On the Reign of Vijayasena

Summary

Focusing on Vijayasena of the Sena dynasty, this article uses inscriptions from Gauda, Bhitari and Deopara alongside literary sources to reconstruct his reign. Vijayasena adopted imperial titles and claimed to have conquered Gauda after displacing the Palas, yet some seals imply that he shared control with residual Pala rulers. The article analyses regnal dates and genealogies to propose a reign around 1095–1158 CE. It argues that Vijayasena consolidated Sena authority across northern Bengal and parts of Bihar but faced resistance from local chiefs. His achievements set the stage for further expansion under Ballala Sena. The study emphasises careful cross‑reading of inscriptions to understand early medieval state formation in eastern India.