Why this matters now
The Palas are examined for the election of Gopala (a rare instance noted in tradition), their patronage of Buddhism and the great universities (Nalanda, Vikramshila, Odantapuri), the distinctive Pala school of art, and their role in the Tripartite Struggle for Kannauj.
Founding — the election of Gopala
After a period of anarchy (the matsyanyaya, or “rule of the fish”, where the strong devoured the weak), Gopala was, by tradition, elected king by the chiefs of Bengal around 750 CE — founding the Pala dynasty and restoring order.
Dharmapala and Devapala
Dharmapala (c. 770-810) made the Palas a major north Indian power and was a great patron of Buddhism — credited with founding Vikramshila University and reviving Nalanda. Devapala (c. 810-850) extended Pala power to its widest, with influence reaching far across the Gangetic plain. Their courts drew scholars from across Asia.
Buddhism and the universities
The Palas were the last great royal patrons of Buddhism in India. They sustained the great monastic universities — Nalanda, Vikramshila and Odantapuri — which attracted students from across Asia. The scholar-monk Atisha Dipankara of Vikramshila travelled to Tibet and profoundly shaped Tibetan Buddhism. The Pala school of art — refined bronze and stone sculpture — influenced the art of Nepal, Tibet and South-East Asia.
The Tripartite Struggle
The Palas were one of three powers — alongside the Gurjara-Pratiharas (west) and the Rashtrakutas (Deccan) — locked in a long contest for control of Kannauj, the symbolic key to north India, in the 8th-9th centuries. This Tripartite Struggle exhausted all three and shaped early-medieval politics. The Palas later declined and were succeeded in Bengal by the Sena dynasty.
UPSC angle
Remember Gopala’s election, Dharmapala/Devapala as peak rulers, Pala patronage of Buddhism and Vikramshila/Nalanda, Atisha’s Tibet link, the Pala art school, and the Tripartite Struggle (Palas-Pratiharas-Rashtrakutas) for Kannauj.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded the Pala Empire?
Gopala, who according to tradition was elected king by the chiefs of Bengal around 750 CE, ending a period of anarchy.
Why are the Palas important in the history of Buddhism?
They were the last great royal patrons of Buddhism in India, sustaining Nalanda, Vikramshila and Odantapuri universities; the monk Atisha Dipankara from Vikramshila shaped Tibetan Buddhism.
Who were the greatest Pala rulers?
Dharmapala (founder of Vikramshila University) and his son Devapala, under whom the empire reached its peak.
What was the Tripartite Struggle?
The long 8th-9th century contest between the Palas, Gurjara-Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas for control of Kannauj in north India.