A Side‑light on the History of Bengal
Summary
‘A Side‑light on the History of Bengal’ presents a short investigation into an overlooked episode in early medieval Bengal. The author re‑examines an inscription from Baghura in the Brahmanbaria district, which records the erection of an image of Viṣṇu by Lokaditya during the reign of Mahipāla, an early ruler of the Pāla dynasty. By contextualising the inscription with Chinese pilgrim accounts and Puranic references, the article argues that Mahipāla’s kingdom extended farther into eastern Bengal than previously thought. The author traces the interactions between the Pālas and the Candra dynasty of eastern Bengal, suggesting that Mahipāla I conquered territories from the Candras before his third regnal year. The article also discusses the Pratihāra rivalry and the role of the Kamboja mercenaries, proposing that Mahipāla regained North Bengal by repelling Candra influence. In summarising the evidence, the author suggests that political control in Bengal during the 9th century was more fluid than fixed and that inscriptions provide valuable corrections to later literary narratives. Though concise, the study offers a nuanced view of regional power dynamics and invites further research on early Pāla history.
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Conclusion
The article concludes that careful examination of inscriptions can alter our understanding of territorial boundaries and political chronology. The Baghura record suggests that Mahipāla’s authority reached further east than assumed, highlighting the complexity of early medieval Bengal’s history.