Pala Empire
The Pala Empire was founded in the Gauda region during the rise of Gopala as king with the approval of an assembly of chieftains. The Pala Emperors carried the title "Lord of Gauda". The empire ruled for four centuries and its territory included large parts of northern India. According to historian D. C. Sicar, the term "Gauda" is an appropriate name for the Pala Empire itself. The Pala period saw the development of the Bengali language, script and other aspects of Bengali culture. Indeed, the term "Gaudiya" (of Gauda) became synonymous with Bengal and Bengalis.