Subordinate rulers under the P–alas: Their diverse origins and shifting power relation with the king

Abstract

The political formation in early medieval North India was characterised by subordinate rulers who were indispensable components of a monarchical state of the period. Their agency and power relations with the kingship had critical bearings on the early medieval history of Bengal under the Pālas. The epigraphical sources and the Rāmacarita of Sandhyākaranandin show diverse origins of the subordinate rulers, who got the position through their association with the Pāla kings. The royal grants issued on their application show their attempts to enhance their local control and position by negotiation with the king. The Pāla kings got the upper hand in this negotiation by countering the attempts of subordinate rulers and strengthening the local control through new measures. Their success however brought out a conjuncture at which social contradictions and tensions exploded as the Kaivarta rebellion, which resulted in their heavy dependence on subordinate rulers.