3rd Biggest - Pala Empire 4,600,000 sq.km. 700 AD–1100 AD
WHATEVER HU SHIH'S VIEWS ON POST- BRIT INDIA MAY'VE BEEN, HE BEGRUDGINGLY SAID THAT INDIA CONQUERED & DOMINATED CHINA CULTURALLY FOR 20 CENTURIES WITHOUT EVER HAVING TO SEND A SINGLE SOLDIER ACROSS HER BORDER.
WITH UNIVERSITIES LIKE THESE, IS IT ANY WONDER?
Brief introduction to the great universities/mahaviharas of medieval Eastern India....
Forgotten monuments of pasts....
We take great pride in our ancient universities like Nalanda Somapura, vikramashila, odantipura, jaggadala.
But beyond that there just the dark pages of our history for most people (courtesy to our schoolbooks).
Image: Seal of Nalanda University
This post gives very brief look into that glorious past of ours.
Nalanda or "Sri Nalanda Mahavihariya Arya Bikshusamghasya" as the seal in previous image reads was unarguably one of the most celebrated of the universities of the Medieval India.
Ruins of monumental temples at Nalanda
Its 3 multi storey libraries housed the books written not only on Buddhist theological subjects but secular subjects like Logic, Philosophy, Mathematics, Medicine and Grammar.
Originally built in the Pancharatna style befit to the Mahavihara of the stature of Nalanda
they would have looked as grand as surviving grand temples of present like Brihadeshwara/Puri.
These dormitories of Nalanda at one time housed ~3000 monks, students & teachers.
Students came not only from India but from entire East & Central Asia, Tibet & beyond.
Talented teachers were recruited from as far as Kashmir and Afghanistan...Truly a global university!
This copper plate charter from the Nalanda recording the donations from the king of Sumatra (Indonesia). IT gives further idea about the widespread popularity that Nalanda enjoyed once upon a time! Patronage came not only from Buddhist but also Hindu elites.
In Its glorious history came to an abrupt end in 13th century with the Jihadi inavsion of Khilji.
The last recorded lesson in history of Nalanda was on Sanskrit Grammar by an aged monk named Rahul Sribhadra & sponsored by a local Brahmin named Jayadeva....
Somapura Mahavihara.
Known as "Shri Somapure Shri Dharmapaladeva Mahavihariya arya bhiksu sangghasya",
It was originally established by Emperor Dharampala Doda of Pala Empire in 8thcentury.
It was further patronized by subsequent Pala Rulers of Bengal & Bihar.
Monumental nature of its central temple/stupa and entire campus is impressive
When fully functional and not in ruins it must have been an impressive sites to behold with! The Pala empire existed from the 8th century A.D. to 12th century A.D. Reigning supreme during the late classical period on the sub-continent, the ruling dynasty, at its peak covered major portions of present day India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh. This empire was named "Pala" after the name of the royal family in power, who had "Pala" as suffixes to the name. This word from the ancient language of Prakrit translates to "protector". The kingdom started with the election of Gopala as the emperor of Gauda in 750 A.D.
They were known to be amazing diplomats and geniuses in military tactics. They were also known for their all-powerful elephant cavalry. Primarily, followers of Buddhism, they promoted classical Indian philosophy, literature, painting and sculpture. They also went on to build grand monasteries and temples like the Somapura Mahavihara and supported the great universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila.
(Terracotta panels running through the platform of the temples gives a glimpse into the mind of a medieval ordinary artisans and day to day lives of the people)
It was during the reign of Devapala and Dharmpala that the practice of making a fool of a close friend came into practice. They brothers ruled their empire (it was at its peak then) with an efficiency that rivalled the Roman Empire. They were known to be very just and loved by the public. Having divided the kingdom into the northern and southern frontiers, they used similar governing techniques and visited each other on alternate months to share their knowledge and exchange gifts.
