Lesson 3/33 min

Other ruling houses

Other ancient Bengal dynasties

DynastyArea and timeRemember
KhadgaVanga and Samatata; about 7th–8th centuryfirst king Khadgodyama (about 625–640), then Jata Khadga, Deva Khadga, Rajabhata
DevaSamatata; about 8th–9th centurycapital Devaparvata at Mainamati, Comilla; the books credit Ananda Deva with the Ananda Vihara
ChandraVanga and Samatata; about 10th–11th centurya strong independent house of south-east Bengal; capital Vikrampur (Munshiganj) from Srichandra's time
VarmanVanga; late 11th to first half of 12th centurycentred on Vikrampur; the founder is usually named as Jatavarman
Maukhari (outside Bengal)Kannauj; late 6th centurythe books name Harivarman as founder and Ishanavarman as the first mighty ruler
Chalukya (South India)6th–12th centurygreatest king Pulakeshin II; the Chalukya architectural style

Watch out: The Deva dynasty and Devaparvata are in Comilla. One book gives the dynasty 740–899, but no reliable source confirms those exact years, so remember only ‘about the 8th–9th century’.

Memory trick: Khadga's first king is Khadgodyama; Chandra and Varman centre on Vikrampur; the Devas on Devaparvata.

Check yourself

Where was the Deva dynasty's capital Devaparvata?

At a glance

  1. 1

    The Khadga dynasty ruled Vanga and Samatata in the 7th–8th century; its first king was Khadgodyama.

  2. 2

    The Deva dynasty's capital Devaparvata was at Mainamati in Comilla.

  3. 3

    The Chandras were a strong independent house of south-east Bengal; Srichandra moved the capital to Vikrampur.

  4. 4

    The Maukhari seat was Kannauj; the greatest Chalukya king was Pulakeshin II.

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