Major ruling dynasties in northern India and

Bengal: early kingdoms, the Maurya, Gupta,

Pala, Rata, Chandra, Deva, Khadgda, Varman
and Sena dynasties.

Presented By
Prof. Dr. Ashit Boran Paul
Department of Archaeology
Jahangirnagar University
Savar, Dhaka – 1342.
❖ Paucity of sources: Vedic, Epic, Puranic literature and archaeological evidences:

Map of India during Guptas

❑ Paucity of sources: Vedic, Epic, Puranic literature and archaeological evidences:
❖ The reconstruction of the history of
Bengal of ancient period is difficult
due to paucity of sources. The
difficulty is felt more extremely for
the earlier period, down to the 4th
century ACE, when Bengal came
under the Imperial Guptas.
❖ From the Gupta period onwards, we
get written records in the form of
epigraphs and literature which
contain information on the history
of the region of Bengal.
Paucity of sources: Vedic, Epic, Puranic literature and archaeological evidences:
❑ Background
❖In the earliest period Bengal was known
to be inhabited by different groups of
people, whose names came to be
associated with the area inhabited by
them. Thus, the ancient Janapadas of
Vanga, Pundra, Radha and Gauda came
to be recognised as inhabited by non-
Aryan ethnic groups.

❖The name of this Janapada was purely descriptive and had

no ethnic connection. The existence of these Janapadas is
known from later Vedic literature, as areas inhabited by
non-Aryan people.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑Historic Period: Sources: Gangaridae Kingdom

❖ Greek and Latin sources (3rd
century BCE-1st century ACE) refer
to an eastern Indian nation/state
called Gangaridae (Greek) which
was very strong militarily.
Map of the Gangaridae Kingdom

❖ Scholars have located ‘Gangaridai’

in parts of southern and
southeastern Bengal, adjacent to
the mouths of the Ganges
(Bhagirathi and Padma).
 Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑ The Mahasthan Brahmi Inscription: Mauryan Period
❖ The Mahasthan Brahmi Inscription, found
in an excavated site of the old
Pundranagar, now represented by the
ruins at Mahasthan in Bogra district, bear
evidence to Maurya rule (3rd century
Map of the Bengal during the Mauryan Period BCE) in parts of Bengal.

❖ Archaeological excavations prove the

existence of this urban administrative
and cultural centre throughout the
ancient period, up to the 12th century
ACE.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑ Historic Period: Sources
❖ The Arthashastra of Kautilya
❖ The Arthashastra of Kautilya (3rd century BCE)
refers to the fine cotton fabric of Vanga (south-
eastern Bengal) as an important item of her
trade throughout India.

❖ It may also be mentioned here that the making

of terracotta plaques and pottery is also a very
old art tradition in Bengal.

❖ Terracotta plaques and pottery have been

found in the excavations at Pandu Rajar Dhibi,
which prove the antiquity of this art in Bengal.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑ Gupta Dynasty
❖ The history of Bengal from the fall
of the Mauryas (2nd century BCE) to
the rise of the Guptas (4th century
ACE) is unclear.
❖ The discovery of some beautiful
terracotta figurines at Mahasthan,
Tamralipti and Chandraketugarh,
datable in the 2nd and 1st centuries BCE,
proves that Bengal continued to flourish
in the Sunga and Kusana periods.
 Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑ Gupta Dynasty
❖ The period of the rule of the Guptas has
been regarded as one of the most glorious
periods of Indian history.

❖ After the fall of the Mauryan empire,

Kushanas certainly succeeded in providing
unity to a large part of the North-West
India and the Satvahanas in the South also
kept alive the ideal of big empire.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑ Gupta Dynasty
❖ Besides, economic prosperity and intellectual
progress were other important features of the Gupta
age which brought about progress in, science, arts,
religion and literature and ever other field of life.

❑ Features of this Period

❖ The revival of Hinduism, the spirit of religious
toleration, the growth of Sanskrit literature, fine
arts and science which all enriched the Indian
culture took place during this age.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

▪ Founder of the Gupta Dynasty

❑ Sri Gupta (240-280 ACE.) and Ghatotkacha Gupta (280-320 ACE.)
❖ The first ruler of the Gupta dynasty was Sri
Gupta (240-280 ACE.) who ruled over a minor
kingdom though he had assumed the title of
Maharaja.

❖ He was succeeded by his son Ghatotkacha

Gupta (280-320 ACE.) who was also titled
Maharaja. The foundation of the greatness of
this family was laid by its third ruler.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑ Chandra Gupta I (320-335 or 340 ACE.)
❖ Chandra Gupta I was the first
renowned ruler of the Gupta dynasty.
He assumed the title of
Maharajadhiraja.
❖ During his brief rule he succeeded in
raising the power and prestige of his
dynasty and, thus, he laid the
foundation of its greatness.
 Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑ Chandra Gupta I (320-335 or 340 ACE.)
❖ His successor Samudra Gupta was his son from
this princess. Special significance was attached
to his marriage with her.
❖ Gold coins were issued by him
which depicted the names and
figures of Chandra Gupta and
Kumaradevi on one side, and a
goddess seated on a lion with the
name of the Lichchhavis inscribed
Queen Kumaradevi and King Chandragupta I, depicted on a gold coin

by its side, on the other.

Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑ Chandra Gupta I (320-335 or 340 ACE.)

❖ Chandra Gupta’s empire included Bihar and
a part of Bengal and Uttar Pradesh as far as
Allahabad. It is also generally assumed that
the Gupta era which commenced on 26th
February 320 ACE. was found by Chandra
Gupta to commemorate his accession or
coronation.

❖ Another important work done by Chandra

Gupta was the nomination of his son
Samudra Gupta, as his successor, who was
not his eldest son but certainly the most
competent amongst them.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑ Samudragupta (4th century ACE)

❖ Samudra Gupta conquered the
territories of the rulers of the Ganges-
Yamuna-Doab (segment of the Indo-
Map of Ganges-Yamuna-Doab region
Gangetic Plain in western and
southwestern Uttar Pradesh state,
northeastern India) who had helped his
brother against him and tried to draw
advantage of the struggle between the
brothers.
❖ In the West, he seems to have advanced as far as the river
Chambal and the conquered territories included Uttar
Pradesh and portions of Central India and Bengal.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑ Samudragupta (4th century ACE)
❖ Samudra Gupta was a great
general and conqueror. He
created a big empire, assumed
the titles of Maharajadhiraja
and Vikramanka and
performed one or even more
Asvamedha sacrifices.

❖ His empire included almost the whole of

Northern India.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑ Samudragupta (4th century ACE)
❖ Samudra Gupta occupies a distinguished
place amongst the great rulers of India
and, more particularly so, amongst the
Gupta rulers. Therefore, he is regarded
as a born military genius and
Samudragupta inscriptions on Allahabad pillar commander.

❖ His successful military career was

primarily responsible for building up
that empire which reached its zenith
during the reign of his son, Chandra
Allahabad stone pillar inscription of Samudragupta Gupta II.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑ Samudragupta (4th century ACE)

❖ Samudra Gupta was a cultured man, an
efficient ruler and patron of art and literature.
Samudra Gupta not only protected his empire
from foreign enemies and maintained peace
within its frontiers but also helped in its
progress.

❖ Art and literature progressed during his time.

Harisena described him as a kind and
charitable ruler.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑ Samudragupta (4th century ACE)
❖ A type of coin depict the horse of
Asvamedha which proves not only his
faith in Brahamanic religion but also his
ambition of Digavijaya (wars for
conquests). Samudra Gupta possessed
not only a powerful army but also a
strong navy.

❖ Samudra Gupta was a cultured man, an

efficient ruler and patron of art and
literature.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑ Samudragupta (4th century ACE)

❖ Samudra Gupta not only protected his empire
from foreign enemies and maintained peace
within its frontiers but also helped in its
progress.

❖ Art and literature progressed during his time.

Harisena described him as a kind and
charitable ruler. He also restored the prestige
of Brahminic religion.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑ Samudragupta (4th century ACE)

❖ The all-round progress which ultimately gave
the Gupta age the title of ‘Golden age of
Ancient India’, really began with the period of
Samudra Gupta.

❖ Of course, his son, Chandra Gupta II was

largely responsible for this but whatever was
achieved during his age, a good beginning of all
that was already made by Samudra Gupta.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑Chandra Gupta II Vikramaditya (Nearly 380-413 or 415 A.D.)
❖ Chandra Gupta was the son of Samudra
Gupta born of his chief queen Dattadevi.

❖ Some scholars have identified him with

Chandra Gupta Vikraraditya of Ujjayini of
Indian legends whose court is said to have
been adorned by nine scholars
(Navaratna) of repute including Kalidasa.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑Chandra Gupta II (Nearly 380-413 or 415 ACE.)

❖ Chandra Gupta proved an ambitious and
capable ruler and a conqueror. He
extended his empire further both by
diplomacy and wars of conquest.

