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Our Pasts I, II & III (Classes 6–8)
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Sena Dynasty
Dynasty
Level 2
c. 1070 – 1230
Bengal dynasty that succeeded the Palas.
- Capital
- Nabadwip / Lakhnauti
- Region
- East
- Duration
- 160 years
- Main period
- Regional Kingdoms & Ghaznavid/Ghurid Expansion
Approximate extent.
Rulers
- Vijaya Sena Kingc. 1096 – c. 1159
- Ballala Sena Kingc. 1159 – c. 1179
- Lakshmana Sena Kingc. 1179 – c. 1206Fled Nadia before Bakhtiyar Khalji.
Selected rulers; gaps in the list are not gaps in the dynasty.
Personalities
📚 Recommended reading on the Sena Dynasty
Textbook
Themes in Indian History, Parts I–III (Class 12)
Source-based chapters on Harappa, Vijayanagara, the Mughal court and 1857 — essential for UPSC.
Textbook
An Introduction to Indian Art, Part I (Class 11)
The standard base for art and architecture questions — stupas, temples and sculpture.
Textbook
History of Medieval India
The go-to single volume on the Sultanate, Mughals and regional kingdoms.
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Contemporaries
Powers that coexisted with the Sena Dynasty for a significant part of its history.
Chahamanas (Chauhans) of Shakambhari ★
West · c. 650 CE – c. 1194
Pala Empire ★
East · c. 750 CE – c. 1161
Chola Empire ★
South · c. 848 CE – 1279
Ghaznavid Empire ★
Northwest · c. 977 CE – c. 1186
Polonnaruwa Kingdom ★
Sri Lanka · c. 1070 – 1232
Sultanate of the Maldives ★
Islands · c. 1153 – 1968
Malla Dynasty of Nepal ★
Himalaya · 1201 – 1769
Kamarupa
Northeast · c. 350 CE – c. 1140
Kalachuris of Tripuri
Central · c. 675 CE – 1212
Guhilas of Medapata
West · c. 728 CE – 1303
Tomaras of Delhi
North · c. 736 CE – c. 1152
Thakuri Kingdom of Nepal
Himalaya · c. 750 CE – 1200
Chera Perumals of Makotai
South · c. 800 CE – c. 1124
Paramara Dynasty
Central · c. 800 CE – 1305
Chandela Dynasty
Central · c. 831 CE – 1315
Chaulukyas (Solankis) of Gujarat
West · c. 940 CE – 1244
Western Chalukyas of Kalyani
Deccan · c. 973 CE – c. 1189
Lohara Dynasty of Kashmir
North · c. 1003 – c. 1171
Hoysala Empire
South · c. 1026 – 1343
Soomra Dynasty
Northwest · c. 1026 – 1351
Eastern Ganga Dynasty
East · c. 1078 – 1434
Gahadavala Dynasty
Gangetic Plain · c. 1089 – c. 1197
Khasa Malla Kingdom
Himalaya · c. 1100 – c. 1400
Zamorins of Calicut
South · c. 1124 – 1766
Kachwahas of Amber (Jaipur)
West · c. 1128 – 1949
Kakatiya Dynasty
Deccan · c. 1163 – 1323
Ghurid Empire
Northwest · c. 1175 – 1206
Seuna (Yadava) Dynasty
Deccan · c. 1187 – 1317
Pandya Empire (Second Empire)
South · c. 1190 – 1345