Two Inscriptions of Gopala III of Bengal
Summary
The article discusses two inscriptions of Gopala III of the Pala dynasty of Bengal. The first is the Nimdighi (Ma'nda) stone inscription, which was obtained in 1911 and presented to the Indian Museum of Calcutta. Previous scholars, including Binodbehari Vidyavinod, R. D. Banerji, and R. G. Basak, attempted to decipher the inscription but largely failed due to its numerous mistakes. The author corrects the find-place, noting it was discovered at Nimdighi, ten miles west of Manda. The inscription commemorates the sacrifice of several heroes who fought and died for Gopala III at the Battle of Nimdighi. The author provides a corrected reading and translation, explaining that Gopala III gave up his life in a rash attempt to stem the tide of the Sena invasion led by Vijayasena. The second inscription is the Rajibpur inscribed image of Sadasiva, dated to the 14th regnal year of Gopala III. The author corrects minor errors in N. G. Majumdar's reading, translating the inscription as stating that the image of Sadasiva was consecrated by the minister Purusottama. The author uses these two inscriptions, along with the Gaya inscription of Govinda Pala and the Seka-subbodaya, to establish a chronology of the Pala dynasty. By calculating from the fixed points of Ramapala's death in 1120 A.D. and Govinda Pala's end of reign in 1161 A.D., the author concludes that the Battle of Nimdighi occurred around 1140 A.D., giving Gopala III a reign of at least 14 years. Would you like a summary of the next reasonably large segment of the original text?
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Conclusion
The two inscriptions of Gopala III of Bengal significantly clarify the historical trajectory of the declining Pala dynasty during a critical period of conflict with the rising Senas. The Nimdighi stone inscription, despite its textual errors, reveals that Gopala III died in a disastrous battle against Vijaya Sena’s forces, likely committing suicide in a final, desperate attempt to save his kingdom. It also records the heroic deaths of his loyal followers, Aida-deva and eight associates, whose memorial temple is described. Conversely, the Rajibpur image inscription demonstrates that Gopala III actually enjoyed a lengthy reign of at least fourteen years, directly contradicting earlier scholarly theories that he was a short-lived child king. By providing concrete evidence of his long rule and the specific circumstances of his death, these epigraphs offer vital chronological and historical data. They illuminate the political collapse of Pala dominance in Bengal around 1140 A.D., marking the definitive transition of power to the Senas.