Pala Empire: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:IndianBuddha11.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Buddha]] and [[Bodhisattva]]s, 11th century, Pala Empire.]] |
[[Image:IndianBuddha11.JPG|thumb|250px|[[Buddha]] and [[Bodhisattva]]s, 11th century, Pala Empire.]] |
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==Origin of the Palas== |
==Origin of the Palas== |
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The origin of the Palas is not clearly stated in any of the numerous Pala records. It is also very curious to note that whereas the identity of the Kamboja Pala rulers of Bengal has been referred to ''twice'' and is indisputably connected to the Kamboja [[ethnicity]], that of the Palas has nowhere been specifically stated in any of the Pala traditions in numerous of their Grants, Charters and Inscriptions (Dr D. C. Sircar). According to ''Manjuśree Mūlakalpa'', Gopala I was a [[Shudra|Śudra]] <ref>The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir ..., 1939, p 37, Jhunu Bagchi - History.</ref> <ref>See also: Indian Antiquary, Vol IV, 1875, pp 365-66; Corpus of Bengal Inscriptions, Mukerjee and Maity, p 11; Caste and Chronology of the Pala kings of Bengal, J. C. Ghosh, The Indian Historical Quarterly, IX, 1983, pp 487-90; The Caste of the Palas, The Indian Culture, Vol IV, 1939, pp 113-14, B Chatterji; Social Change in Modern India, 1995, p 9, M N Srinivas; Modern India: An Interpretive Antholog, 1971, p 115, Thomas R. Metcalf - History.</ref>. ''Balla-Carita'' says that the ''"The Palas were low-born Ksatriyas"''. Tibetan Historian Taranatha Lama, in his "History of Buddhism in India" and Ghanarama, in his “Dharma Mangala”, (both of 16th century CE), also give the same story <ref> Indian Culture, 1934, p 113, Indian Research Institute - India; Paradise of Gods, 1966, p 174, Qamarud Din Ahmed - West Pakistan (Pakistan).</ref> <ref>"The Palas were at first known as Sudras. With the rise of their power they began to claim a Ksatria lineage"(Indian Culture, 1934, p 113, Indian Research Institute - India.</ref>. [[Arabic]] accounts tell us that Palas were not kings of noble origin<ref>Akhbar, p 13, Sauveget.</ref>. According to [[Abu'l-Fazl ibn Mubarak|Abu Fazal]] ([[Ain-i-Akbari]]), Palas were Kayasthas <ref>Ibid, Jhunnu Bagchi.</ref>. Khalimpur Plate of Dharmapala, son of Gopala I (the founder of the dynasty), states that Gopala was a son of a warrior (''Khanditarat'') Vapyata and grandson of a highly educated (''Saryavidyavadat'') Dayitavishnu <ref>Epigraphia Indica, Vol IV, p 243ff; Gaudalekhamala, p 9, A. K. Maitreya.</ref>. ''Ramachrita'' of ''Sandhyakaranandi'' attests Pala king Ramapala as a Kshatriya <ref> Ramachrita I.17.</ref> , but in another portion of the same text, Dharmapala is described as ''Smudrakula-dipa'' <ref> Ibid, Jhunnu Bagchi.</ref>, though, it is not clear what this expression really means. It has also been proposed that they were born of a Ksatriya mother <ref>Indian Culture, 1934, p 113, Indian Research Institute.</ref>. In a commentary of ''Astasāhasrika-Prajňāpāramitā'' of Haribhadra, Pala king Dharmapala is described as ''Rajabhatādibamspatita'', which some writers have tried to interpret as ''Rajvatt-Vamsa-Patit'', and therefore, try to relate Dharamapala to Rajvatt, the son of Devakhadga of the Khadga dynasty of Bengal, but there is sharp difference of opinion about the real meaning of the expression <ref> E.g. See: The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir ..., 1993, p 37, Jhunu Bagchi</ref> and it has not been met with approval among the scholar coommunity. ''"All these hear-says practically have no value at all for further discussion"'' <ref> Op cit, Jhunnu Bagchi, p 37.</ref>. |
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The origin of the Palas is not clearly stated in any of the numerous Pala records. But [[Gopala]] is stated to have belonged to [[Kshatriya]] [[lineage]]. According to [[Taranatha]], Gopala was born of a Kshatriya family near ''Pundravardhan'' (north [[Bengal]]) and was later selected a ruler of Bhangala (Vangala). But some of the historical writings of this period claim that Palas belonged to Shudra caste. Some later writings even claim the Palas were [[Kayastha]]s as some of the Pala descendents claimed to belong to the sub-caste. |
