Ancient History of

Bangladesh
Part - Two
Gauda kingdom
Shashanka the first important king of ancient Bengal,
occupies a prominent place in the history of the
region. It is generally believed that he ruled
approximately between 600 AD and 625 AD, and two
dated inscriptions, issued in his 8th and 10th regnal
years from Midnapore, and another undated
inscription from Egra near Kharagpur have been
discovered. Besides Shashanka's subordinate king of
Ganjam (Orissa) Madhavavarma's copper plate (dated
619 AD), Harshavardhan's Banskhera and Madhuvan
copper plates and the Nidhanpur copper plate of the
Kamarupa king Bhaskara Varman contain information
about Shashanka. Besides, Shashanka issued gold
and silver coins. A number of independent rulers
flourished in Bengal in the intervening period between
the decline of the Guptas and the rise of Shashanka,
and their existence is known from a few inscriptions
and gold coins. Besides the seal-matrix of 'Shri
Mahasamanta Shashanka' from Rohtasgarh and the
contemporary literary accounts of Banabhatta and the
Chinese pilgrim HIUEN-TSANG and the Buddhist text
Aryamanjushrimulakalpa are important sources of
information.
In the light of what we know: during the beginning of
the 7th century, a Shaiva, Brahmin king of Gaur named
Shashanka started bringing large tracts of the lower
Gangetic plains under his control. He led military
campaigns against mighty kings and armies in every
direction and established his dominion over a
considerable part of the former Gupta Empire.
Very little information about the early life of Shashanka
is known. It appears that he ruled for some time as a
chieftain (mahasamanta) of Rohtasgarh under the
Gauda king of Karnasuvarna, who possibly belonged to
the family of the Maukharis. However, Jayanaga,
another king of Karnasuvarna, appears to be close to
the date of Shashanka. In fact, Karnasuvarna was the
capital of Shashanka and the famous metropolis was
situated near Chiruti railway station close to
RAJBARIDANGA (ie the site of Raktamrttika-
mahavihara or modern Rangamati) in Murshidabad
district, West Bengal.
Matsyanyayam
Sankskrit term Matsyanyayam refers to a condition when the law of
punishment is kept in abeyance, it gives rise to such disorder as is implied in
the proverb of fishes, ie, the larger fish swallows a smaller one, for in the
absence of magistrate, the strong will swallow the weak.
The death of Sasanka was followed by a period of anarchy and lawlessness.
For more than a century, roughly from 650 to 750 AD, the history of Gauda is
obscure in the extreme. The period was marked by political chaos and
confusion caused by the death of Harsavardhana (646 or 647 AD), the
usurpation of his kingdom by his ministers, and the adventures of the
Chinese envoy Wang-hiuen-tse were followed by the invasions of the
powerful king of Tibet, Srong-tsan-Gampo. In the second half of the seventh
century AD Bengal saw the emergence of two new lines of kings: the later
Guptas in Gauda and Magadha (western Bengal and southern Bihar) and
the khadgas in Vanga and Samatata (southern and southeastern Bengal).
Neither of these dynasties, however, appears to have succeeded in
establishing a strong rule in Bengal.
Rise of Palas
Pala Dynasty' ruled Bengal and Bihar for about four centuries
from the middle of the 8th century AD. Founded by GOPALA,
the rule of the dynasty underwent various variations and
lasted for eighteen generations of kings.
• Pala kings put an end to the 100 years disorder of
Matsyanyayam period.
• ‘Pala’ means protector.
• Ruled for 400 years! (Mid 8th-late 11th Century)
• Followers of Buddhism
Glories of the Palas' 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 annals of dynastic
history. The achievements of Bengal during this long period are
indeed the glories of the Palas. Widespread empire, organized
administrative system, ruling policy oriented towards welfare of
the people, unprecedented excellence in the field of arts and
cultivation of knowledge and literature all these are the
achievements and glories of the Pala dynasty.
 • Gopala
• Dharmapala
• Devpala
• Mahindrapala
Pala Dynasty • Rampala
• Madanpala, the last king of Pala Dynasty
 • First Buddhist king of Bengal.
• He was elected by the regional
Gopala chieftains. After hundred years of
anarchy and lawlessness in
Bengal.
Dharmapala • Conquered Kanuj but retained
its control for a very short
time.
• He revived the Nalanda
university by rendering the tax
of 200 nearby villages to the
institution.
• Established Vikramshila
University in Bhagalpur.
• Also founded Sompura
Monastery. These became the
centers for Buddhist
teachings.
 • Expanded the region to Assam and Orissa
after facing threats from Western bloc.
Devapala • Staunch Buddhist.
Mahindrapala

• The reign of Mahipala I brought back

vitality and vigor and gave a second
lease of life to the Pala Empire.
• He succeeded in bringing back the lost
territories in northern and western
Bengal and restored Pala dynastic rule
to a firmer footing.
• The weakness of Pala rule succeeded
in establishing an independent rule of
Kaivarta chief Divya in northern Bengal.
 • Ramapala, during his long reign of over 40 years, succeed in
retrieving the position of the dynasty by recapturing northern
Rampala Bengal and also extending his empire towards Orissa,
Kamaruap and Madhyadesha of northern India.
• He gave the decadent Pala power a new lease of life.
• Once he was gone the forces of disintegration and dissent set in,
which his successors could hardly cope with.
 Madanapala (reigned 1139 – 1161 CE) was the successor to
the King Gopala IV in the Bengal region of the Indian
subcontinent and eighteenth and final ruler of Pala lineage
reigning for 18 years.
Madanpala Madanapala began his reign gloriously, recapturing Mungyr from
the Gahadavala king. His inscription from Bihar sharif,
Jayanagar and Nongadh shows his control over South
Bihar. Madanapala is said to have destroyed or dethroned a king
named Govardhana, who was probably a regional king in East
Bengal. Vijaysena seized North Bengal from him some time after
his 8th regnal year.
Important Features
Administration
• Well-designed structure spanning from the
center to the rural areas prevailed during this
period.
• Long list of state officials have been found on
sources from Pala period
Religious Harmony
• Though most natives were Hindus, amicable
relation persisted between the Palas and their
subjects.
• Brahmin were posted in important position.
• Lands were granted for temples.
Spread of Buddhism
• This region became the hub
of Buddhist teaching.
• Many came from different
corners of the world.
• Buddhism spread to areas
like Myanmar, Indonesia, etc.
• Viharas or monasteries
became center of excellence.
• Nalanda university was
revived.
Flourishing of Arts and Culture
• This era is renowned for development of unique
styles in terracotta.
• These serve important sources of information.
• The architectural design of Sompura Vihar is a
testament to the height of architectural feat in
this period.
The brightest aspect of Pala glories was manifest in the
field of different arts. Distinctive achievements are seen in
the arts of architecture, terracotta, sculpture and painting.
The SOMAPURA MAHAVIHARA at PAHARPUR, a
creation of Dhamapala, proudly announces the excellence
of the architectural art achieved in the Pala period. It is the
largest Buddhist Vihara in the Indian subcontinent, and the
plan of its central shrine was evolved in Bengal. In the
Nalanda inscription of Vipulasrimitra it has been described
as jagatam netraikavishrama bhu (pleasing to the eyes of
the world). Experts believe that its architectural plan,
especially the gradually receding crucified plan of its
central shrine, had influenced the architecture of the
neighbouring countries like Myanmar and Indonesia. A few
Buddhist buildings in these countries, built in the 13th and
14 centuries, seem to have followed the Paharpur
example.
Proto-Bangla language was developed under Pala rule.
Atish Dipankar (980-1053)

It may rightly be said that the fame of Bengal spread in the then
Buddhist world for the cultivation of Buddhist religion and culture
and of other knowledge in the various centres that grew under the
patronage of the Pala rulers. Many scholars came to these centres
from far and wide. Devapala granted five villages at the request of
the Sailendra king of Java for the upkeepment of the matha
established at Nalanda for the scholars of that country. The
Buddhist Viharas in the Pala empire played a significant role in the
propagation of Buddhism in the neighbouring countries of Nepal,
Tibet and Sri Lanka. Buddhist pundits of Bengal contributed to the
spread of Buddhist culture; among them the name of ATISH
DIPANKAR SHRIJNAN stands out most prominently.
Atish Dipankar was appointed the Chancellor of Vikramashila
Mahavihara in Bhagalpur, Bihar.
In addition to that, he was in charge for 15 years of Odantapuri and
Dynastic
Trouble: Sapping
Power
• The period of stagnation that
followed the succession
problem continued for more
than a hundred years
covering the reigns of five
generations of kings.
• During the period the Pala
kings lacked energy and
vigor, hardly was there any
attempt at expansion, and
they were not powerful
enough to check invasions
from outside or uprising from
inside.
• For a time, Pala empire was
confined to parts of Bihar
only.
 Sena Dynasty
• Sena Dynasty ruled Bengal for little over a
century (c 1097-1225). The emergence of the
dynasty, who supplanted the Palas in Bengal
towards the close of the 11th century AD, is a very
important chapter in the history of ancient Bengal.
Taking advantage of the revolt of the
Samantachakra in the VARENDRA during the
reign of Mahipala II, VIJAYASENA, the founder of
the Sena dynasty, gradually consolidated his
position in Western Bengal and ultimately
assumed an independent position during the reign
of Madanapala. One important aspect of Sena
rule in Bengal is that the whole of Bengal was
brought under a single rule for the first time in its
history.
• The Senas originally belonged to the Karnata
Pradesh in South India, the Kanarese speaking
region in modern Mysore, Karnataka and Andhra
Pradesh of India, and they were Brahma-
Ksatriyas (those who were Brahmanas first and
Maharajas (Kings)

• 1070–1095 CE Samanta Sena

• 1095–1096 CE Hemanta Sena

• 1096–1159 CE Vijaya Sena

• 1159-1179 CE Ballala Sena

• 1179-1204 CE Lakshmana Sena

• 1204-1225 CE Vishvarupa Sena

• 1225–1230 CE Keshava Sena

• Surya Sena

• Narayana Sena

• Laksmana Sena ।।
Samanta • Samantasena, the head-garland of Brahma Ksatriyas proceeded
towards Rameshvara-Setubandha and subdued the wicked
Sena despoilers of the Laksmi of Karnata.
• Samantasena spent his early life in the Karnata country and held
some power.
• But in the last days he settled down on the bank of the Ganges.
• He came to Bengal in his old age and lived somewhere near in
the Ganges.
Hemanta Sena

• It may be that a Karnata official in the

service of the Pala empire gradually
acquired power to set up an independent
position
• The disruption of the Pala kingdom
following the revolt of Samantas probably
offered him an opportunity to carve out an
independent principality in Radha.
• Hementasena held the position of
feudatory chief in the Pala empire and
extended his support for the protection of
his overlord.
 • Vijaysena, son of Hemntasena, laid the foundation of the
independent rule of the Senas.
Vijaya Sena • It appears from his records that he inherited the position of a
subordinate rule under the Palas in the Radha area.
• Among the fourteen Samanta kings who helped Rampala in
his recovery of Varendra, there was one known as Vijayaraja
of Nidravali.
• He was perhaps identical with Vijaysena.
• Vijaysena obtained an independent position in Radha in
recognition of his help to Ramapala who fought against the
Kaivartas.
• He defeated the Palas and captured the throne of Gauda
afterwards.
• His queen Vilasadevi was princess of the Shura Dynasty.
• Vijaysena’s matrimonial relation with the Shura family
enabled him to establish his political power, Radha.
• Thus, by the middle of the 12th century AD Vijaysena
supplanted the Varmans, ousted the Palas and succeeded in
establishing the rule of his own dynasty over the whole of
Bengal.
• He had a long reign of 62 years (c. 1098-1160 AD).
Ballala Sena

• Vijayasena was succeeded by his son

Ballalasena.
• He had some military achievements to his credit.
• Ballalsena’s name is connected with the
introduction to the practice of Kulinism in Bengal.
• It is believed that Ballalasena with a view to
reorganizing the social system introduced the
system of Kulinism.
Kulinism

• Through this system the ranks were bestowed upon a very few in consideration for their sort of
nobility in the society known as Kulina.
• It is known that Kulinism was the strongest force among the Bengali Brahmins in the 18th and
19th centuries AD.
• Hence it is quite probable that the advocates of Kulinism tried to give a historical basis to it and
claimed its origin from the time of the Hindu king, Vallalasena.
• Brahmanas, belonging to various branches of Vedic school and performing religious rites, had
settled in large number all over Bengal.
• The power and position Brahmanass in the society grew considerably, and this was initially felt
necessary for the consideration of the power of the kings who came from outside Bengal.
• But the growth of Brahmanas at one stage became matters of a serious concern for the rulers.
• Hence, the promulgation of Kulinism may be considered a fine excuse for dividing the
Brahmanas
• In other words, this proved to be very effective method of wooing an influential section of
Brahmanical community to the side of royal power.
• In other words, this proved to be very effective method of wooing an influential section of
Brahmanical community to the side of royal power.
• The system of Kulinims led to the practice of polygamy and other controversial norms.
• The system lingered, diluted and distorted beyond recognition towards the 18th and 19th
centuries.
• It became a social malady.
Laksmana Sena
• Laxmanasena succeeded his father Ballalasena.
• It is evident from the records of his reign that before
he came to power, he defeated the king of Gauda and
Varanasi (Kasi) and made expeditions against
Kamarupa and Kalinga.
• Laxmanasena came to the throne at a fairly old age.
• His reign was famous for remarkable literary activities.
• He himself wrote many Sanskrit poems and complete
the Adbhutasagara, which was started by his father.
His court assembled of several renowned poets like
Jayadeva, the author Gitagovind; Sharana, Dhyoi, the
composer of Pavanduta and probably Govardhana.
• Laksamnsena was famous for his exceptional qualities
and proverbial generosity.
• Indeed, his generosity even attracted the attention of
Minhaj-us-Siraj, the author of the Tabaqat-i-Nasiri, who
designated him as the great Rae of Bengal and
compared him with Sultan Qutubuddin.

• However he became too weak to run the administration of

his empire towards the close of his reign.
• During this time there were signs of disruption and
disintegration within his empire.
• Contemporary epigraphic records refer to the emergence
of a number of independent chiefs in different parts of the
Sena kingdom which broke its solidarity and pave the
way of its decline.
• However, Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji, gave the final
blow to the Sena kingrom (1204 AD).
• After the death of Laksmanasena in 1206 AD, his two sons
Vishvarupasena and Keshavasena occupied the throne one
after the other. No detailed account of their reign is available. It
is evident from the epigraphic records that southern and eastern
parts of Bengal were under their domination for a period of
nearly twenty-five years. The plates of Vishvarupasena and
Keshavasena granted lands in the Vikramapura and Vanga
areas which bears clear testimony to their authority in that area
after the death of their father. It is learnt from Tabaqat-i-Nasiri
that the descendants of Laksmanasena ruled in Vanga at least
upto 1245 AD. But there is no evidence that the Senas ruled
Bengal after Keshavasena. In a Buddhist work, Pancharaksa,
the name of one Madhusena, who is given the title
Gaudeshvara is preserved. He was the last known ruler of
Bengal with the name-ending Sena. However, in the third
quarter of the 13th century AD, the Devas supplanted the Senas
from their hold over Vikramapura. By the end of the century
whole of Bengal came under the control of the Muslims.
• The rule of Senas in Bengal is usually connected with
the emergence of orthodox Hinduism in a Hindu-
Buddhist society which for long had enjoyed the
peaceful coexistence.
• The onslaught on the Buddhists in Bengal is believed
to have started in this period, which resulted in large
scale Buddhist migration to the neighboring countries.
• The Sena period witnessed the development of
Sanskrit literature.
• Vallalsena and Laxmanasena were royal authors of
Sanksrit texts.
• Sculptural art developed under the patronage of the
Sena kings and courtiers.
• However, Muhammad BAKHTIYAR KHALJI, gave the
final blow to the Sena kingdom (1204 AD).
Laksmanasena's presence in southeastern Bengal is,
however, proved by the epigraphic records.
Deva Dynasty
The Deva Dynasty was a Hindu dynasty of medieval Bengal that
ruled over eastern Bengal after the collapse of Sena Empire. The
capital of this dynasty was Bikrampur in present-day Munshiganj
District of Bangladesh. The inscriptional evidences show that his
kingdom was extended up to the present-day Comilla–Noakhali–
Chittagong region. A later ruler of the dynasty Ariraja-Danuja-
Madhava Dasharatha-Deva extended his kingdom to cover much
of East Bengal. The Deva dynasty endured after Muslim
conquests but eventually died out.
End of Part Two
Ancient History of Bangladesh

Department of Social Science

American International University-
Bangladesh