The Rise of the Senas: Bengal's Last Hindu Dynasty

In this episode of The Hidden History of Bengal, Lucas and Luna explore the Sena dynasty, the last great Hindu kingdom to rule Bengal before the Delhi Sultanate's expansion. They discuss how Vijayasena, a former vassal of the Palas, seized power in the mid-12th century and built a powerful empire from his capital at Nabadwip. The conversation covers the Senas' patronage of Sanskrit literature, including the famous poet Jayadeva's Gita Govinda, and their fierce resistance against Muslim invasions under Bakhtiyar Khilji. Lucas explains how the Senas' caste-based social policies shaped Bengali society for centuries, while Luna questions the dynasty's sudden collapse after Lakshmanasena's death. The episode also touches on the archaeological remains at the Sena capital, the influence of the Dhaka Sena inscriptions, and the controversial legacy of the Senas' orthodox Brahminical revival. Finally, Lucas and Luna reflect on how the Senas represent both a golden age of Bengali culture and a cautionary tale of imperial overreach. #SenaDynasty #Vijayasena #Lakshmanasena #Nabadwip #Bengal #HinduKingdom #Jayadeva #GitaGovinda #BakhtiyarKhilji #Palas #Sanskrit #DhakaSena #History #FexingoHistory #SouthAsia #MedievalIndia #BrahminicalRevival #BengalHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo