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Home , Hussain Shahi dynasty, Lakshmana Sena, Pala Empire, Sena dynasty, Shashanka

Mohammad Ziaul Alam, MSS, MBA, B.ed; Cell: 01712524004, 01972524004; Mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Topic 2 (a) Ancient [2006,2008,2009,2011,2012,2014]

2006

Question 2: Pre-Mughal Bengal In ancient Bengal, there was no single state and the country was divided into small regions, too small to be called kingdoms or states. Before the Aryans arrived in Bengal, the Mauryas had established their rule in the area. First Chandra Gupta Maurya established Maurya rule in and it came to north Bengal in the third century B.C.

Little is known about the from the fall of the Mauryas in the second century B.C. until the rise of the Guptas, except that the region continued to flourish economically. In the beginning of the sixth century A.D. the vast Gupta in India came to an end and Bengal broke up into a number of independent kingdoms. During the eighth century A.D., the was very strong, and in the eleventh century the Senas were very important. It was not until the beginning of the thirteenth century that the Turks conquered Bengal and Muslim rule began.

Part (a) (i) What name was given to the small regions of ancient Bengal ‘too small to be called kingdoms or states’ (lines 1–2)? [1] (ii) Why did ‘the Aryans’ come to Bengal (line 2)? [1] (iii) Which emperor established Maurya rule in ‘north Bengal in the third century B.C.’(line 4)? [1] (iv) In which century did ‘the Guptas’ win control of Bengal (line 6)? [1] (v) Which Turkish leader brought ‘Muslim rule’ to Bengal (line 10)? [1] Part (b) (i) Write what you know about the independent kingdoms of South-East Bengal from the middle of the eighth century to the eleventh century. [5] (ii) Why were the Muslims able to extend their rule into Bengal from the thirteenth century onwards? [5] Part (c) Which of the following do you think was the most important of the early kingdoms in Bengal? Explain your answer by writing about all three choices provided. • the Empire of Sasanka • the Pala dynasty • the Senas [10] 2008

Question 2: Pre–Mughal Bengal: Bengal to 1098 AD The Gupta period is sometimes called the 'golden age' of India. However, towards the end of the 6th century AD, Gupta rule in Bengal weakened and , a minor military officer of the Guptas, became ruler. Shashanka's rise marked a new era in the history of Bengal. He established his authority in north-, where he made his capital. Between 500 and 1100 AD, a number of independent kingdoms flourished in south- east Bengal.

After Shashanka’s death, there was a period sometimes described as matsyanyaya. Then the Pala dynasty established itself and ruled Bengal for nearly 400 years. Pala dominance ended with the death of and the shrank in the face of foreign attacks. In the 11th century, however, territories lost in northern and western Bengal were recaptured and Pala dynastic rule was restored to a firmer footing. Part (a) (i) What is the name of the north-west region of Bengal where Shashanka ‘made his capital’ (line 4)? [1] (ii) ‘Between 500 and 1100 AD, a number of independent kingdoms flourished in south-east Bengal’ (lines 4-5). Name one of the kingdoms. [1] (iii) What religion did Shashanka follow? [1] (iv) What does the term ‘matsyanyaya’ mean? (line 6) [1] (v) Which Pala king recaptured lost territories and restored ‘Pala dynastic rule to a firmer footing’ (lines 9-10) in the 11th century AD? [1] Part (b) (i) Write what you know about Bengal during the . [5] (ii) Why is the Gupta period sometimes called the ‘Golden Age’ of India? [5] Part (c) Which of the following was the greatest of the Pala kings? Explain your answer by writing about all three choices provided. • Gopala • Dharamapala • Devapala [10]

