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COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND TECHNOLOGY (CBAT), KUSHTIA. Lecture- 1 Bangladesh Studies (3105) BBA THIRD YEAR FIFTH SEMESTER 1. Briefly Assess the Gupta rule in Bengal. ** (2009) 2. Briefly assess the importance of pala rule in Bangal.*** ( 2010) 3. Narrate the history of the pala dynasty.*** (2006) 4. Who was Sasanka? Give a short account of his reign.* (2006) Question 1: Discuss about the gupta rule in Bengal. ( 2009) Or Discuss the achievements of Gupta dynasty. Short Question/ Broad Question Introduction : The Gupta Empire was an ancient Indian empire which existed from approximately 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the Indian Subcontinent. Founded by Maharaja Sri Gupta, the dynasty was the model of a classical civilization. The peace and prosperity created under the leadership of the Guptas enabled the pursuit of scientific and artistic endeavors. This period is called the Golden Age of India and was marked by extensive inventions and discoveries in science, technology, engineering, art, dialectic, literature, logic, mathematics, astronomy, religion and philosophy that crystallized the elements of what is generally known as Hindu culture. Chandra Gupta I, Samudra Gupta the Great, and Chandra Gupta II the Great were the most notable rulers of the Gupta dynasty. Gupta dynasty rulers: The rulers are: Sri Gupta Ghatotkacha Chandragupta I Nishamusgupta Samudragupta Ramagupta Chandragupta II Kumaragupta I Skandagupta Purugupta Kumaragupta II Budhagupta Narasimhagupta Baladitya Kumaragupta III Vishnugupta Vainyagupta Bhanugupta Shashankgupta Military organization: The Imperial Guptas could have achieved their successes through force of arms with an efficient martial system. Historically, the best accounts of this come not from the Hindus themselves but from Chinese and Western observers. However, a contemporary Indian document, regarded as a military classic of the time, the Siva-Dhanur-veda, offers some insight into the military system of the Guptas. During the reign of Chandragupta II, Gupta empire maintained a large army consisting of 500,000 infantry, 50,000 cavalry, 20,000 charioteers and 10,000 elephants along with a powerful navy with more than 1200 ships. Chandragupta II controlled the whole of the Indian subcontinent; the Gupta empire was the most powerful empire in the world during his reign, at a time when the Roman Empire in the west was in decline. Gupta administration: A study of the epigraphically records of the Gupta empire shows that there was a hierarchy of administrative divisions from top to bottom. The empire was called by various names such as Rajya, Rashtra, Desha, Mandala, Prithvi and Avani. It was divided in to 26 provinces, which were styled as Bhukti, Pradesha and Bhoga. Provinces were also divided into Vishayas and put under the control of the Vishayapatis. A Vishayapati administered the Vishaya with the help of the Adhikarana (council of representatives), which comprised four representatives: Nagarasreshesthi, Sarthavaha, Prathamakulika and Prathama Kayastha. A part of the Vishaya was called Vithi. There were also trade links of Gupta business with the Roman empire. The golden age: Under the Gupta rule Bengal was an important province. The period of Gupta was generally to be the ―Golden AGE‖ OF INDIAN History. During this Period India was controlled by a strong central government Which bought Peace and Prosperity and political stability for a considerable time. This period was famous for trade and commerce. The discovery of a large number of coins and ornaments in Bengal prove the economic prosperity of the region under The Guptas. The weakness’ of Gupta rule in Bengal: Towards The end of the 6th century AD, The guptas rule in Bengal Weakened and around 600 AD, Shashanka a minor military officer of the guptas became a ruler of Bengal. Shashanka’s rise marked a new era in the history of Bengal. Question 2: Briefly assess the importance of pala rule in Bangal.*** ( 2010) Or Discuss the achievements of PALA dynasty. Short Question Ans: The achievements of pala dynasty are stated below: a) Long established rule: Pala dynasty in Bengal history ruled for about 400 years with 18 generations. b) Consideration of administrative structure: The administrative Structure of Pala dynasty was probably the best one. c) Religious tolerance in Bengal: Hindu Budhist amity and co-existence was a state policy in the Pala period. d) Economic Development: In Pala period the economic condition was also developed in Bengal. At that time The Arabian merchants came here for trade. e) Art and Cultural development: Sompura Bihar by Devapala ,Which was recognized as the best 100 monuments of heritage of World by UNESCO. Question 3: Narrate the history of the pala dynasty.