Ancient Indian Education (Brahmanical and Buddhist) c32.s1.20

c32.s1.20

Next followed the benefactions of the Pāla kings of Bengal. The name Dharmapāladeva occurs on a copper plate found at Nālandā bearing a defaced inscription [*Arch. S. R.*, 1926–7]. A number of metallic figures refers to King Devapāla [ib.]. Then there are two Inscriptions, one of which, as related below, refers to the construction at Nālandā of a Vihāra by Bālaputradeva, King of Suvarṇadvīpa (Sumātra), and the grant by King Devapāladeva of Bengal of five villages for the maintenance of this monastery at his request conveyed to the Pāla king by his ambassador named Balavarmman [*Ep. Ind.*, xvii, 310–327]. The other Inscription, called the Ghosrawa Inscription, relates how Devapāla favoured a Nālandā scholar named Vīradeva who was afterwards elected by the Assembly of Monks as the Head of the Vihāra [*Ind. Ant.*, xvii, 311]. Again, a figure of Goddess Vāgīśvarī bears an inscription which mentions King Gopāla II [*JASB.*, NS., iv, 105]. A Nālandā scholar named NĀLĀNDA No. 2.—A Stone Temple showing decorative store plinth.