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[[Image:Pala.JPG|thumb|left|200px|The location of Pala in South Asia.]] |
[[Image:Pala.JPG|thumb|left|200px|The location of Pala in South Asia.]] |
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The ''Kamauli Copper Plate'' inscription of king ''Vaidyadeva'' of Kamarupa ([[Assam]]) <ref>See: Gaudalekhamala, pp 127-146, A. K. Maitreya.</ref> indisputably connects the Palas to the [[Kshatriyas]] of ''"Mihirasya vamsa"'' (''Surya lineage'').<ref>See some refs: Epigraphia Indica, XXIV, p 43, Dr N. G. Majumdar; The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir ..., 1003, p 37, Jhunu Bagchi - History; The Dacca University Studies, 1935, p 131, University of Dacca; Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 316, Dr J. L. Kamboj; Late Classical India, 1988, p 25, Mainak Kumar Bose - India; History of Ancient Bengal, 1971, p 427, Ramesh Chandra Majumdar - Bengal (India).</ref>. |
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Since Mihira means Sun or Sun worshipper, the expression Mihirasya implies ''connected with or relating to the Sun or Sun Worship'' ([[Sanskrit]] Mitra, [[Persian language|Persian]] Mithira == > Mihira = Sun). According to ''Bhavishya Purana'', the Mihira lineage originated from the union of Nishkubha, daughter of [[Rsi]] Rijihva and the Sun (Mihira) <ref>Dr D. R. Bhandarkar, Dr Buddha Parkash.</ref>. From this wedlock was born a sage called ''Zarashata'', who apparently is [[Zoroaster]] of the [[Iran]]ian traditions. ''Mihirasya Vamsa'' means ''Mihira Vamsa'' which is also found written as ''Mihirkula'' i.e lineage of the Sun-worshippers. The reference to ''Mihirasya vamsa'' as being the [[lineage]] of the Palas of Bengal as attested independently by the Kamauli Grant of king ''Vaidyadeva'' of [[Assam]] holds a probable clue that the Palas may have come from the Sun-Worshipping lineage i.e [[Iranian]] or [[Zoroastrian]] line of the Kambojas.<ref>Bryant cites Hesychius (6th century CE): "MiqraV o hlioV para PersaiV" ("Mithras, the sun of Persia") and "MiqrhV o protoV en PersaiV QeoV" ("Mithres, the first god in Persia."). Hesychius thus confirms not only the solar nature but also the /Persian/ origin of Mithra, still known in his day.</ref> <ref> The priests of Mithra, and of Iranian Sun and Fire worship in general, were the Magi or Magas. The Magas entered India on a number of occasions over a period of centuries, prior to and during the common era. At this point, Indian Sun worship became increasingly formalized, with elaborate rituals, temples and images sprouting up and from the 6th century CE onward, royal names began to have "Mihira" (Mithra) in them after a millennium of integration (or reintegration) into Indian culture. </ref>. |
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''Ramacharita'' of ''Sandhyakar Nandi'', a court poet of later Palas, states that the Pala dynasty belonged to ''Samudrakula'' or Ocean lineage. It is not clear what this really means. Probably, this holds a clue that the ancestors of the Palas belonged to a shipping community of ''kshatriya cum-trading group'' who conducted trade via sea with other nations. This may allude to their probable links with the [[Ordinal directions|northwest]] [[Kambojas]] who are also attested to have been both a Kshatriyas as well as traders class (''varatta-shastropajivins''). |
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The fact that [[Gopala (Pala king)|Gopala I]], the founder of the so-called Pala dynasty has also been branded as Śudra<ref>Op cit., p 37, Jhunu Bagchi; Indian Antiquary, Vol IV, 1875, pp 365-66; Corpus of Bengal Inscriptions, Mukerjee and Maity, p 11; Caste and Chronology of the Pala kings of Bengal, J. C. Ghosh, The IHQ, IX, 1983, pp 487-90; The Caste of the Palas, The Indian Culture, Vol IV, 1939, pp 113-14, B Chatterji; Social Change in Modern India, 1995, p 9, M N Srinivas; Modern India: An Interpretive Antholog, 1971, p 115, Thomas R. Metcalf - History.</ref>, may also carry a clue to their connections to the Kamboja lineage as the Kambojas have also been branded as Vrishalas (''degraded Kshatriyas or Śudras'') in Hindu texts <ref> Manusmriti X.43-44; Mahabharata 13.33.20-21 etc.</ref>. Also from the fact that Gopala’s grandfather was a ''highly learned man'', and his father ''a warrior'', and further as Gopala I is said to have been elected to the throne of Bengal, he therefore, was definitely not initially of a royal blood of Bengal. Some surmise that he may have been from a [[Brahmin]] lineage <ref>Al-Hind, the Making of the Indo-Islamic World, 1990, p 265, André Wink; History of Medieval India, 1940, p 20, fn, Ishwari Prasad - India.</ref> but since the Palas are called [[Shudra|Śudras]] as well as [[Kshatriya|Ksatriyas]], these references qualify them more as the Indo-Iranian Kambojas than of any other [[lineage]]. |
