Gopala Dynasty

Gopala Dynasty (Nepali: गोपाल वंश) was a first dynasty of Nepal founded by a Gopa (Yadava) in the Kathmandu Valley.[1][2][3] The Lunar dynasty is the progenitor of the Gopalas.[4] The Kings of Gopala dynasty ruled over Nepal for 505 years. It was replaced by Mahisapala dynasty.[5][6][7] Both Krishna and Mahisapalas have connections to the Gopalas.[8] There were eight kings of this dynasty, Bhuktaman was the first and Yaksha Gupta was the last king.[9][10]

Origin and history[edit]

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.[19]

Rulers[edit]

The 8 rulers of the Gopala dynasty[20] include :

  • Bhuktamangupta
  • Jayagupta
  • Paramagupta
  • Harshagupta
  • Bhimagupta
  • Manigupta
  • Vishnugupta
  • Yakchhyagupta

Pashupatinath Temple[edit]

Pashupatinath Temple

The Kings of Gopala Dynasty are credited with the Temple restoration of Vedic Deity Pashupatinath on the Pashupatinath volcanic mound in Nepal, which became the location of the Pashupatinath Temple.[21]

The Kings of Gopala Dynasty were devotees of Lord Shiva.[22]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Satyal, Yajna Raj (1988). Tourism in Nepal: A Profile. Nath Publishing House.
  2. ^ Kerung, P. T. Sherpa; Höivik, Susan (2002). Nepal, the Living Heritage: Environment and Culture. Kathmandu Environmental Education Project.
  3. ^ Nepal: An Introduction to Nepalese Culture. Sahayogi Press. 1975.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ Different Aspects of Nepalese Way of Life. Nepal National Commission for UNESCO. 1973.
  6. ^ Jośī, Harirāma (1998). Pages of the Forgotten Past. Joshi Research Institute.
  7. ^ Hoefer, Hans Johannes (1984). Nepal. Apa Productions. ISBN 978-9971-925-70-3.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ Thapa, Netra Bahadur (1962). A Short History of Nepal. Kavita Shashi.
  10. ^ Nath, Lopita (2003). The Nepalis in Assam: Ethnicity and Cross Border Movements in the North-East. Minerva Associates (Publications). ISBN 978-81-7715-013-1.
  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. ^ Ḍhakāla, Bāburāma (2005). Empire of Corruption. Babu Ram Dhakal. ISBN 978-99946-33-91-3.
  22. ^ Bhattarai, Muralidhar (1960). Lectures on Nepal-culture. World Friendship Association] Vikram 2017.