Unit III: Bengal under the Palas and Senas

1. The Pala Dynasty

The Pala dynasty emerged in Bengal in the 8th century, ending a period of anarchy known as 'Matsyanyaya' (literally "the law of fishes," where the strong devour the weak).

Founder: The Pala dynasty was founded by Gopala (c. 750 CE), who was chosen by the people (or a council of chieftains) to restore order. This makes the Pala dynasty's origin unique, as its founder was elected rather than conquering the throne.

The Palas were ardent patrons of Mahayana Buddhism and ruled over Bengal and Bihar for several centuries.

2. Political Achievements of Dharmapala & Deva Pala

• Dharmapala (c. 770–810 CE):
  • He was the son of Gopala and the true architect of the Pala empire, raising it to a dominant position in North India.
  • Tripartite Struggle: His most significant political involvement was the Tripartite Struggle for the control of Kanauj, fought against the Pratiharas and the Rashtrakutas.
  • He successfully defeated the Pratiharas and placed his own nominee on the throne of Kanauj, holding a grand imperial durbar there.
  • Though he was later defeated by the Rashtrakuta king Dhruva, he established the Palas as a major all-India power.
  • Cultural Contribution: He founded the Vikramashila University (Mahavihara) in Bihar, which became a world-renowned center for Buddhist learning, second only to Nalanda.
• Deva Pala (c. 810–850 CE):
  • Son of Dharmapala, he expanded the empire further. His reign is considered the zenith of Pala power.
  • His inscriptions claim victories against the Pratiharas, the Rashtrakutas, and even rulers in the distant northeast (Kamarupa/Assam) and south (Dravidas).
  • He was a great patron of Buddhism and maintained diplomatic relations with the Srivijaya kingdom (Southeast Asia).

3. Cultural Contribution of the Palas

The Pala period is a significant phase in the cultural history of India.

• Patrons of Buddhism: The Palas were the last great royal patrons of Buddhism in India. Their rule saw the final flourish of this religion before its decline.
• Educational Centers (Mahaviharas):
  • They founded the Vikramashila and Somapura (in modern-day Bangladesh) monasteries.
  • They were also great patrons of the Nalanda University, helping to revive and expand it. These "universities" attracted students from all over Asia.
• Pala School of Art: A new school of art emerged under their patronage, known for:
  • Bronze Sculptures: Highly refined and elegant bronze statues of Buddhist and Hindu deities.
  • Manuscript Painting: The earliest examples of miniature painting in India are found on the palm-leaf manuscripts produced during this time.
• Literature: They patronized many Sanskrit scholars.

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4. The Sena Dynasty

The Sena dynasty succeeded the Palas in Bengal in the 11th century. They were originally from the Deccan (Karnataka region) and came to Bengal as feudatories before seizing power.

Unlike the Palas, the Senas were staunch patrons of orthodox Hinduism.

5. Sena dynasty: Ballal Sen & Lakshman Sen

• Ballal Sen (c. 1160–1179 CE):
  • He consolidated the Sena kingdom.
  • He is most famous for his social reforms within Hinduism.
  • Kulinism: He introduced 'Kulinism' (a system of aristocracy or "nobility of birth") among the Brahmins and Kayasthas of Bengal. This system, intended to preserve "purity," led to rigid social stratification and had long-lasting, often negative, social consequences.
  • He was also a scholar and wrote works like the Adbhuta Sagara (which his son completed).
• Lakshman Sen (c. 1179–1206 CE):
  • Son of Ballal Sen, he was the last significant ruler of the dynasty.
  • Patron of Literature: His court was adorned by famous poets, most notably Jayadeva, the author of the celebrated Sanskrit work 'Gita Govinda'.
  • Turkic Invasion: His reign ended tragically. In c. 1204-1205, his capital at Nabadwip was captured in a surprise raid by Bakhtiyar Khalji, a Turkic general. The elderly Lakshman Sen fled, and the Sena kingdom collapsed, marking the arrival of Muslim rule in Bengal.

6. Significance of the Sena rule

Though their rule was relatively short compared to the Palas, the Senas had a profound impact:

• Revival of Hinduism: They oversaw a strong revival of orthodox Hinduism (especially Vaishnavism) in Bengal, leading to the sharp decline of Buddhism, which had flourished under the Palas.
• Patronage of Sanskrit: Their period was a golden age for Sanskrit literature in Bengal (e.g., Jayadeva's Gita Govinda).
• Social Stratification: The introduction of Kulinism created deep-rooted social hierarchies that defined Bengali Hindu society for centuries.
• End of an Era: Their collapse at the hands of Bakhtiyar Khalji marked the end of the last major independent Hindu kingdom in Bengal and ushered in the medieval period of Islamic rule.