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Question 37 of 93 · Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms
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The dynasty that succeeded the Palas in Bengal was the:

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Answer: Option C — Sena dynasty

Detailed Solution

The Sena dynasty succeeded the Palas as the rulers of Bengal in the 11th-12th centuries.

About the Senas:

  • The Senas originally came from Karnataka (they described themselves as "Brahma-Kshatriyas" from the Karnata region).
  • They settled in Bengal, probably as officials or soldiers of the Palas.
  • Samantasena is regarded as the founder of the family in Bengal.
  • Vijayasena (about 1097-1160 CE) was the real founder of Sena power; he defeated the last Pala rulers and established control over Bengal.
  • His capital was Vijayapura, and later Vikramapura.

Important Sena rulers:

  • Vijayasena: established the kingdom.
  • Ballalasena: a scholar-king who wrote the "Danasagara" and "Adbhutasagara"; he is traditionally associated with introducing "Kulinism" (a system of social ranking) in Bengal.
  • Lakshmanasena: the last great Sena king; his court had famous poets.

The end of the Senas:

  • In about 1204 CE, the Turkish general Bakhtiyar Khalji attacked Nadia (Nabadwip), one of the capitals of Lakshmanasena, with a small force of horsemen.
  • Lakshmanasena fled to eastern Bengal, where his successors ruled for some decades.
  • This marked the beginning of Turkish rule in Bengal.

Religion:

The Senas were followers of Brahmanical Hinduism (Shaiva and Vaishnava), unlike the Palas, who were great patrons of Buddhism.

About the Palas:

  • They ruled Bengal and Bihar from the 8th to the 12th centuries.
  • The first Pala ruler, Gopala, was chosen by the people (or chiefs) to end a period of anarchy.
  • They were patrons of Buddhism and of great monasteries.
  • Good to know
  • The Varmans and the Gahadavalas ruled other regions.
  • The Chandelas ruled Bundelkhand.

Quick tip

Remember: Palas -> Senas in Bengal (Vijayasena, Ballalasena, Lakshmanasena); Senas from Karnataka; Lakshmanasena fled when Bakhtiyar Khalji attacked Nadia (about 1204).

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Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms — Preparation

This question tests your understanding of Early Medieval India & South Indian Kingdoms, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.

This topic covers India from about the 7th to the 12th century: the Rajput dynasties, the tripartite struggle between the Palas, Pratiharas and Rashtrakutas, and the South Indian kingdoms of the Chalukyas, Pallavas, Cholas and Pandyas, along with the Sangam age and the temple architecture of the period. Questions often ask which dynasty built a temple (the Pallavas built the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, and Rajaraja Chola I built the Brihadeeswara Temple at Thanjavur), the capitals of dynasties, and the local self-government of the Cholas. Learning each dynasty with its capital, greatest ruler and one monument is the quickest way to answer these questions. Practise the early medieval India questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.

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