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The ''Kamauli Grant'' of king ''Vaidyadeva'' of [[Kamarupa]] ([[Assam]]) connects the Palas to 'Surya lineage' (''Mihirasya vamsa''). This may again imply their probable connections with the ancient Kambojas who were indisputably Sun/Fire worshipping Iranians. |
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''Ramachrita'' of ''Sandhyakaranandi'' also attests that Varendri or North Bengal was the fatherland (''Janakabhu'') of the Palas. In the Bangarh [[Indian copper plate inscriptions|copper plate inscription]] of [[Mahipala]], it has been stated that Mahipala recovered his Fatherland (''Rajyam Pitram'') from his enemies which apparently was North Bengal that was occupied by the Kambojas <ref> THis is one interpretation.</ref>. But if the Palas and Kamboja-Palas were same family, then this may have totally different interpretation and meaning <ref>''According to second interpretation, the Palas have also been conjectured to be from the Kamboja lineage and the Rajyapala II of the so-called Pala dynasty of Bengal and the ''Kamboja-vamsa-tilaka'' Rajayapla of the Irda Copper Plate may have been one and the same historical per4sonage as Dr N. G. Majumdar, Dr Chandra Chakraberty and some other scholars have surmised. This assumption may lead to different interpretation of the Dinajpore Inscription and hence to a new Pala and Kamboja identity.</ref>. |
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Haribhadra, who was contemporary with [[Dharmapala of Bengal|Dharmapala]], mentioned in his ''Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita'' that the Palas belonged to the line of Rajvatt (''Rajvatt-Vamsa-Patit''). Rajvatt was the son of Devakhadga of the Khadga Dynasty that ruled Vanga in the 7th century A.D. In the Nessari Plates (805 A.D) of [[Rashtrakuta]] [[Govinda III]], Dharmapala has been describesd as king of Vangala. [[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]] or Vangala being a riverine land was naturally inclined towards sea-faring. Perhaps this had connection with the "Samudrakula" or the "ocean-lineage" of the Palas. |
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'''See:''' ''Pala Dynasty vs Kamboja-Pala Dynasty' in [[Kamboja Dynasty of Bengal]] |
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Ramachrita further states that Varendri or North Bengal was the fatherland (''Janakabhu'') of the Palas. In the Bangarh [[Indian copper plate inscriptions|copperplate inscription]] of [[Mahipala]] it has been described that mahipala recovered his Fatherland (''Rajyam Pitram'') from his enemies which apparently was North Bengal that was occupied by the Kambojas. |
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It is plausible that the ancestors of the Palas |
It is plausible that the ancestors of the Palas may have settled settled in Vanga and later moved to [[Rajshahi Division|Varendra]] (North Bengal) or Varendra which became the capital of the newly born empire during the reign of Gopala. |
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==Matsyanyaya and the ascendancy of the Palas== |
==Matsyanyaya and the ascendancy of the Palas== |
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Revision as of 03:00, 28 December 2007
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| History of South Asia |
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The Pala Empire was a dynasty in control of the northern and eastern Indian subcontinent, mainly the Bengal and Bihar regions, from the 8th to the 12th century. The name Pala (Modern Bengali পাল pal) means "protector" and was used as an ending to the names of all Pala monarchs.