❖ His chief opponent was the Saka ruler of

Gujarat and Kathiawar.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑Chandra Gupta II (Nearly 380-413 or

415 ACE.)
❖ Chandra Gupta strengthened his
position by a policy of matrimonial
alliances with certain other rulurs
in India.

❖ He himself married a princess of

Naga family named Kuveranaga and
married his own daughter,
Prabhavati to Vakataka king
Rudrasena II.
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal
❑Chandra Gupta II (Nearly 380-413 or 415 ACE.)
❖ Chandra Gupta was successful as a
ruler and as an administrator. His
was a period of all-round
achievement in which he himself
largely participated.
The iron pillar of Delhi, which features an inscription of king Chandra, identified as Chandragupta II

❖ Religion, literature,
sciences, fine arts,
economic prosperity and the
rest developed in his age.
The inscription of king Chandra
Ancient Dynastic Rule in northern India and Bengal

❑Chandra Gupta II (Nearly 380-413 or 415 ACE.)

❖ All this made his period the most glorious
one amongst the Gupta rulers. Thus, the
work began Samudra Gupta was
successfully completed by his son,
Chandra Gupta.

❖ Samatata was outside his empire, but was

reduced to the status of a tributary state.
Bengal under Shashanka:
❑ Shashanka the king of Gauda
❖ Towards the close of the 6th century
ACE the kingdom of Gauda emerged
in Bengal. By the beginning of the
7th century Shashanka captured
power in Gauda. Magadha formed a
Map of the Bengal during the Independent Gaur
part of his dominions.

❖ The death of Shasanka was followed by a period of

anarchy and lawlessness. For more than a century,
roughly from 650 to 750 ACE, the history of Gauda is
obscure in the extreme.
Bengal during the foreign rulers and Matsyanyayan:

❑ Bengal was overwhelmed by repeated foreign invasions

❖ In the first half of the 8th century ACE Bengal was
overwhelmed by repeated foreign invasions, the most
notable of which was the invasion of Yashovarman of Kanauj
(725-752 ACE).

❑ Bengal during the Matsyanyayan period

❖ In the century following the death of
Shashanka, Bengal saw very little of
stable government and the whole
country was torn by internal strife and
disturbed by invasions from outside.
Map of the Bengal during the Matsyanyayan period
Bengal during the foreign rulers and Matsyanyayan:

❑ Bengal during the Matsyanyayan period

❖ The condition of Bengal towards the
middle of the 8th century ACE,
before the rise of Gopala, found
mention in one of the Pala records
(Khalimpur copperplate) as a state
of Matsyanyayam.

❖ Gopala, the founder of the dynasty, emerged out of

this chaos as the ruler, and as mentioned in the Pala
copperplate, put an end to the state of lawlessness
(Matsyanyayam).
 The Pala Dynasty
❑ The dynasty founded by Gopala in the middle of the 8th century ACE and 18 kings of this dynasty ruled Bengal for
about 400 years.

▪ 1. Gopala (c 756-781 ACE)

▪ 2. Dharmapala (781-821)
▪ 3. Devapala (821-861)
▪ 4. Vigrahapala-I (861-866)
▪ 5. Narayanpala (866-920)
▪ 6. Rajyapala (920-952)
▪ 7. Gopala-II (9952-969)
▪ 8. Vigrahapala-II (969-995)
▪ 9. Mahipala-I (995-1043)
▪ 10. Nayapala-I (1043-1058)
▪ 11. Vigrahapala-III (1058-1075)
▪ 12. Mahipala-II (1075-1080)
▪ 13. Surepala (1080-1082)
▪ 14. Ramapala (1082-1124)
▪ 15. Kumarapala (1124-1129)
▪ 16. Gopala III (1129-1143)
▪ 17. Madanpala (c.1143-1162 ACE)
The Pala Dynasty
❑ Founder of the Pala dynasty
❖ The dynasty founded by Gopala in
the middle of the 8th century ACE,
ruled Bengal for about four hundred
years. During this long period of
eighteen generations of kings we
notice ups and downs in the
Map of the Bengal during the Pala Period
fortunes of the dynasty.

