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SEPTEMBER, 1909.]
THE PALA DYNASTY OF BENGAL.
THE PALA DYNASTY OF BENGAL.
BY VINCENT A. SMITH, M.A., I.C.S., RETD.
233
THANKS to the labours of the late Professor Kielhorn, whose sudden death is so deeply deplored,
I was able in the second edition of The Early History of India (pp. 367-70) to give an authentic outline of the history of the leading kings of the Påla dynasty from about A.D. 735 to 1193; and in J. R. A. S. 1909, when dealing in two articles with the Gurjaras of Râjputâna and Kanauj, to publish a Synchronistic Table showing the relation between the Pâlas and the contemporary dynasties. In the same articles (pp. 258-62) I worked out the history of Dharmapala so far as it touches on that of the Gurjaras. The publications cited, although giving the references needed to guide readers interested in pursuing the enquiry, could not provide a full treatment of the epigraphic evidence for the Påla history, which requires considerable space..
The present paper sets forth in detail all the Pala inscriptions known to me, and gives a trustworthy dynastic list, with the necessary justification of the entries. I had hoped to continue it with a complete discussion of Târanâth's evidence and everything else bearing on each reign, but various circumstances compel me to drop the pursuit of the subject for the present, and to content myself with offering a dry statement of the facts upon which the history of the Palas must be founded. It is clear that the beginning of the dynasty must be placed in the first half of the eighth century, and that sufficient fixed dates are known to reduce chronological uncertainties to moderate dimensions,
I abstain from discussing the views expressed by other students in various essays. The out line now presented rests upon a firm epigraphic foundation, and needs no controversial support. With this brief preface I submit:
I. List of the 35 inscriptions of the Pâla dynasty;
II.-Genealogy of the dynasty;
III.-Dynastic list; and
IV. Explanation of the reasons for inserting or omitting names.
Perhaps on another occasion I may be able to resume the investigation, and clothe these bare bones with some narrative flesh. The history of the Sênas, who succeeded the Pâlas, also needs elucidation; but that too must stand over for the present.