*** (2006) Or Who established the pala rule in Bengal? Narrate the history of the pala dynasty. Broad Question Introduction: Pala Empire was the first independent Buddhist dynasty of Bengal. The name Pala means protector and was used as an ending to the names of all Pala monarchs. The Palas were followers of the Mahayana and Tantric schools of Buddhism. Gopala was the first ruler from the dynasty. He came to power in 750 in Gaur by a democratic election. This event is recognized as one of the first democratic elections in South Asia since the time of the Mahā Janapadas. He reigned from 750–770 and consolidated his position by extending his control over all of Bengal. The Buddhist dynasty lasted for four centuries (750–1120 AD) and ushered in a period of stability and prosperity in Bengal. They created many temples and works of art as well as supported the Universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila. Somapura Mahavihara built by Dharmapala is the greatest Buddhist Vihara in the Indian Subcontinent. Somapura Mahavihara is the greatest Buddhist Vihara in the Indian Subcontinent built by Dharmapala. Main Pala rulers: Gopala I (750–780) Dharmapala (780–810) Devapala (810–850) Mahendrapala Shurapala I Vigrahapala I (861–866) Narayanapala (866–920) Rajyapala (920–952) Gopala II (952–969) Vigrahapala II (969–995) Mahipala I (995–1043) Nayapala (1043–1058) Vigrahapala III (1058–1075) Mahipala II (1075–1080) Shurapala II (1080–1082) Ramapala (1082–1124) Kumarapala (1124–1129) Gopala III (1129–1143) Madanapala (1143–1162) Govindapala (1162–1174) Pala administration: Pala rule was Monarchial. King or Monarch was the centre of all power. Pala kings would adopt Imperial titles like Parameshwara, Paramvattaraka, Maharajadhiraja. Pala kings appointed Prime Ministers. The Line of Garga served as the Prime Ministers of the Palas for 100 years. Garga | Darvapani | Someshwar | Kedarmisra| Bhatta Guravmisra Pala Empire was divided into separate Bhuktis (Provinces), Bhuktis into Vishayas (Divisions) and Mandalas (Districts). Smaller units were Khandala, Bhaga, Avritti, Chaturaka, and Pattaka. Administration covered widespread area from the grass root level to the imperial court. The Pala copperplates mention following administrative Posts:Raja, Rajanyaka, Rajanaka, Ranaka, Samanta and Mahasamanta (Vassal kings), Mahasandhi-vigrahika (Foreign minister), Duta (Head Ambassador), Rajasthaniya (Deputy), Aggaraksa (Chief guard), Sasthadhikrta (Tax collector), Chauroddharanika (Police tax), Shaulkaka (Trade tax), Dashaparadhika (Collector of penalties), and Tarika (Toll collector for river crossings), Mahaksapatalika (Accountant), Jyesthakayastha (Dealing documents), the Ksetrapa (Head of land use division) and Pramatr (Head of land measurements), the Mahadandanayaka or Dharmadhikara (Chief justice), the Mahapratihara, Dandika, Dandapashika, and Dandashakti (Police forces), Khola (Secret service). Agricultural posts like Gavadhakshya (Head of dairy farms), Chhagadhyakshya (Head of goat farms), Meshadyakshya (Head of sheep farms), Mahishadyakshya (Head of Buffalo farms) and many other like Vogpati, Vishayapati, Shashtadhikruta, Dauhshashadhanika, Nakadhyakshya. Pala literature: The proto-Bangla language was born during the reign of the Palas. The Buddhist texts of the Charyapada were the earliest form of Bangla language. This Proto-Bangla language was used as the official language in Tibet, Myanmar, Java and Sumatra. Texts on every aspect of knowledge were compiled during the Pala Rule. On philosophy: Agama Shastra by Gaudapada, Nyaya Kundali by Sridhar Bhatta, Karmanushthan Paddhati by Bhatta Bhavadeva; On Medicine: Chikitsa Samgraha, Ayurvedidvipika, Bhanumati, Shabdachandrika, Dravya Gunasangraha by Chakrapani Datta; Shabda-Pradipa, Vrikkhayurveda, Lohpaddhati by Sureshwara; Chikitsa Sarsamgraha by Vangasena; Sushrata by Gadadhara Vaidya; Dayabhaga, Vyavohara Matrika and Kalaviveka by Jimutavahana etc. Atisha compiled more than 200 texts. The great epic Ramacharitam written by Sandhyakar Nandi, the court poet of Madanapala was another masterpiece of the Pala literature. The Pala copperplate inscriptions were of excellent literary value. This distinctive inscriptions were called Gaudiya Style. Pala art and architecture: The most brilliant side of the Pala Empire was the excellence of its art and sculptures. Palas created a distinctive form of Buddhist art known as the "Pala School of Sculptural Art." The gigantic structures of Vikramshila Vihara, Odantapuri Vihara, and Jagaddala Vihara were masterpieces of the Palas. These mammoth structures were mistaken by the forces of Bakhtiar Khilji as fortified castles and were demolished. The Somapura Mahaviharaa, a creation of Dharmapala, at Paharpur, Bangladesh, is the largest Buddhist Vihara in