The founder of the empire was Gopala. He was the first independent Buddhist king of Bengal and came to power in 750 in Gaur by democratic election, which was unique at the time. He reigned from 750-770 and consolidated his position by extending his control over all of Bengal. His successors Dharmapala (r. 770-810) and Devapala (r. 810-850) expanded the empire across the northern and eastern Indian subcontinent. The Pala Empire eventually disintegrated in the 12th century under the attack of the Sena dynasty.
The Palas were followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism. They often intermarried with the Gahadvalas of the Kannauj region. They created many temples and works of art and supported the Universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila. Their proselytism was at the origin of the establishment of Buddhism in Tibet.
Origin of the Palas
The origin of the Palas is not clearly stated in any of the numerous Pala records. It is also very curious to note that whereas the identity of the Kamboja Pala rulers of Bengal has been referred to twice and is indisputably connected to the Kamboja ethnicity, that of the Palas has nowhere been specifically stated in any of the Pala traditions in numerous of their Grants, Charters and Inscriptions (Dr D. C. Sircar). According to Manjuśree Mūlakalpa, Gopala I was a Śudra [1] [2]. Balla-Carita says that the "The Palas were low-born Ksatriyas". Tibetan Historian Taranatha Lama, in his "History of Buddhism in India" and Ghanarama, in his “Dharma Mangala”, (both of 16th century CE), also give the same story [3] [4]. Arabic accounts tell us that Palas were not kings of noble origin[5]. According to Abu Fazal (Ain-i-Akbari), Palas were Kayasthas [6]. Khalimpur Plate of Dharmapala, son of Gopala I (the founder of the dynasty), states that Gopala was a son of a warrior (Khanditarat) Vapyata and grandson of a highly educated (Saryavidyavadat) Dayitavishnu [7]. Ramachrita of Sandhyakaranandi attests Pala king Ramapala as a Kshatriya [8] , but in another portion of the same text, Dharmapala is described as Smudrakula-dipa [9], though, it is not clear what this expression really means. It has also been proposed that they were born of a Ksatriya mother [10]. In a commentary of Astasāhasrika-Prajňāpāramitā of Haribhadra, Pala king Dharmapala is described as Rajabhatādibamspatita, which some writers have tried to interpret as Rajvatt-Vamsa-Patit, and therefore, try to relate Dharamapala to Rajvatt, the son of Devakhadga of the Khadga dynasty of Bengal, but there is sharp difference of opinion about the real meaning of the expression [11] and it has not been met with approval among the scholar coommunity. "All these hear-says practically have no value at all for further discussion" [12].
The Kamauli Copper Plate inscription of king Vaidyadeva of Kamarupa (Assam) [13] indisputably connects the Palas to the Kshatriyas of "Mihirasya vamsa" (Surya lineage).[14].
Since Mihira means Sun or Sun worshipper, the expression Mihirasya implies connected with or relating to the Sun or Sun Worship (Sanskrit Mitra, Persian Mithira == > Mihira = Sun). According to Bhavishya Purana, the Mihira lineage originated from the union of Nishkubha, daughter of Rsi Rijihva and the Sun (Mihira) [15]. From this wedlock was born a sage called Zarashata, who apparently is Zoroaster of the Iranian traditions. Mihirasya Vamsa means Mihira Vamsa which is also found written as Mihirkula i.e lineage of the Sun-worshippers. The reference to Mihirasya vamsa as being the lineage of the Palas of Bengal as attested independently by the Kamauli Grant of king Vaidyadeva of Assam holds a probable clue that the Palas may have come from the Sun-Worshipping lineage i.e Iranian or Zoroastrian line of the Kambojas.[16] [17].
The fact that Gopala I, the founder of the so-called Pala dynasty has also been branded as Śudra[18], may also carry a clue to their connections to the Kamboja lineage as the Kambojas have also been branded as Vrishalas (degraded Kshatriyas or Śudras) in Hindu texts [19]. Also from the fact that Gopala’s grandfather was a highly learned man, and his father a warrior, and further as Gopala I is said to have been elected to the throne of Bengal, he therefore, was definitely not initially of a royal blood of Bengal. Some surmise that he may have been from a Brahmin lineage [20] but since the Palas are called Śudras as well as Ksatriyas, these references qualify them more as the Indo-Iranian Kambojas than of any other lineage.