❖ But there can hardly be any doubt regarding the fact that
the rule of the Palas formed a glorious chapter in the
history of ancient Bengal. The history of the long line of
Pala rulers can be viewed under different phases:
The Pala Dynasty
❖ (I) Period of Ascendancy under Dharmapala (c 781-
821 ACE) and Devapala (c 821-861 ACE);

❖ (II) Period of Stagnation (c 861-995 ACE) to be

revived by Mahipala I (c 995-1043 ACE), who is
considered to be the second founder of the
dynasty;

❖ (III) Period of Decline and Disintegration, which

was halted briefly by the vigorous rule of
Ramapala (c 1082-1124 ACE).
 The Pala Dynasty

▪ 1. Period of Ascendancy under Dharmapala (c 781-821

ACE) and Devapala (c 821-861 ACE):
❑ Dharmapala
❖ Dharmapala was a devout Buddhist and a great
patron of Buddhism.
❖ He is credited with the foundation
of the Vikramasila Mahavihara,
which was one of the most
important seats of Buddhist
learning in India from the 9th to
Vikramasila Mahavihara at Nalanda
the 12th centuries ACE.
The Pala Dynasty
❑ Somapura Mahavihara
Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur is another
monumental architectural work of Dharmapala.

❑ Devapala
❖ Devapala, the son of Dharmapala, maintained the
aggressive policy of his father and during his reign the
struggle for supremacy over northern India continued.

❖ The reigns of Dharmapala and Devapala formed the period

of Pala ascendancy. These two rulers consolidated their
empire in northern and western Bengal and in Bihar.
The Pala Dynasty

❑ Pala Administration:
❖ The long rule of the Pala dynasty, spreading over about
four centuries, gave to Bengal the blessings of a stable
government, which bore rich fruits in the arts of peace.

❖ The Palas could establish a sound administrative structure.

Their land-based empire was basically agrarian in nature.

❖ The decline of the port of Tamralipti after the 8th century

ACE deprived them of the outlet necessary to have a share
of the sea-borne trade of Bengal.
The Pala Dynasty

❑ Pala Administration:
❖ The long reign of the Palas form a glorious period in the
history of ancient Bengal. The achievements of Bengal
during this long period are indeed the glories of the Palas:-
▪ 1.Widespread empire,
▪ 2. Organised administrative system,
▪ 3. Ruling policy oriented towards welfare of the people,
▪ 4. Unprecedented excellence in the field of arts and
cultivation of knowledge and
▪ 5. Literature all these are the achievements and glories of
the Pala dynasty.
The Pala Dynasty
▪ The most glorious aspect of Pala rule:
❑ Religious tolerance
❖ The most glorious aspect of Pala rule was their policy of public-
welfare. The Pala rulers were Buddhists, but majority
of their subjects were Hindus.
❖ Dharmapala had adopted the policy of religious toleration as the
state policy. He had declared that he is ‘conversant with the
precepts of shastras’ and he made ‘the castes conform to their
proper tenets’.

❖ This policy was followed by his successors. Religious toleration and

mutual coexistence can be identified as the characteristic of the
social life of the people in the Pala period.
The Pala Dynasty

❑ Social condition
❖ This social peace over a long period of time must have
contributed to developments in other fields. There are
instances of welfare activities of the Pala rulers.

❖ Dharmapala is known to have excavated a few tanks by

spending several thousands of Dramma (silver coins).

❖ Mahipala I had occupied a place in the hearts of the people

of Bengal by his welfare activities-digging tanks and
establishing towns, which bear his name.
The Pala Dynasty

❑ Social condition
❖ Remains of many buildings of the Pala period bear
testimony to the welfare activities of the rulers of the
dynasty. The long Pala period produced an atmosphere of
accommodation and admixture of Hindu-Buddhist culture
and as a result were evolved the Sahajiya and Tantrik
cults.

❖ The legacy of religious-social-cultural synthesis that was

evolved during the rule of the Palas was a glorious
achievement of the period and this trait was an important
ingredient in the ‘personality’ of ancient Bengal.
The Pala Dynasty
❑ Education and culture
❖ 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
Ruins of Naland Mahavihara at Nalanda
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.
 The Pala Dynasty

❑ Education and culture

❖ Dharmapala built the Vikramasila
Mahavihara (at Patharghata in Bhagalpur
district of Bihar) and Odantpur Vihara in
Vikramasila Vihara Bihar.
❖ Somapura Vihara and Vikramasila
Vihara were acknowledged in the
Buddhist world as two important centres
of Buddhist learning in the period
between 9th and 12th centuries ACE.
❖ Among other Viharas of the Pala period
Traikutaka, Devikota, Pandita, Fullabadi
Jagaddala Vihara and Jagaddala Vihara are notable.
 The Pala Dynasty
❑ Education and culture
❖ 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 14th centuries, seem to have followed
the Paharpur example.
 The Pala Dynasty
❑ Terracotta Art
❖ The terracotta plaques
recovered from Paharpur Vihara
amply demonstrate the
excellence of the art in the Pala
Elephant hunting, Terracotta plaque, Paharpur
period.

