Gopala (Pala king) facts for kids

Gopala I was an important ruler who founded the Pala Empire in a region called Bengal, located in the eastern part of the Indian subcontinent. He became ruler around 750 CE. He was chosen by a group of local leaders, which was quite unusual for that time! The word "Pala" means "protector," and it was part of every ruler's name in this empire.

Who Was Gopala I?

Gopala I started the powerful Pala Empire. This empire became very important in ancient India. He was not born into a royal family. Instead, he was elected by other leaders. This shows he was a respected and strong leader.

Gopala's Family

Gopala I's father was named Vapyata. His grandfather was Dayitavishnu. A special copper plate, called the Khalimpur copper plate, tells us more about them. This plate was made by Gopala's son, Dharmapala. It says that Vapyata was a "killer of enemies," meaning he was a brave warrior. Dayitavishnu was described as "all-knowing," which means he was very educated and wise.

Gopala's Rule

Gopala I ruled for about 27 years. He passed away when he was around 80 years old. We don't know many details about his life or the battles he fought. However, when he died, he left a large and strong empire to his son, Dharmapala. This shows that Gopala I was successful in building and protecting his kingdom.