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Home , Deva dynasty, Dharmapala (emperor), Gopala I, History of Bengal, Kumarapala (Pala king), Mahasthangarh

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND TECHNOLOGY (CBAT), KUSHTIA.

Lecture- 1 Studies (3105) BBA THIRD YEAR FIFTH SEMESTER

1. Briefly Assess the rule in . ** (2009) 2. Briefly assess the importance of pala rule in .*** ( 2010) 3. Narrate the history of the .*** (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 was an ancient Indian empire which existed from approximately 320 to 550 CE and covered much of the . Founded by 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 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   Nishamusgupta   Ramagupta  Chandragupta II   Kumaragupta II  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 themselves but from Chinese and Western observers. However, a contemporary Indian document, regarded as a classic of the time, the Siva-Dhanur-veda, offers some insight into the military system of the Guptas. During the reign of Chandragupta II, 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 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 . 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 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, a minor military officer of the guptas became a ruler of Bengal. Shashanka’s rise marked a new era in the .

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 by ,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: 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 and Tantric schools of . 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 since the time of the Mahā . 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 and . Somapura built by is the greatest Buddhist in the Indian Subcontinent. is the greatest Buddhist Vihara in the Indian Subcontinent built by Dharmapala.

Main Pala rulers:

(750–780)  Dharmapala (780–810)  Devapala (810–850)  Mahendrapala  Shurapala I  Vigrahapala I (861–866)  (866–920)  Rajyapala (920–952)  Gopala II (952–969)  Vigrahapala II (969–995)  (995–1043)  Nayapala (1043–1058)  Vigrahapala III (1058–1075)  Mahipala II (1075–1080)  Shurapala II (1080–1082)  (1082–1124)  (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:, 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 were the earliest form of Bangla language. This Proto-Bangla language was used as the official language in , , and . 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 known as the "Pala School of Sculptural Art." The gigantic structures of Vikramshila Vihara, 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 the Indian subcontinent, and has been described as a "pleasure to the eyes of the world." UNESCO made it World Heritage Site in 1985. Sompur Bihara, also built by Dharmapala, is a monastery with 21 acre (85,000 m²) complex has 177 cells, numerous , temples and a number of other ancillary buildings. In 1985, the UN included the Sompur Bihara site in the world Cultural Heritage list. The Pala architectural style was followed throughout south-eastern Asia, China, Japan and Tibet. Bengal rightfully earned the name "Mistress of the East". Dr. Stella Kramrisch says: "The art of Bihar and Bengal exercised a lasting influence on that of , Burma, Ceylon and Java". Dhiman and Vittpala were two celebrated Pala sculptors. About Sompura Mahavihara, Mr. J.C. French says with grief: "For the research of the Pyramids of Egypt we spend millions of dollars every year. But had we spent only one percent of that money for the excavation of Sompura Mahavihara, who knows what extraordinary discoveries could have been made."--- "The Art of the Pala Empire of Bengal,"

Pala foreign relations: Palas came in contact with distant lands through their conquests and trades. The Sailendra Empire of Java, Sumatra and Malaya was a colony of the Palas. Devapala granted five villages at the request of the Sailendra king Balputradeva of Java for the upkeeping of the matha established at Nalanda for the scholars of that country. The Prime minister of the Balputradeva Kumar Ghosha was from Gauda. Dharmapala who extended his empire to the boundary of the Abbasid Empire and had diplomatic relations with the caliph Harun Al-Rashid. Coins of Harun-al-Rashid have been found in . Palas maintained diplomatic and religious relation with Tibet. During the military expeditions of the Pala kings the Pala generals would establish kingdoms of their own in and . Recent discoveries in the Punjab hills showed the influence of the Pala Dynasty. There is a strong and continuous tradition that the ruling families in certain states are descended from the " of Gaur in Bengal". These states are Suket, Keonthal, Kashtwar and Mandi. In the ancient Rajput states tradition has immense force and accuracy. Of Kashtwar it is related that Kahan — the founder of the state — with a small band of followers arrived in the hills in order to conquer a kingdom for himself. He is said to have come from Gaur, the ancient capital of Bengal and to have been a cadet of the ruling family of the place. The demise of the Turkshahi rule in Gandhar and the rise of the Hindushahi dynasty in that region might have connection to the invasion of the Palas in that region.