The story goes as such that, during one such visit, Devapala the elder brother, had promised his younger sibling the best of sweetmeats that the North had to offer. Dharmapala was known to have a sweet tooth, so he waited with baited breath as the day of his brother's arrival approached. When Devapala finally arrived at his palace, Dharmapala at once demanded that he be given his present that was promised to him. Devapala laughed and after a little formality, brandished a golden box that had the family crest on the top, made up of precious stones of various sizes and colours. Being the ruler of one-half of such a vast empire, mere gold and jewels did not impress Dharmapala. But when he opened the box, he was rather happy. But that happiness was short-lived.
Dharmapala took the biggest piece he could find and stuffed it into his face. And instantly regretted the decision. He immediately spat out the pseudo-sweet much to the delight of his elder brother who was laughing uncontrollably. Turns out the sweetmeats were made entirely out of coloured salt. This didn't spark a feud, as they were very close, however, it did start a chain of pranks that the brothers would partake in during their visits to each other.
(Spacious Living quarters surrounded the main temple/stupa and housed monks/students and teachers.)
This trend slowly caught on with their courtiers and with the upper-class administration and then eventually spread across their kingdoms. To celebrate their bond with each other with a little bit of fire mixed in, they called for one day in the year to be dedicated to a little bit of harmless fun. शरारत दिन. A day of playful naughtiness is what they called it. It was a day in the Pala Empire when friends played harmless pranks on each other with they only intention being to strengthen their bonds of love.
However, this trend more or less died with their empire, when the Sena Dynasty came into power during the 12th century. India is a country that is known to be playful, having some of the most amazing festivals in the world and not to mention the most number of public holidays in a calendar year. With days like Holi, when we say "Bura Namano, Holi Hain!" while we attack unsuspecting people with colours and water-balloon canons, it's easy to picture people running around with mischievous grins during the rule of the Pala Empire, saying "Bura Namano, Shararat Din hain!". Well, they'd say in Prakrit or Sanskrit or whatever was the local language, of course.
Few pics below to show their grandeur
Isn't it amazing
Graphical reconstruction of Somapura Mahavihara
Also compare it with Scenic temples of Bagan in neighbouring Myanmyar. They show strong influence of Pala architectural style from Eastern India.
Basically This is how Somapura and other Mahaviharas would have also looked like once upon a time.. before It was deserted in late 12th c. CE after repeated Islamic invasions.
Vikramshila Mahavira
Named after the Pala king Dharmapala who bore an epithet of Vikramshila and established this Mahavihara.
Religion
All Pala kings were zealous Buddhists. They were liberal with their support to numerous monastic communities and for the upkeep of monasteries with patronage of the learned teachers heading them. Dharmapala reformed the religion although over the years his successors moved towards the Tantric form of Buddhist worship. By the middle years of the Pala rule the practice of Buddhism in Bengal was far removed from the one propagated by its originator, the ‘Enlightened One’. It had moved to a completely different space, with no connection to the original concept. The original version relied on a rationalisation of the human condition and was based on the observance of a code of ethics, which was considered inviolate. The trappings associated with conventional religion, its rituals and deities, were anathema and completely ignored. This idealistic situation could not endure for long and over a period of time Buddhism succumbed to the practices of the orthodox religion from which it was trying to separate.
A vAyu from the ruins of the somapura temple in Praharpur in E.Bengal.
By the time the Pala dynasty reached the zenith of its power, the Buddhist icons were indistinguishable from the Hindu idols. Buddhist religious practice had by now acquired all that was shunned by the Buddha himself and was far removed from the ‘Middle Way’ that he had preached. In Bengal it also came under Tantric influence. The Tantras originate from a collection of esoteric texts of unknown origin that elaborate and describe difficult practices, which provided the practitioner a chance to commune with divinity and to assume supernatural powers. Its rituals and disciplines are complex and secret. The practice of Tantric rites consist mainly of mantras (repetitive formulae); yantras (mystical designs); and mudras (finger postures).
The shift towards a Tantric-influenced worship in the Buddhist religion compromised whatever was appealing in the practice of that religion for the lay person. This proved to be counter-productive for the popularity of Buddhism in the long-term. Over a period of time it became difficult for the common man to differentiate between orthodox Hindu practices and that of the evolving Buddhism, directly contributing to the decline and eclipse of the religion in its last bastion in India.
