Gopala Dynasty

Gopala Dynasty (Gopal Bansha) was a first dynasty of Nepal founded by Gopa (caste), Gopa (Yadava) in the Kathmandu Valley. The Lunar dynasty is the origin of the Gopala. The Kings of Gopala Bansha ruled over Nepal for 505 years. It was replaced by rulers of Mahisapala dynasty. Both the Krishna and Mahisapalas have connections to the Gopalas.

There were eight kings of this dynasty Bhuktaman was the first and Yaksha Gupta was the last king.

Origin and History

According to legendary accounts, the early dynasty of Nepal was the Gopala Dynasty established by Gopa (caste), Gopa, who presumably ruled for about five centuries. They are said to have been followed by the Mahisapala dynasty. The Gopalas and the Mahisapalas were together known as Abhiras.

Another belief was that ''Gopalvamsi'' and ''Mahispalvamsi'' belonged to the same dynasty and they were divided into two on the basis of their profession. Amarakosha gives Abhira as synonym for Gopa (caste), Gopa.

List of Rulers

The 8 rulers of the Gopala dynasty include :

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

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, Pashupatinath Temple.

The Kings of Gopala Dynasty were devotees of Lord Shiva.

See also

*Mahisapala dynasty
*Abhira-Gupta dynasty (Nepal)

References

Archaeology of Nepal
Dynasties of Nepal
Ancient Nepal
Former countries in South Asia
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