Ramachrita of Sandhyakaranandi also attests that Varendri or North Bengal was the fatherland (Janakabhu) of the Palas. In the Bangarh copper plate inscription of Mahipala, it has been stated that Mahipala recovered his Fatherland (Rajyam Pitram) from his enemies which apparently was North Bengal that was occupied by the Kambojas [21]. But if the Palas and Kamboja-Palas were same family, then this may have totally different interpretation and meaning [22].
See: Pala Dynasty vs Kamboja-Pala Dynasty' in Kamboja Dynasty of Bengal
It is plausible that the ancestors of the Palas may have settled settled in Vanga and later moved to Varendra (North Bengal) or Varendra which became the capital of the newly born empire during the reign of Gopala.
Matsyanyaya and the ascendancy of the Palas
After Shashanka Bengal was shrouded in obscurity and was shattered by repeated foreign invasions. Songtsan Gampo (622 CE-650 CE) the Tibetan king invaded Bengal and conquered it. Jayavardhana of the Shaila Dynasty from Central India invaded Bengal and killed the king of Pundra (730 CE). Yasovarmana (725-752) of Kanauj killed the king of Magadha and Gauda. Later Lalitaditya (724-760) of Kashmir who defeated Yasovarmana invaded Bengal. Sri Harsha of Kamarupa conquered Anga, Vanga, Kalinga, Odra. The social and political structure of Bengal was devastated. According to Lama Taranath: Every single Brahman, every Kshatriya, every Elite became all powerful in their areas and surrounding regions. This condition has been described by Taranath as Matsyanyam (Eating of small fish by the big fish) or the Dark Age of Bengal. Disgusted at the situation the desperate people of Bengal made a bold move which marked a glorious period in the history of the sub-continent. They elected Gopala, a popular military leader, as their king by a Democratic Election which was probably the only democratic election in medieval India.
Buddhism
After Harsha Vardhana, Buddhism faced the possibility of extinction. Buddhists were persecuted all over India and Buddhism was gradually being absorbed by Hinduism. The Palas emerged as the champion of Buddhism, and they patronized Mahayana Buddhism. The Pala universities of Vikramashila and Nalanda became seats of learning for East Asia. The famous university of Nalanda reached its height during the Pala empire. The Palas were responsible for the spread of Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and the Indonesian archipelago, and the fame of Bengal spread in the Buddhist world for the cultivation of Buddhist religion, culture and other knowledge in the various centres that grew under the patronage of the Pala rulers. Buddhist scholars from the Pala empire travelled from Bengal to the Far-East and propagated Buddhism. A few outstanding ones among them are Shantarakshit, Padmanava, Dansree, Bimalamitra, Jinamitra, Muktimitra, Sugatasree, Dansheel, Sambhogabajra, Virachan, Manjughosh and many others. But the most prominent was Atish Dipankar Srigyan who reformed Buddhism in Tibet after it had been destroyed by king Langdharma.
Main Pala rulers
- Gopala (750-770)
- Dharmapala (770-810)
- Devapala (810-850)
- Shurapala/Mahendrapala (850 - 854)
- Vigrahapala (854 - 855)
- Narayanapala (855 - 908)
- Rajyapala (908 - 940)
- Gopala II (940-960)
- Vigrahapala II (960 - 988)
- Mahipala (988 - 1038)
- Nayapala (1038 - 1055)
- Vigrahapala III (1055 - 1070)
- Mahipala II (1070 - 1075)
- Shurapala II (1075 - 1077)
- Ramapala (1077 - 1130)
- Kumarapala (1130 - 1140)
- Gopala III (1140 - 1144)
- Madanapala (1144 - 1162)
- Govindapala (1162 - 1174)
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Peace and Expansion
Gopala ended the period of anarchy by installing peace and prosperity in the country. Pala kings devoted themselves in public welfare and social reform. The Palas adopted the policy of religious toleration and co-existence of the Buddhists and the Hindus. Pala kings won the heart of the people by welfare activities like digging tanks establishing towns and took place in many folklores in the rural areas of Bengal. The Mahipala Geet (Songs of Mahipala) is still popular in the rural areas.
Palas adopted aggressive policy and began a period of expansion. At its height Dharmapala's empire stretched from Bengal as far as Afghanistan. Devapala extended the boundaries of the empire further to Assam, Kamboja and the Southern tip of Deccan-the feat only achieved by Asoka. The successors of Devapala had to contend with the Gurjara-Pratihara and the Rashtrakutas for the supremacy of northern India. After Narayanpala the Pala empire declined but was revived by vigorous rules of Mahipala and Ramapala.
