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Conquest of Bihar (1202): Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 25°08′12″N 85°26′38″E / 25.13667°N 85.44389°E / 25.13667; 85.44389
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The three kings of the [[Later Guptas|Guptas of Jayapura]] dynasty who likely lived in the first half of the 12th century. They were vassals of the Palas, as Monghyr was part of the Pala kingdom until the mid-12th century. After the decline of the Palas, Rajadityagupta declared independence. His son, Krishnagupta, passed away before him. Rajadityagupta was succeeded by his grandson, Sangramagupta. It is believed that Sarhgramagupta, another ruler of the Guptas, was a contemporary of Lakshmanasena. The Guptas' power was likely ended by Muhammad Bakhtyär Khalji in the early 13th century during the reign of Sangramagupta.<ref name="auto2"/>
The three kings of the [[Later Guptas|Guptas of Jayapura]] dynasty who likely lived in the first half of the 12th century. They were vassals of the Palas, as Monghyr was part of the Pala kingdom until the mid-12th century. After the decline of the Palas, Rajadityagupta declared independence. His son, Krishnagupta, passed away before him. Rajadityagupta was succeeded by his grandson, Sangramagupta. It is believed that Sarhgramagupta, another ruler of the Guptas, was a contemporary of Lakshmanasena. The Guptas' power was likely ended by Muhammad Bakhtyär Khalji in the early 13th century during the reign of Sangramagupta.<ref name="auto2"/>
==Aftermath==
In 1202, [[Bakhtiyar Khalji]] conquered the capital city of [[Odantapuri]] and established a fort there.<ref name="auto">{{Cite book |last=Chandra |first=Satish |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=L5eFzeyjBTQC&q=Nalanda |title=Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206–1526) - Part One |date=2004 |publisher=Har-Anand Publications |isbn=978-81-241-1064-5 |pages=41 |language=en}}</ref>After his successful conquest, [[Bakhtiyar Khalji]] returned with a large amount of valuable loot. He then visited [[Qutbuddin Aibak]] and was warmly welcomed, being honored with great respect and distinguished gifts such as a special robe from his personal collection and many presents. [[Bakhtiyar Khalji]] generously shared these gifts with his followers. Following this, he went back to Bihar to prepare for his upcoming campaign to conquer [[Bengal]].<ref name="auto"/>

[[Bakhtiyar Khalji]]'s conquest of Bihar in 1200 A.D. marked its incorporation into the [[Ghurid Empire]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Srivastava |first=Ashok Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UXtDAAAAYAAJ |title=Disintegration of North Indian Hindu States, C. 1175-1320 A.D. |date=1990 |publisher=Purvanchal Prakashan |pages=285 |language=en}}</ref> This monumental victory holds significant importance, particularly due to the formidable resistance witnessed at the well-defended Udantapuri fort against various assaults by Vallala Sena, the influential [[Sena Dynasty|Sena]] ruler of Bengal. Khalji's triumph over and subsequent demise of Govindapala, the final ruler of the [[Pala dynasty]], spelled the official termination of the [[Pala Dynasty|Pala]] lineage.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Salahuddin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Szfqq7ruqWgC&q=Bakhtiyar+khalji+defeated+Govindapala |title=Bangladesh: Past and Present |date=2004 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-7648-469-5 |pages=59 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Srivastava |first=Ashok Kumar |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZK45AQAAIAAJ |title=The Life and Times of Kutb-ud-din Aibak |date=1972 |publisher=Govind Satish Prakashan |pages=148 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ahmed |first=Salahuddin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Szfqq7ruqWgC&q=Bakhtiyar+khalji+Defeated+Govindapala+in+Bihar |title=Bangladesh: Past and Present |date=2004 |publisher=APH Publishing |isbn=978-81-7648-469-5 |pages=59–60 |language=en}}</ref>

== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

Revision as of 15:51, 3 September 2024

Sack of Magadha
Part of Ghurid invasion of Bengal
Date1200-1202 A.D.
Location25°08′12″N 85°26′38″E / 25.13667°N 85.44389°E / 25.13667; 85.44389
Result

Ghurid victory[2]

[3] and the Guptas of Jayapura
Territorial
changes
Addition of parts of Bihar to Ghurid Territory
Belligerents
Ghurid Empire
Commanders and leaders
Bakhtiyar Khalji Sangramagupta[1]
Strength

~Unknown

  • Large number of Inhabitants Massacred
Casualties and losses
~Unknown

~Heavy

  • Almost all inhabitants were killed
Sack of Magadha is located in India
Sack of Magadha
Sack of Magadha
Location of the Conquest of Bihar (1200)

The Khalji Raids into Magadh,[4][5][6] was a significant military campaign of the Ghurid Empire led by the Ghurid commander Bakhtiyar Khalji. He successfully captured Bihar, incorporating it into the Ghurid Empire, before proceeding with his invasion of Bengal.[7][8]

