Palas

Palas

After the death of Sasanka, almost a century of chaos prevailed in Bengal. In about the middle of the eighth century AD, the Pala dynasty came into power. Its founder was Gopala, who was elected to the throne as he had proved his valour and capability as a leader. He was a Buddhist. He was succeeded by Dharmapala (circa 770-810). He was succeeded by Devapala who was followed by Mahipala I. By this time, the Palas had lost even their ancestral kingdom in Bengal. But Mahipala I succeeded in restoring the lost prestige of his empire. He succeeded in capturing north, west and east Bengal, and in extending his territories upto Banaras in the west. He has thus been rightly called the founder of the second Pala empire. The successors of Mahipala I were weaklings. Thus, by middle of the twelfth century, the Pala power had faded.
The Pal as were patrons of Buddhism. In their reign grew the Tantric sect in Buddhism. Dharmapala founded the university of Vikramasila.