The Sena Dynasty ruled Bengal from approximately 1097 to 1225 CE. The Sena dynasty ruled the majority of the Indian subcontinent’s northeast. Previously, the Pala dynasty ruled over both Bihar and Bengal. The Sena rulers were devout Hindus, as opposed to the Palas, who were Buddhists. They originated in the south Indian region of Karnataka, according to the Deopara inscription. The inscription mentions Samantha Sen, one of the southern founders, whose successor was Hemanta Sena, the first of the family to be given royal epithets in the family records, and who seized power from the Palas and styled himself king in around 1095 CE. His successor, Vijaya Sena, was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the dynasty.

Features

• During the 11th and 12th centuries, Senas ruled from Bengal.
• The Sena Dynasty traces its origins to the south Indian region of Karnataka.
• Vijayasena deposed Madanapala (the last ruler of the Pala dynasty) and established the Sena dynasty. He was the genuine founder of the Sena kingdom.
• His son, Ballala Sena (1160-1178), instituted the social reforms known as Kulinism in Bengal.
• Lakshamanasena succeeded Ballal Sena. This dynasty’s greatest ruler was Lakshmana Sena.
• He became weak near the end of his reign. Within his kingdom, there were signs of disintegration.
• Muhammad Bhaktiyar Khalji dealt the Sena kingdom its final blow (1204 AD).

Rulers of Senas

Vijaya Sena (1095-1158 CE)

• Vijaya Sena was the son of Hemanta Sena and succeeded him in the Sena dynasty of Bengal.
• The Sena dynasty ruled for over 200 years, with Vijaya Sena being a key figure in its establishment.
• He conquered Bengal, defeating the kings of Gauda, Kamarupa, and Kalinga.
• He had capitals in Vijayapuri and Vikrampura.
• Vijaya Sena inherited the position of a subordinate ruler in Rarh under the Palas.
• He was possibly the same person as Vijayraj of Nidravali, one of the fourteen Samanta kings who assisted Ramapala in recovering Varendra.
• He took full advantage of the Pala rule’s weakness in Bengal.
• As a reward for his help to Ramapala in fighting the Kaivartas, he was given an independent position in Rarh.
• Vijaya Sena defeated the Palas and seized the throne of Gauda.
• His queen, Vilasadevi, was a Shura dynasty princess.
• His matrimonial relationship with the Shura family increased his political power in Rarh.
• He possibly formed an alliance with Anantavarman Chodaganga, the king of Orissa, which increased his political influence.
• In Anandabhatta’s Vallalacharita, he is referred to as Chodaganga-Sakha (friend of Chodaganga).
• Vijaya Sena established independent power in Bengal after Ramapala’s death.
• He defeated Nanya, Vir, Raghav, and Vardhan, according to the Deopara Prashasti.
• He defeated the kings of Kamarupa and Kalinga, forcing the Gauda king to flee.
• Nanya was possibly King Nanyadev of Mithila.
• Vir was likely Virgun, ruler of Kotatavi and a member of Ramapala’s samantachakra.
• Vardhan may have been Dorpavardhan, ruler of Kausambi, or Govardhan, against whom Madanapala won a victory.
• Vijaya Sena’s fight against Vir and Vardhan might have been to subdue other feudatory chiefs aspiring for power.
• Raghav, possibly Raghav son of Chodaganga, was King of Orissa, and Vijaya Sena fought him to prevent his aggressive plans.
• The battle with Raghav likely occurred near the end of Vijaya Sena’s reign.
• The Deopara Prashasti mentions Vijaya Sena’s fight with the King of Kamrupa, which may refer to Vaidyadev or his successor, who may have invaded Sena dominions.
• Madanapala, the last Pala king, was forced to flee Gauda by Vijaya Sena.
• Madanapala’s authority over North Bengal lasted until the eighth year of his reign (1152–53 AD).
• Vijaya Sena likely established supremacy over North and North Western Bengal after ousting the Palas sometime after 1152–53 AD.
• Deopara Prashasti notes the building of the Pradyumneshvar temple near Rajshahi, marking Vijaya Sena’s victory.
• No Pala records have been found in Bengal after Madanapala’s reign.
• Vijaya Sena expanded control over Vanga (southeastern Bengal) and issued his Barrackpur copper plate from Vikrampur, the capital of the Varmans.
• He likely drove the Varmans out of southeastern Bengal in the mid-12th century.
• By the mid-12th century, Vijaya Sena had replaced the Varmans, ousted the Palas, and established his own dynasty’s rule in Bengal.
• He ruled for approximately 62 years and was a follower of the Shaiva sect.
• He was kind to Brahmanas who knew the Vedas and to the poor.
• He took imperial titles like Paramaheshvara Parambhattarak Maharajadhiraj and the honorific title Ariraj-Vrsabha-Shankara.
• The poet Shriharsa’s Gaudorviskulprashasti and Vijayprashasti were inspired by Vijaya Sena’s career.