Gopala dynasty

The Gopala dynasty (also known as Gupta dynasty) ^[1] was a first dynasty of Nepal founded by Gopas ^[2] or Ahirs in the Kathmandu valley. ^{[3] [4] [5]} The Lunar dynasty is the origin of the Gopala. ^[6] The Kings of Gopala Bansha ruled over Nepal for 505 years. It was replaced by rulers of Mahisapala dynasty. ^{[7] [8] [9]} Both the Krishna and Mahisapalas have connections to the Gopalas. ^[10]

Origin and history

According to legendary accounts, the early dynasty of Nepal was the Gopala dynasty established by Gopa, ^[11] who presumably ruled for about five centuries. ^[12] They are said to have been followed by the Mahisapala dynasty. ^{[13] [14] [15]} The Gopalas and the Mahisapalas were together known as Abhiras. ^[16]

Another belief was that Gopalvamsi and Mahispalvamsi belonged to the same dynasty and they were divided into two on the basis of their profession. ^{[17] [18]} Amarakosha gives Abhira as synonym for Gopa and Gopala. ^[19]

List of rulers

The 8 rulers of the Gopala dynasty (with their traditional reign lengths) were: ^{[20] [21]}

Monarchs of the Gopala dynasty

Name	Reign Length
Bhuktamana Gupta	88 years
Jaya Gupta	72 years
Parama Gupta	60 years
Harsha Gupta	93 years
Bhima Gupta	38 years
Mani Gupta	37 years
Vishnu Gupta	42 years
Yakchhya Gupta	71 years

Each ruler was the son of the previous one. ^[21]

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple

The rulers of Gopala dynasty were devotees of Lord Shiva. ^[22] They are credited with restoring the temple of the Vedic deity Pashupatinath on the volcanic mound in Nepal, where the famous Pashupatinath Temple now stands. ^{[23] [24]}

See also

• Mahisapala dynasty
• Abhira-Gupta dynasty (Nepal)
• Ahir
• Abhiras

References

1. Sangal, Naresh Chandra (1998). Glimpses of Nepal: A Brief Compilation of History, Culture, Language, Tradition, Religious Places, Festivals, Mountains, Revers, Safari Parks, Cities, Kathmandu University, and Other Important Informations for Holiday-makers. APH Publishing. p. 118. ISBN   978-81-7024-962-7.
2. Satyal, Yajna Raj (1988). Tourism in Nepal: A Profile. Nath Publishing House.
3. Majupuria, Trilok Chandra; Majupuria, Indra (1979). Peerless Nepal: Covering Broad Spectrum of the Nepalese Life in Its Right Perspective. M. Devi. p. 20. Gopalas or cowherd dynasty also flourished here who were known as ahirs, a race of shepherds. It is said that gopalas and ahirs ruled over Nepal from 4th century to the beginning of the 7th century.
4. Kerung, P. T. Sherpa; Höivik, Susan (2002). Nepal, the Living Heritage: Environment and Culture. Kathmandu Environmental Education Project.
5. Nepal: An Introduction to Nepalese Culture. Sahayogi Press. 1975.
6. Dangol, Sanu Bhai (1999). The Palace in Nepalese Politics: With Special Reference to the Politics of 1951 to 1990. Ratna Pustak Bhandar, 1999. p. 3. The cowherd (Gopala) dynasty, claiming descent from the moon is called either the Lunar (chandravamsi) or Ne Muni dynasty.
7. Different Aspects of Nepalese Way of Life. Nepal National Commission for UNESCO. 1973.
8. Jośī, Harirāma (1998). Pages of the Forgotten Past. Joshi Research Institute.
9. Hoefer, Hans Johannes (1984). Nepal. Apa Productions. ISBN   978-9971-925-70-3.
10. Nepalese Culture: Annual Journal of NeHCA, Volume 5. Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology Instruction Committee, Kirtipur Campus, T.U., 1985. 1985. p. 28. They were followed by the Mahisapalas or the Buffalo breeders. The Gopalas and Mahisapalas are together known, sometimes, as Abhiras. The Brahmanical version of the vamsavalis associates Gopalas with Krishna and the Nepali legendary sage called Ne or Nemi.
11. Satyal, Yajna Raj (1988). Tourism in Nepal: A Profile. Nath Publishing House.
12. Singh, G. P. (2008). Researches Into the History and Civilization of the Kirātas. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN   978-81-212-0281-7.
13. Sarkar, Jayanta; Ghosh, G. C. (2003). Populations of the SAARC Countries: Bio-cultural Perspectives. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. ISBN   978-81-207-2562-1.
14. Vajrācārya, Dhanavajra; Malla, Kamal Prakash (1985). The Gopālarājavaṃśāvalī. Franz Steiner Verlag. ISBN   978-3-515-04349-6.
15. Shaha, Rishikesh. Ancient and Medieval Nepal (1992), p. 7. Manohar Publications, New Delhi. ISBN   81-85425-69-8.
16. Nepalese Culture : Annual Journal of NeHCA. Nepalese History, Culture and Archaeology Instruction Committee, Kirtipur Campus, T.U. 1985.
17. Vajrācārya, Dhanavajra; Malla, Kamal Prakash (1985). The Gopālarājavaṃśāvalī. Franz Steiner Verlag. ISBN   978-3-515-04349-6.
18. Josephson, Richard (1988). Nepal Mandala. R. Josephson.
19. Enthoven, R.E. (1990). The Tribes and Castes of Bombay.
20. Kingdom of Nepal. Ministry of Information & Communication, Department of Information. 1999.
21. Wright, Daniel (1877). "History of Nepāl". Cambridge University Press. p. 108.
22. Bhattarai, Muralidhar (1960). Lectures on Nepal-culture. World Friendship Association] Vikram 2017.
23. Ḍhakāla, Bāburāma (2005). Empire of Corruption. Babu Ram Dhakal. ISBN   978-99946-33-91-3.
24. Khatri, Tek Bahadur (1973). The Postage Stamps of Nepal. Sharada Kumari K.C.