The long reign of the Palas form a glorious period in the history of ancient Bengal. The dynasty ruled for about four hundred years, a rarity in the chronicles of dynastic history. The achievements of Bengal during this long period are indeed the glories of the Palas. In the period of ascendancy the Pala empire witnessed widespread extension. In the beginning of the ninth century the Palas succeeded in spreading their suzerainty upto Kanauj. Bengal became a prosperous land with organized administrative system, ruling policy oriented towards welfare of the people etc. that is evident from the prosperous social and the economic life of the people in the Pala period.

Social Life of the Palas- The prosperous social life during the Palas was dominated by the religious toleration and emergence of feudalism. Simple living was the basic rule in the Pala society. Under the Pala supremacy the status of the Vedic Brahmanas declined in the society. However as a whole the peaceful social life was the significant feature of the Pala period.

Economic life of the Palas- The economy of the Palas was essentially a feudal economy. With the considerable decline of trade, the agro economy flourished. Apart from the agriculture minerals also played an important part in the economic prosperity of the Pala period. Bengal witnessed extensive material prosperity under the Palas.