Ancient Bengal

We know that the history of Bengal (by which we mean modern-day Bangladesh and West Bengal in India) can be traced back more than 2,500 years. However, we cannot be sure of much of its history until around the 4th century AD because there are so few historical sources that have survived. However, after the 4th century AD, when the Gupta Empire began to rule India, more reliable written records became available.For the period before the 4th century AD, historians have tried to get a sense of what happened from scanty references found mainly in various religious texts which were not usually intended to be accurate historical documents
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In the earliest phase of its history, Bengal is thought to have been divided into six territorial units, each of them representing a janapada (human settlement). The janapadas were:

• Vanga: probably part of today's 24 Pargana Districts of India and the Khulna Division of Bangladesh.
• Pundra: situated in the district of Bogra and adjacent areas. From archaeological sources, it is known that the capital of Pundra, Pundranagara, was the earliest urban centre in Bangladesh.
• Radha: (also described as Rarha, Ladha) probably included a large part of the modern Indian state of West Bengal. This janapada had important centres of trade, commerce and administration in the ancient as well as medieval period.
• Gaura: lay to the north-west of Bhagirathi (Hughly) river and its core area was Murshidabad. Gauda was the capital city of many rulers of ancient and medieval Bengal.
• Samatata: in the Meghna river valley. It appears to have consisted of Comilla and Noakhali areas of Bangladesh and some areas of Tripura in India.
• Harikela: identified as Chittagong and its adjacent areas.
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Figure 2.1 Ancient Bengal (source: Banglapedia, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh)


Bengal during the Maurya Empire

The first great and well-organised empire of the Subcontinent was the Mauryan Empire (c. 320--180 BC). Mauryan rule was established in Bengal by Emperor Asoka. During the time of the Mauryas, Bengal probably continued to be divided into the different janapadas, and the janapada called Pundra formed part of the Empire's eastern province. Mahasthangarh of Bogra was probably the provincial capital of the region.The western part of Bengal also achieved importance during the Mauryan period because vessels sailed from its ports to Sri Lanka and South-East Asia. Buddhism arrived in Bengal during the Mauryan era. From Bengal, Mahinda, the son of Asoka, one of the most famous Emperors of the ancient world, carried the message of Buddhism to Sri Lanka.


Weaving

We can learn from the Arthashastra of Kautilya (written in 3rd century BC) that the tradition of weaving fine cotton cloth in Bengal goes back at least as far as the Mauryan period. The Arthashastra includes references to the fine cotton fabric of Vanga (south-eastern Bengal) as an important item of trade throughout India. Greek and Latin writers of around the same period also mention it.


Bengal under the Guptas

The period between Mauryas and Guptas

We know little about the history of Bengal from the fall of the Mauryas (2nd century BC) to the rise of the Guptas (4th century AD). In the first century AD, the Aryans came to Bengal looking to conquer new lands to win prosperous trade. There is some evidence that Bengal continued to flourish during this time. It is known from the accounts of Greek scholars, such as Ptolemy, that in the first two centuries AD there was a powerful Bengal kingdom with its capital at Gange, a great market town on the banks of the Ganges. We also have evidence of widespread trade between Bengal and China, as well as other countries during this time.


Independent states come under Gupta rule

It is likely that on the eve of Gupta expansion under Samudragupta, the greatest of the Guptas, (4th century AD) Bengal remained divided into independent states. However, by about the middle of the 4th century AD, most independent states came under Samudragupta's rule. Samatata remained outside his empire, but was reduced to the status of a tributary state. It is probable that the Gupta won control over Samatata eventually, as by the end of the 6th century AD this area appears to have been ruled by a king with his name ending with Gupta (Vainyagupta). Several copper-plates of 5th century Gupta emperors (Kumaragupta and Budhagupta) found in northern Bengal prove that Gupta rule was by then well established in that area.


The golden age

Under Gupta rule, Bengal was an important province. Bengal is believed to have come under Gupta rule in the 4th century AD. The period of the Guptas is generally considered to be the 'golden age' of Indian history. During this period, India was controlled by a strong central government, which brought peace and prosperity and political stability for a considerable time. This period is remarkable for its trade and commerce, in which Bengal participated fully. For example, Fa-hsien, a Chinese visitor at that time, stated that Tamralipti (located on the bank of the Ganges in West Bengal) was a great trading emporium. The discovery of a large number of Gupta coins and ornaments in Bengal prove the economic prosperity of the region under the Guptas.
 
Figure 2.2 Gupta coin (source: Banglapedia, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh)

The period is also remarkable for religious toleration. The Gupta monarchs embraced Brahmanism and styled themselves Paramabhagavatas or Paramadaivatas. But they also patronised Buddhism and Jainism. This indicates that there was religious toleration and coexistence of religious beliefs. The artistic excellence of the Gupta age is also well known and it influenced the artistic tradition of Bengal. The Gupta School inspired the Bengal style of sculptural art.


Gupta rule in Bengal weakens

Towards the end of the sixth century AD, the Gupta rule in Bengal weakened and around 600 AD, Shashanka, a minor military officer of the Guptas, became ruler of Bengal. Shashanka's rise marked a new era in the history of Bengal.