Pala administration
Pala rule was Monarchial.King or Monarch was the centre of all power. Pala kings would adopt titles like Parameshwar, paramvattaraka, Maharajadhiraja. Pala kings appointed Prime Ministers. The Line of Garga served as the Prime Ministers of the Palas for 10 years. Garga | Darvapani | Someshwar | Kedarmisra| Vatt Guravmisra Pala Empire was divided into separate Vuktis (Provinces), Vuktis into Vishaya(Divisions) and then Mandala (Districts)Pala. Smaller units were Khandala, Bhaga, Avritti, Chaturaka, and Pattaka. Administration covered widespread area from the grass root level to the imperial court. The Pala copperplates mention following administrative posts:Raja, Rajanyaka, Rajanaka, Ranaka, Samanta and Mahasamanta (Vassal kings), Mahasandhi-vigrahika (Foreign minister), Duta(Head ambassador), Rajasthaniya (Deputy), Aggaraksa (Chief guard), Sasthadhikrta (Tax collector), Chauroddharanika (Police tax), Shaulkaka (Trade tax), Dashaparadhika (Collector of penalties), and Tarika (Toll collector for river crossings),Mahaksapatalika (Accountant) Jyesthakayastha (Dealing documents), the Ksetrapa (Head of land use division) and Pramatr (Head of land measurements), the Mahadandanayaka or Dharmadhikara (Chief justice), the Mahapratihara, Dandika, Dandapashika, and Dandashakti (Police forces), Khola (Secret service), Agricultural posts like Gavadhakshya (Head of dairy farms), Chhagadhyakshya (Head of goat farms), Meshadyakshya (Head of sheep farms), Mahishadyakshya (Head of Buffalo farms) and many other like Vogpati, Vishayapati, Shashtadhikruta, Dauhshashadhanika, Nakadhyakshya(Aviation ministry?) etc.
Pala Literature
The proto-Bangla language was born during the reign of the Palas. The Buddhist texts of the Charyapada were the earliest form of Bangla language. This Proto-Bangla language was used as the official language in Tibet, Myanmar, Java and Sumatra. Books on every aspect of knowledge were compiled during the Pala Rule. On philosophy: Agaman Shastra by Gaudapada, Nyay Kundali by Sridhar Vatt, Karmanushthan Paddhati by Vatt Vabadeva; On Medicine: Chikitsa Sangraha, Ayurvedidwipika, Vanumati, Shabdachandrika, Dravya Gunasangraha by Chakrapani Dutt; Shabda-Pradip, Vrikkhayurveda, Lohpaddhati by Sureshwar; Chikitsa Sarsangraha by Vangasen; Sushrata by Gadadha Vaidya; Daybhaga, Byabohar-Matrika, Kalvivek by Jimutvahan etc. Atisha compiled more than 200 books. The great epic Ramacharitam written by Sandhyakar Nandi the court poet of Madanpala was another masterpiece of the Pala literature. The Pala copperplate inscriptions were of excellent literary value. This distinctive inscriptions were called Gaudya Style.
Pala art and architecture
The most brilliant side of the Pala Empire was the excellence of its art and sculptures. Palas created a distinctive form of Buddhist art known as the "Pala School of Sculptural Art." The gigantic structures of Vikramshila Vihar, Odantpuri Vihar, and Jagaddal Vihar were masterpieces of the Palas. These mammoth structures were mistaken by the forces of Bakhtiar Khilji as fortified castles and were demolished. The Somapura Mahaviharaa, a creation of Dharmapala, at Paharpur, Bangladesh, is the largest Buddhist Vihara in the Indian subcontinent, and has been described as a "pleasure to the eyes of the world." UNESCO made it World Heritage Site in 1985. Sompur Bihara, also built by Dharmapala, is a monastery with 21 acre (85,000 m²) complex has 177 cells, numerous stupas, temples and a number of other ancillary buildings. In 1985, the UN included the Sompur Bihara site in the world Cultural Heritage list. The Pala architectural style was followed throughout south-eastern Asia and China, Japan, and Tibet. Bengal rightfully earned the name "Mistress of the East". Dr.Stella Kramrisch says: "The art of Bihar and Bengal exercised a lasting influence on that of Nepal, Burma,Ceylon and Java. Dhiman and Vittpala were two celebrated Pala sculptors. About Sompura Mahavihara, Mr.J.C. French says with grief: "For the research of the Pyramids of Egypt we spend millions of dollars every year. But had we spent only one percent of that money for the excavation of Sompura Mahavihara, who knows what extraordinary discoveries could have been made."---"The Art of the Pala Empire or Bengal," p.4.
