The Forgotten Hindu Kingdom of Bengal: The Chandra Dynasty's Lost Glory

In this episode of The Hidden History of Bengal, Lucas and Luna explore the enigmatic Chandra dynasty that ruled over southeastern Bengal and the Harikela region from the 10th to 11th centuries. Unlike the more famous Palas and Senas, the Chandras left behind a scant record—yet archaeological discoveries at Mainamati, near Comilla in modern-day Bangladesh, have unearthed stunning Buddhist monasteries, copper-plate inscriptions, and the massive Shalban Vihara. Lucas recounts how the dynasty's founder, Puranchandra, consolidated power around the ancient city of Pattikera, and how his successors, like Ladahachandra and Govindachandra, fended off Pala incursions and even expanded into the Brahmaputra valley. The episode delves into the Chandras' devout Buddhist faith, their patronage of monasteries like the Ananda Vihara, and their possible links to the faraway Srivijaya empire. It also touches on the mysterious end of the dynasty—possibly swallowed by the rising Sena power or by the shifting rivers of the Bengal delta. A poignant donation appeal tied to the fragility of archaeological heritage weaves naturally into the conversation. #ChandraDynasty #Harikela #Mainamati #ShalbanVihara #Pattikera #Puranchandra #Ladahachandra #Govindachandra #BuddhistBengal #Comilla #PalaEmpire #SenaDynasty #CopperPlateInscriptions #AnandaVihara #SoutheastBengal #BrahmaputraValley #Srivijaya #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo