Sena Dynasty

Sena Dynasty, hailing from the Karnata Brahmana-Kshatriya clan in South India, rose to power succeeding the Palas as rulers of Bengal. Tracing their lineage back to Virsena, a figure mentioned in the Puranas. Originally Brahmins, the Senas eventually transformed into Kshatriyas and were often referred to as the Brahma-Kshatriyas. Among their notable members was Samantasena, a renowned general who earned distinction in various South Indian conflicts. In his later years, he chose to settle in Radha, Bengal, laying the foundation for the family’s future eminence.

Background

Bengal was under the rule of the Hindu Sena Empire during this period, dominating a significant part of the northeastern Indian subcontinent.
The Sena Dynasty had its roots in Karnataka, South India. Hemanta Sen, initially a member of the declining Pala Dynasty, seized power in 1095 AD, marking the beginning of the Sena rule.
Vijaya Sena, a key figure in the dynasty, ruled for over 60 years. During his tenure, he laid the foundations of the administrative framework, contributing significantly to the stability of the empire.
Ballal Sena, by defeating Gaur in the Pala region, established control over the Bengal Delta. Nabadwip became the capital under his rule, showcasing the empire’s expanding influence.
Ballal Sena’s marriage to Ramadevi, a princess from the Chalukya Empire in the south, highlighted the close social connections maintained by the Sena rulers with South India.
Lakshman Sen, succeeding Ballal Sena in 1179 AD, expanded the Sena Empire’s territory to Assam, Odisha, Bihar, and possibly Varanasi during his 20-year rule.
The Turkic general Bakhtiyar Khilji’s invasion in 1203-1204 AD saw the defeat of Lakshman Sen in Nabadwip. While Khilji took control of northwest Bengal, the Sena Empire retained its grip on the eastern part.

Political History

The Sena Dynasty, which thrived in Bengal during the 11th and 12th centuries, had its roots traced back to the southern region of Karnataka.
The true architect of the Sena Kingdom was Vijayasena. He expelled the last ruler of the Pala Dynasty, Madanpala, marking the beginning of the Sena dynasty rule.
Vijayasena’s son, Ballala Sena (1160-1178), played a pivotal role in introducing significant social reforms in Bengal, known as Kulinism.
Ballala Sena was succeeded by Lakshmanasena, who is often considered the greatest ruler of the Sena Dynasty.
Despite Lakshmanasena’s strong rule, towards the end of his reign, signs of weakness and internal strife emerged, leading to the gradual disintegration of the Sena Kingdom.
In 1204 AD, the Sena Kingdom faced its ultimate downfall when Muhammad Bhaktiyar Khalji delivered the final blow, marking the end of the Sena Dynasty’s reign in Bengal.

Sena Rulers

The Sena family, succeeding the Palas in Bengal, saw significant transformations under rulers like Hemantasena and his son Samantasena. Initially identified as “Brahmakshatriyas,” subsequent rulers, including Vijayasena, shifted to the title of Kshatriyas.

Hemantasena

Hemantasena, the son of Samantasena, established an independent principality, setting the stage for the Sena family’s prominence.
Samantasena, the founder, initially labeled as a “Brahmakshatriya,” saw a shift in self-identification by his successors who embraced the title of Kshatriyas.

Vijayasena

Vijayasena, Hemantasena’s son, ruled for over sixty years and expanded the family’s influence across Bengal.
Renowned poet Sriharsha honored Vijayasena with the Vijayaprasasti, celebrating his achievements.
Adopting imperial titles like Paramesvara and Maharajadhiraja, Vijayasena established two capitals in Bangladesh and West Bengal.

Ballalasena

Ballalasena, Vijayasena’s successor, maintained the family’s dominions and excelled in academia.
Notable works include Danasagara and Adbhutasagara, focusing on portents, omens, and astronomy.

Lakshmanasena

Lakshmanasena assumed leadership in AD 1179 at the age of sixty, facing internal uprisings.
Bakhtiyar Khalji’s invasion in the late reign dealt a fatal blow to Sena power.
The Tabakat-i-Nasiri provides a detailed account of Bakhtiyar Khalji’s invasion and its impact on the Sena dynasty.

Religion

The Sena rule in Bengal marked a significant shift towards orthodox Hinduism in a previously harmonious Hindu-Buddhist society. This era had long embraced peaceful coexistence between the two religions, fostering an amalgamation of their beliefs.
The onset of the Sena rule saw a notable rise in persecution against Buddhists in Bengal. This harsh treatment led to a mass exodus of Buddhists to neighboring countries, disrupting the once-peaceful coexistence of the two religions.
The decline of Buddhism in India can be attributed to the Sena rule. This period witnessed the plundering of Buddhist universities, including Vikramshila, Odantapuri, and Nalanda, by Bhaktiyar Khalji. These devastating events significantly contributed to the downfall of Buddhism in the region.

Literature

The Sena rulers were notable patrons of literature, contributing significantly to the growth of Bengali during both the Pala and Sena dynasties.
The Sena dynasty era saw remarkable developments in both Bengali and Sanskrit literature, showcasing a rich cultural environment.
Lakshmanasena, a prominent ruler, played a pivotal role by patronizing the Pancharatnas in his court, including renowned figures such as Jayadeva, Sarana, Umapathi, Dhoyi, and Govardhana.
Jayadeva, under the patronage of Lakshmanasena, composed romantic devotional songs, notably the famous Gita Govindam, making a lasting impact on literature.
Jayadeva is credited as the founder of the Radha Krishna cult, adding a spiritual dimension to the cultural landscape of the Sena period.
Dhoyi, another luminary of the time, contributed to Sanskrit literature with his work Pavandutam, further enriching the literary heritage of the Sena era.

Architecture

The architectural style during the Sena dynasty seamlessly carries forward the legacy of the Palas, showcasing a remarkable continuity in design.
Notably, there is a lack of discernible changes in the architectural form, emphasizing the preservation of the distinctive Palas style.
The Sena dynasty’s architectural expression remains consistent with the refined aesthetic established by the Palas, maintaining a sense of harmony and continuity.

Conclusion

Following the rule of the last proficient monarch, Lakshmana Sena, the Sena Dynasty experienced a noticeable decline. The successors exhibited little inclination to sustain and advance the dynasty, showing a distinct disinterest in fostering the arts, cultures, and religions that their predecessors had embraced. Instead, they engaged in pursuits focused on personal comfort and enjoyment. Seizing this opportunity, Bakhtiyar Khilji of the Ghurid Empire launched a successful invasion, ultimately gaining control over the capital of the Sena Dynasty.

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