History of ancient Bengal / by R. C. Majumdar

Includes bibliography and index.

POLITICAL AND HISTORICAL GEOGRAPHY: The connotation of Bengal -- Physical features -- Territorial divisions -- PREHISTORIC PERIOD: Origin of the Bengalis -- Pre-Aryan civilization in Bengal -- Aryan immigration to Bengal -- EARLY HISTORY: Original home of the Guptas -- Bengal under the Imperial Guptas -- Independent kingdoms in Bengal -- The Kingdoms of Samatata or Vanga -- Rise of Gauda -- Sasanka -- POLITICAL DISINTEGRATION AFTER SASANKA: Kingdom of Gauda -- Kingdom of Vanga -- THE PALAS: The origin and early history of the Palas -- The Pala Empire -- The decline and fall of the Empire -- Restoration under Mahipala (c.988-1038 A.D.) -- Breakup of the Pala kingdom -- Disintegration and temporary revival -- The end of the Pala rule -- MINOR INDEPENDENT KINGDOMS DURING PALA PERIOD: The Chandras -- The Varmans -- The Ranakas of eastern Bihar -- THE SENAS: The origin of the Sena kings -- The Sena kings -- The successor of Lakshmanasena -- MINOR RULING DYNASTIES DURING THE SENA PERIOD: The Deva dynasty -- The kingdom of Pattikere -- The kingdom of Pithi -- The minor Gupta dynasty -- ADMINISTRATIVE SYSTEM: Pre-Gupta period -- Gupta period -- Period of Vanga as an independent state after the end of Gupta rule (c.550-750) -- Pala administration -- Administration of Chandras, Varmans and Senas -- ECONOMIC CONDITIONS: Rural economy -- Urban economy -- Crafts and industries -- Trade and Commerce -- LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE: Sanskrit literature -- Buddhist Sanskrit literature -- Vernacular literature -- SOCIETY: Aryanisation of Bengal -- The castes and subcastes -- The brahmanas -- Non-brahmana castes -- Socio-religious rites, ceremonies and festivals -- Life of the people -- A nation in making -- RELIGION: RELIGIOUS SYSTEM: Brahmanical religion -- Sects of brahmanical religion -- Jainism -- Buddhism -- General review -- ICONOGRAPHY: Introduction -- Images of Vishnu cult -- Saiva images -- Images of Surya -- Images of miscellaneous Brahmanical deities -- Jaina images -- Buddhist images -- BENGALIS OUTSIDE BENGAL: Activities of Bengalis outside India -- Activities of Bengalis in India outside Bengal -- ART: ARCHITECTURE: Introduction -- Stupa -- Monastery -- Temples -- Miscellaneous -- SCULPTURE AND PAINTING: Introduction -- Images -- Sculptures at Paharpur -- Sculptures of the Pala and Sena periods -- Painting