Senas: Polity and Administration | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

The Sena Dynasty of Bengal: Origins and Rise

During the early medieval period, specifically in the 11th and 12th centuries, the Sena dynasty governed Bengal. This dynasty was of Hindu origin and at its peak, it controlled a significant part of the northeastern Indian subcontinent. The emperors of the Sena Dynasty traced their ancestry back to Karnataka, a region in southern India.

Origin of the Sena Dynasty

• According to the Deopara Prashasti, the Sena dynasty was founded by Samanthasena, who was described as a Brahmaksatriya immigrant. The term “Brahma-Kshatriya” suggests that the Senas were originally Brahmins by caste but chose to become Kshatriyas by taking up arms. Historian P.N. Chopra also proposed that the Baidyas might have been the original kings of the Sena dynasty.
• The Senas initially served the Pala dynasty as samantas in the region of Radha, likely under the leadership of Samantasena. By the end of Vijayasena’s rule, the Pala territory had expanded to include Vanga and part of Varendra.

Brief History

• Samanta Sena established the dynasty.
• Hemanta Sena seized the throne in 1095 AD.
• Vijaya Sena reigned for over 60 years and solidified the dynasty's power.
• Ballala Sena expelled the Pala dynasty from Gaur, took control of the Bengal Delta, and established Nadia as the capital.
• Lakshmana Sena expanded the empire to include Odisha,Bihar, and possibly Varanasi.
• Ramadevi, a princess from the Western Chalukya Kingdom, married Ballala Sena, highlighting the dynasty’s connections with South India.

Sena Rulers

• The Sena family ruled Bengal after the Palas.
• Hemantasena, son of Samantasena, established an independent principality.
• Samantasena, the founder, was called a Brahmakshatriya but his successors identified as Kshatriyas.

Vijayasena:

• Vijayasena, son of Hemantasena, ruled for over sixty years.
• He expanded his family’s influence throughout Bengal.
• The poet Sriharsha wrote the Vijayaprasasti in his honor.
• Vijayasena held titles like Paramesvara and Maharajadhiraja.
• He had two capitals:Vikramapura(in Bangladesh) and Vijayapuri(in West Bengal).

Ballalasena:

• Ballalasena, son of Vijayasena, succeeded his father.
• He maintained the territories inherited from his father.
• His reign was generally quiet, and he was noted for his scholarly work.
• He authored the Danasagara and the Adbhutasagara, among other texts.
• Danasagara deals with portents and omens, while Adbhutasagara focuses on astronomy.

Lakshmanasena:

• Lakshmanasena became the head of the family in 1179 AD at the age of sixty.
• His reign was marked by internal rebellions and challenges toSena power.
• The invasion by Bakhtiyar Khalji was particularly damaging.
• Tabakat-i-Nasiri provides a detailed account of Khalji’s invasion.

Sena Administration

The Sena dynasty of Bengal maintained the Pala system of government, with administrative divisions like Bhuktis, Vishayas, and Mandals still in place. However, they also introduced new titles and roles.

• Patakas and Chaturakas were common in inscriptions from this period.
• Sena kings adopted titles like Aswapati and Narapati, indicating a focus on minor administrative divisions.
• Royal officers such as Bhuktipati,Mandalpati, and Vishayapati were common.
• The title of Mahamantri was introduced for the Prime Minister, replacing the Pala title.
• Sena monarchs granted land concessions to their Queens or Rajmahishis, and Purohitas and Mahapurohitas were also given land through official grants, reflecting their high status.
• The Sandhivigrahika of the Pala period became Mahasandhivigrahika under the Senas.
• New military officer titles included Mahapilupati,Mahaganastha, and Mahabyutpati.
• Iswar Ghosh’s copper plate mentions 29 classes of officers, indicating a diverse administrative structure.
• The Pradeshtris class of officers, mentioned by Kautilya, was also part of the Sena administration, showing a blend of Hindu administrative practices.
• The Sena period is characterized by peace and prosperity, with advancements in society, politics, and religion.

