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The Pala Dynasty (750 AD – 1150 AD) - Shor Notes


The Pala Dynasty (750 AD – 1150 AD) 

  • The Pala empire was founded by Gopala in 750 AD.
  • He unified Bengal and Magadh (Bihar) under his control.
  • Gopala was succeeded by his son Dharamapala in 770 AD.
  • Dharamapala ruled till 810 AD.
  • He revived famous Nalanda University, and set up 200 villages to meet its expenses.
  • Dharampala founded the famous Vikramshila University which became second only to Nalanda in fame.
  • Dharamapala was succeeded by his son Devapala in 810 AD and he ruled for 40 years.
  • Devapala extended his control over Pragjyotishpur (Assam) and Orissa, and also Nepal was under his control.
  • Dharampala’s reign was marked by tripartite struggle between the Palas, the Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas for the control of Kannuj and north India.
  • Dharamapala was defeated by Pratihara king – Vatsaraja, and later by Rashtrakuta king – Dhruv, who also defeated Devapala.
  • Sulaiman, and Arab merchant, visited India in the middle of 9th century. He called the Pala kingdom Ruhma.
  • Expansion of the Pala empire -  from Bengal and Bihar in the east, Malwa and Berar in the west, Nepal in the north, and Orissa in the south.
  • The Palas were patrons of Buddhist learning and religion. 
  • The Palas built many viharas in which a large number of Buddhist monks lived.
  •  The Palas also patronized Saivism and Vaishnavism.
  • They extended trade and cultural contacts with countries of southeast Asia – Burma, Malaya, Java, Sumatra, etc.
  • They had amicable relations with the powerful Sailendra dynasty which ruled over Malaya, Java, Sumatra and neighboring islands.
The Pala Dynasty (750 AD – 1150 AD)
The Chola Empire (900-1200) || Short Notes || Medieval Indian History || Short Notes  

 

 

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