Pala foreign relations
Palas came in contact with distant lands through their conquests and trades.The Sailendra Empire of Java, Sumatra and Malaya was a colony of the Palas. Devapala granted five villages at the request of the Sailendra king Balputradeva of Java for the upkeepment of the matha established at Nalanda for the scholars of that country. The Prime minister of the Balputradeva was from Gauda. Dharmapala who extended his empire to the boundary of the Abbasid Empire had diplomatic relations with the caliph Harun Al-Rashid. Coins of Harun-al-Rashid have been found in Mahasthangarh. Palas maintained diplomatic and religious relation with Tibet. During the military expeditions of the Pala kings the Pala generals would establish kingdoms of their own in Punjab and Afghanistan. "When the writer (Mr.French) was in the Punjab hill states recently he came across a curious and unexpected echo of the Pal Dynasty. There is a strong and continuous tradition that the ruling families in certain states are descended from the "Rajas of Gaur in Bengal". These states are Suket, Keonthal, Kashtwar and Mandi. In the ancient Rajput states tradition has immense force and accuracy. Of Kashtwar it is related that Kahan pal — the founder of the state — with a small band of followers arrived in the hills in order to conquer a kingdom for himself. He is said to have come from Gaur, the ancient capital of Bengal and to have been a cadet of the ruling family of the place."---"The Art of Pal Empire". p.19. The demise of the Turkshahi rule in Gandhar and the rise of the Hindushahi dynasty in that region might have connection to the invasion of the Palas in that region.
Pala armed forces
Palas had fourfold army consisting of: Infantry, Cavalry, Elephants and Chariots. In the copperplates of Vatsaraja Dharmapala had been mentioned as the owner of unlimited number of Horses, Elephants and Chariots. It is amazing that when the use of chariots had been backdated in India and other parts of the world the kings of Bengal still depended on four-horsed heavy chariots. Being a riverine land and swarthy climate Bengal was not good enough for breeding quality war-horses. So the Palas had to depend upon their vassal kins for war horses. Pala copperplate inscriptions reveal that mercenary forces were recruited from the Kamboja, Khasa, Huna, Malwa, Laat(Gujarat), Karnata. The Kamboja cavalry was the cream of the Pala army who later would become as powerful as the Janissary army of the Ottoman Empire. The Kamboja forces maintained smaller confederates (Sanghas) among themselves and were staunch follower of their commander. Palas had the army divided into following posts: Senapati or Mahasenapati (General) controlling foot soldiers, cavalry, soldiers riding elephants and camels, and the navy, and the various army posts like Kottapala (Fort guards) and Prantapala (Border guards). Palas had a huge army and the legend of "Nava Lakkha Shainya" (Nine lac soldiers) were popular during the reigns of dharmapala and Devapala. According to Hudud al-Alam a Persian text written in 982-983 Dharmapala possessed an army of 300,000 soldiers. According to Sulaiman the Arab traveller Devapala set out for his every military expedition with an army of 50,000 elephants and his army had 10,000-15,000 slaves for the maintenance and caretaking of his armies.
Legacy
Palas legacy gets remembered not much in Bengal but elsewhere. Tibet's modern culture and religion is heavily influenced by Palas. Palas are credited with spreading Buddhism to Tibet and around the world through missionaries. Atisa, a Palan, is a celebrated figure in the Tibetan Buddhism in tradition and in establishment. Atisa also invented bodhichitta or known as "mind training" that is practiced around the world today. Another important Palan figure in Tibetan Buddhism is Tilopa who founded the Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism and developed the Mahamudra method, a set of spiritual practices that greatly accelerated the process of attaining bodhi (enlightenment). Palas literature is widely studied by Buddhist around the world. Pala architectural style was copied throughout south-eastern Asia and China, Japan, and Tibet. Nalanda Universities and Vikramshila Universities are two of the biggest and greatest Buddhist universities ever recorded in history.
References
See also
External links
- ^ The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir ..., 1939, p 37, Jhunu Bagchi - History.
