The Foundation of Muslim Rule in India: A History of the Establishment and Progress of the Turkish Sultanate of Delhi, 1206–1290 A.D. c6.s6.17

c6.s6.17

Ballalasena (1159-1170) and his son Lakshmana, the Rai Lakhmania of the Persian writers, (1170-1206) not only maintained their hold on Mithila but also appear to have advanced westwards². The Palas lingered somehow near Gaya where an inscription of a prince, presumably of this dynasty, named Govindapala, is dated in his 14th regnal year, which some scholars equate with V.S. 1238/1175 A.D.³ Another prince, named Palapala, is also mentioned in the inscription of an image dedicated in his 35th regnal year⁴. For all practical purposes, however, the Palas ceased to exist in Bihar, the greater part of which passed under the Gahdvalas. By the end of the century Pala rule, if it existed at all, must have been confined to what is now Bihar district within which was situated the monastic university town (*vihar*) of Uddandapur (Odantapuri).