Lesson 3/33 min
Other ruling houses
Other ancient Bengal dynasties
| Dynasty | Area and time | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Khadga | Vanga and Samatata; about 7th–8th century | first king Khadgodyama (about 625–640), then Jata Khadga, Deva Khadga, Rajabhata |
| Deva | Samatata; about 8th–9th century | capital Devaparvata at Mainamati, Comilla; the books credit Ananda Deva with the Ananda Vihara |
| Chandra | Vanga and Samatata; about 10th–11th century | a strong independent house of south-east Bengal; capital Vikrampur (Munshiganj) from Srichandra's time |
| Varman | Vanga; late 11th to first half of 12th century | centred on Vikrampur; the founder is usually named as Jatavarman |
| Maukhari (outside Bengal) | Kannauj; late 6th century | the books name Harivarman as founder and Ishanavarman as the first mighty ruler |
| Chalukya (South India) | 6th–12th century | greatest 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
The Khadga dynasty ruled Vanga and Samatata in the 7th–8th century; its first king was Khadgodyama.
- 2
The Deva dynasty's capital Devaparvata was at Mainamati in Comilla.
- 3
The Chandras were a strong independent house of south-east Bengal; Srichandra moved the capital to Vikrampur.
- 4
The Maukhari seat was Kannauj; the greatest Chalukya king was Pulakeshin II.