Matsyanayam and the Pala Dynasty (750A.D.-1161 A.D.)

Matsyanayam and the Pala Dynasty (750A.D.-1161 A.D.)

 There came a dark and disastrous age in the history of Bengal after the death of Sasanka. Bengal remained without any competent ruler for a long time. As a result, there was anarchy and disorder in the kingdom. In one hand Harshavardwan and Bhaskarvarmana lacerated Gaur; on the other hand, every landlord was locked in clash with one another in imagination of becoming the king of Bengal. There was no one to take care of the central power with an iron hand. This period of anarchy has been called Matsyanayam in Pala 'copper inscriptios'. Matsyanayam refers to a condition of anarchy and disorder like when the big fishes catch and swallow the small fishes in a pond. The powerful kings of Bengal took complete control over small regions in such a way. This period of anarchy lasted for one hundred years. In the middle of the eigth century this anarchy and disorder came to an end with the rise of the Pala reign. The mind of the people of Bengal was embittered with long standing anarchy and disorder. In order to get rid of such extreme sufferings, the senior leaders of the country made up their mind that forgetting all strife and conflict they would elect one for the position of king and all of them would accept his lordship. The people of the country also accepted this proposal happily. As a result, a man named Gopala was elected for the position of king. During the reign of the subsequent ruler Dharmapala, this selection story of Gopala was derived from the copper inscriptions of Khalimpur. Lama Tarnath, a historian of Tibet of course introduced a fairy-tale about Gopala's succession to throne. The summary of his story is: The sufferings of the people of the country knew no bounds because of long standing anarchy and disorder. The top level leaders of the country became unanimous and selected a king to establish the rule of law. But one night the selected king was killed by an ugly Naga female demon. After that every night one after another selected king started being killed. Quite a number of years passed this way. At length, one day a devotee of goddess Chunda came to a house.He saw that every one of the house was very sad because that day one of the boys of that house was entitled to be the selected king. The stranger agreed to become the king instead of that boy. He was selected the king the next morning. When the Naga female demon came that night, he killed the demon striking with the stick blessed by goddess Chunda. The next day every body was surprised to see him alive. He was selected the king for seven consecutive days. At last, people of the country selected him king permanently for his eccentric fitness. Nothing special can be known about the earlier life of Gopala. Nothing clear is also known about the identity of Pala dynasty and their original abode. The father's name of Gopala was Byppot. He was a 'destroyer of enemy'. His grandfather was Doitovishnu. No royal title was seen before their names. So, it is thought that they were ordinary persons. Doitovishnu was 'pure of all knowledge'. It appears from this perspective that Gopala was known as a skilled warrior like his father. The Pala reign began in Bengal with Gopala's ascending to ththis country so long as Pala Dynasty. Ascending to the throne, Gopala paid attention to extend his kingdom. He brought nearly the whole region of north and east Bengal under his rule. South-east Bengal remained beyond the rule of Gopala. Many opine that Gopala reigned for 27 years. But the modern researchers think that he ruled the country from 756A.D. till 781 A.D.e throne. The kings of Pala dynasty ruled this country for 400 years at a stretch. No other dynasty ruled After the death of Gopala Dharmapala (781A.D. -821A.D.) ascended to the throne of Bengal. He was the most famous of all Palaakings. His rule was established throughout Bengal and Bihar. At that time a competition was going on among three dynasties on exercising domination in North India. One was the Pala dynasty of Bengal, the other was Gurjarpratihara of Rajputana, and the third one was Rashtrakutas of the Deccan. In history this fight is known as 'the Tripartite struggle'. This fight started at the end of the eighth century. The first fight took place between Dharmapala and Vatsaraja belonging to Protihara dynasty. Dharmapala was defeated in this fight. Yet, Dharmapala conquered quite a number of regions beyond Bengal. He extended his kingdom to the region between the Ganges and the Jamuna, conquering Varanasi and Proyaga. Though Dharmapala was defeated at the start of the triparpite struggle, he did not suffer much harm because after the conquest, Rastrokutraja returned to the Deccan. Taking this advantage, Dharmapala occupied Kanauj. But within a short period of time the king of Protihara Nagvhatta the ii occupied Kanauj. As a result, there was fight between him and Dharmapala. At this time also Dharmapala did not suffer any loss. Because as before the king of Rastrokutaraja Govinda the iii came to north India and defeated Nagvhatta the ii. After the defeat of the king of Pratihar, Dharmapala also surrendered to Govindha the iii. After that when the king of Rastrokut returned to his country, Dharmapala again got the opportunity of extending his domination. Some think that Dharmapala conquered Nepal. Dharmapala reigned nearly 40 years (781A.D.