- ^ See also: Indian Antiquary, Vol IV, 1875, pp 365-66; Corpus of Bengal Inscriptions, Mukerjee and Maity, p 11; Caste and Chronology of the Pala kings of Bengal, J. C. Ghosh, The Indian Historical Quarterly, IX, 1983, pp 487-90; The Caste of the Palas, The Indian Culture, Vol IV, 1939, pp 113-14, B Chatterji; Social Change in Modern India, 1995, p 9, M N Srinivas; Modern India: An Interpretive Antholog, 1971, p 115, Thomas R. Metcalf - History.
- ^ Indian Culture, 1934, p 113, Indian Research Institute - India; Paradise of Gods, 1966, p 174, Qamarud Din Ahmed - West Pakistan (Pakistan).
- ^ "The Palas were at first known as Sudras. With the rise of their power they began to claim a Ksatria lineage"(Indian Culture, 1934, p 113, Indian Research Institute - India.
- ^ Akhbar, p 13, Sauveget.
- ^ Ibid, Jhunnu Bagchi.
- ^ Epigraphia Indica, Vol IV, p 243ff; Gaudalekhamala, p 9, A. K. Maitreya.
- ^ Ramachrita I.17.
- ^ Ibid, Jhunnu Bagchi.
- ^ Indian Culture, 1934, p 113, Indian Research Institute.
- ^ E.g. See: The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir ..., 1993, p 37, Jhunu Bagchi
- ^ Op cit, Jhunnu Bagchi, p 37.
- ^ See: Gaudalekhamala, pp 127-146, A. K. Maitreya.
- ^ See some refs: Epigraphia Indica, XXIV, p 43, Dr N. G. Majumdar; The History and Culture of the Pālas of Bengal and Bihar, Cir. 750 A.D.-cir ..., 1003, p 37, Jhunu Bagchi - History; The Dacca University Studies, 1935, p 131, University of Dacca; Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, p 316, Dr J. L. Kamboj; Late Classical India, 1988, p 25, Mainak Kumar Bose - India; History of Ancient Bengal, 1971, p 427, Ramesh Chandra Majumdar - Bengal (India).
- ^ Dr D. R. Bhandarkar, Dr Buddha Parkash.
- ^ Bryant cites Hesychius (6th century CE): "MiqraV o hlioV para PersaiV" ("Mithras, the sun of Persia") and "MiqrhV o protoV en PersaiV QeoV" ("Mithres, the first god in Persia."). Hesychius thus confirms not only the solar nature but also the /Persian/ origin of Mithra, still known in his day.
- ^ The priests of Mithra, and of Iranian Sun and Fire worship in general, were the Magi or Magas. The Magas entered India on a number of occasions over a period of centuries, prior to and during the common era. At this point, Indian Sun worship became increasingly formalized, with elaborate rituals, temples and images sprouting up and from the 6th century CE onward, royal names began to have "Mihira" (Mithra) in them after a millennium of integration (or reintegration) into Indian culture.
- ^ Op cit., p 37, Jhunu Bagchi; Indian Antiquary, Vol IV, 1875, pp 365-66; Corpus of Bengal Inscriptions, Mukerjee and Maity, p 11; Caste and Chronology of the Pala kings of Bengal, J. C. Ghosh, The IHQ, IX, 1983, pp 487-90; The Caste of the Palas, The Indian Culture, Vol IV, 1939, pp 113-14, B Chatterji; Social Change in Modern India, 1995, p 9, M N Srinivas; Modern India: An Interpretive Antholog, 1971, p 115, Thomas R. Metcalf - History.
- ^ Manusmriti X.43-44; Mahabharata 13.33.20-21 etc.
- ^ Al-Hind, the Making of the Indo-Islamic World, 1990, p 265, André Wink; History of Medieval India, 1940, p 20, fn, Ishwari Prasad - India.
- ^ THis is one interpretation.
- ^ According to second interpretation, the Palas have also been conjectured to be from the Kamboja lineage and the Rajyapala II of the so-called Pala dynasty of Bengal and the Kamboja-vamsa-tilaka Rajayapla of the Irda Copper Plate may have been one and the same historical per4sonage as Dr N. G. Majumdar, Dr Chandra Chakraberty and some other scholars have surmised. This assumption may lead to different interpretation of the Dinajpore Inscription and hence to a new Pala and Kamboja identity.
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