Palas: Polity and Administration | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

The time after Harsha's death in 647 C.E. was marked by political instability and confusion in Bengal. For almost a century following Harsha's passing, Bengal faced significant interference and disruption from both nearby and distant neighbors.

• During this period, Lalitaditya, the ruler of Kashmir, exerted control over the Punjab region and even managed to dominate Kanauj. Kanauj was historically regarded as a symbol of sovereignty in northern India since the time of Harsha. Gaining control over Kanauj also meant control over the upper Gangetic valley, which was rich in agricultural and trade resources.
• Lalitaditya even launched invasions into Bengal, also known as Gaud, and succeeded in killing its reigning king. However, his power eventually diminished with the rise of the Pala dynasty and the Gurjara-Pratiharas, who became significant powers in the region.

The Pala Empire: Origins and Expansion

Gopala: The Founder of the Pala Empire:

• The Pala Empire was established by Gopala, likely around AD 750. He was chosen as king by local notables to restore order in Bengal.
• Despite not coming from a noble background—his father was probably a soldier—Gopala managed to unify Bengal and even brought Magadha(modern-day Bihar) under his control.
• Gopala ruled until AD 770, when he was succeeded by his son,Dharamapala, who ruled until AD 810.

Dharamapala: The Struggle for North India:

• Dharamapala’s reign was marked by a tripartite struggle for control of Kanauj and northern India, involving the Palas, the Pratiharas, and the Rashtrakutas.
• The Pratihara ruler initially advanced into Gaud(Bengal) but was defeated by the Rashtrakuta ruler,Dhruva, who then returned to the Deccan.
• This allowed Dharamapala to occupy Kanauj and hold a grand darbar attended by vassal rulers from regions like Punjab and eastern Rajasthan.
• Dharamapala’s rule extended to the northwest limits of India, possibly including Malwa and Berar, indicating suzerainty over these areas.
• However, he could not consolidate power in northern India as the Pratihara power revived under Nagabhatta II. Despite conflicts,Bihar and Bengal remained under Pala control for most of the time.

Devapala: Expansion and Influence:

• Devapala, son of Dharmapala, ascended the throne in AD 810 and ruled for 40 years. He expanded Pala control over Pragjyotishpur(modern Assam) and parts of Orissa. There are indications that parts of modern Nepal were also brought under Pala suzerainty.
• During this period, the Palas dominated eastern India, with their influence extending as far as Varanasi.

Sulaiman’s Account: Evidence of Pala Power:

• The strength of the Pala Empire is documented by the Arab merchant Sulaiman, who visited India in the mid-ninth century.
• Sulaiman referred to the Pala Kingdom as Ruhma(or Dharma, after Dharmapala) and noted the Pala ruler’s conflicts with the Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas.
• He described the Pala army as being accompanied by 50,000 elephants and thousands of men responsible for washing clothes, indicating a large military force.
• While some figures may be exaggerated, they suggest the Palas had a significant military capability.
• It remains unclear whether the Pala forces were a large standing army or primarily feudal levies.

Tibetan Chronicles: Patronage of Buddhism

• Tibetan chronicles, written in the seventeenth century, provide additional information about the Palas, portraying them as great patrons of Buddhist learning and religion.
• According to these chronicles, Dharmapala revived the renowned Nalanda University, setting aside 200 villages for its upkeep. He also established the Vikramasila University, located in a scenic area by the Ganga River in Magadha.
• The Palas constructed numerous viharas to accommodate large numbers of Buddhist monks.
• Despite their strong support for Buddhism, the Palas also extended patronage to Saivism and Vaishnavism.
• They granted lands to numerous Brahmins from northern India, facilitating the extension of cultivation and transforming many pastoralists into settled cultivators.
• The economic prosperity of Bengal under the Palas fostered trade and cultural contacts with Southeast Asian countries like Burma,Malaya,Java, and Sumatra.

Relations with the Sailendra Dynasty:

• The powerful Sailendra dynasty, which ruled over Malaya,Java,Sumatra, and surrounding islands, was Buddhist and maintained close relations with the Pala court.
• The Sailendras sent embassies to the Pala court, seeking permission to build a monastery at Nalanda and requesting the Pala ruler Devapala to endow five villages for its upkeep.
• The Pala rulers recognized the importance of Madhyadesha in the Indian political sphere and engaged in power struggles with the Gurjara-Pratihara and Rashtrakuta dynasties.
• Despite rivalries, the Palas established useful marriage alliances with the Rashtrakutas.
• The conflicts among the Palas, Pratiharas, and Rashtrakutas over Madhyadesha and Kanauj ultimately exhausted all three dynasties.

Legacy and Decline:

• The Pala dynasty, at different times, ruled over Bihar,Odisha, and Assam. Under Dharamapala, Pala influence extended into Assam.
• At its peak, the Bengal kingdom gained a reputation beyond India, reaching into Nepal,Tibet, and Southeast Asia, particularly in the regions ruled by the Shailendra dynasty.
• The Pala suzerainty in Bengal and eastern India lasted until the end of the eleventh century when they were succeeded by the Sena dynasty, who eventually lost power to the Turkish Khaljis in the thirteenth century.

Palas Dynasty Administration

The administration of the Palas was more efficient compared to the Guptas. The copper plates from the Palas era reflect this efficiency. The system was monarchical, with the king at the center of power.

Titles and Structure:

• Pala kings held titles such as Parameshwar, paramvattaraka, or Maharajadhiraja.
• The administration was organized with Prime Ministers at the helm.

Territorial Division:

• The Pala Empire was divided into Vuktis(provinces), which were further segmented into Vishaya(divisions) and Mandala(districts).
• Smaller units included Khandala, Bhaga, Avritti, Chaturaka, and Pattaka.

Land Grants:

• Pala kings issued permanent land grants to brahmans, priests, temples, and Buddhist monasteries.
• These grants included economic and administrative perquisites related to law and order and justice administration.
• A Pala grant from 802 C.E. mentioned an official in North Bengal named Dasagramika, who was granted land.
• Land grants were also given to Kaivartas(peasants).
• Pala records mentioned various officials such as rajas, Rajputras, Ranakas, Rajarajanakas, Mahasamantas, and Mahasamantadhipatis, likely feudatories who received land for military service.
• There is no evidence of sub-infeudation under the Palas.

Infrastructure and Officials:

• The Pala Dynasty improved ferry ghats,river ways,land routes,trade and commerce,towns, and ports, while effectively managing law and order.
• The dynasty had a long record of state officials with various assigned positions, including:
• Raja or Mahasamanta(vassal kings)
• Mahasandhi-vigrahika(foreign minister)
• Duta(head ambassador)
• Rajasthaniya(deputy)
• Sasthadhikrta(tax collector)
• Mahaksapatalika(accountant)
• Jyesthakayastha(document handling)
• Ksetrapa(head of land use division)
• Pramatr(head of land measurements)
• Mahadandanayaka or Dharmadhikara(chief justice)
• Mahapratihara(police force)
• Khola(secret service)
• Agricultural posts were also established, such as Gavadhakshya(head of dairy farms), Chhagadhyakshya(head of goat farms),Meshadyakshya(head of sheep farms),Mahishadyakshya(head of buffalo farms), and Nakadhyakshya(aviation ministry).