Devapala (Pala dynasty)
Devapala | |
---|---|
Dharamapala | |
Mother | Rannadevi |
Religion | Buddhism |
Devapala (
Reign
Devapala was the third king in the line, and had succeeded his father
Based on the different interpretations of the various epigraphs and historical records, the different historians estimate Devapala's reign as follows:[5]: 32–37
Historian | Estimate of reign |
---|---|
RC Majumdar (1971)
|
810-c. 850 |
AM Chowdhury (1967) | 821–861 |
BP Sinha (1977) | 820–860 |
DC Sircar (1975–76) | 812–850 |
Expansion of the Pala Empire
Devapala launched military campaigns under his cousin and his general Jayapala, who was the son of Dharmapala's younger brother Vakpala.
The highly exaggerated
The "Gurjaras" in the inscription refers to the
While an ancient country with the name
Religious leanings
Devapala was a staunch sponsor of Buddhism, and approved the construction of many temples and monasteries in Magadha.[16] He maintained the famous Buddhist monastery at Uddandapura (Odantapuri). Buton Rinchen Drub credits his father Dharmapala for building the monastery, although other Tibetan accounts such as that of Taranatha, state that it was magically built and then entrusted to Devapala.[5]: 45
Balaputradeva, the Sailendra king of Java, sent an ambassador to him, asking for a grant of five villages for the construction of a monastery at Nalanda. The request was granted by Devapala.[13] He also patronized the Vikramashila University and the Nalanda University.
Buddhist scholar Vajradatta (the author of Lokesvarashataka), was the court poet of Devapala.[13][1]
Successor
Devapala ruled for about 40 years. His oldest son probably was the Crown Prince(Yuvaraja) Rajyapala. However, he probably died before his father. Earlier, the historians believed his successor to be Shurapala I and/or Vigrahapala I.[5]: 32–37 In the 2000s, a copper-plate grant was discovered at Jagjivanpur: this plate mentions that a hitherto unknown Pala king, Mahendrapala, had issued the grant in 854 CE.[17] Mahendrapala was the son of Devapala and brother of Shurapala I. Both Mahendrapala and Shurapala I were born to Queen Mahata.[18]
In popular culture
Devapala's exploits -- both verified and legendary -- inspired the Bengali campaign in Dynasties of India, the 2022 expansion pack for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition.
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-93-5260-673-3.
- ^ History and Culture of Indian People, The Age of Imperial Kanauj, 1964, p. 50, R. C. Majumdar, A. D. Pusalkar
- ^ ISBN 978-81-7017-059-4.
[p. 178] Dharmapāla's wife was Raṇṇādevī daughter of Parabala, the ornament of the Rāshṭrakūṭa race. Devapāla was their son.
- ISBN 978-81-7017-304-5.
- ^ ISBN 90-04-06856-2.
- ^ Badal Pillar Inscription, verse 13, Epigraphia Indica II, p 160; Bhagalpur Charter of Narayanapala, year 17, verse 6, The Indian Antiquary, XV p 304.
- ^ Bhagalpur Charter of Narayanapala, year 17, verse 6, Indian Antiquary, XV p 304.
- ISBN 978-0-14-341678-4.
- ^ History and Culture of Indian People, The Age of Imperial Kanauj, 1964, p. 50, 55, 56, R. C. Majumdar, A. D. Pusalkar.
- ^ Badal Pillar Inscription, verse 5, Epigraphia Indica, II p 160.
- ISBN 978-93-80607-34-4.
- ISBN 978-81-208-1991-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
- ^ Dynastic History of Northern India, I. p 311; H. C. Ray (December 1939). "New Light on the History of Bengal". Indian Historical Quarterly. XV (4): 511.; History of Ancient Bengal, 1971, pp 127, 182-83 : "The Palas employed mercenary forces and certainly recruited horses from Kamboja (Ins B.8 V 13).
- OCLC 558393347.
- OCLC 1000593117.
- ^ Bengal museum to reconstruct excavated Buddhist site
- ISBN 978-81-7625-186-0.