The importance of the Pala dynasty

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Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara at Paharpur

The incredible Buddhist complex of Paharpur was created under the Pala dynasty in
Bengal and fostered by successive leaders. So why did this empire think the monastery
was so important?

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Terracotta Plaques at Somapura Mahavihara depict the socio-religious life of Pala period
in the 8th and 9th century AD. – © mortenrochssare / Shutterstock

The Pala dynasty ruled the regions of Bengal and Bihar for about 400 years, from the 8th
century until the end of the 11th century, with about 20 leaders on the throne during the
period.

To begin to understand the Pala Dynasty, it's useful to look at the state of affairs when the
first ruler took power. The region that is now north-eastern India and Bangladesh had
been in a state of anarchy for about a century following the fall of the Post Gupta dynasty.
Feudal lords had found themselves in a cycle of petty conflict with no obvious path to
resolution.

It wasn't until one feudal lord named Gopala managed to gain the support of other leaders
that stability started to emerge. Through a democratic process, he took control of the
region called Varendra, made up of north-western Bangladesh, West Bengal, and the
Indian area of Bihar. He would be the founder and first ruler of the Pala Empire.

It was the dynasty's second ruler, the son of Gopala, who would have the biggest impact,
though. His name was King Dharma Pala Deva (also known as Dharmapala) and he
greatly expanded the territory of the empire, spreading across northern India. He is
regarded as an efficient administrator and, during this period, the region flourished
economically.

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 The copper plate of Dharmapala found in Khalimpur village of West Bengal gives an account of
Dharmapalas great power and influence: ‘His court was attended by the rulers of Bhoja (possibly
Vidarbha), Matsya (Jaipur region), Madra (East Punjab), Kuru (Delhi region), Yadu (possibly
Mathura, Dwarka or Simhapura in the Punjab), Yavana (Greeks), Avanti, Gandhara and Kira (Kangra
Valley). These kings accepted the installation of Chakrayudha on the Kannauj throne, while ‘bowing
down respectfully with their diadems trembling.’ – © UNESCO

Archaeologists have found evidence that shows the administration of the Pala dynasty was
involved in all aspects of the bureaucracy from the central government all the way down
to local villages. Tax was collected more efficiently than ever before and this income was
used to fund everything from ferry jetties in rivers to large ports on the coastline. Even
management of the forests and the markets was under the control of the kings.

Gopala, the first Pala king, was a Buddhist and so all of his descendants also were. It's no
surprise when you consider how involved the rulers were in the management of their
empire that this also extended to religion. They used the revenue from the new tax
collection methods to fund initiatives all across the region that would spread Buddhism.
The most important of these were the large monasteries like Paharpur, that was founded
during the reign of King Dharma Pala Deva.

Coins minted during Dharma Pala's reign. – Wikimedia Foundation

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Interestingly, though, most of the subjects in the area controlled by the Pala Empire were
actually Hindus. The Pala rulers followed an approach of religious tolerance, granting
land for Hindu temples and allowing Hindu Brahmins to hold high official posts in the
Pala court. This allowed for a peaceful exchange of ideas between the faiths and is a large
factor in why Hindu Tantrism made its way into Buddhism, giving rise to the Vajrayana
philosophy.

The Pala kings are also considered to have been shrewd diplomats, forging relationships
with different cultures to promote new trade routes. The empire enjoyed good
connections with Southeast Asia and the Middle East – but it was more than just trade
that was shared. Cultural ideas were also transferred and there's evidence of Islam
appearing in Bengal during this time, while mathematical and astronomical achievements
of the Indian civilisation were absorbed in places like Iraq. In Southeast Asia, the most
prominent of this exchange of ideas can be seen in the architecture of temples that were
based on the design at Paharpur.

The Pala dynasty created the environment for Buddhist monasteries to thrive and discuss
philosophies without prejudice. But, importantly, it also facilitated the spread of these
ideas around the world, leaving a legacy that we can still see today.

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