Women's Presence in Sena Dynasty Inscriptions
By Binay Barman
Summary
The Sena dynasty (11th-12th century CE) in Bengal left significant socio-cultural and political imprints, with women playing notable roles in administrative, religious, and cultural spheres. This research examines women's presence through contemporary inscriptions, revealing their elevated status in royal courts and societal participation. Key queens like Bilasi Devi, Yasho Devi, and Rama Devi are highlighted for their philanthropic activities, including land donations during eclipses and festivals to enhance their children's prestige. Inscriptions describe women as symbols of virtue, likened to deities like Lakshmi, and detail their involvement in music, dance, and literature, reflecting the era's cultural vibrancy. Sena society was patriarchal, yet women enjoyed property rights and participated in public activities, though child marriage, sati, and polygamy were prevalent. Upper-class women engaged in arts, while veiling practices signified social hierarchy. The study also explores lower-class women through Charyyapadas, devotional songs reflecting marginalized groups like Domini and Chandal, who were excluded from Brahmanical norms. These sources contrast the elite's refined literary and artistic pursuits with the lower strata's rustic lifestyles. Overall, the Sena period showcases women's dual roles—as influential figures in governance and as subjects of societal constraints—while underscoring Bengal's cultural and religious diversity.
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Conclusion
This study highlights the significant yet often overlooked presence of women in the Sena dynasty of Bengal, as evidenced by contemporary inscriptions and literary sources. The research reveals that women held prominent roles in socio-political and religious spheres, with queens like Bilasi Devi and Yasho Devi actively engaging in charitable activities and patronage. Inscriptions describe their contributions to religious ceremonies, land donations, and cultural patronage, underscoring their influence beyond domestic confines. However, the study also exposes the patriarchal norms of the era, including practices like child marriage, sati, and polygamy, which limited women's autonomy despite their public roles. While upper-class women enjoyed privileges in music, dance, and education, lower-class women faced severe marginalization, as reflected in Charyyapadas. The duality of women's positions—simultaneously powerful and constrained—reveals the complex dynamics of gender roles in medieval Bengal, emphasizing the need for further exploration of marginalized voices in historical narratives.