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The Pala-Tibetan War was the conflicts between the Pala Empire and the Tibetan Empire that occurred in the 8th and 9th centuries during the rule of Dharmapāla and Devapāla and the Tibetan rulers contemporary to them. The wars were fought in the area encompassing modern-day Nepal, Bengal, and Northern India.
| Pala Tibetan War | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Pala Empire |
 Tibetan Empire | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
|
Dharmapala Devapala |
Trisong Detsen Ralpacan | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| unknown | unknown | ||||||||
Background edit
The Tibetan records posit that the Tibetan emperors who coexisted with Dharmapāla, claim Dharmapāla to be subjugated by them, there is no historical evidence to support these assertions.[1][2][3]
Nepal has a tradition where Dharmapāla conquered the country which is linked to Tibetan claims.[4]Additionally, Dharmapāla's conquest of Nepal is also mentioned in Devapāla's inscription.[5]
According to the Monghyr Copper Plate of Devapāla, his arms reached the Vindhyas and Kambhoja (Tibet).[6]Devapāla is said to have reached Kambhoja country (Tibet) in his military campaign. Therefore, Devapāla came into conflict with the Tibetan Empire. There is nothing impossible because tibetan sources claim that their kings Khri-srong-lda-btsan and his son Mu-teg-btsan-po subdued India and forced dharmapāla to submit. Devapāla must have also come into a clash with them and defeated them.[7][8]
Dharmapala's Conflict with Tibetans edit
Campaigns against Tibetans in Kedarnath and Nepal edit
R.C. Majumdar mentions a tradition that indicates Dharmapāla capturing the throne of Nepal. At the time, Nepal was subjected to the Tibetan Empire. Furthermore, Dharmapāla's campaigns in the areas of Kedara (Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, India) and Nepal is linked to the aggressiveness of the Tibetans.[4]
The supremacy obtained by Dharmapāla have been the outcome of a series of victorious military campaigns. According to records, his army visited several holy places including Kedara and Gokarna during these campaigns.[9]
Dharmapāla's victory in his conquest of Nepal, as well as in the course of his successful campaigns in Nepal, are also supported by the munger inscription of Devapāla.[5]
Campaigns against Tibetans in Kira Pradesh (Himachal Pradesh) edit
Dharmapāla, or his famous son Devapāla, liberated the whole Himalayas from Tibetan rule. Dharmapāla had already driven the Tibetans away from Kira Pradesh (present-day Kangra and Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh, near Chandra-Bhaga and Nêyar country of Gadhwal) prior to this.[10]
Devapala's Conflict with Tibetans edit
War with Tibetan Empire edit
Devapāla is said to have reached the Kambhoja country (Tibet) in his military campaign. As a result, Devapāla came into conflict with the Tibetan Empire. There is nothing impossible as the Tibetan sources claim that their kings Khri-srong-lda-btsan and his son Mu-teg-btsan-po subdued India and forced Dharmapāla to submit. Therefore, Devapāla must have also clashed with and defeated the Tibetan kings.[8][7]
Invasion of Tibetan Principality edit
The Monghyr Copper Plate Grant seems to suggest that Devapāla conquered the Punjab region, but it's worth noting that it could be referring to his invasion of a Tibetan principality on the northern frontier of Bengal instead.[11]
Invasion of Nepal edit
Devapāla engaged in a clash with the Nepali monarch, who was most likely subservient to the Tibetan king at the time.[12]
Invasion of Himalayas edit
The inscription of Devapāla states that he liberated the entire Himalayas from the Tibetans. The Tibetan control of the Himalayas was lost during the period of 839-848 A.D. (During Devapāla's reign), as per the Chinese historical records.[10]
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Sengupta, Nitish K. (2011-07-19). Land of Two Rivers: A History of Bengal from the Mahabharata to Mujib. Penguin UK. p. 44. ISBN 9780143416784.
- ^ R. C. Majumdar (1971). History of Ancient Bengal (R. C. Majumdar). pp. 118–119.
- ^ Majumdar R.c. (1955). The Age Of Imperial Kanauj. pp. 52–58.
- ^ a b R. C. Majumdar (1971). History of Ancient Bengal (R. C. Majumdar). p. 181.
- ^ a b Jośī, Harirāma (1998). Pages of the Forgotten Past. Joshi Research Institute. p. 90.
- ^ Sinha, Bindeshwari Prasad (1977). Dynastic History Of Magadha. Abhinav Publications. p. 185. ISBN 978-81-7017-059-4.
- ^ a b Diwakar, R. R. (1958). Bihar through the ages. p. 312.
- ^ a b Sinha, Bindeshwari Prasad (1974). Comprehensive History Of Bihar Vol.1; Pt.2. pp. 252–253.
- ^ Others, Muzaffar H. Syed & (2022-02-20). History of Indian Nation : Ancient India. K.K. Publications. p. 283.
- ^ a b Ancient Nepal. The Department of Archaeology Number 176. 2005. p. 16.
- ^ Ganguly, Dilip Kumar (1994). Ancient India, History and Archaeology. Abhinav Publications. p. 47. ISBN 978-81-7017-304-5.
- ^ Seminar, Arunāchal Pradesh (India) Directorate of Research Silver Jubliee (1978). Research in Arunachal, 1951-1976: Proceedings of the Silver Jubilee Seminar, with Supplement. The Directorate. p. 35.
Notes edit
- History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 04, The Age Of Imperial Kanauj by R. C. Majumdar (1995)
- History of Ancient Bengal by R. C. Majumdar (1971)
- Ancient India, History and Archaeology By Dilip Kumar Ganguly (1994)
- Prehistoric Ancient And Hindu India by R.d. Banerji 1934
- Research in Arunachal, 1951-1976 By Arunāchal Pradesh (India). Directorate of Research. Silver Jubliee Seminar (1978)