal officials are mentioned in inscriptions, indicating that they administered a kingdom comprising Bengal and Bihar. Some of the titles used for these officials include Maha-daussadhasadhanika, Mahakartakrtika, and Mahasandhivigrahika.

• Administrative Centers and Governance

  The Palas operated from multiple centers of power, including Pataliputra and Mudgagiri, all located along the Ganga. The Pala victory camps were visited by tributary rulers.

  Villages under the Palas were grouped into units of one and ten, administered by officials known as Gramapati and Dasagramika. These officials were responsible for local governance. However, there are very few epigraphic records related to service grants under the Palas.

Kaivarta Rebellion

• Origins and Historical Context

  The Kaivarta Rebellion took place in the last quarter of the 11th century and forms the central theme of Sandhyakaranandin’s Ramacharita. This rebellion played a significant role in the history of Bengal, as it led to the overthrow of the Palas from their ancestral stronghold in Varendra.

  With the weakening of Pala control, the Senas emerged victorious and took their place, successfully integrating most sub-regions of Bengal.

• Interpretations of the Rebellion

  Various scholars have studied the Kaivarta Rebellion. Earlier works considered it a revolt of samantas due to the weakening of Pala authority. However, historian R.S. Sharma viewed it as a peasant uprising caused by feudal oppression.

• The Course of the Rebellion

  The Kaivarta chief Divya led the revolt against the reigning Pala king Mahipala. The Palas were ousted from Varendra, and the king was killed. His younger brother Ramapala sought support from the samantas to recapture Varendra. Subsequently, Sivaraja, a subordinate of the king, raided and devastated parts of Varendra. This was followed by a full-scale Pala military campaign.

  Ramapala eventually confronted Bhima, the nephew of Divya, and succeeded in retaking Varendra, executing Bhima in the process.

• Implications of the Rebellion

  Recent research suggests that the rebellion reflected fluctuating power dynamics between the Palas and the samantas. The samantas sought to weaken the Palas to claim royal privileges, including control over donated lands given to religious institutions.

  The rebellion also had social causes. Increased taxation by the Pala regime, coupled with the growing power of brahmana donees, intensified economic distress. The brahmanas exercised greater control over agrarian resources and labor, further increasing tensions.

  During the later phases of the rebellion, support from other social groups transformed it into a mass uprising. In response, the Palas adopted a policy of appeasement towards cultivators, aiming to restore agricultural stability.

• End of Pala Rule and the Rise of the Senas

  Though the Palas successfully crushed the rebellion and regained control of Varendra, their power had significantly weakened due to their continued dependence on the samantas. As a result, the Palas were eventually ousted from Bengal, making way for the rise of the Sena dynasty.