Notes by Abhimanyu Kumar | B.Tech.
(CS), IIT Delhi | Rank 51, 68th BPSC
Pala Art and Architecture
PYQs
1. Give a description of the main features of Pala art in Bihar. (BPSC,
41st)
2. Critically examine the salient features of Pala Art. (BPSC, 43rd)
3. State the main features of Pala-architecture and sculpture. (BPSC,
43rd)
4. Discuss the features of Pala art and architecture and its relationship
with Buddhism. (BPSC, 65th)
Topics to cover
1. Features of Pala Art
2. Relationship with Buddhism
Quote
“Pala Art represents the height of Indian aesthetics and culture with its blend
of Buddhist and Hindu iconography and exquisite craftsmanship.” – Vidya
Dahejia, Art Historian
Historical Background
● Death of King Shashank (Gauda Dynasty) →
Anarchy in Bengal region.
● Chieftains elected Gopala as the ruler in ~750
CE → Pala dynasty established.
● Palas patronized Buddhism.
● Gopala (750-770 CE) → Dharmapala
(Tripartite struggle with Pratiharas and
Rashtrakutas) → Devapala (810 CE-850 CE)
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Notes by Abhimanyu Kumar | B.Tech. (CS), IIT Delhi | Rank 51, 68th BPSC
● Started declining after the reign of Ramapala and was replaced by the
Sena dynasty in 12th cen CE.
● Major source: Khalimpur Copper Plate Inscription by Dharmapala etc.
● Last great phase of Buddhism → After pala dynasty, Buddhism rapidly
declined in India.
Introduction to Pala Art
● Pala Art flourished between the 8th-12th cen CE under the Pala
dynasty in Bengal and Bihar.
● As the Palas were followers of Buddhism, their art was also heavily
influenced by it.
● It encompassed architecture, sculptures, and paintings, with a
focus on Buddhist themes.
Features of Pala Art
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Notes by Abhimanyu Kumar | B.Tech. (CS), IIT Delhi | Rank 51, 68th BPSC
1. Architecture
● Materials: mostly burnt bricks → lightweight structures but less
durability.
● Mahaviharas (monasteries):
○ Residential and educational
centers for monks
○ Rectangular in shape, with an
open courtyard in the middle.
○ Some were double storeyed e.g.
Vikramshila
○ Examples: Odantapuri
(Biharsharif, by Gopala),
Vikramshila (Bhagalpur, by
Dharmapala), Somapura
(Paharpur, by Dharmapala)
● Chaityas:
○ Buddhist temples with Bangla-style roofs
○ Inspired by stupas
● Temples:
○ Palas were Buddhist → But made many Hindu temples as well.
○ Built in Vanga Nagara style
○ E.g. Gufa Mandir (Kahalgaon, Bhagalpur), Vishnupad
Temple (Bodhgaya)
● Stupas:
○ Contained Buddha relics
○ Featured elements like anda harmika, pradakshina path, and
toranas.
2. Paintings
● Miniature/Manuscript Paintings:
○ Palas considered founders of Miniature form of painting → Pala
school of painting.
○ Medium: Palm leaves.
○ Miniature paintings on palm leaves used to illustrate
Buddhist texts (Mahayana and Vajrayana scriptures)
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Notes by Abhimanyu Kumar | B.Tech. (CS), IIT Delhi | Rank 51, 68th BPSC
○ Depicted scenes from Buddha’s life, Mahayana deities, and
Tantric themes.
○ Primary colors: Red, blue, black, and white.
○ Famous Works: Astasahasrika Prajnaparamita,
Panchraksh housed in Cambridge Museum.
○ Famous artists: Dhiman and Vitpala
○ Influenced painting traditions in Nepal, Tibet, and Java.
● Wall (Mural) Paintings:
○ On the walls of Mahaviharas, Chaityas, Temples etc.
○ Depicted animals, humans, flowers, and and Bodhisattvas.
○ Influenced by naturalistic themes of Ajanta and Bagh caves
paintings.
○ Example: Woman applying makeup at Sarai Sthal (Nalanda),
featuring a woman applying makeup.
3. Sculptures
● Bronze Sculptures:
○ Made using cire perdue/ lost wax technique
○ The backside of sculptures were plain and the front part was
ornamented.
○ Religious themes: Buddha, and Hindu gods and goddess
(Vishnu, Balram).
○ Found in Nalanda, crowned images of Buddha from Kurkihar
(Gaya), and Largest standing Buddha at Sultanganj.
○ Famous sculptors: Dhiman and Vithpal
○ Comparable to Chola Nataraja sculptures.
● Stone Sculptures:
○ Made from black basalt stones sourced from Munger and
Santhal Pargana.
○ Intricately ornamented, similar to bronze sculptures.
● Terracotta:
○ Decorative plaques used for walls and temples.
○ Depicted daily life scenes, along with Buddhist and Hindu
deities.
○ E.g. Terracotta art of Vikramshila Mahavihara and Paharpur.
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Notes by Abhimanyu Kumar | B.Tech. (CS), IIT Delhi | Rank 51, 68th BPSC
Relationship with Buddhism
As Pala rulers were devout Buddhists, their art and architecture was also
heavily influenced by it.
● Buddhist mahaviharas like Vikramshila, Odantapuri, Somapura were
built.
● Manuscript paintings like Prajnaparamita.
● Bronze sculptures of Buddha from Kurkihar.
● Chaityas and Stupas built on large scale.
● Syncretic Influence: Blending local motifs with Buddhist themes.
Emergence of Vajrayana school of Buddhism.
Critical Analysis
● Reliance on burnt bricks reduced structural longevity.
● Sculptures lacked attention to the rear detailing, focusing only on the
front.
● Excessive ornamentation obscured natural beauty.
● Predominantly focused on religious themes, with limited attention to
socio-political aspects.
Significance of Pala Art
● Represented the last great phase of Buddhism in India.
● Key Buddhist centers like Nalanda and Vikramshila became hubs
for art and learning.
● Promoted the internationalization of Buddhism, notably influencing
Java, Nepal, Tibet, and Sri Lanka.
● Marked the state patronage of Buddhism, which declined after the
fall of the Palas.
Conclusion
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Notes by Abhimanyu Kumar | B.Tech. (CS), IIT Delhi | Rank 51, 68th BPSC
● Pala Art represents a Golden Age of Bengal, blending architectural
brilliance, sculptural elegance, and pictorial excellence.
● Despite its decline with Buddhism, it left a lasting legacy, influencing
art across South and Southeast Asia.
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