Land and history of ancient Bengal
Ancient Bengal Geography and Climate
- Ancient Bengal was a region located in the northeastern part of the Indian Subcontinent.
- It was divided by the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, the largest river delta in the world.
- Bengal's climate is defined by high temperatures, heavy rainfall, and high humidity, ideal for growing rice and jute.
Early Civilisations
- The area that is now known as Bengal was settled by Austroasiatic and Dravidian-speaking peoples in the second millennium BC.
- Buddhism was widely practiced in Ancient Bengal and was spread by Emperor Ashoka during his conquest.
- Hinduism became dominant after the decline of Buddhism, under the Gupta Empire and Pala Empire.
Governance and Empire
- Bengal was ruled by several empires and kingdoms, notable among them are the Gupta Empire, Pala Empire, and the Sena dynasty.
- The Pala Empire is considered the golden age of Bengal, with advancement in arts, sciences and education.
- Bengal became a regional trade and commerce hub under these empires, with connections as far as Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Religion and Culture
- Bengal was a significant center of Buddhist learning and art during the Pala Empire.
- Bengal witnessed the rise of Vaishnavism and Shaivism, sects of Hinduism during the reign of the Sena dynasty.
- The period also saw the compilation of influential texts and the development of the Bengali language.
Arrival of Europeans and the British Raj
- The Portuguese were the first Europeans to arrive in Bengal in the 16th century, followed by the Dutch, French and the British eventually.
- The region fell under British control after the Battle of Plassey in 1757 with the establishment of the British East India Company.
- The British Raj significantly impacted Bengal's economy, politics, and culture, laying the foundation for modern-day Bangladesh.
- While the British introduced legal and educational reforms, it was also marked by socio-economic oppression and famines including the Great Bengal Famine of 1943.