❖ There is no doubt that the terracotta art

reached a high-water mark in the Pala period.
Specimens of Pala architecture are scattered
over Bengal and Bihar.
The Pala Dynasty

❑ Sculptural Art
❖ Of all the arts of the period
sculptural art witnessed
phenomenal development.

❖ The Gupta tradition of sculptural

art attained a new height under
the patronage of the Pala rulers
and it came to be designated as
‘Pala School of Sculptural Art’.
The Pala Dynasty
❑ Painting
❖ The art of painting was not far behind.
Any specimen of painting of the pre-Pala
period has not yet been found, even
wall-paintings on religious buildings are
absent.

❖ Taranatha (1608) mentions the names of

Dhiman and his son Vitpala, the master
sculptors and painters of the period of
Dharmapala and Devapala. In many Vajrayana
and Tantrayana Buddhist manuscripts appear
the beautiful paintings of the Buddhist gods
and goddesses.
The Pala Dynasty

❑ Development of literature
❖ It is not possible to assess the development of
literature in the Pala period. So far only a few
literary works have been found.

❖ But the Prashastis in the numerous Pala

copperplates clearly indicate the development of
Sanskrit language and poetry.

❖ The 9th century work Ramacharitam, composed by

poet Abhinanda in the Vaidarbhi style, made a mark
in the arena of all-Indian literature.
The Pala Dynasty

❑Development of literature
❖ There are evidences of works in different Shastras.
Gaudapada wrote the famous Gaudapadakarika, known as
Agamashastra, a very important philosophical work.

❖ Thus, the long rule of the Pala dynasty for about four
centuries bestowed glories on Bengal in various fields of
human activities.

❖ The Pala rulers as well as the people of Bengal can

legitimately claim credit for these glories.
Dynasties of Southeastern Bengal

❑ Kingdom of Vanga
❖ As early as the first half of the sixth century ACE
southeastern Bengal formed an independent
kingdom, the kingdom of Vanga, and the names of
Gopachandra, Dharmaditya and Samacharadeva are
preserved in six copperplates.

❖ It cannot be ascertained whether Sasanka’s empire

embraced southeastern Bengal.

❖ Scholars theories about the probable existence of a

Bhadra dynasty in this region.
Dynasties of Southeastern Bengal
❑ Kingdom of Vanga
❖ In the second half of the 7th century ACE
when the Later Guptas captured power
in Gauda (western Bengal) southeastern
Bengal saw the emergence of the Khadga
Bengal under the Khadga rulers kings.
❖ We know about three generations of Khadga kings ruling
Samatata (Comilla-Noakhali area) with their capital at
Karmanta-vasaka (identified with Badkamta near Comilla).
❖ The names of two semi-independent feudatory chiefs,
Lokanatha and Shridharana Rata, are known from copper
plates; they ruled in parts of Samatata in the 7th century
ACE.
 South
❑Deva DynastyEast Bengal: Deva Dynasty

❖ Southeastern Bengal emerged as a

kingdom of considerable size and
strength under the Deva Dynasty in the
8th century ACE with their capital at
Devaparvata (a city in the Mainamati-
Lalmai area).
Map of the South East Bengal during the Deva Dynasty

❖ Four generations of rulers (Shantideva, Viradeva,

Anandadeva and Bhavadeva) ruled Samatata and they were
contemporaries of the early Pala kings, who held sway over
northern and western Bengal and Bihar. The Devas were
Buddhists and under their patronage the Mainamati area
rose into prominence as an important Buddhist cultural
centre.
South East Bengal: Chandra Dynasty

❖ Chandras ruled for about 150 years

(c 900-1050 ACE). Their empire
embraced a large area in Vanga and
Samatata comprising the whole of
southern and southeastern
Bangladesh and extending as far
northeast as Sylhet area. Their
Map of the South East Bengal during the Chandra Dynasty
capital was at Vikramapura.
❖ The Chandras were quite powerful. Shrichandra was the
greatest ruler of the dynasty and under his vigorous rule
the Chandra Empire witnessed widespread expansion in the
territories beyond the borders into Kamarupa (Assam).
South East Bengal: Varman Dynasty

