Golden Age of

Golden Age of Bengal

2018-Session 06

Bengal

Dr. Abdul Baqee

BANGLADESH STUDIES Department of Geography and Environment
Human 1103 : Bangladesh Studies University of Dhaka
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Bengal was an
integral part of
The Pala Dynasty (8th to
All-Indian
11th century) era was the
history
Golden Era of Bengal.
probably in the
age of the
imperial It was during the Pala
Mauryas Period, Bengal became the
(second century BC). main center of BUDDHIST as
well as SECULAR LEARNING.

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 Founder
Gopala-1 was
the founder of
the famous
Pala Dynasty.

The Pala rule of

Bengal continued
for four centuries.

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 It was Sasanka who
first dreamt of a
Bengal empire and
both Dharamapala
and Devapala
materialized it in the
subsequent years.

Under them Bengal was made

the greatest power of India. 4/12
Indeed in
literature and
other branches The Pala Period of
of knowledge the history of
the Pala period Bengal also found a
shown remarkable
remarkable progress in art,
progress. architecture and
sculpture.

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The most
popular medium
of Pala sculpture
was Terracotta It should be
and black stone. remembered
that the Pala
kings were
devoted
Buddhists.
But they were
tolerant to
Hinduism also. 6/12
Some specimen of Art
Work from Pala Period

Goddess
Palas were Durga
tolerant to killing the
Hinduism buffalo 7/12
 Different Images of Buddha

Image from India

Image from Japan

Image from Pakistan

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The SOMAPURA
MAHA BIHAR at Largest Buddhist
PAHARPUR, a Bihar in the Indian
creation of Subcontinent
Dharmapala,
proudly announces
the excellence of
the architectural
art achieved in the
Pala period.

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Chronology of the Pala Dynasty
1. Gopala-I (756-781 AD)
2. Dharmapala (781-821)
3. Devapala (821-861)
4. Vigrahapala-I (861-866)
5. Narayanpala (866-920)
6. Rajyapala (920-952)
7. Gopala-II (952-969)
8. Vigrahapala-II (969-995)
9. Mahipala-I (995-1043)
10. Nayapala-I (1043-1058)
Pala Dynasty
consists of 17
Raja
Gopala-I
is the founder of the Dynasty
11. Vigrahapala-III (1058-1075)
12. Mahipala-II (1075-1080)
13. Surepala (1080-1082)
14. Ramapala (1082-1124)
15. Kumarapala (1124-1129)
16. GopalaIII (1129-1143)
17. Madanpala (1143-1162 AD)
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The death of
Devapala marked
the end of the They ruled over
most glorious parts of Bengal as
epoch of Pala a local power till
History. they were swept
aside by the
Senas.

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Class Test 2
1. Was Bengal an integral part of All-Indian history?
Narrate within 5 sentences.

2. Who was founder of the Pala Dynasty

(8th to 11th century)?
Just name it.

3. The Pala Dynasty (8th to 11th century) was the

Golden Era of Bengal.
Do you agree with the statement? If YES?
Say something …………

4. The Pala Dynasty (8th to 11th century) was very

intolerant to the Hindu people?
Yes ………….. No ………………
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