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Pala Empire |
The Pala Empire was a dynasty in control of the Bihar and Bengal regions of South Asia from the 8th to the 12th century. The name Pala 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. He reigned from 750-770 and consolidated his position by extending his control over all of Bengal. His successor was Dharmapala (770-781). He made the Palas a dominant power of northern India. The Empire disintegrated in the 12th century under the attacks of the Sena dynasty.
The Palas intermarried with Gahadvalas of the Kannauj region.
The Palas were followers of Mahayana Buddhism. 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.
 Main Pala rulers
- Gopala (750-770)
- Dharmapala (770-810)
- Devapala (810-850)
- Shur Pala (Ras Pala (Ras Pal) (847 - 860)
- Vigraha Pala (860 - 861)
- Narayan Pala (861 - 917)
- Rajyo Pala (917 - 952)
- Vigraha Pala II (952 - 972)
- Mahipala (977 - 1027)
- Naya Pala (1027 - 1043)
- Vigraha Pala III (1043 - 1070)
- Mahi Pala II (1070 - 1071)
- Shura Pala II (1071 - 1072)
- Rampala (1072 - 1126)
- Kumar Pala (1126 - 1128)
- Gopala III (1128 - 1143)
- Madan Pala (1143 - 1161)
- Govinda Pala (1162 - 1174)
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