Pala armed forces:The Palas of Bengal in comparison with other contemporary such as the Rashtrakutas of Deccan and the Pratiharas of Malwa in the focal point of "Kanauj Triangle." Palas had fourfold army consisting of: infantry, cavalry, elephants and chariots. In the copperplates of Dharmapala had been mentioned as the owner of unlimited number of horses, elephants and chariots. It is amazing that when the use of chariots had been backdated in India and other parts of the world the kings of Bengal still depended on four-horsed heavy chariots. Being a riverine land and swarthy climate Bengal was not good enough for breeding quality war-horses. So the Palas had to depend upon their vassal kings for war horses. Pala copperplate inscriptions reveal that mercenary forces were recruited from the Kamboja, Khasas, Huna, Malwa, , and Karnata. The Kamboja cavalry were the cream of the Pala army who would later become as powerful as the Janissary army of the . The Kamboja forces maintained smaller confederates (Sanghas) among themselves and were staunch follower of their commander. Palas had the army divided into following posts: Senapati or Mahasenapati (General) controlling foot soldiers, cavalry, soldiers riding elephants and camels, and the navy, and the various army posts like Kottapala (Fort guards) and Prantapala (Border guards). Palas had a huge army and the legend of "Nava Lakkha Shainya" (Nine lac soldiers) were popular during the reigns of Dharmapala and Devapala. According to Hudud al-Alam a Persian text written in 982–983 Dharmapala possessed an army of 300,000 soldiers. According to Sulaiman the Arab traveller Devapala set out for his every military expedition with an army of 50,000 elephants and his army had 10,000–15,000 slaves for the maintenance and caretaking of his armies.

Question 4: Discuss about the Sasanka. ( 2009) Or Who was Sasanka? Give a short account of his reign. Short Question

Introduction: Shashanka is often attributed with creating the first separate political entity in a unified Bengal called Gauda and as such is a major figure in Bengali history. He reigned in 7th century AD, and some historians place his rule approximately between 590 AD and 625 AD. He is the contemporary of Harshavardana. His capital was called ( Kôrnoshubôrno or Kanshona) and is located in modern . The development of the Bengali calendar is also often attributed to Shashanka as the starting date falls squarely within his reign.

Extent of kingdom: While Shashanka was known and referred to as the Lord of Gauda, his kingdom included more than just the region of Gauda. By the end of his reign, his domain stretched from Vanga to Bhuvanesha while in the east, his kingdom bordered . Prior to Shashanka, Bengal was divided into three regions, Banga, and Gauda and was ruled by a feeble ruler belonging to the later Gupta dynasty, Mahasengupta. Shashanka was one of his chieftains who rose to power taking the advantage of the weak ruler. After the death of Mahasengupta, Shashanka drove the later Guptas and other prominent nobles out of the ground to establish his own kingdom Gauda with the capital Karnasubarna.

Contemporary sources: There are several major contemporary sources of information on his life, including copperplates from his vassal Madhavavarma (King of Ganjam), copperplates of his rivals Harshavardhana and Bhaskarvarmana, and the accounts of the Chinese monk as well as coins minted in Shashanka's reign. The informations provided by Bana and Xuanzang cannot be considered as true or very reliable as both belonged to Buddhism and Shashanka was known to be a staunch Hindu. Moreover the patron of Bana and Xuanzang was a sworn enemy of Shashanka. So both were bound to be biased towards him. They have described Sasanka as the "vile Gauda serpent". In his account Xuanzang has elaborated that Shashanka has destroyed the Buddhist stupas of Bengal and declared an award of hundred gold coins for the head of every Buddhist monk in his kingdom.