1 Mohammad Ziaul Alam, MSS, MBA, B.ed; Cell: 01712524004, 01972524004; Mail: [email protected], [email protected]

2009

Question 2: Pre-Mughal Bengal: From Ancient Bengal to the arrival of Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji After the fall of the Mauryas the Guptas rose to power in the Indian sub-continent. By the midfourth century AD they had brought most of Bengal’s independent states under their control. Bengal prospered as part of . One visitor described a great Gupta trading emporium that was located on the banks of the in West Bengal. Around 600 AD Shashanka became ruler of Bengal. After his death Bengal came under attack from foreign invaders until Gopala established the Pala dynasty in the middle of the eighth century. Four centuries later the rule of the Palas ended when the was established. Until the arrival of the Senas a number of independent kingdoms existed in southeastern Bengal. The political influence of Islam began to spread in Bengal with the arrival of Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji, who attacked the Sena capital city in 1204 AD. Part (a) (i) Which Gupta leader ‘brought most of Bengal’s independent states’ under his control by the mid-fourth century AD? (line 2) [1] (ii) Where was the ‘great Gupta trading emporium that was located on the banks of the Ganges in West Bengal’? [1] (iii) Which Sena ruler ended ‘the rule of the Palas’? (line 7) [1] (iv) Name one of the independent kingdoms which existed in south-eastern Bengal under the Palas. (line 8) [1] (v) Which ‘Sena capital’ did Muhammad Bakhtiyar attack in 1204 AD? (line 11) [1] Part (b) (i) Write what you know about the Sufis in pre-Mughal Bengal. [5] (ii) Explain why has been called a great leader. [5] Part (c) Which of the following do you think was the most important in the history of Pre-Mughal Bengal? Explain your answer by writing about all three choices provided. [10] • The empire of Shashanka • The rule of • The arrival of Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji 2011

Question 2: Pre-Mughal Bengal: The establishment and consolidation of Muslim Rule in Bengal 1204–1342 An important event in the political influence of Islam is 1204, when the important city of Nadia was taken by a Muslim army. Towards the end of the twelfth century Muslim Turkish forces had made inroads into northern India. Gauda was captured in 1205 but Muslim forces could not capture .

Islamic rule did not bring political stability to Bengal and there were internal conflicts as well as struggles with the Sultan of . A strong ruler like Shamsuddin Firuz Shah could expand territory under Muslim control, but not until 1338 did a strong new Sultan of Bengal emerge. One of the greatest elements in the development of Muslim Bengal was the impact of the Sufis who had a major influence on religious life. Part (a) (i) Which leader captured Nadia in 1204? (line 1–2) [1] (ii) Of which kingdom was Gauda the capital? (line 3) [1] (iii) Which Sultan of Delhi invaded Bengal following Tughal’s declaration of independence?[1] (iv) Who was the strong Sultan of Bengal? (line 7) [1] (v) Name any area conquered by Shamsuddin Firuz Shah. (line 6) [1] Part (b) (i) Write what you know about the taking of Nadia in 1204. [5] (ii) Explain why there was so much internal conflict in Bengal in this period. [5] Part (c) Which do you think were the most important in the development of Muslim rule in Bengal in this period? Explain your answer by writing about all three choices. [10] • The Sufis • The Iliyas Shahi Dynasty • The Hussain Shahi Dynasty

2012

Question 2: Pre-Mughal Bengal: Ancient Bengal The evidence for the early history of Bengal is limited, but there were probably six territorial units. The first well-established empire was that of the Mauryas. There is evidence of a capital city and of the influence of . Trade was of some importance and is referred to in Greek and Latin texts. Evidence of another empire comes from the 4th century AD with the Guptas. Historians have to rely on non-written evidence to a

2 Mohammad Ziaul Alam, MSS, MBA, B.ed; Cell: 01712524004, 01972524004; Mail: [email protected], [email protected]

large extent for knowledge of this period, but there are indications of a powerful trading state and economic prosperity. Various religions were practised and the ‘Golden Age’ lasted until around 600 AD which saw the beginning of the period of independent kingdoms in Bengal. Part (a): This question tests your knowledge. (i) What was the name given to the six territorial units of ancient Bengal? (lines 1–2) [1] (ii) What was the name given to the capital of Bengal during the time of the Mauryas?(lines 2–3) [1] (iii) What was the main trade in the Maurya period (line 3)? [1] (iv) Which ruler established Gupta rule in the 4th century AD? (line 4) [1] (v) Who became ruler of Bengal around 600 AD, ending the rule of the Guptas? (line 7) [1] Part (b): This question tests your knowledge and understanding. (i) What historical evidence exists about ancient Bengal? [5] (ii) Explain the importance of the Mauryan period in the history of Bengal. [5] Part (c): This question tests your understanding and judgement. (i) Explain why each of the following was important in making the Gupta period a ‘Golden Age’. • Trade and commerce • Religion • Political stability [8] (ii) Explain which one of these was the most important, and why. [2][Total: 25] 2014

Question 2: Pre-Mughal Bengal: The Early Kingdoms in Bengal: The Pala dynasty and the Senas

