Shurapala I
Shurapala I (also spelt Surapala) was a 9th-century ruler of the Pala Empire, in the Bengal region of the Indian subcontinent. He was the fifth Pala emperor.
| Shurapala I | |
|---|---|
 Pala empire with neighbours | |
| Pala Emperor | |
| Reign | c. mid-9th century |
| Predecessor | Mahendrapala |
| Successor | Vigrahapala I |
| Dynasty | Pala |
| Father | Devapala |
| Mother | Mahata Devi |
Ancestry
Previously, the historians believed that Shurapala and Vigrahapala were the two names of the same person. However, the discovery of a copper plate in 1970 in the Mirzapur district conclusively established that these two were cousins. They either ruled simultaneously (perhaps over different territories) or in rapid succession.[1]:32–37 If they ruled in succession, it seems more likely that Shurapala preceded Vigrahapala, since Vigrahapala I and his descendants ruled in unbroken succession. Vigrahapala either dethroned Shurapala, or replaced him peacefully in absence of any direct heir to the throne.[2]
Earlier, it was believed that Shurapala and Vigrahapala succeeded Devapala. However, the discovery of a copper plate charter at Jagjivanpur indicates that Shurapala was preceded by Mahendrapala. Both were sons of Devapala and his queen Mahata.[3] According to the Jagjivanpur inscription Shurapala I was Mahendrapala's younger brother and royal envoy.[4]
Reign
Based on the different interpretations of the various epigraphs and historical records, the different historians estimate Shurapala's reign as follows:[1]:32–37
| Historian | Estimate of reign |
|---|---|
| RC Majumdar (1971) | 850-853 (along with Vigrahapala I) |
| AM Chowdhury (1967) | 861-866 (along with Vigrahapala I) |
| BP Sinha (1977) | 860-865 (along with Vigrahapala I) |
| DC Sircar (1975–76) | 850-858 |
References
- Susan L. Huntington (1 January 1984). The "Påala-Sena" Schools of Sculpture. Brill Archive. ISBN 90-04-06856-2.
- Dilip Kumar Ganguly (1 January 1994). Ancient India, History and Archaeology. Abhinav Publications. p. 29. ISBN 978-81-7017-304-5.
- Dimensions of Human Cultures in Central India: Professor S.K. Tiwari Felicitation Volume. Sarup & Sons. 2001. p. 239. ISBN 978-81-7625-186-0.
- Niharranjan Ray; Brajadulal Chattopadhyaya (1 January 2000). A Sourcebook of Indian Civilization. Orient Blackswan. pp. 621–623. ISBN 978-81-250-1871-1.
| Preceded by Mahendrapala |
Pala Emperor | Succeeded by Virgrahapala |