During the Early Medieval Period, a slew of kingdoms arose across India. In the north, there were the Palas, the Gurjara-Pratiharas, the Rajput kingdoms, and the Ghaznavids and Ghorids. The Rashtrakutas ruled the Deccan. In the south, the Pallavas, Pandyas, and Cholas grew up. North India The Palas The Palas ruled over Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Rulers: The dynasty's first ruler was Gopala. He and his son Dharmapala expanded and strengthened the kingdom. Dharmapala also pr