Latest / The Hidden History of Bengal: Kingdoms, Empires, and Revolution — Fexingo History
The Pala Empire Bengal's Buddhist Superpower
Long before the Mughals or the British, Bengal was the heart of a Buddhist empire that stretched across North India and influenced Southeast Asia. This episode explores the Pala Dynasty, which ruled from the 8th to 12th centuries, beginning with the remarkable election of their first king, Gopala. We trace the empire's expansion under Dharmapala and Devapala, who conquered Kannauj and Patna, and their patronage of the great university of Nalanda, which drew monks from Tibet, China, and beyond. We discuss how Pala rulers spread Mahayana Buddhism through trade and diplomacy, funding…
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