The Pala Empire under Devapala Until the establishment of greater control by the first ruler of the Pala dynasty in the eighth century AD, there had been considerable disorder. The dynasty extended its territory under his son and his successor. Religious policy was particularly successful and spiritual life was encouraged. Foreign records are a good source about this period and reveal many strengths of Pala rule. However, the death of the ruler Devapala brought about a decline. Attempts by rulers from the late tenth century to 1124 did halt the decline, but the twelfth century saw the fall of the Palas and the rise of the Sena dynasty. Part (a): this question tests your knowledge. (i) Who was the first ruler of the Pala dynasty? (line 1) [1] (ii) What is the period of disorder known as in some sources? (line 2) [1] (iii) Who was the first ruler’s son and successor? (lines 2–3) [1] (iv) Which foreign people left most records about this period? (line 4) [1] (v) Who was the first ruler of the Sena dynasty? (line 7) [1] Part (b): this question tests your knowledge and understanding. (i) Describe how Pala rule gave way to the rise of the Sena dynasty. [5] (ii) Explain the strengths and weaknesses of the rule of Lakshana Sena. [5] Part (c): this question tests your understanding and judgement. (i) Explain the importance of the following rulers: • Dharmapala • Devapala. [8] (ii) Which of these two rulers do you think was the greater? Explain why. [2][Total: 25]

Part A Summary

2006 1) 1. What name was given to the small regions of ancient Bengal ‘too small to 2) New lands or trade be called kingdoms or states’ ? 3) Asoka 2. Why did ‘the Aryans’ come to Bengal ? 4) fourth century AD 5) Bakhtiar Khalji 3. Which emperor established Maurya rule in ‘north Bengal in the third 6) One of Gauda, century B.C.’? Kornosubora, 4. In which century did ‘the Guptas’ win control of Bengal ? 5. Which Turkish leader brought ‘Muslim rule’ to Bengal ? 7) One of Vanga, 2008 Khadga, Deva, 6. What is the name of the north-west region of Bengal where Shashanka , Chandras, ‘made his capital’ ? Varman 7. ‘Between 500 and 1100 AD, a number of independent kingdoms flourished 8) Hindusim. in south-east Bengal’ . Name one of the kingdoms. 9) Lawlessness/ anarchy/ literally

3 Mohammad Ziaul Alam, MSS, MBA, B.ed; Cell: 01712524004, 01972524004; Mail: [email protected], [email protected]

8. What religion did Shashanka follow? ‘the law of the fish’ 9. What does the term ‘matsyanyaya’ mean? 10) Mahipala 10. Which Pala king recaptured lost territories and restored ‘Pala dynastic rule 11) Samudragupta. to a firmer footing’ (lines 9-10) in the 11th century AD? 12) Tamralipti. 13) Vallala (Sena). 2009 14) One of: Vanga, 11. Which Gupta leader ‘brought most of Bengal’s independent states’ under Khadga, Deva, his control by the mid-fourth century AD? Harikela. Chandras, 12. Where was the ‘great Gupta trading emporium that was located on the banks of the Varman, Nadia. Ganges in West Bengal’? 15) Nadia 13. Which Sena ruler ended ‘the rule of the Palas’? 16) Muhammad 14. Name one of the independent kingdoms which existed in south-eastern Bakhtiyar Khaji Bengal under the Palas. 17) Sena or 15. Which ‘Sena capital’ did Muhammad Bakhtiyar attack in 1204 AD? Shashanka’s 2011 kingdom 16. Which leader captured Nadia in 1204? 18) Balban 19) Fakhruddin 17. Of which kingdom was Gauda the capital? Mubarak Shah 18. Which Sultan of Delhi invaded Bengal following Tughal’s declaration of 20) Any one of Satgaon independence? (Hughli) 19. Who was the strong Sultan of Bengal? , 20. Name any area conquered by Shamsuddin Firuz Shah. Mymensingh, 2012 21. What was the name given to the six territorial units of ancient Bengal? 21) Janapadas 22. What was the name given to the capital of Bengal during the time of the 22) of Bogra or Mauryas? Pundranagara/ 23. What was the main trade in the Maurya period? Pundrunagara 24. Which ruler established Gupta rule in the 4th century AD? 23) Weaving or fine 25. Who became ruler of Bengal around 600 AD, ending the rule of the Guptas? cotton or fine 2014 muslin cloth 26. Who was the first ruler of the Pala dynasty? 24) Samudragupta 27. What is the period of disorder known as in some sources? 25) Shashanka 28. Who was the first ruler’s son and successor? 26) Gopala 29. Which foreign people left most records about this period? 27) matsyanyayam 30. Who was the first ruler of the Sena dynasty? 28) Dharmapala 29)

30) Hemanta Sena

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