War with -Vardhana: Shashanka and his allies fought a major war with the then Emperor of , Harshavardhana, and his allies. The result of the battle was inconclusive as Shashanka is documented to have retained dominion over his lands. The king of Malwa, Devgupta had an enmity with the ruler of , Grahavarman who was also the brother-in-law of the Vardhan princes, by his marriage with the princess of Thanesar, Rajyashri. Devgupta attacked Kannauj and killed Grahavarman in the battle and imprisoned his wife Rajyashri. Hearing the news Prabhakarvardhan, the king of Thaneswar dies of shock and his elder son Rajyavardhan is crowned as the king. Rajyavardhan immediately marched towards Kannauj to avenge the death of his brother-in-law. The battle was followed by sudden assassination of Rajyavardhan. Though very conclusive proofs are not found, but a treachery is suspected on the part of Sasanka who joined the battle as an ally of Devgupta. Only source available in this matter is the "Harshacharita" by Banabhatta, who was a childhood friend and constant companion of Emperor Harsha. But one thing should be kept in mind that neither Bana nor Harsha were present at the site.Harsha-Vardhan, then was crowned the ruler of Thaneswar and he once again gathered the army and attacked Kannauj. Though the results are not known clearly, but it is evident that Devgupta and Shashanka had to retreat from Kannauj. Shashanka continued to rule Gauda with frequent attacks from Harsha which he is known to have faced bravely.

Legacy: Following his death, Shashanka was succeeded by his son, Manava, who ruled the kingdom for 8 months. However Gauda was soon divided amongst Harshavardhana and Bhaskarvarmana of Kamroop, the latter even managing to conquer Karnasuvarna.

OTHER IMPORTANT QUESTIONS

Qus: 5 discuss the territorial divisions in ancient Bengal.

Ans: In ancient period Bengal was divided into six territorial units, each reprinting a garapada ( human settlement) the garapadas were as follow:

Pundra: this unit of territory was situated in the district of and adjacent areas. From the archeological Sources it is known that the capital of pundra was and it was the earliest urban centre in Bangladesh.

Vanga: Probably 24 districts of india and the divition of Bangladesh was the areas in varga. A nation named varga lived in this area. For this reason this area was called varga.

Radha: This unit probably included a large part of modern Indian state of . This garapada had important centre of trade, commerce in the ancient as well as medieval period.

Gauda : Gauda was situated to the north west of bhagirathi (hugly) river and its core area was murshidabad. Gauda was the capital city of many rulers of ancient and medieval Bengal.

Samatata: the standing area of samatata was in valley. The areas of and noakhali and some areas of Tripura in India were included in samatata . the Chinese visitor Huyun Sung visited this area in the 7th century.

Horikela: horikela was situated in the eastern part of Bangladesh. At present and its adjacent areas were included in Garapada.

Qus: 6 Narrate the history of the .

The Sena Empire was a Hindu dynasty that ruled from Bengal through the 11th and 12th centuries. At its peak the empire covered much of the north-eastern region of the Indian subcontinent. They were called Brahma-, as evidenced through their surname, which is derived from the , for "army". The Senas belonged to the 'Gaur Kayastha' sub-caste of the Chitraguptvanshi Kayastha and they were Brahma-Kshatriyas (those who were Brahmanas first and became Kshatriyas afterwards).

The dynasty's founder was Hemanta Sen, who was part of the Pala Dynasty until their empire began to weaken. He usurped power and styled himself king in 1095 AD. His successor Vijay Sen (ruled from 1096 AD to 1159 AD) helped lay the foundations of the dynasty, and had an unusually long reign of over 60 years. Ballal Sena conquered Gaur from the Pala, became the ruler of Bengal Delta as well as made the capital. Lakshman Sen succeeded Ballal Sena in 1179 and ruled Bengal for approximately 20 years. He expanded the Sena Empire to , Orissa, Bihar and probably to . In 1203–1204 AD, the Turkic general Bakhtiyar Khilji attacked Nabadwip. Though he defeated Lakshman Sen, he failed to conquer Bengal.

