Ghurid invasion of Bengal

The Ghurid invasion of Bengal in 1202 was a military campaign of Ghurid dynasty led by Muhammad Bhakhtiyar Khalji against the Sena dynasty. Bakhtiyar Khalji emerged victorious in the campaign and subsequently annexed Nabadwip, a significant portion of the territory controlled by the Sena Dynasty. Following their defeat, Lakshmana Sena, the ruler of the Sena dynasty, retreated to the southeastern region of Bengal.^{[8][9][10][11]}

Ghurid conquest of Bengal
Part of Indian campaigns of Muhammad of Ghor
Date 1202 Location Nabadwip Result Ghurid victory Territorial changes Annexation of Nadia of Sena Dynasty by Ghurid Dynasty
Belligerents
Ghurid Dynasty	Sena Dynasty
Commanders and leaders
Bakhtiyar Khalji	Lakshmana Sena
Strength
18 horsemen[1][2][3] or 200[4][5] or 10,000 Cavalry[6][7]	Unknown

Background

Bhakhtiyar Khalji, after the successful annexation of Bihar to the Ghurid dynasty, learned about the Sena Dynasty and its illustrious ruler, Lakshmana Sena. Despite Sena's advanced age and reputation, Khalji was determined to extend his conquests further into Bengal. Upon hearing of Khalji's intent to invade Bengal, many Brahmins and traders decided to leave the Sena capital in search of safer locations. However, in a display of resilience, Lakshmana Sena chose to remain in Nadiya, ready to defend his realm.^[12][13][14]

The siege

Bakhtiyar, leading his forces from Bihar, strategically positioned the majority of his army within a forest near the city of Nadia. it is said that he advanced so rapidly that only 18 horsemen from his army could keep up.^[15] Posing as horse traders, Bakhtiyar proceeded cautiously towards the palace. Upon reaching the palace, he initiated an attack on the guards, causing a significant commotion. Then Lakshmansena was taking his mid day meal.^[16] The small horde entered the city unchallenged and took the emperor and his army by shock.^[17][18] This caused Lakhsmana Sena to flee with his retainers to east Bengal.^[19][20][21] As Bakhtiyar took the possession of the city, his men seized several horses and elephants along with enormous wealth. In the meantime, the main army of Bakhtiyar had overcome the guards and began to plunder the city. This plunder continued for three days.^[22] Bakhtiyar moved on to Lakshmanavati, which he planned to make his capital.^{[12][23][24][25][26]}

Aftermath

Bakhtiyar Khilji left Nadia in desolation and removed his capital to Lakhnawati. Lakshmansena continued to rule in Eastern Bengal at least for three or four years after the raid on Nadia and died some time after 1205 A.D. The historical work Tabaqat-i-Nasiri states that Bang (Vanga or Eastern and Southern Bengal) was ruled by the descendants of Lakshmansena even when that work was composed.^[12][27]

Further reading

The detailed account of this conquest or the expedition of Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji to Nadia is given in Tabaqat -i-Nasiri, an historical work, composed by Maulana Minahj-ud-din Abu Umar-i-Usman who held various high offices under the Sultans of Delhi. In 639 A.H. (1243 A.D.) he was appointed chief Qazi of the Delhi Sultanate and of the capital. Next year he proceeded to Lakhnawati and remained for two years there to get his information about the history of Bengal chronicled by him.^[27]

References

1. Mehta, Jaswant Lal (1979). Advanced Study in the History of Medieval India. Sterling Publishers Pvt. Ltd. p. 81. ISBN 978-81-207-0617-0.
2. Randhawa, Mohinder Singh (1982). A History of Agriculture in India: Eighth to Eighteenth century. Indian Council of Agricultural Research. p. 21.
3. Juzjani, Minhaj-i Siraj (1881). Tabakat-i-Nasiri Vol-I. London: Gilbert And Rivington. p. 557.
4. Murshid, Ghulam (2018-01-25). Bengali Culture Over a Thousand Years. Niyogi Books. ISBN 978-93-86906-12-0.
5. Eaton, Richard M. (2023-07-28). The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204-1760. Univ of California Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-520-91777-4.
6. Murshid, Ghulam (2018-01-25). Bengali Culture Over a Thousand Years. Niyogi Books. ISBN 978-93-86906-12-0.
7. Eaton, Richard M. (2023-07-28). The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204-1760. Univ of California Press. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-520-91777-4.
8. Jenkins, Everett (1999). The Muslim Diaspora: 570-1500. McFarland. p. 194. ISBN 978-0-7864-0431-5.
9. Jr, Everett Jenkins (2015-05-07). The Muslim Diaspora (Volume 1, 570-1500): A Comprehensive Chronology of the Spread of Islam in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. McFarland. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-4766-0888-4.
10. Syed, Muzaffar Husain; Akhtar, Syed Saud; Usmani, B. D. (2011-09-14). Concise History of Islam. Vij Books India Pvt Ltd. p. 275. ISBN 978-93-82573-47-0.
11. The Pakistan Review. Ferozsons Limited. 1958. p. 15.
12. Chandra, Satish (2004). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206-1526) - Part One. Har-Anand Publications. ISBN 978-81-241-1064-5.
13. Pandey, Bishnu Dayal (1994). Political History of Rajmahal. Capital Publishing House. p. 33. ISBN 978-81-85157-77-1.
14. Singh, Brig K. Kuldip (2013-10-28). Indian Military Thought KURUKSHETRA to KARGIL and Future Perspectives. Lancer Publishers LLC. ISBN 978-1-935501-93-0.
15. Juzjani, Minhaj-i Siraj (1881). Tabakat-i-Nasiri Vol-I. London: Gilbert And Rivington. p. 557.
16. MAJUMDAR, R.C. (1971). HISTORY OF ANCIENT BENGAL. p. 235.
17. Kalam, Abul, ed. (1996). Bangladesh: Internal Dynamics and External Linkages. University Press Limited. p. 311. ISBN 9789840513352.
18. M. Shawkat Ali, S. (1965). Social History & Political Sociology for Degree Students. Salma Shawkat via Majid Publishing House. p. 93. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
19. Tariq Awan, Muhammad (1991). History of India and Pakistan - Volume 1. Ferozsons. pp. 93–94. ISBN 9789690100344. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
20. Ahmad, Nazimuddin (1980). Islamic Heritage of Bangladesh. Department of Films and Publications, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. p. 6.
21. Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia and Oceania (ebook) (History / Reference, Asia -- History, Culture, Ethnology -- Encyclopedias -- Asia -- Oceania, Geography, Oceania, World history). Facts On File, Incorporated. 2010. p. 99. ISBN 9781438119137. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
22. Eaton, Richard M. (2023-07-28). The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204-1760. Univ of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-91777-4.
23. Murshid, Ghulam (2018-01-25). Bengali Culture Over a Thousand Years. Niyogi Books. ISBN 978-93-86906-12-0.
24. Fragner, Bert G. (2009). Horses in Asia. Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften. pp. 156–157. ISBN 978-3-7001-6103-5.
25. Roy, Tirthankar (2012-06-18). India in the World Economy: From Antiquity to the Present. Cambridge University Press. pp. 45–46. ISBN 978-1-107-00910-3.
26. Irene, Salam (2010). The Muslims of Manipur. Gyan Publishing House. p. 20. ISBN 978-81-7835-828-4.
27. MAJUMDAR, R.C. (1971). HISTORY OF ANCIENT BENGAL. G.BHARDWAJ CALCUTTA. pp. 234–237.