Early and Late Medieval History of Bengal | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

The medieval history of Bengal was characterized by the dominance of the Pala and Sena dynasties, alongside various Muslim rulers. This era not only held significance for Bengal but also had a lasting impact on the broader history of India. The region experienced law and order disturbances for over a century during this period. However, in the 8th century, a transformative shift occurred in the political structure of Northern and Eastern India, including Bengal. The rule of the Pala dynasty, starting from the middle of the 8th century, marked a new chapter in the history of West Bengal.

Early Medieval History of Bengal 

• Pala Empire 
  The Pala Empire (750-1120) marked the emergence of an independent Buddhist dynasty in Bengal, lasting four centuries. Gopala I, the founder, ascended to power in 750 CE in Gauda, consolidating control over Bengal. Subsequent rulers, Dharmapala and Devapala, expanded the empire, with Devapala being a significant patron of Buddhism, extending his influence beyond India.
• Gopala I was the founder of the Pala dynasty of medieval Bengal. He came to power in 750 CE in the Gauda. Gopala reigned from about AD 750-770 and consolidated his position by extending his control over all of Bengal. Gopala’s empire was greatly expanded by Dharmapala and Devapala.
• Dharmapala was the second ruler of the Pala empire of Bengal region in the Indian sub-continent. He was the son and successor of Gopala. He adopted the title Paramesvara Paramabhattaraka Maharajadhiraja. He ruled from 770 to 810 CE. He built Somapura Mahavihara in Paharpur (Naogaon district, now in Bangladesh) which is one of the greatest Viharas in the Indian sub-continent.
• Devapala was the third king in the line and had succeeded his father Dharmapala. He is regarded as the most powerful Pala ruler. He ruled from 810 to 850 CE.
  Like his father, Devapala was a great patron of Buddhism and his fame spread to many Buddhist countries outside India.  

Chandra Dynasty
 From the 10th century CE, the Chandra Dynasty ruled over the Harikela kingdom in Eastern Bengal. Centered in Vikrampur, they militarily confronted the Pala Empire but faced defeat in the 11th century at the hands of Rajendra Chola I of the Chola dynasty.

Sena Dynasty
Following the Chandra Dynasty, the Sena rulers, descendants of Karnataka migrants, established their rule. Vijayasena, the most prominent ruler, expanded Bengal's territory, succeeding his long reign. His son, Ballala Sena, conquered Gauda, making Nabadwip the capital, and played a crucial role in the social movement known as Kulinism. Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji's invasion in 1203 CE marked the end of the Sena Dynasty.

Deva Dynasty
The Hindu Deva Dynasty emerged after the collapse of the Sena Empire, ruling over Eastern Bengal. The capital was Chittagaung (present-day Munshiganj district, Bangladesh). Notable rulers included Damodardeva, who brought peace, prosperity, and creative excellence to the region. Damodardeva formed an alliance with Ghiyas-ud-Din Balban in 1281, and his brother Bikramaditya Deva later moved to the Eastern side of the kingdom in 1294. This period was characterized by stability and achievements in various domains.

Late Medieval History of Bengal

• Turk-Afghan Rule 
  The commencement of Turk-Afghan rule in Bengal can be traced back to Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khilji's invasion in the 13th century. Khilji's sway over Bengal endured from 1203 to 1213 CE. Subsequently, the Bengal Sultanate, Hindu Rajas, and Baro Bhuyan (warrior chiefs and landlords) governed the region. In the 14th century, Sultan Ghiyasuddin Tughlaq of the Tughlaq dynasty annexed Bengal in 1324 CE, attempting to secure loyalty through administrative divisions, but these efforts proved futile.  
  Following the Turk-Afghan era, the Ilyas Shahi Dynasty emerged, with Shamsuddin Ilyas Shah founding it in 1352 CE. 
• Ilyas Shahi Dynasty 
  The Ilyas Shahi dynasty, spanning from 1352 to 1414 CE, fostered art and literature, constructing notable structures like the Adina Masjid and Darasbari Masjid. Despite interruptions by Hindu uprisings led by Raja Ganesha, the dynasty persisted.  
• Ganesha Dynasty
  Ganesha Dynasty succeeded the Ilyas Shahi in 1414 CE, with rulers like Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah and Shamsuddin Ahmad Shah, who converted to Islam 
• Hussain Shahi Dynasty 
  Subsequently, the Hussain Shahi Dynasty, established by Alauddin Hussain Shah in 1494 CE, marked a cultural renaissance in Bengal. Alauddin Hussain Shah's rule saw the propagation of Vaishnavism by Chaitanya. 
  Alauddin Hussain Shah was a prominent personality of Bengali literature. The Hindus honoured him as an avatar of Krishna, ‘Nripati Tilak’(Crown of Kings) and ‘Jagat Bhushan’ (Adornment of the Universe). Hussain Shah’s son, Nusrat Shah (AD 1519-32) succeeded him. He kept the kingdom intact but his hold on the Trans-Gandak region weakened due to the Mughal invasion.  
• Afghan Rule

  Sher Shah established Afghan rule in 1538 CE, leading to the Karrani Dynasty in 1564 CE. Taj Khan Karrani, the founder, was formerly an employee of Sher Shah Suri. The Mughals took control after the last Muhammed Shahi ruler's assassination.

• Karrani Dynasty
  The Karrani dynasty was founded in 1564 CE by Taj Khan Karrani. It was the last dynasty to rule the Sultanate of Bengal. Taj Khan was formerly an employee of the Afghan Emperor Sher Shah Suri. From 1562 to 1564 CE, Taj Khan captured South-Eastern Bihar and Western part of Bengal. After the assassination of the last Muhammed Shahi ruler, he seized all of Bengal. Bengal had its capital at Sonargaon. Other prominent Karrani rulers were Sulaiman Khan Karrani and Daud Khan Karrani.

•  Mughal Rule in Bengal
  After the defeat of Daud Khan Karrani, Bengal became a Mughal Suba, ruled by Khan-i-Jahan and later strengthened by Man Singh. During Jahangir's reign, Bengal was fully integrated into the Mughal province. Despite revolts by powerful zamindars, peace and prosperity prevailed in Bengal from 1628 to 1707 CE.

Hindu Kings
A part from Afghan and Mughal rule, Hindu kings also played a role in Bengal's history. Maharaja Pratap Aditya, Raja Sitaram Ray, and King Rudra Narayan established their rule during this period. The Koch dynasty in Coochbehar, starting from 1515 to 1949, stands out as the longest-running Hindu dynasty in Bengal's history.