Pala Empire facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Pala Empire
8th century–12th century
The Pala Empire in Asia in 800 CE
Capital	List Bikrampur Pataliputra Gauda Monghyr (Devapala) Somapura (Dharampala) Mahipal in present-day Murshidabad district (Mahipala I) Ramavati in Varendra (Ramapala and successors)
Common languages	Sanskrit, Prakrit (including proto-Bengali)
Religion	Mahayana Buddhism, Tantric Buddhism, Shaivism
Government	Monarchy
Emperor
• 8th century	Gopala
• 12th century	Madanapala
Historical era	Classical India
• Established	8th century
• Disestablished	12th century
Preceded by Succeeded by Gauda Kingdom Chero dynasty Sena dynasty
Today part of	Bangladesh India Nepal Pakistan

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.

Images for kids

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  Coinage of Vigrahapala I or II: the profile of the ruler and the altar with attendants of Indo-Sasanian coinage appear in a stylized manner. Ninth century CE.

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  Coin of the Pala Empire, Mahipala and later. Circa 988-1161 CE

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  Bronze crowned Buddha, Bihar, Pala Empire, 10th-11th century

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  Maitreya and scenes from the Buddha's life. Folios were probably from the Pala period under Ramapala, considered the last great ruler of the Pala dynasty.
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  The Badal Pillar Inscription of Narayanapala.

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  Nalanda is considered one of the first great universities in recorded history. It reached its height under the Palas.

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  Atisha was a Buddhist teacher, who helped establish the Sarma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism.

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  Carved shankhas

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  Sculpture of Khasarpana Lokesvara from Nalanda

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  Sculpture of Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu

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  Somapura Mahavihara, a World Heritage Site, was built by Dharmapala

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  Central shrine decor at Somapura

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  Ruins of Vikramashila

See also

In Spanish: Dinastía Pala para niños