Origins

The Sena rulers were Hindus. During this period Buddhism that had dominated Bengal for centuries was in decline due to the loss of its institutions at Nalanda University and Vikramshila University. The dynasty is famous for building Hindu temples and monasteries including the famous in what is now , Bangladesh. The Sena dynasty were also great patrons of literature. During the rule of Pala dynasty and Sena dynasty, major growth of Bengali was witnessed. It is believed by some Bengali authors that , the famous Sanskrit poet and author of , was one of the Pancharatnas (meaning 5 gems) in the court of Lakshman Sen. After the Sena dynasty, the ruled in eastern part of Bengal. The Deva dynasty was probably the last independent Hindu dynasty of Bengal. It is also believed that Senas originally belonged to the Karnata country (Karnatadeshatagata) in , the Kanarese speaking region in modern Mysore, and Andhra Pradesh of India, and they were Brahma- Ksatriyas (those who were Brahmanas first and became Ksatriyas afterwards).

It is recorded in the Deopara Inscription of Vijayasena that Virasena and others, born in the family of the moon, were rulers of southern region and in that Sena family was born Samantasena whose descendants ruled in Bengal. It is very difficult to conclude satisfactorily as to when the Senas came and assumed power in Bengal. The Deopara Inscription records that Samantasena, the head-garland of the Brahma-Ksatriyas proceeded towards Rameshvara-Setubandha and subdued the wicked despoilers of the Laksmi (Wealth) of Karnata. But in his last days he settled down on the bank of the . From this reference it is clear that Samantasena spent his early life in the Karnata country where he certainly held some power. He, however, came to Bengal in his old age and lived somewhere near the Ganges. The Naihati copper plate of the time of Vallalasena, refers to the settlement of the Sena family in western Bengal before Samantasena was born. Samantasena's descendants established the rule of the dynasty afterwards.

A copperplate was found in the Adilpur or Edilpur pargana of in 1838 A.D. and to have been acquired by of Bengal, but now it is missing from collection. An account of the plate was published in the Dacca Review and Epigraphic Indica. The copperplate inscription written Sanskrit and in Ganda character dated 3rd jyaistha of 1136 samval which represents 1079 A.D. The Asiatic Society’s proceeding for January 1838, an account of the copperplate describes that 3 villages were given to a in the 3rd year of Kaesava Sana. These three villages cannot be identified now, and thought it is impossible enough that they have been long ago washed away by Meghna, which flows past Edilpur paragana. The grant was given with the landlord rights, receives the power of punishing the chandrabhandas or , a race that lived in the forest. It records the grant of the land in the village of Leliya in the Kumaratalaka mandala situated in shatata-padamavati-visaya. The copperplate of Kaesava Sana tells that the king Vallal Sena carried away the goddesses of fortune for the enemies on palanquins (Shivaka) supported by staff made of elephant tusk. It also claims that his father Lakhman Sena (1179–1205) erects pillars of victory and sacrificial posts at Benaras and Allahbad and Adon Coast of South Sea. The plate also describes the villages with smooth fields growing excellent paddy also noticed about the dancing and music in the ancient Bengal and ladies of that period used to adorn their bodies with blooming flowers. The Edilpur copperplate of Kaesava Sena records that the king made a grant in favor of Nitipathaka Isvaradeva Sarman for the inscae of the subha-varsha.

The Sen rulers

 Hemanta Sen (1070–1096 AD)  Vijay Sen (1096–1159 AD)  Ballal Sen (1159–1179 AD)  Lakshman Sen (1179–1206 AD)  Vishwarup Sen (1206–1225 AD)  Keshab Sen (1225–1230 AD)