Mahipala
Pala emperor from 978 to 1026
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Mahipala (r. 978–1026), also known as Mahipala I, was the Pala emperor from 978 until his death in 1026. He was the son and successor of Vigrahapala II. Mahipala's reign marked a resurgence in fortunes for the Pala empire, whose boundaries were expanded as far as Varanasi. However, his rule was temporarily hampered by the northern expedition of the Chola Emperor, Rajendra I.[3][4]
| Mahipala | |
|---|---|
Gold coin of the Pala Empire, Mahipala I and later. c. 988–1161. | |
| Pala Emperor | |
| Reign | 978–1026[1] |
| Predecessor | Vigrahapala II |
| Successor | Nayapala |
| Died | 1026 |
| Issue | Nayapala |
| Dynasty | Pala |
| Father | Vigrahapala II |
| Religion | Shaivism[2] |
Biography
The Palas continued to patronise Shaivism, and epigraphic evidence suggests that Mahipala I and Nayapala were initiated as Shaivites by their royal preceptors. Vigrahapala III's Amagachi inscription describes him as "devoted to Śiva worship", and this tradition continued under his successor Ramapala. Poet Sandhyakar Nandi describes Ramapala's son Madanapala as a devotee of Shiva.[5]