Its institutional structure included Adhyaksha, 6 Dwarpanditas, Mahapandita, 108 Pandita, 160 Upadhyayas and >1000 Bhikshus/students
Just Like Somapura, beautiful terracotta panels surrounded the entire platform of central stupa/temple of Vikramshila
Tibetan sources mention that during their last days,
In anticipation of Jihadi invasion Vikramshila along with Odantpuri was heavily fortified by the military of Sena rulers. It none the less failed to stop the Jihadi onslaught & ultimate destruction of those Mahaviharas.
For
Vikramshila museum being visited by then President of India (along with future president of India)
Nothing is hidden. Defaced and mutilated sculptures recovered from Vikramshila are staring us in the eyes. But well when one wears the glasses of secularism...
Jaggadala Mahavira
Other two great universities Jagaddala & Odantapuri are still mostly buried beneath the earth and waiting archaeological excavations.
Jagaddala Mahavihara (fl. late 11th century - mid-12th century) was a Buddhist monastery and seat of learning in Varendra, a geographical unit in present north Bengal. It was founded by the later kings of the Pāla dynasty, probably Ramapala (c. 1077-1120), most likely at a site near the present village of Jagdal in Dhamoirhat Upazila in the north-west Bangladesh on the border with India, near Paharapur. Some texts also spell the name Jaggadala.
Odantapuri Mahavira
Together with nalanda these five great Mahaviharas/universities formed a circuit of educational institutes with high degree of coordination and state control and the far spread acclaim.
In 1027 CE the Muslim invaders sacked & destroyed Jagaddala.
Maluti 108 Ancient Pala Temples
Maluti, a small village located on the border of Jharkhand and Bengal, is famous for it 108 ancient temples. The temples, made of terracotta, have great historical and religious significance, and contain Pala structures that have helped date the site archaeologically. The Kings of the Pala dynasty were devotees of the goddess Mowlakshi, and there are also temples devoted to the gods Shiva, Durga, Kali, and Vishnu.Today, only 72 temples remain intact, but they offer a unique economic opportunity to the village of Maluti.
CHAUSATH YOGINI TEMPLE
According to an inscription,It was built by Emperor DevaPala of the Pala Empire of North India in 9th century.
Chausath Yogini Temple, Mitavli, one of the rarest of Hindu temples in India. Its plan is circular and it is dedicated to the Tantric sect of Chausath Yogini. Most of the Hindu temples are based on square or rectangular plan. Circular temples are very rare. It is said that the design of Indian Parliament is inspired by this temple in Morena. It is also a very rare temple as there are only about a half a dozen Chausath Yogini temples in India. A Yogini in Tantra means a practitioner of Yoga, who has controlled her desires and reached a higher stage. They are related to the Matrikas and are basically various manifestations of the Divine Durga. This association with various forms of Durga gave rise to the cult of Chausath (64) Yoginis over time. The Chausath Yogini temple of Morena has an outer circle of 64 subsidiary shrines of Shiva with a central shrine of the Yogini.
The 'Hedges Vishnu' in the Ashmolean Museum, University of Oxford - acquired in 1686, it is the oldest (by date of accession) Indian art object in a Western collection.
Pala Empire, 800-1100CE.
The two female figures are Lakshmi & Saraswati & Avataras in the Prabha
They were not only the great centers of education but also centers of art and culture.
A terrific 900 yr old murthi of Goddess Chamunda belonging to Pala empire who ruled over Bengal & Bihar. Notice the Mundamala & the Scorpion on the torso. At the very base r depicted asuras Chanda & Munda in a decapitated form.
Smuggled away at @ LACMA (Los Angeles county museum of Art)
Intricately carved stone sculptures adorned their walls and Temple.
On side note: Look at the Pancharatna Stupa/Temple model of Mahavihara type on the last sculpture.
Their libraries were filled with beautifully painted hand written manuscripts written on diverse variety of subjects.
This Very rare 1200 years old superbly painted Pala Empire period manuscript, probably frm Nalanda itself which has survived in complete condition for 1000 of years!
