Gopala dynasty

The Gopala dynasty (also known as Cowherd dynasty)^[1] was a first dynasty of Nepal founded by Ahirs in the Kathmandu valley.^[2][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
• Dynasties of Ahirs