The Conquest

Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji

Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji advanced towards Bihar with a mere 200 soldiers, yet he accomplished the relatively easy capture of one of its most heavily fortified forts, Udantapuri.[9][10] While local inhabitants did resist the Ghurid general and his forces, resulting in significant casualties on both sides. Despite emerging from his fort to engage in battle with great courage, the ruler was ultimately defeated and killed in the ensuing confrontation with the Khalji Commander.[11][12]

Destruction of Nalanda and Vikramshila

It is highly likely that during this particular conquest, as recorded by the Tibetan chronicler Taranath in the 15th century, Bakhtiyar also seized the monastic cities of Vikramsila and Nalanda, and proceeded to raze them to the ground. He mercilessly slaughtered all the residents and plundered a great amount of riches, which he then delivered to Sultan of Delhi, Qutubuddin Aibak.[13]

Contrary to the misconception that Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji demolished ancient centers of learning at Nalanda and Vikramshila before orchestrating a widespread massacre upon entering the fort, historical evidence suggests otherwise. The prevailing consensus among historians refutes the portrayal of Bakhtiyar Khalji as a merciless and bloodthirsty military leader. Instead, a more nuanced understanding reveals that Bakhtiyar Khalji's actions were not marked by cruelty or ruthlessness, challenging the traditional narrative that has painted him in an unfavorable light.[10]

The three kings of the Guptas of Jayapura dynasty who likely lived in the first half of the 12th century. They were vassals of the Palas, as Monghyr was part of the Pala kingdom until the mid-12th century. After the decline of the Palas, Rajadityagupta declared independence. His son, Krishnagupta, passed away before him. Rajadityagupta was succeeded by his grandson, Sangramagupta. It is believed that Sarhgramagupta, another ruler of the Guptas, was a contemporary of Lakshmanasena. The Guptas' power was likely ended by Muhammad Bakhtyär Khalji in the early 13th century during the reign of Sangramagupta.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c S. Ramakrishnan (2001). History and Culture of the Indian People, Volume 05, The Struggle For Empire. Public Resource. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. p. 49.
  2. ^ Chandra, Satish (2004). Medieval India: From Sultanat to the Mughals-Delhi Sultanat (1206–1526) - Part One. Har-Anand Publications. p. 41. ISBN 978-81-241-1064-5."Bakhtiyar Khalji now attacked a fort in Bihar with 200 horsemen which he later found was a Bud- dhist monastery (vihar). This apparently was the famous universi- ty of Nalanda.He also captured the capital, Uddandapur, and built a fort there. This is placed in 1202.After this victory, Bakhtiyar Khalji returned with great booty and presented himself before Qutbuddin Aibak and received from him great honour and distinction, including a robe of honour from his special wardrobe and many presents. Bakhtiyar Khalji distributed the presents to his people and returned to Bihar."
  3. ^ Baxter, Craig (2018-02-23). Bangladesh: From A Nation To A State. Routledge. ISBN 978-0-429-98176-0."to Benares (Varanasi) on the Ganges, but in a surprise attack in 1202 he lost Nadia to Ikhtiyaruddin Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji, who had ended Pala rule in Bihar."
  4. ^ Scharfe, Hartmut (2002). Handbook of Oriental Studies. BRILL. p. 150. ISBN 978-90-04-12556-8.
  5. ^ Ray, Aniruddha (2016-09-13). Towns and Cities of Medieval India: A Brief Survey. Taylor & Francis. p. 161. ISBN 978-1-351-99731-7.
  6. ^ Choubey, Asha Shukla (2021-11-29). Crafts and Craftsmen in Pre-colonial Eastern India: Technology and Culture. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-47769-6.
  7. ^ Islam in India. Vikas Publishing House. 1989. p. 269.
  8. ^ Qasem, M. A. (1958). Muslim Rule in India: From the Invasion of Muhammad-bin-Qasim to the Battle of Plassey, 712-1757 A.D. Z.A. Qasem. p. 67.
  9. ^ Siddiqi, Iqtidar Husain (2010). Indo-Persian Historiography Up to the Thirteenth Century. Primus Books. p. 134. ISBN 978-81-908918-0-6.
  10. ^ a b Khan, Muhammad Mojlum (2013-10-21). The Muslim Heritage of Bengal: The Lives, Thoughts and Achievements of Great Muslim Scholars, Writers and Reformers of Bangladesh and West Bengal. Kube Publishing Ltd. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-84774-062-5.
  11. ^ Samaddar, Jogindra Nath (1990). The Glories of Magadha. K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute. pp. XXXIII–XXXVI.
  12. ^ O'malley, L. S. S. (2007). Bihar And Orissa District Gazetteers : Monghyr. Concept Publishing Company. p. 33. ISBN 978-81-7268-135-7.
  13. ^ Srivastava, Ashok Kumar (1972). The Life and Times of Kutb-ud-din Aibak. Govind Satish Prakashan. pp. 145–150.