Post Gupta - Pala Dynasty

-
  •  After the death of Harsha, the Pratiharas (Jalore-Rajasthan), the Palas (Bengal) and the Rashtrakutas (Deccan) engaged in a triangular contest for the control of the Ganga–Yamuna doab and the lands adjoining it.
  • Palas Controlled vast area of the eastern Gangatic plain. Ruled eastern india from pataliputra between the ninth and the early twelfth century.
  • Languages – Snaskrit, Prakrit & Pali.
  • Follow Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhism in Bengal provided a link between eastern India and Java and Sumatra.
Pala rule in Bengal
  • Sashanka, the Gauda ruler (590 and 625 CE) - first prominent king of ancient Bengal.
  • After the fall of the Gauda kingdom, there was no central authority,
  • So, in 750 CE, a group of chiefs met and decided on a “Kshatriya chief” named Gopala to be their ruler.
Pala Rulers
Dharmapala (770 – 815 CE)
  • Gopala I was succeeded by his son Dharmapala (770–815 CE) – Title parameswara, paramabhattaraka & Maharajadhiraja.
  • Ruled Area
  • Directly Ruled – Bengal & Bihar.
  • His Nominee – Kanauj.
  • His Suzerainty – Rulers of Punjab, Rajaputana, Malwa & Berar.
  • Founded the Vikaramasila monastery in Bhagalpur district in Bihar. Build monastery at Odantapuri in Bihar.
  • Built a grand vihara at Somapura in modern Paharapura.
  • Patron Buddhism & Harisbhadra (Buddhist writer).
Devapala
  • Dharmapala’s son Devapala extended Pala control eastwards up to Kamarupa (Assam). He defeated Amoghavarsha, the Rashtrakuta ruler, by allying with all the states that regarded the Rashtrakutas as their common enemy.
  • Patron of Buddhism.
  • granted five villages to Balaputradeva, the king of the Sailendra dynasty of Suvarnadipa (Sumatra), to maintain a monastery built by him at Nalanda.
Vigramapala
  • Vigramapala rule few years and went to ascetic life.
  • So, his son Narayanapala (Man of pacific and Religious disposition).
  • The Rashtrakutas and the Pratiharas took advantage of Narayanapala’s disposition and defeated the Palas.
  • So petty chief asserting their independence.
Other Rulers
  • Pala dynasty accelerate during the rule of three successors – Rajyapala, Gopala III, Vigramapala III.
  • Mahipala, son of Vigramapala II. Invasion of north India by Rajendra Chola (B/w 1020 and 1025 CE)
  • Ramapala, last ruler tried to recover the lost glory of the dynasty.
  • Vijayasena of the Sena dynasty who had become powerful in northern Bengal expelled the last ruler Madanapala (1130-1150 CE).
Religion
  • Patrons of Mahayana Buddhism. The Buddhist philosopher Haribhadra was the spiritual preceptor of Dharmapala.
Art and Architecture
  • Dhiman & his son Vitapala. They were painters, Sclupture & Bronze statue makers.
  • Pala school of sculpture art was influenced by Gupta Art.
  • Manipala I – Construct and repair several structure at Sarnath, Nalanda & Bodh Gaya.
  • Gopala founded the famous monastery at Odantapura (Bihar).
  • Dharmapala established the Vikramashila and the Somapura Mahaviharas (Bangladesh).
Literature
  • Pala texts
    • AgamaShastraby Gaudapada,
    • NyayaKundaliby Sridhar Bhatta.
  • Many texts on medicine were compiled by Chakrapani Datta, Sureshwar Gadadhara Vaidya & Jimutavahana.
  • Patronised Sanskrit scholars.
  • The “Mahipalageet” (songs on Mahipala), a set of folk songs, are still popular in the rural areas of Bengal.
  • Sandhyakar Nandi’s epic Ramacharitam, a biography of a later Pala ruler Ramapala.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Indian Painting - Pre History

-
Image
    History and Evolution of Painting in India - An Overview India has a long tradition of artistic excellence and painting is one of the major mediums that has been used to express it. There is several evidence suggesting that painting flourished in India since ancient times. Archaeologists have found wall paintings in parts of India, which suggest that even the early historic man in India was engaged in activities of art and leisure The history of painting can be traced through the ancient and medieval period where the books were illustrated with paintings Then came the miniature style that dominated the Mughal and Rajput courts. With the coming of the Europeans, the art of painting and engraving took a western turn. Modern painters experimented with styles, colours and designs. Many Indian painters have gained worldwide recognition and are winning prizes and accolades for their vision. Principles of Painting The history of paintings can be known from primitive rock paintings of Bhim
Read more

Classification of Indian Paintings

-
Image
    Classification of Indian Paintings Indian Paintings have been broadly classified into two. Mural Paintings Miniature Paintings Mural Paintings The work on the walls or a solid structure are referred to as Murals. These have existed in India since ancient times and can be dated between 10th century BC and 10th century AD. The evidence of such paintings can be found at several locations in India. The beauty and the exquisiteness of mural paintings can be seen in places like Ajanta, Armamalai Cave, Ravan Chhaya Rock Shelter, Bagh Caves, Sittanavasal Caves and Kailash Temple in Ellora. Most of the mural paintings are either in natural caves or in rock cut chambers. The paintings follow a theme, the most common being Hindu, Buddhist and Jain. Mural paintings were also made to adorn any mundane premise. For e.g. Ancient theatre room in Jogimara Caves. Ajanta Cave Paintings One of the oldest surviving murals of Indian sub-continent, Ajanta caves were carved between 2nd century BC to 5th c
Read more

Folk Paintings

-
    Madhubani Paintings Traditionally done by the women of villages around Madhubani town (Bihar). It is also called Mithila Paintings. The paintings have a common theme and are usually drawn from religious motifs of the Hindus, including Krishna, Rama, Durga, Lakshmi and Shiva. The paintings are also made depicting auspicious occasions like birth, marriage and festivals. Flowers, trees, animals, etc. are used to fill any gaps in the painting. Traditionally, these were painted on walls using rice paste and vegetable colours on a base of cow dung and mud. With time, the base changed to handmade paper, clothes and canvas. Since there was no shading, the paintings are two-dimensional. Some of the common features of these paintings include double line border, bold use of colours, ornate floral patterns and exaggerated facial features. Since the art has remained confined to a specific geographical area, it has been given GI (geographical indication) status. Pattachitra Painting A traditiona
Read more