Lecture-2 - Mediaval Bangla-Revised 8.12.23
Lecture-2 - Mediaval Bangla-Revised 8.12.23
Lecture-2 - Mediaval Bangla-Revised 8.12.23
Pala Dynasty
Pala Dynasty
The Pāla Empire (r. 750–1161 CE) was an
imperial power during the post-classical period in
the Indian subcontinent, which originated in the
region of Bengal. The empire was founded with
the election of Gopāla as the emperor
of Gauda in late eighth century CE. The Pala
stronghold was located in Bengal and
eastern Bihar.
Pala Dynasty
The Pala period is considered one of the
golden eras of Bengali history. The Palas
brought stability and prosperity to Bengal after
centuries of civil war between warring
divisions. They advanced the achievements of
previous Bengali civilizations and created
outstanding works of arts and architecture.
Pala Dynasty
Palas built grand Buddhist temples and
monasteries, including the Somapura
Mahavihara and Odantapuri, and patronised the
great universities of Nalanda and Vikramashila.
The empire enjoyed relations with the Srivijaya
Empire, the Tibetan Empire and the Arab Abbasid
Caliphate. Islam first arrived in Bengal during this
period as a result of flourishing mercantile and
intellectual contacts with Middle-East. The Pala
legacy is still reflected in Tibetan Buddhism
Pala Dynasty
After the fall of Shashanka’s kingdom, the Bengal
region was in a state of anarchy. There was no
central authority, and there was constant struggle
between petty chieftains. The contemporary
writings describe this situation as matsya
nyaya ("fish justice" i.e. a situation where the big
fish eat the small fish). During that time, Gopala
was elected by a group of feudal chieftains as the
first Pala King . Such elections were quite
common in contemporary societies of the region.
Pala Dynasty
Gopala's empire was greatly expanded by his
son Dharmapala; Dharmapala was
succeeded by his son Devapala, who is
regarded as the most powerful Pala
Emperor. His expeditions resulted in the
invasion of Assam where the king submitted
without giving a fight and the Northern
Odishawhose king fled from his capital city
Pala Dynasty
The Pala rule was monarchial. The king was
the center of all power. Pala kings appointed
Prime Ministers. Pala Empire was divided into
separate Bhuktis (Provinces). Bhuktis were
divided into Divisions and Mandalas
(Districts). Administration covered widespread
area from the grass root level to the imperial
court.
Lecture-03
Sena Dynasty
Sena Dynasty
Hemantasena, the founder of the dynasty,
was originally a tributary of the Pala
dynasty. In the mid-11th century he
declared his independence and set himself
up as king. His successor, Vijayasena
(reigned c. 1095–1158), built an empire on
the ruins of that of the Palas, gaining
control of all Bengal and northern Bihar.
Sena Dynasty
The Sena dynasty was a Hindu dynasty during
the early medieval period on the Indian
subcontinent, that ruled from Bengal through the
11th and 12th centuries. The empire at its peak
covered much of the north-eastern region of the
Indian subcontinent. The rulers of the Sena
Dynasty traced their origin to the south Indian
region of Karnataka.
Sena Dynasty
The Sena Ruled the Bengal for more than
century (1097-1223 AD/CA)
The Three Kings – Vijayasena, Vallalasena
and Laksmansena – were important figure in
the dynasty.
The Senas were Hindus and their rule is
considered to be a period of revival of
Hinduism in Bangal.
Sena Dynasty
Vallalsena is known to have attempted
orthodox Hindu social order with caste
rigidity.
The Sena period is significant from another
point of view that the period saw the
development of Sanskrit literature in
Bengal.
The literary activities of Sanskrit are
distinctly visible in this period.
Sena Dynasty
he Sena dynasty is famous for building Hindu
temples and monasteries, which include the
renowned Dhakeshwari Temple in what is
now Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The rule of the Senas in Bengal is usually
connected with the emergence of orthodox
Hinduism in a Hindu-Buddhist society which
for long had enjoyed the peaceful coexistence
of the two religions resulting in an atmosphere
of amalgam of the two.
Sena Dynasty
There is no doubt that Laksmanasena came
to the throne at a fairly old age. His reign was
famous for remarkable literary activities. He
himself wrote many Sanskrit poems and
completed the Adbhutasagara, which was
started by his father. His court was an
assembly of several renowned poets like
Jayadeva, the author of Gitagovinda.
Sena Dynasty
Downfall of Sena dynasty was destined under
the rule of weak rulers of this dynasty. This
dynasty started declining during the rule of
Lakshmanasena who was the last significant
Sena king. Sena kings continued to rule in
eastern Bengal for some decades, but the
main political power in Bengal passed to the
Muslim Ghurid Empire (Bakthair Khilji).
Features of Senas