Srichandra

Srichandra
Reign930 - 975
PredecessorTraillokyachandra
SuccessorKalyanachandra
IssueKalyanachandra
HouseChandra
DynastyChandra
FatherTraillokyachandra
ReligionBuddhism[1]

Srichandra (reigned c. 930–975)[1] was the second and most influential ruler of the Chandra Dynasty in eastern Bengal.

Life

After Traillokyachandra, Srichandra ascended the throne, taking the titles "Paramsaugata",[2] "Parameshwar", "Parambhattārak" and "Mahārājādhirāj".[3] According to the book Dynastic History of Bengal by Abdul Momin Chowdhury, Srichandra ruled 45 years, from 930 to 975 CE.[4] Again, Ramesh Chandra Majumdar mentioned in his book, History of Bangladesh that Srichandra reigned from 905 to 955 CE.[5][6] However, Srichandra reigned the longest period among the five Chandra kings.[7] Parts of Manikganj, Dhaka, Faridpur along the banks of the Padma, Shrihatta and Cumilla came under his rule.[5] Srichandra moved his capital from Devparvat to Bikrampur (under present-day Munshiganj).[3] A detailed description of the Chandras can be found from the Paschimbhag copperplate inscription.[8]

Much of what is known of him comes from the copper plates from Mainamati as well as the Paschimbhag copperplate discovered in the village of Paschimbhag in Moulvibazar detailing his successful campaign against the Kingdom of Kamarupa. He is also credited with expanding his father's empire to encompass the kingdoms of Vanga and Samatata. Under his command, the Harikelan armies also successfully fought the Pala Empire and possibly the Kambojas of northern Bengal. His contemporary Pala ruler was Gopala III, whom he aided in becoming king after defeating the armies of King Ratna Pala of Kamarupa.[9][10] Srichandra also moved the administrative center of the empire from Devaparvata to his newly built capital, Vikrampur.[1]

Religion

According to the copper plates, although Srichandra was a devout Buddhist and a patron of his faith, he was tolerant of other religious beliefs among his subjects, as evidenced by his attempts to settle displaced Brahmins within his empire. His son, Kalyanchandra was also a Buddhist. According to the 930 A.D Sylhet grant, Srichandra settled 6000 Brahmins in his empire.[11]

Notes

  1. ^ a b c AM Chowdhury (2012). "Chandra Dynasty, The". In Sirajul Islam; Miah, Sajahan; Khanam, Mahfuza; Ahmed, Sabbir (eds.). Banglapedia: the National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Online ed.). Dhaka, Bangladesh: Banglapedia Trust, Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. OCLC 52727562. OL 30677644M. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
  2. ^ Kashem, Abul (7 November 2014). অতীশ দীপঙ্করের রাজবংশ পরিচয়. The Daily Ittefaq (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Two: বাংলাদেশের রাজনৈতিক ইতিহাস: প্রাচীনকাল থেকে বঙ্গভঙ্গপূর্ব পর্যন্ত (Article: দক্ষিণ–পূর্ব বাংলার স্বাধীন রাজ্য: চন্দ্র রাজবংশ)". বাংলাদেশ ও প্রাচীন বিশ্ব সভ্যতার ইতিহাস, classes IX-X. National Curriculum and Textbook Board, Dhaka. 2011. pp. 38–39.
  4. ^ Chowdhury, Dwoha (7 August 2020). পশ্চিমভাগ তাম্রশাসন: তাম্রফলকে খোদিত ইতিহাসের অনাবিষ্কৃত অধ্যায়. The Daily Star (in Bengali). Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b Shakil, Mahfuj (20 July 2020). জুড়ীতে হাজার বছর আগের বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়? অনুসন্ধানে যাচ্ছে প্রত্নতত্ত্বের দল. Kaler Kantha (in Bengali). Kulaura, Moulvibazar. Retrieved 22 August 2020.
  6. ^ Islam, Siful (27 July 2020). মৌলভীবাজারে চন্দ্রপুর বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের খোঁজে প্রত্নতাত্ত্বিক দল. Dhaka Tibune (in Bengali). Moulvibazar. Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  7. ^ Russel, Tanjir Ahmed (19 July 2020). পরিদর্শনে যাচ্ছে প্রত্নতত্ত্ব বিভাগ: মৌলভীবাজারে অক্সফোর্ড ও ক্যামব্রিজের চেয়েও প্রাচীন বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়. Manab Zamin (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  8. ^ Islam, Mohammad Majharul (17 August 2020). প্রাচীন 'চন্দ্রপুর বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়'. Samakal (in Bengali). Retrieved 23 August 2020.
  9. ^ Hasan Dani, Ahmed (1966). "Mainamati plates of the Chandras". Pakistan Archaeology No. 3.
  10. ^ Chowdhury, Abdul Momin (1967). Dynastic History Of Bengal.
  11. ^ Witzel 1993, p. 267.

References

  • Singh, Nagendra Kr. (2003). Encyclopaedia of Bangladesh. Anmol Publications Pvt Ltd. pp. 7–21. ISBN 81-261-1390-1.
  • Chowdhury, Abdul Momin (1967). Dynastic History of Bengal. Dacca: The Asiatic Society of Pakistan.
  • Witzel, Michael (1993). "Toward a History of the Brahmins". Journal of the American Oriental Society. 113 (2): 264–268. doi:10.2307/603031. ISSN 0003-0279. JSTOR 603031.
Preceded by Candra King
930 - 975 CE 		Succeeded by