Close up of a portion of the wooden cover of same manuscript to give further idea about its rich painting style of Medieval Eastern India
According to colophon it was donated by the mother of some great Pandita Ashoka during the reign of Surapala (last part of 11th century). This richly illustrated manuscript survived bcz prob. somehow it escaped destruction of Nalanda & managed to reach a Tibetan monastery. It is one of the rare illustrated manuscript from Pala period which have survived till present without much damage. Rare it may be, it still provides ample glimpse into the great libraries of Nalanda & other centres that were once adorned with 1000s of such manuscripts.
Beautiful bronze murtis were subject of devotion of studious yet pious monks...
Unfortunately all of these vanished in Jihadi invasions. But all was not lost. With the barbaric destruction of those Mahaviharas monks fled to the safe places like Nepal, Tibet and East India and along with it brought Buddhism, Indian art and culture to those regions.
For eg look at this 17th century bronze from China and Compare it with one from Bihar from above pic. Such striking resemblance even after >500 years!
Via Nepal & Tibet Pala art reached all the way to Chinese imperial courts even though it vanished in its homeland!
Greater Hindustan is neglected in the secondary literature. They have not looked at it. Pataliputra under the Pala Empire (until 1070) must be examined. After them: the 12th cent Muslim invasions. By 1300 Delhi was the biggest city in the Islamic east, acc to the credible Ibn Battuta.
Civilization had fallen but it soul remained alive!
Past can't be revived but lets at least remember that glorious past and strive to reach to the same heights of excellence in future. Lets these ruins be inspirations for us and may we achieve same excellence in education again!
Conclusion—The Importance of the Palas
At the height of their power, the Palas controlled a wide realm and enjoyed extensive influence across entire North India. As the predominant dynasty of the time, they were able to assert the right to reorder the affairs of North India to their own advantage. Bengal was no more at the periphery of Indian polity, but the core of politico-economic and military strength. Throughout their rule they held Magadha and Mungir (almost the entire Bihar), although Magadha was annexed by the Gurjara-Pratihara king, Mahendrapala, for a few years. The century between 780-890, which coincides with the combined rule of Dharmapala and Devapala, can be correctly assumed to be the most prosperous and greatest years of the Pala rule. The century is known for its marked intellectual and artistic activities and achievements.
This period saw the flourishing of two artists—Dhiman and his son Bitpalo (also called Vitapala)—who were painters, sculptors and bronze-founders of great repute. Some of their work is still extant and they are studied as two separate schools of Indian art in today’s contemporary art scenario. During the same period, Bhavadeva an exponent of the Brahmavidya system of philosophy, practiced and taught in the capital. Also, Madhava a well-known physician, produced commentaries on the tomes of Charaka (a great physician who lived around 175 B.C) and Susruta (considered the greatest surgeon of ancient time, who lived around 6th century B.C.). Unfortunately no buildings of the Palas survive for posterity, although a number of great tanks that the dynasty built in different towns in the central districts of the kingdom bear testimony to the involvement of the kings in projects of public benefit.
The Palas remain one of the most remarkable dynasties to have ruled a large Empire in India being the only royal line other than the Chalukyas to have reigned for nearly five centuries. Irrespective of the fact that there were two minor interludes when the Kambojas invaded in the 10th century and thereafter when the Kaivarta’s usurped power in the 11th century for a limited period, the Palas were at one time the foremost imperial power of medieval India. Although these two episodes of brief loss of power and kingdom were of minor importance in their immediate aftermath, they diluted the strength of the dynasty and also demonstrated to the feudatories that the great Palas could be defeated. The perception of Pala invincibility, which was one of the pillars of their dynastic strength, was removed.
Like every other dynasty in Indian history, and even in world history, the Palas vanished from the scene not in a blaze of glory, but in a rather timid manner, gradually becoming irrelevant to the broader political developments, holding on to an ever-decreasing geographical territory, becoming targets of rising and ambitious kings in the neighbourhood, and finally becoming a memory amongst the people. The golden days are remembered in folklore and song as are the faults and foibles of the lesser capable kings. This is the eternal law of the world as it moves on inexorably.