SOAS Research Online

Abstract

This work is a detailed study of the dynastic history of Bengal from the rise of the Palas down to the coming of the Muslims. We have divided it into three parts: the first dealing with the history of the Palas, the second devoted to the dynasties of South-Eastern Bengal and the third to the Senas and the Muslim invasion. The first part comprises three chapters. In the first chapter we have attempted a reassessment of the ascendency of the Palas. It covers the reigns of the first three rulers. We have reexamined the sources and found that many of the conclusions reached by previous writers are rather fanciful and unfounded. The idea of the election of Gopala I does not seem to hold good. In the second chapter we have covered the period of the successors of Devapala up to the reign of Mahipala I - a period of stagnation. We have discussed about the probable rule of both Vigrahapala I and Surapala I at the same time, and we have traced the gradual decline of the Palm power and its restoration by Mahipala I. The history of the Kamboja rulers has been fully discussed. The theory of Mahipala I's empire extending as far as Benares has been re-examined. The third chapter decline with the gradual decline and disintegration of the Pala empire, in spite of its partial rejuvenation by Ramapala. The origin of the revolt of the Kaivartas has been fully discussed. The second part comprises one chapter and deals with the hitherto unknown history of South-Eastern Bengal under its Deva, Candra and Varman rulers. The newly discovered materials enable us to reconstruct the history of these dynasties in greater detail. The third part comprises the fifth and the last chapter dealing with the history of the Senas and the coming of the coming of the Muslims. The thesis concludes with an outline of the general trend of the history of Bengal in our period. In an appendix we have discussed the chronology of the Pala kings. The newly discovered Valgudar inscription of Madanapala puts us in a more advantageous position in this respect than previous writers. The chronology of the other dynasties has been included in their respective chapters.