Emergence of Bengal

2020-Session 02
1

Emergence of
Bengal
over the Period

BANGLADESH STUDIES Dr. Abdul Baqee

Human 1103 : Bangladesh Studies Part time Teacher
 Historical Chronicles of Ancient Bengal
GAPS AND LACKS
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 The absence of
historical chronicles
in ancient Bengal
can not be explained
by stating that later  In fact it was more than
invaders destroyed that…
them wholesale.  Are we interested to
preserve our own
history even today?
 Two Types of Sources
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Archaeological Sources
An archaeological site is a place (or
group of physical sites) in which
evidence of past activity is preserved.

Literary Sources
Literature (understood as printed texts) is one
kind of information source.
All literature is a kind of source for the
past to understand.
 Archaeological Sources
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 Due to lack of literary sources, archaeological sources

are vital for historians in reconstructing our ancient
history;
 Archaeological
sources include;  Terracotta
 Inscriptions  pottery and so on
 Ruins of Cities
 Monasteries
 Sculptures
 Archaeological Sources
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 Inscription have been

given the first place in  Inscriptions on
the list because they copper plate of
are on the whole the the royal court
most important and poets, archivists
trust worthy source of and genealogists
our knowledge. are piece of
historical writings.
 Archaeological Sources
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 A large number of
inscriptions are found.  The official records
 Mostly written in are mostly Prashasti
Sanskrit. of kings or land grants
 Deopara
 Such scripts are inscription is such
divided in two broad an example
categories; (appreciation of Raja Vijay Sen)

-- official and
-- private
 Archaeological Sources
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 Deopara  Copper plate and

inscription was in rare instances
written by court also found on
poet stone pillars.
Umapatidhara;
 Land grants

What does it tell us?

 Archaeological Sources
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 The Khalimpur* Copper * The poet Soddhala of Gujarat calls

Dharmapala Uttarapathasvamin (Lord of
Plate is another famous the North) for his power over North India.
* Khalimpur copper plate Umesh Chandra
inscription that tells us Batavyal
about several Pala such
as;
a) Devapala
b) Rampala
c) Dharmapala
a) Mahipala
 Archaeological Sources
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Coins  Coins usually provide

 Coins are considered very basic
as the symbol of information, such as
sovereignty. the name of a king,
place, date, religion,
relationship with
 Trade; basically other King/ emperor
economic history…
 Archaeological Sources
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Coins Punch Marked Coins

Cast Copper Coins

 Imitation Coins
 Ancient Bengal
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 Maurya Period (3rd Century  -- First urban settlement

BC)  -- Arthasastra of

 -- Mahasthangarh, Bogra Kautilya: fine cotton

-- Brahmi inscription suggests fabric
strong administration, relief  -- Thus famous muslin

of Dhaka in 16 th
system (distribution of paddy and
money) and 17th century
is datables to
Maurya period.
 Material Remains
12
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 It helps to  Material remains

understand everyday
life (mostly elite people?)
 Economic and
military strength of a
kingdom
 Religious belief
can be found in the
shape of the ruins
of ancient cities,
terracotta plaques,
sculptures and
articles of everyday
use.
 Material Remains
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Some archaeological
sites in Bangladesh are;
 Mahasthangarh

 Paharpur

 Mainamoti
 Written Sources
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 Literature Literatur;
 Overseas Account a) Vedas, Mahabharata
 Documents and Ramayana
b) Kautilya’s Arthasastro
c) Kalahan’s
Rajatarangini
 Arthashastra of Kautilya
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Written in 3rd century BC

Refers to the fine cotton

fabric of Vanga (south-
eastern Bengal); beauty of
women; and climate.
 How did we get the Name Bangladesh?
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Earliest References to

That’s all for the day

Bengal;
1. Bangladesh

2. Bangla

3. Bengal

4. Bengala Names of same geographical

5. Bangala location as of present
6. Vanga Bangladesh
7. Vangal