Dharmapala (emperor)
| Dharmapala | |
|---|---|
Rashtrakuta princess) | |
| Issue | Tribhuvanpala[1] Devapala |
| Military career | |
| Battles/wars | |
Gopala | |
| Mother | Deddadevi of the Bhadra dynasty[2] |
| Religion | Buddhism[3] |
Dharmapala (
Rashtrakuta dynasty.[5]
He greatly expanded the boundaries of the empire, and made the Palas a dominant power in the northern and eastern India.
Dharmapala directly ruled over the present-day
Rashtrakutas subsequently defeated the Pratiharas, leaving Palas as the dominant power in North India. Dharmapala was succeeded by his son Devapala
who further expanded the empire.
Reign
Based on the different interpretations of the various epigraphs and historical records, the different historians estimate Dharmapala's reign as follows:[6]: 32–37
| Historian | Estimate of reign |
|---|---|
RC Majumdar (1971)
|
770–810 |
| AM Chowdhury (1967) | 781–821 |
| BP Sinha (1977) | 783–820 |
| DC Sircar (1975–76) | 775–812 |
Expansion of the empire
Dharamapala directly ruled over the present-day Bengal and Bihar regions.[7] Since the extent of Gopala's kingdom is not known, it is uncertain if Dharmapala inherited these territories or acquired them through conquests.[8]
He also became dominant in other areas of North India, but the exact details of his victories are not available. It is known that he defeated Indraraja (or Indrayudha), the ruler of
Avanti, Gandhara and Kira (Kangra Valley).[9][10] These kings accepted the installation of Chakrayudha on the Kannauj throne, while "bowing down respectfully with their diadems trembling".[11] Some historians have speculated that all these kingdoms might have been the vassal states of the Pala empire. Although the rulers of these regions may have paid obeisance to Dharmapala, but maintained their autonomy.[6]
: 39
The Kannauj dispute resulted in a struggle between Dharmapala and the Pratihara king
Prayag.[8] Shortly after this, Vatsaraja himself was defeated by the Rashtrakuta king Dhruva of southern India. After Vatsaraja's defeat, Dharmapala regained the control of Kannauj, but was defeated by Dhruva.[12] However, soon after this, Dhruva returned to his southern kingdom, and thus, Dharmapala did not lose much in this quick chain of events. These events had left the Pratiharas badly mauled, which indirectly helped Dharmapala. After Dhruva's death in 793 CE, the Rashtrakutas were weakened by a war of succession. Taking advantage of this situation, Dharmapala recaptured Kannauj and placed his vassal Chakrayudha on the throne.[8] He became the most powerful ruler in North India, and declared himself as Uttarapathasvamin ("Lord of Northern India").[13]
According to the Monghyr (Munger) copper plate, Dharmapala offered prayers at Kedar (possibly
Gokarna in Karnataka or a place in Orissa).[11] This indicates that his position as a sovereign was accepted by most rulers, although this was a loose arrangement unlike the empire of the Mauryas or the Guptas. The other rulers acknowledged the military and political supremacy of Dharmapala, but maintained their own territories.[9] One tradition also claims that Nepal was a vassal state of the Pala Empire during his reign.[14]
Sometime later, Dharmapala faced another attack by the Pratiharas. Vatsaraja's son Nagabhata II conquered Kannauj, making Chakrayudha his vassal. This brought Dharmapala and Nagabhata II into a military conflict near Munger. Dharmapala suffered a defeat, but in a repeat of history, the Rashtrakutas invaded the Pratihara kingdom. Nagabhata II was defeated by the Rashtrakuta king and Dhruva's son Govinda III. Govinda III then proceeded to Kannauj, and subdued both Chakrayudha and Dharmapala.[8] Like his father, Govinda III then returned to his kingdom in the south. Once again, Dharmapala re-established his authority in North India. Dharamapala remained the dominant ruler in North India till the end of his life.[9]
Dharmapala ruled for about 40 years, and was succeeded by his son Devapala.
Patronage to Buddhism
vihara in the Indian subcontinent built by Dharmapala in Naogaon District, Bangladesh; it became a World Heritage Site
in 1985.Dharmapala was a great patron of
Nalanda university and revived it. He founded the Vikramashila monastery which later evolved into a great learning centre of Buddhism. Vikramashila had about 100 professors, and was managed by a governing body of six member.[15] The most celebrated name associated with the Vikramshila University was that of Buddhist scholar Atiśa, who was greatly respected in Tibet.[16] One of its rectors, Ratnakirshanti, a logician, was invited to Ceylon. During Dharmapala's reign Buddhagupta was rector or the university.[15] He is remembered with a shrine on the Buddhist archaeological site North Serebang Perai in the state Kedah in Malaysia.[17][self-published source?] Dharmapala built the great Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur, Naogaon District, Bangladesh. Taranath also credits him with establishing 50 religious institutions and patronising the Buddhist author Haribhadra.[7] Buton Rinchen Drub credits Dharmapala with building the monastery at Uddandapura (Odantapuri), although other Tibetan accounts such as that of Taranatha, state that it was magically built and then entrusted to Devapala.[6]
: 45
Epigraphs
The epigraphs from Dharmapala's reign include:[18]
- BodhgayaStone Inscription (Kesava Prasasti)
- Dated in the 26th regnal year, this inscription is a work of Kesava, who was the son of sculptor Ujjala. It records the establishment of an image of Chaturmukha (four-faced) Mahadeva and the excavation of a lake at the cost of 3000 drammas (coins) at Mahabodhi.
