Sena Dynasty of Bengal (11th–12th Century)

At a Glance

• Origin Migrants from Karnataka, who first served the Palas
• Founder Samanta Sena, from about 1070
• Greatest kings Vijayasena, Ballala Sena, Lakshmana Sena
• Fall in the west Bakhtiyar Khalji’s raid on Nadia, about 1202 to 1204
• Court poets Jayadeva and Dhoyi
• Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Early Medieval Period

Where Does It Fit?

This is the fourth topic of the category on the early medieval period. The previous topic described the contest for Kanauj, and this topic returns to Bengal, where the Palas were replaced by the Senas. The next topic covers the Rajput clans of the same age in the west and north. Previous topic: Gurjara-Pratiharas, Palas, Rashtrakutas Period Mid-eighth to the tenth century…">The Tripartite Struggle for Kannauj Among the Pratiharas, Palas and Rashtrakutas.

Where Did the Senas Come From?

In short: the Senas were a Hindu dynasty of Bengal, originally from Karnataka, who rose from Pala feudatories to rulers of Bengal in the eleventh and twelfth centuries.

The Deopara inscription describes Samanta Sena as a migrant from Karnataka. The family first served the Palas as chiefs in Radha in western Bengal. As Pala power declined, especially after the Kaivarta revolt, the Senas built their own kingdom. The caste status of the family is debated among historians, so exam answers should say only that they came from Karnataka.

Which Sena Kings Matter for the Exam?

The Deopara inscription, composed by Umapati Dhara, a minister and poet of Lakshmana Sena, praises Vijayasena in particular. Dates differ by a few years between historians, so rely on the century and the order of kings.

How Did the Senas Replace the Palas?

By the end of Vijayasena’s reign the Senas controlled Vanga and part of Varendra. The Palas were fully ousted, and their territory annexed, sometime after 1165. Ballala Sena took Gauda and made Nadia his capital, and Lakshmana Sena then carried the frontier into Odisha. The Gahadavalas of Kanauj had at the same time squeezed the Palas out of Bihar, so the Palas lost on two sides.

What Was the Culture of the Sena Court?

The Senas are linked to Brahmanical and Vaishnava culture, in contrast to the Buddhist Palas. Lakshmana Sena patronised literature at Nadia, and the poets Jayadeva and Dhoyi worked at his court. The Deopara inscription itself is a Sanskrit eulogy by his minister Umapati Dhara. Jayadeva is remembered for the Gita Govinda. Sena sculpture, such as Vishnu images, continued the eastern Indian tradition begun under the Palas.

How Did the Turks Defeat Lakshmana Sena?

Bakhtiyar Khalji had destroyed the monasteries of Nalanda and Vikramashila in Bihar, collected wealth and followers, and learned the routes to Bengal. He marched towards Nadia, where Lakshmana Sena had a palace and had gone on pilgrimage. Pretending to be a horse-merchant, he made a sudden attack on the palace. Lakshmana Sena, a noted warrior, was taken by surprise, believed the main Turkish army had arrived and slipped away by a back door. The Turkish army soon arrived and overpowered the garrison.

Bakhtiyar then occupied the Sena capital, Lakhnauti, without opposition. Lakshmana Sena moved to Sonargaon in south Bengal, where he and his successors continued to rule. Sena kings kept parts of eastern Bengal for some decades after the raid, so the dynasty ended in stages and not in a single day. The date of the raid is given as 1204 in the standard account, but other works give 1202 to 1205.

Why Is This Topic Important?

• Pala-Sena transition Marks the shift from Buddhist to Brahmanical patronage in Bengal
• Turkish entry The raid on Nadia opened Bengal to Delhi’s rule
• Literature Jayadeva and the Deopara inscription are common questions

What Came Next?

The next topic describes the Rajput clans that rose after the Pratihara collapse. Next topic: Rise of the Rajputs and Major Rajput Clans.

Key People and Terms

• Samanta Sena Founder from Karnataka
• Vijayasena Long-reigning Sena king; subject of the Deopara inscription
• Ballala Sena Took Gauda; Nadia his capital
• Lakshmana Sena Last great Sena king
• Jayadeva Poet of the Gita Govinda
• Sonargaon Refuge of Lakshmana Sena after the raid

Exam Corner

Mains Angle

Questions on the Senas usually ask about the end of Hindu rule in Bengal. These points add depth.

• Cause of fall Surprise attack, weak military preparation and the collapse of Pala power earlier
• Culture Sanskrit poetry and Vaishnava devotion
• Effect Beginning of Turkish rule in Bengal under a nominal Delhi governor