North South University

Course: HIS101

Task: MID-1

Faculty: Prof. Dr. Ashit Boran Paul (ABP1)

Section: 09

Student Name: Saleh Mohammad Tarif

Student ID: 1912343630

Ans to Question 3: Evaluate Shashanka as the independent ruler of Bengal.
Shashangka is widely held as the first significant king of ancient Bengal. His reign is dated
approximately between 600-625 AD; information accumulated from two specific inscriptions
issued in his reign (8th and 10th years of his reign) and another undated. Furthermore, information
about Shashanka is also derived from copperplate of Madhavavarma, Madhuvon copper plates
and a few more. The seal matrix of Shri Mahasamnta Shashanka from Rohtasgarh and
recollection of Banbhatta and Chinese traveller Hiuen-Tsang also attributes to the memories and
recollections of Shashanka. Shanshanka rose to power after the decline of the Guptas.
The early life of Shashanka is shrouded in mystery, yet to be or never be discovered. However, it
is known that before becoming King, he was a chieftain of Rohtasgarh under the Karnasuvarna’s
Gauda King. Karnasuvarna later became the capital of Shashanka’s kingdom. A lot of tribal
power came into the light after the fall of Guptas. Seeing the Shashanka tried to expand his rule
into different parts of the then India. The first step to this was waging war against a Maukhari
king Grahavarman with his ally, Devagupta. In the follow slew of battles, Grahavarman was
killed by Devagupta, who was in turn killed by Rajyavardhana; the brother-in-law of
Grahavarman. Later on, Shashanka avenged his ally by defeating and killing Rajyayardhana.
Historians note that Shashanka actually killed Rajyavardana under the false pretense of civilities.
However, it stands to be mentioned the recollection of these accounts are gotten fron Banabhatta
and Hieun-Tsang; both patrons and admirers of Rajyavardana. Hence, the accounts are up for
speculation as because they are from biased subjects. However, the doubtful recollection goes as
such: Rajyavaradhana was lured into Shashanka’s grasp under the false pretense of negotiating
peace. The proceedings where such so that Shashanka apparently wanted to form a matrimonial
alliance with him; giving the hands of his own daughter in marriage to Rajyavardhana. However,
both Banabhatta and Hieun Tsang blames Shanshanka in the name of deceit but any other
contemporary evidence was not found. Hasravardhana’s Banshkhera copperplate provides a
little insight, on the whole matter; going on to recollecting the same events but only referring to
the person Rajyavaradna lost to as “an enemy”. As a result, it is not known with certainty
whether Shashanka is indeed the one to deal the blow.
After that, Harsavadharna, the younger brother of Rajyavardana, attempted to avenge his brother
with the help of his ally, Bhaskaravarman. Bhaskavaramn was the king of Kamarupa; a kingdom
lying on the east frontier of Shasanka’s kingdom. Banabhatta mentions that, Harsavardhana
entrusted Bhaskavarman to lead the army while he went to look for his widowed sister,
Rajyashri, in the forests of Vindhya. After finding his sister, Harsavardhana annexed his armies
with his allies and marched on towards Shashanka. Harsavardhana went on to become the ruler
of Kanauj with the consent of his sister. However, the result of Bhaskavarmans’s march in
unknow to this day. However, Shashanka continued his rule in the meantime, which included
northern Orissa and southern deltas of Bengal.
At the end of Harsavardhana’s rule the southeastern part of Bihar nad Orissa, which was under
Shashanka’s rule, came into his domain. At the same time, it is also depicted that Bshakavarman
conquered Karanasuvarna, the capital of Shashanka’s Gauda empire. However, it cannot be said
with certainty if the it was conquered after the rule of Shashanka or during his rule as the
recollections of Shashankha stops at this point and nothing more could be found on the pages of
history. It leaves a lot up-to speculation but the time of the events do converge, pointing towards
a few probable possibilities. However, there is story of a battle where Shashanka is defeated at
Pundravardhana at the hands of Harsavardhana, at the end of his 17-year-old rule. However, this
piece of information is derived from a Buddhist text of Aryamanjushrimulakpl. However, this is
not cross-referenced by any other contemporary accounts for which it is also up for speculation.
Harsavardhana, at first was a Shaiva in his early years but went on to become a great patron of
Buddhism. As a Buddhist, he started to convene great assemblies for the religions, which was
partaken by buddhist of all places; on of the most notable being Hien-Tsang. As both of them
were buddhist, Hiuen Tsang is believe to be greatly biased in his recollection of Harsavardhana
and Shashanka; going so much as to call Harsavardhana the natural born defeater of the enemy
of Buddhists. However, contradictings facts exist on Shashanka being against buddhism, as
Hiuen Tsang himself studied in a buddhist university in Nalinda and a considerable number
monasteries in Shashanka’s kingdom.