Sena Literature

During the reign of Lakshmanasena, there was a significant surge in literary activity, particularly influenced by his strong Vaishnava beliefs. Notable figures of this era included Jayadeva, a renowned Bengali Vaishnava poet known for his work the Gita Govinda, who flourished at Lakshmanasena's court. Other distinguished poets such as Govardhana and Dhoyi, the latter famous for the Pavanaduta, also graced his court, contributing to the vibrant literary culture of the time.

Religion:

• The emergence of orthodox Hinduism is closely associated with the rule of the Senas of Bengal. This period is believed to mark the beginning of the persecution of Buddhists in Bengal, leading to a significant exodus of Buddhists to neighboring regions.
• Following the Sena leadership, Buddhism in India gradually declined in popularity. The Bhaktiyar Khalji era witnessed the plundering of numerous Buddhist universities, further contributing to the decline of Buddhism in the region.

Inscriptions:

• In 1838 AD, a copper plate was discovered in Adilpur. The copperplate inscription dates to the third Jyaistha of 1136 sambal, or 1079 A.D., and is inscribed in Sanskrit and Ganda characters. According to the copperplate of Keshava Sena, the goddesses of fortune were taken from the enemies by king Vallala Sena. According to a copperplate report, a Brahman received three villages in the third year of the Keshava Sena. The grant came with landlord powers. 
• It included the authority to punish the tribe known as the Chandrabhandas or Sundarbans, who resided in the jungle. The land was awarded in the shatata-padamavati-visaya village of Leliya, which is part of the Kumaratalaka mandala. The king granted Nitipathaka Isvaradeva Sarman a grant for the interior of the subha-varsha. It mentions the construction of pillars of victory and sacrifice posts built by Vallala Sena’s son Lakshmana Sena. The copperplate also describes Bengali dance and music.

Senas of Bengal Sculpture:

• Sculptures depicting Hindu gods and goddesses were part of the creative movement initiated by the Sena monarchs (c 1097-1223 AD). The style index for Sena sculptures is provided by two dated images. 
• First, Sadasiva from Rajibpur, Dinajpur, was engraved during the reign of Gopala III. The other of Chandi from Dalbazar, Dhaka, was inscribed during the third year of Laksmanasena. The profusion of ornamental motifs appears to have overtaken the stone sculpture of this time. Although passionate, the modelling of the body is still maintained. Nonetheless, a few Sena-era freestanding images show bold and superior modelling. In this context, the enormous stone head of Visnu from Padumshahar Tank and the stone torso of Garuda from Malda may be mentioned. 
• The best illustration of such a sculpture is the stone representation of Ardhanarishvara. The entire carving is shaped like a circle, with Shiva’s characteristics on the right and Uma’s on the left. The stone statue of Apitakucha from Vikrampur is another composite sculpture from the era.

Coinage Of Senas of Bengal

The Senas of Bengal was a powerful ruling dynasty in Bengal’s historical past. The Sena texts frequently refer to many types of currency, including Purana,Dharan, and Dramma.

• Purana: Refers to a type of silver coin.
• Dharan: Likely another form of currency, though specific details are less clear.
• Dramma: The exact nature of this currency is not detailed in the provided information.

These terms indicate a sophisticated system of currency and trade during the Sena period, reflecting the economic practices of the time.

Conclusion

After the reign of its last capable king, “Lakshmana Sena,” the Sena Dynasty showed obvious signs of depletion. The heirs did not indicate that they intended to continue and grow the dynasty. They shared the previous monarchs’ major lack of interest in the burgeoning arts, cultures, and religions. They were taking part in activities that sought comfort and enjoyment. This was used by “Bakhtiyar khilji” of the “Ghurid Empire,” who successfully invaded and later took control of the Sena Dynasty’s capital.