Who is called the second founder of Pala dynasty?

Question

Question

Answer 1

The correct answer is Mahipala.

Pala Dynasty ruled Bengal and Bihar for about four centuries from the middle of the 8th century AD.
After the death of Devapala ended the period of ascendancy and a period of stagnation followed which gradually led to decline and disintegration until Mahipala rejuvenated the rule of the dynasty.
Mahipala is called second founder as he was able to recover the lost territories of his predecessors and checked the disintegration of the empire.

Important Points

Gopala introduced peace in the kingdom and laid the foundation for the Pala dynasty.
- He was the first independent Buddhist king of Bengal and came to power in 750 in Gaur by democratic election.
Dharmapala became ruler after Gopala in about A.D. 780. He undertakes the expansion of his empire.
- Dharmapala defeated Indrayudha, the king of Kanauj, and installed his nominee Chakrayudha to the throne of Kanauj.
- Rashtrakuta king, Dhruva defeated Dharmapala near Monghyr (Bihar) in a battle.
After Dharmapala, his son Devapala became the ruler. He was the mightiest Pala king.
- He conquered – Pragjotishpur (Assam) and Utkala (Odisha).

Additional Information

Dharmapala founded the famous Buddhist monastery at Vikramashila. It became eminent as Nalanda.
The Palas were followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism.