GED 281: Bangladesh Studies

Ancient Bengal
 Why we can not be sure of much of the history of Bengal:

We know that the history of Bengal by which we mean modern day

Bangladesh and west Bengal in India can be traced back more
than 2500 years.

We can not be sure much of its history until around the 4 th century
AD. Because:

 There were so few historical sources that survived.

 Before Gupta Empire more reliable written sources were not
available.
 After 4th century AD, Gupta began to rule India and more reliable
written sources became available.
 Before 4th century AD, historians tried to get a sense of what
happened from scanty references found mainly various religious
texts which were not intended to be accurate historians
documents.
 The Janapadas
In the earlier phase of the Bengal history, bengal was devded into six
territorial units. Each of them represented janapada ( human
settlement). The janapadas were:
1. Vanga: Vanga was the part of today’s 24 Pargana district of India and
Khulna division of Bangladesh.
2. Pundra: Pundra was situated in the district of Bogra and adjacent
areas. From the archaeological sources, it was known that the capital
of Pundra was the earliest urban center in Bangladesh.
3. Radha: Radha was also described as Rarha and Ladha. It included a
large part of the modern Indian state of West Bengal. This janapada
had important centers of trade, commerce and administration in the
ancient and medieval period.
4. Gauda: It included the North-West of Bhagirathi (Hughly) river and its
core area was Murshidabad. Gauda was the capital city of many
rulers of ancient and medieval Bengal.
 The Janapadas (Continued)
5. Samantata: It was established in the Meghna river vally. It appered to
have consisted of Comilla and Noakhali areas of Bangladesh and
some areas of Tripura in India.
6. Harikela: Harikela was identified as Chittagong and adjacent areas.
Ancient Bengal (Source: Banglapedia, Asiatic Society of bangladesh)
 Bengal during the Mauryan Empire 320-180 BC)

The first great and well organised empire of the subcontinent was the
Mauriyan Empire (320-180 BC). Mauriyan rule was established in
Bengal by emperor Asoka.

During the time of Mauriys, Bengal was devised into different

janapadas and the janapada were called the Pundra.
Mahasthangarh of Bogra was probably the provincial capital of the
region.
The western part of Bengal also achieved importance during the
Mauriyan period because vessels sailed from its port to Sri Lanka
and South-East Asia.

Buddhism arrived in Bengal during the Mauriyan era.

From Bengal, Mahina, the son of Asoka was one of the most famous
emperors of the ancient world and he carried Buddhism to Sri
Lanka.
Weaving:
Arthashastra of Kautilya ( written in 3rd century BC) says us that the
tradition of weaving fine cotton cloth in Bengal goes back as far as
the Mauriyan Period.
Arthashastra and even Greek and Latin writers mentioned that the fine
cotton fabric of Vanga (South eastern Bengal) was an important
item of trade throughout India.
 Bengal under the Guptas
Th period between Mauriyas and Guptas:

 We know little about the history of Bengal from the fall of Mauriyas (2nd
century BC) to the rise of the Guptas (4th century AD).
 In the first century AD, the Ariyans came to Bengal to conquer new lands
and to win prosperous trade. Bengal flourished a lot during this time.

 It is known from the accounts of Greek scholars, such as Ptolemy, that in

the first two centuries AD there was a powerful Bengal kingdom with its
capital at Gange, a great market town on the bank of the Ganges.
 There was a widespread trade among Bengal, China and other countries.

Independent States come under Gupta rule:

 On the eve of Gupta expansion under Samuidragupta (the greatest of the
Guptas, 4th century AD) Bengal remained divided into independent states.
 About the middle of the 4th century AD, independent states came under
Samudragupta rule.

 Samanta remained outside his empire but Gupta won the control over
Samanta at the end of 6th century Ad
 Several copper-plates of 5th century of Gupta emperors were founded in
northern Bengal. It proved that Gupta rule was well established in that
area.
 Bengal under the Guptas (continued)
The golden age:
 Bengal came under Gupta rule in 4th century AD. This period was
considered to be the golden age of Indian history.
 During this period, India was controlled by a strong central government.
It brought peace, prosperity and political stability
 This period was remarkable for its trade and commerce and Bengal
participated fully in trade and commerce.

 The discovery of large number of Gupta coins and ornaments proved

that there was economic prosperity under the Guptas.
 This period was also remarkable for religious toleration and coexistence
of religious beliefs.
 The Bengal style of sculptural art was also inspired in this period.
Gupta rule in Bengal weakened:
 Gupta rule weakened around 600 AD.
 Shashanka, a minor military officer of the guptas became the ruler of
Bengal and his rise marked a new era in Bengal.
========================================================
 Early Kingdoms in Bengal
1) The empire of Shashanka: Shashanka (600 AD-625AD) was the
first independent king in ancient Bengal. He was a local ruler to
establish the first Bengal kingdor. He also extended his political
influence.
 Extending Political influence:: Shashanka first established himself in
Gauda and made Kornosubora in Murshidabad his capital.
He extended his authority in Orissa and in Bihar.
The most important contribution of Shashanka was that he defended
independence of Gauda empire against powerful Indian adversary.
He was the fist king who competed with other states for the control of
Northern India.
 Religious controversy: Shashanka was the follower of Hinduism. His
main political enemy Harsavardana was Buddhist.
Some writers of that time wrote that Harsavardana was born to punish
Shashanka.
Evidences suggested that Shashanka did not persecute Buddhists.
 Early Kingdoms in Bengal (continued)

2) The Pala Dynasty:

Condition before Palas: disorder: After Shashanka’s death, there was no strong
ruler and just few kings could rule for more than a year. Foreign invaders
attacked Bengal. The state became lawless and disorder came for external
and internal forces.
Gopala, bringing an end to disorder : The period of disorder finally brought to
an end by Gopala (756-789 AD). Gopala established Pala dynasty and Pala
dynasty ruled Bengal for next 400 years.
During his rule of 25 years, he not only ended disorder but also he ran his rule
to such an extent that his son Dharmapala extended his policies.
Dharmapala (781-821 AD): the greatest ruler of Pala dynasty: Dharmapala was
the 2nd ruler of Pala dynasty. He increased his power in Bengal and also
extended his kingdom from Bengal to Bihar and in North Indian region
Kanauj.
He was Buddhist and founded the Vikramshila monastery (one of the most
important Buddhist seats).
He also followed the policy of religious tolerance and mutual coexistence in
different regions.
 Early Kingdoms in Bengal (continued)
Devapala (821-861 AD): Devapala was the 3rd ruler of Pala dynasty and the
son of Dharmapala. He made attempts to increase the influence of Bengal
and conquered a large area of Northern India, Orissa and Kamarupa.
Devapala followed Buddhism.
He also maintained friendly relation with the rulers of Buddhist kingdoms
of South East Asia.
Other pala Kings and collapse of the Pala empire: the period of Pala ended
after the death of Devapala. Other kings were king and fought against each
other. For the next hundred years Pala empire shrank in the face of foreign
attacks.
Mahapala I (995-1043 AD): He brought back vitality and gave life to the Pala
empire. He recaptured lost territories in Northern and western Bengal.
Mahipala was not succeeded by stung kings. After his death, foreign invasions
led to the breaking up of the empire into small pieces and internal disorder
rose.
Ramapala (1082-1124 AD): He recaptured the position of the dynasty by
capturing northern Bengal and extended the empire to Orissa, Kamarupa
and Madhyadesha of northern India.
He tried to establish peace and discipline in Bengal and built Ramavati as new
capital.
A series of weak kings were unable to prevent the collapse of Pala Dynasty.
 Early Kingdoms in Bengal (continued)

3) The Sena dynasty:

Samanta Sena was the founder of Sena dynasty. He settled in Radha on the
bank of Ganges.
Hemanta sena and Vijay Sena: the first rulers: Hemanta Sena ruled as a
feudal king under the pala emperor.
Vijay Sena (1098-1160 AD) also ruled as a feudal king under rampala.. He
also laid the foundtion of independent rule of the Senas. He also established
his own supremacy in north and north western Bengal.
Vallala Sena: Ending of Pala dynasty: Vijaysena was succeded by his son
vallala sena (1160-1178 AD). During his time, the last Pala rulers of
Magadha and Govindapala. He paled an important rolein the downfall of
Pala dynasty.
He was a great scholer and author. He wrote the Danasagara in 1168. In his
old age he gave his responsibility to his son and spent last dfays on the
bank of Ganges.
Lakshmana Sena: disintegration of the dynasty : He came to power in
1178 AD after his father. He was known as a great warrior and writing skill.
In his time, there was disruption and disintegration in his kingdom.
Many independent chiefs seized power and broke the solidarity. The sena
rule ended when bakhtiyar khalji defeated Sena at nadia in 1206 AD.
 Early Kingdoms in Bengal (continued)
4) The independent kingdoms of South East Bengal:
 The first half of 6th century, South Eastern Bengal saw the
establishment of independent kingdom of Vanga.
 In the 2nd half of 7th century, South eastern Bengal was controlled by
Khadga kings.
 South eastern Bengal emerged as a kingdom with strength under
the Deva dynasty in 8th century AD. The capital was Devaparvata.
The rulers of that time were Buddhists and contributed a lot to
establish Buddhist cultural center.

 In 9th century, South eastern Bengal was dominated by kingdom of

Harikela.The first ruler of this kingdom was Kanti Deva.
 In 10th century, The Chandras came to power and followed the
Harikela rulers. 5 generations of Chandra rulers ruled for next 150
years.
 In the 11th century, the Varman dynasty established independent
rule in South eastern bengal. Then 5 generations of the varmans
ruled for less than a century (1080-1150 AD).
Thank You