❖ In the last quarter of the 11th century

ACE the Varman Dynasty, taking
advantage of the Kaivarta rebellion in
the Pala empire, established their
independent rule in southeastern
Bengal. Four generations of the
Varmans were:
▪ Jatavarman,
▪ Harivarman,
Bengal during the Varman Dynasty

▪ Samalavarman and
▪ Bhojavarman.
❖ They ruled for less than a century (c 1080- 1150 ACE)
before they were toppled by the Senas.
The Sena Dynasty
❑ Introduction
❖ Sena dynasty ruled Bengal for little over a
century (c 1097-1225). The emergence of the
dynasty, who ousted the Palas in Bengal
towards the close of the 11th century ACE, is a
very important chapter in the history of
ancient Bengal. Vijayasena, the founder of the
Sena dynasty, gradually consolidated his
position in Western Bengal and ultimately
Map of the Bengal during the Sena Dynasty
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 Sena Dynasty
❑ Samantasena is the first historical figure of the Sena dynasty
❖ Very little is known regarding Samantasena, the first
historical figure of the Sena dynasty. He, as noted earlier,
had settled in his old age on the banks of the Ganges,
evidently in some parts of Radha. No royal title is,
however, ascribed to him.

❑ Hemantasena
❖ His son and successor Hemantasena seem to have been a
ruling chief. The disruption of the Pala kingdom following
the revolt of the Samantas probably offered him an
opportunity to carve out an independent principality in
Radha.
The Sena Dynasty

❑ Vijayasena
❖ Vijayasena, son of Hemantasena, laid the
foundation of the independent rule of the
Senas. Vijayasena, however, made full use of
the weakness of the Pala rule in Bengal.

❖ He obtained an independent position in Radha

in recognition of his help to Ramapala who
fought against the Kaivartas.
The Sena Dynasty

❑ Vijayasena
❖ Therefore, by the middle of the 12th century ACE
Vijayasena ousted the Varmans, ousted the Palas
and succeeded in establishing the rule of his own
dynasty over the whole of Bengal. He had a very
long reign of abort 62 years (c 1098-1160 ACE).

❖ He was a Saiva and was liberal towards Brahmanas

versed in the Vedas and the poor. Vijayasena
assumed the imperial titles’ of Paramamaheshvara
Paramabhattaraka Maharajadhiraja.
The Sena Dynasty
❑ Vallalasena
❖ Vijayasena was succeeded by his son Vallalasena. It is
stated in the Adbhutasagara that he was engaged in
warfare with the king of Gauda who is identified with
Govindapala of the Pala dynasty.

❖ It is evident from the epigraphic records that this date falls

in the reign of Vallalasena. Hence the final blow to the
Palas in Magadha may be ascribed to him. It is stated in the
Adbhutasagara that during the lifetime of his father,
Vallalasena conquered Mithila.
The Sena Dynasty

❑ Laksmanasena
❖ Laksmanasena succeeded his father Vallalasena. 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.

❖ It appears from the epigraphs of Laksmanasena that

he was the first king among the Senas to assume
the title of Gaudeshvara.
The Sena Dynasty
❖ Laksmanasena took the title of Paramavaisnava or
Paramanarasimha. Laksmanasena 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
a ‘great Rae’ of Bengal and compared him with Sultan
Qutbuddin.

❖ Laksmanasena, however, 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. However, Muhammad
Bakhtiyar Khalji, gave the final blow to the Sena kingdom
The Sena Dynasty

❑ Vishvarupasena and Keshavasena

❖ After the death of Laksmanasena in 1206 ACE,
his two sons Vishvarupasena and Keshavasena
occupied the throne one after the other.

❖ However, in the third quarter of the 13th

century ACE, 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 Sena Dynasty

❑ Achievements of the Senas

▪ Society
❖ The Sena rulers consolidated the caste system in
Bengal. Although Bengal borrowed from the caste system
of Mithila, caste was not so strong in Bengal as in Mithila.

▪ Architecture
❖ The Sena dynasty is famous for building Hindu temples and
monasteries, which include the renowned Dhakeshwari
Temple in what is now Dhaka, Bangladesh. In
Kashmir, the dynasty also likely built a temple knows as
Sankara Gaureshwara.
❑ Achievements of the Senas
▪ Literature
❖ Vallalasena and Laksmanasena were royal authors of
Sanskrit texts, Danasagara and Adbhutasagara.
Jayadeva, Umapatidhara, Sharana, Dhoyi,
Shridharadasa, Halayudha Mishra and Govardhana
were literary personalities of the period.

❖ Sculptural art developed under the

patronage of the Sena kings and
courtiers.
Thank You