In it itself, the exact life and achievements of Shashanka are blurry when looking for a detailed
picture. However, the feats and accomplishments of Shashanka are clear; making him the first
and one of the most prominent kingly figures of our history.

Ans to Question-4:
Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah ruled from 1338 to 1349 AD. He had his capital in the historic city of
Sonargaon. The rule was initiated with the fall of the new Mamluq dynasty when Bengal came
under the wings of the Tughlaq sultan of Delhi.

Fakhruddin hails from Turkish origins; more specifically from the Qaraunah Turks. He was the
superintendent of the armory under the service of Bahram Khan, the Tughlaq governor of the
then Sonargaon. When Bahram khan passed away in 1337 AD; Fakhruddin suddenly had all the
power in his hand. At first, he assumed the governance of Sonargaon. However, later on the
following years he consolidated his position by announcing his sovereignty from the Tughlaq
sultanate of Delhi; making him the first independent sultan of Bengal. However, at first it will
not last.
However, in any emperor’s view, this was a preposterous and treacherous move. Immediately
after his announcement of sovereignty, under the command of Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq of
Delhi, Qadar Khan (governor of Lakhnauti), Izzaddin Yahya of Satgaon and Firuz Khan joined
forces and subsequently marched on towards Sonargaon. The allied forces defeated Fakhruddin
for which he was forced to withdraw from Sonargaon and took refuge on the other side of
Meghna river. Qadr Khan subsequently took control and governance of Sonargaon gained a large
number of elephants and treasures as pillage and loot. After the event, the rainy season set in
which prompted Qadr Khan to dismiss his allied troops and disperse the remainder of his main
troops on the basis of collecting revenues. However, Qadr khan was greedy, as because he
falsely stated to collect revenues for the sultanate of Delhi while also refusing to the share the
wealth and treasure after he got after capturing Sonargaon with his soldiers. In short, he failed to
keep a strengthened position in his rule but failing to keep a proper connection of the western
capital whereas as the same time dispersing his troops and garnering their dissatisfactions as
well. As a result, his hold became very vulnerable. Fakhruddin in the meanwhile was waiting for
the right moment. The rainy season and tropical heat of the east was new to Qadr Khan and his
soldiers but not new to Fakhruddin. As the monsoon set in, Fakhruddin made his move by his
naval prowess and quickly overpowered the land based troops of Qadr Khan. Victory was
already ensured, but the sly Fakhruddin wanted the most efficient method of for his victory.
Therefore, after gathering intelligence and understanding the dissatisfaction of Qadr Khan’s
troops he evolved a plan. He promised Qadr Khan’s troop a share of the treasure should they
swear allegiance to him and rise up against Qadr. Out of greed, the soldiers joined Fakhruddin
and rose against their master. Subsequently, Fakhruddin took over Sonargaon and Lakhnauti as
well in the absence of Qadr Khan. Izzuddin yahya was also defeated and killed by Fakhruddin
and Satgaon was taken in as well for looting and pillaging. However, he was unable to keep
Satgaon in his control. Later on, Fakhruddin went on to invade and conquer a part of Tripura,
areas in Comilla, Noakhali and Chittagong as well.

With all these conquests, Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah managed to annex the entirely of Bangla in
this kingdom. During the reign of Fakhruddin Mubarak Shah, Moroccan explorer Ibn Battuta
visited Bengal (1346). He has left a wonderful description of his presence in Bangalah, its
natural landscape, many elements of people's lives, and the country's prosperity. He displays
himself by endowing Fakhruddin with an exceptional personality that honors him as a renowned
king. Ibn Battuta describes Fakhruddin as the king of Bangalah, and his domain encompassed
Chittagong. We may assume that Bangalah's dominion encompassed almost all of eastern Bengal
and the eastern section of southern Bengal to estimate its extent.
Trade and relations with neighboring countries prospered with his reign as well. However, the
most notable thing of his rule is that region of the Bangalah was united under his dominion for
the first time in the pages of history. Therefore, he is regarded as the real founder of the
independent Sultanate of Bangladesh.