- Khalimpur Copper Plate
- Dated in the 32nd regnal year, this copper plate is inscribed by Tatata, who was the son of Subhata and grandson of Bhojata. It records Dharmapala's defeat of Indrayudha and the installation of his tributary Chakrayudha at Kannauj. It states that the kings of Bhoja, Matsya, Madra, Kuru, Yadu, Yavana, Avanti, Gandhara and Kira (possibly Kangra) attended the imperial assembly and approved it. It further states that Dharmapala granted four villages to a feudal lord called Naryanavarman for the construction and maintenance of a temple dedicated to the Lord Nanna-Narayana,[19][20] with the boundaries of the donated villages including a shrine constructed for the Goddess Kadamvari.[21] The dyutaka or emissary of this plate is Yuvaraja (Crown Prince) Tribhuvanpala.
- NalandaCopper Plate
- This plate is partially damaged due to burning. The name of the donor is not clear, but his father's name is Dharmadatta. It records the gift of a village Uttarama, situated in the Gaya visaya (district) of the Nagar bhukti (division).
- Nalanda Stone Inscription
- This inscription is a work of the artisans Kese, Savvo, Vokkaka and Viggata. It is inscribed on a stupa sculpture with carvings that depict seated Buddha figures. It records Vairochana as the person who commissioned this deed, describing him as a brilliant and valiant man who lived during the rule of Dharmapala.
- Valgudar Image Inscription
- It records the dedication of an image of god Madhusrenika by Ajhuka, the wife of Sato, in the city of Krimila.
- Paharpur Seals
- These two seals were discovered from the viharaat Somapura, which was established by Dharmapala.
See also
References
- ISBN 9788170173045.
- ^ Sharma, Ranjit Kumar (1988). "Matsyanyaya and the Rise of the Palas". Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh: Humanities. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh: 2.
- ^ Hasan, Sahidul. "The Pala dynasty and Religious Pluralism in Bengal." Bangladesh e-Journal of Sociology 8.1 (2011): 26-33.
- ^ Extracted from the Bodhgaya stone inscription, Mahâbodhi, or the Great Buddhist Temple under the Bodhi Tree at Buddha-Gaya, Alexander Cunningham, Plate XXVIII, 3, 1892.
- ^ "Vangala, Banglapedia".
- ^ ISBN 90-04-06856-2.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-224-1198-0.
- ^ ISBN 978-81-208-1991-7.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-14-341678-4.
- ISBN 978-81-7017-059-4.
Dharmapāla after defeating Indrāyudha and capturing Kanuaj made it over to Cakrāyudha, who was a vassal king of Kanuaj subordinate to Dharmapāla ... Dharmapāla was thus acknowledged paramount ruler of almost whole of North India as the Bhojas of Berar, Kīra (Kangra district), Gandhāra (West Punjab), Pañcāla (Ramnagar area of U.P.), Kuru (eastern Punjab), Madra (Central Punjab), Avanti (Malwa), Yadus (Mathura or Dwarka or Siṁhapura in the Punjab), Matsya (a part of northeast Rajputana) were his vassals.
- ^ a b Pramode Lal Paul (1939). The Early History of Bengal (PDF). Indian History. Indian Research Institute. p. 38. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- ISBN 978-93-80607-34-4.
- OCLC 1000593117.
- OCLC 1000593117.
It is also stated in the Svayambhu Purana that Nepal also was a vassal state of Dharampala.
- ^ a b History of Bihar, Prof.R.Choudhary,1958, p.117
- ISBN 978-93-5260-673-3.
- ^ "Tempelpilaren". 16 September 2018.
- ISBN 978-81-7017-301-4.
- ^ Sikha Sarkar (2001). Mother-goddess in Pre-mediaeval Bengal: A Study of the Evolution of Concept & Forms of Female Divinities. Niharendu Aditya. p. 37.
The Khalimpur Copper-plate, issued in the 32 regnal year of the great Pala king Dharmapala gives us the information regarding the erection of a temple of the Bhagavana (Lord) Nanna-Narayana by a feudal lord (Mahasamantadhipati) Narayanavarma. Scholars are unanimous regarding the fact that Nanna-Narayana is the name of Lord Visnu.
- ^ Ramesh Chandra Majumdar (1971). History of Ancient Bengal (PDF). G. Bharadwaj. p. 511.
A temple (deva-kula) of the god Nanna-Narayana is referred to in a record of Dharmapala (B.2), while the Garuda Pillar Inscription at Badal (B. 20) shows its continued importance, during the reign of Narayanapala.
- ^ Sikha Sarkar (2001). Mother-goddess in Pre-mediaeval Bengal: A Study of the Evolution of Concept & Forms of Female Divinities. Niharendu Aditya. p. 37.
While describing the boundaries of the donated villages, the copper-plate grant refers to a small shrine constructed for the goddess Kādamvarī: "uttareṇa kādamvarī devikulikā khariuravrksaśca" (line 32). It is said that there is a small temple of the goddess Kādamvarī on the northern boundary of the village mentioned above. The name of this goddess is rarely found in the Epics and the Puranas.
Further reading
- Pankaj Tandon: "A Gold Coin of the Pala king Dharmapala," Numismatic Chronicle, No. 166, 2006, pp. 327–333.
- History and Culture of Indian People, The Age of Imperial Kanauj, p 44, Dr Majumdar, Dr Pusalkar