-821 A.D.). Like his father Dharmapala was a Buddhist. Among the Pala kings he assumed the highest sovereign title 'Parameswara, Paramavattaraka Maharajadhiraja'. He built a Buddhist monastery 24 miles east of Bhagalpur. As his second name or title Vikromshil, it was famous by the name 'Vikromshil Vihara'. Like Nalanda Vikromshil Vihara also gained name and fame throughout India and beyond India. It was known as a famous Buddhist learning center throughout all India from the nineth century to the twelveth century. Many Buddhist monk of Tibet used to come here to study and many famous Buddhist scholars preached Buddhism in Tibet. Dharmapala built an enormous Vihara at Paharpur in the district of Natore also. It is known as 'Somapura Vihara' . This architectural work has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. No other stupendous Vihara like it has yet been discovered anywhere in India. He probably built a Vihara in Udantapura (Bihara). According to Tarnath, Dharmapala built 50 study centers for the learning of Buddhism. As a king, one of the characteristics of the Pala age is to equally patronize the subjects of all religions. For that reason, though he was as Buddhist, Dharmapala did not feel any aversion to other religions. He believed that there is no relation between individual religion of the king and the running of the kingdom. So, he would abide by the obligations of the scriptures and he would take care so that people of every religion could practice their respective religions. He gave a land free from tax to build a Hindu temple of Narayana. Most of those whom he gave land were the Brahmmins. The Prime Minister of Dharmapala Garga was a Brahmmin. His generations were employed to the position of Prime Minister of the Pala kings for ages. Dharmapala was one of the most famous rulers in the history of ancient Bengal. The country which was once a sweet abode of anarchy and oppression suddenly became extremely powerful under his leadership and was able to establish his lordship in northern India. After the death of Dharmapala, his son Devapala (821A.D.-861 A.D.) ascended to the throne. He was an able posterior of his father. Like his father he was able to expand the kingdom. Devapala directed successful military expeditions against the kings of Pratihara and the Rastrakuta in northern India. He occupied a large region of northern India. He was also able to exercise his domination on Orisa and Kamrup. After all, it was his time when the Pala kingdom expanded the most. Devapala was a great patron of Buddhism. It was he who repaired the Buddhist monasteries of Magadha. He built a monastery in Nalanda and an enormous temple in Buddhagaya. He established a new capital in Munger. He permitted Balputradeva, the great king belonging to Shailendra dynasty of Java, Sumatra and Malay to build a monastery in Nalanda. In addition to that, five villages were also given to bear the expenses of this monastery. From this event, we can get the proof of intimate relationship with Bengal and a group of island of South-east Asia. Devapala was very respectful of learning and the learned. Buddhist scholars of different countries adorned his royal courtyard. Under the patronization of Devapala Nalanda University then became the main center of Buddhist culture in whole Asia. He employed to the post of Chancellor of Nalanda University Indragupta, a Brahmmin expert in Buddhist scriptures. Buddhism was active again in northern India centering round this Nalanda University during his rule which was nearly lost. Since the death of Devapala the fall of the Pala empire started. After his death some chickenhearted and good for nothing inheritors ascended to the throne. They could not keep up the glory and power of the Pala empire. As a result, the Pala empire gradually marched towards downfall. The tenure of regime of Bigrahapala the second from Devapala's son Bigrahapala the first ranges from 861 A.D. to 989 A.D. Narayanapala (866A.D.-920 A.D.), son of BigrahPala the first ruled for a long time. He was a weak and spiritless ruler. As a result, during his reign the boundary of the Empire started to shrink. After Narayanapala, RajjyaPala, Gopala the Second and Bigrahapala the Second ascended to the throne one after another. They ruled the kingdom supposedly from 920A.D.-995 A.D. During the time of Bigrahapala the Second the ruling power of the Pala kings was limited to only Gaur and its adjoining regions. During the time of these weak kings, the Pala Empire suffered huge losses at the attack of the kings belonging to Chondello and Kalchuri dynasties of northern India. As a result, inside the Pala empire there was the rise of the Kambajd dynasty in particular sections of North-west Bengal. Thus with the Pala empire at the face of ruin, then Mahipala the first (supposedly 995A.D.-1043A.D.), competent son of Bigrahapala the ii came forward with a beam of hope. The most mentionable achievement of his life is driving away the Komboj and reestablishing the Pala empire after occupying east Bengal. Then he concentrated on conquering other kingdoms. His empire expanded from east Bengal to Varanasi and Mithila. He could maintain his own domination in most of the places in the kingdom from the attack of two strong royal powers of India of that time, Tamil king Rajendra Chol and the Chedi king Gangeyodeva. Mahipala was a follower of Buddhism. He was a generous patron of Buddhism from his heart. He was careful of protecting the olden achievements. He built an enormous Buddhist monastery in Nalanda. Also in some Buddhist monasteries were also built in Vanarasi during his time. Mahipala was attentive to humanitarian activities. Many large ponds and cities are still associated with his name. He founded many cities and dug many large ponds. The cities are Mahigonj of Rangpur district, Mahipur of Bogra district, Mahisontosh of Dinajpur district and Mahipala City of Murshidabad district.Among the 'dighis' Mahipala Dighi of Dinajpur and Sagar Dighi of Mahipala in Murshidabad are famous. Probably, Mahipala got this popularity through his mass welfare activities. The sun of good luck of Pala dynasty rose again during the 50-year reign of Mahipala. This is why he will remain ever memorable in history. If Mahipala did not happen to appear during the quick fall of Pala empire, the ruling time of this empire would undoubtedly shrink more. But Mahipala could not leave any capable posteriors. So, as soon as he died, the Empire started to be divided. After the time of Mahipala his son Nayapala (supposedly 1043A.D.- 1058A.D.) and grandson Bigrahapala III (supposedly 1058A.D.-1075A.D.) ascended to the throne of Pala dynasty. During the reign of these weak kings , the king of Kolochuri, king of Chalukya of Karnataka, king of Orissa and Kamrupa attacked Bengal. When the Pala empire was exhausted for facing overseas attacks one after another for a long time, opposition and disagreement were noticed inside the country. With this chance small independent kingdoms came into being. Bihar which was beyond Bengal started to move from the control of Pala kings. Thus during Bigrahapala III the Pala empire of Bengal got divided in many independent parts.