The Pāla Empire is an Indian imperial power, during the Classical period of India, that exists from 750–1174 CE.

It is ruled by a Buddhist dynasty from Bengal in the eastern region of the Indian subcontinent, all the rulers bearing names ending with the suffix Pala, which means protector.

The Palas are often described by opponents as the Lords of Gauda.

The Palas are followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism.

Gopala is the first ruler from the dynasty.

He comes to power in 750 in Gaur by a democratic election, an event recognized as one of the first democratic elections in South Asia since the time of the Mahā Janapadas.

He reigns from 750–770 and consolidates his position by extending his control over all of Bengal.

The Buddhist dynasty lasts for four centuries (750–1120 CE) and ushers in a period of stability and prosperity in Bengal.

They create many temples and works of art as well as support the Universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila.

Somapura Mahavihara, built by Dharmapala, is the greatest Buddhist Vihara in the Indian Subcontinent.The empire reaches its peak under Dharmapala and Devapala.

Dharmapala extends the empire into the northern parts of the Indian Subcontinent.

This triggers once again the power struggle for the control of the subcontinent.

Devapala, successor of Dharmapala, expands the empire to cover much of South Asia and beyond.

His empire stretches from Assam and Utkala in the east, Kamboja (modern day Afghanistan) in the northwest and Deccan in the south.

According to a Pala copperplate inscription Devapala exterminated the Utkalas, conquered the Pragjyotisha (Assam), shattered the pride of the Huna, and humbled the lords of Pratiharas, Gurjara and the Dravidas.The death of Devapala ends the period of ascendancy of the Pala Empire and several independent dynasties and kingdoms emerge during this time.

However, Mahipala I rejuvenates the reign of the Palas.

He recovers control over all of Bengal and expands the empire.

He survives the invasions of Rajendra Chola and the Chalukyas.

After Mahipala I, the Pala dynasty again sees a decline until Ramapala, the last great ruler of the dynasty, manages to retrieve the position of the dynasty to some extent.

He crushes the Varendra rebellion and extends his empire farther to Kamarupa, Odisha and Northern India.The Pala Empire can be considered as the golden era of Bengal.

Never have the Bengali people reached such height of power and glory to that extent.

Palas had seen the rise of Tantra and Vajrayana Buddhism and were responsible for the introduction of Mahayana Buddhism in Tibet, Bhutan and Myanmar.

The Palas had extensive trade as well as influence in south-east Asia.

This can be seen in the sculptures and architectural style of the Sailendra Empire (present-day Malaya, Java, Sumatra).

The empire gradually disintegratew by the 12th century after the death of Ramapala, meeting its final end in the defeat of Govindapala, the last Pala king, by Ballal Sena of the Sena dynasty in 1174.