Cultural Impression of Deva Dynasty

● Rule and Contribution of the Deva Dynasty :

An orderly system of governance was established in Bengal under the Deva dynasty. From the first half of the 14th century, the cultural, economic and political development of Bengal reached its peak under Deva rule. Deva rule was indeed a period of peace, prosperity and creative excellence, hence this period is called the 'Golden Age' of medieval Bengal.

The terracotta art of Chandradwip and the sculptured plaques found on the basement walls of the Vishnu temple highlight the excellence of the divine majesty of the Deva age. represents It is universally accepted that these relics belong to a single cultural period, that of the Deva dynasty, and that they represent a type of Bengali art style deeply rooted in the folk art of Bengal. Apparently during this period it originated and flourished in this region and gradually spread to the rest of the country and neighboring regions. Described as 'crude, tender-hearted and unreflective works of art', these styles are widely distinguished by their exquisite expressive quality. Its most noticeable features are its richness, diversity, vitality and dynamism.

● Prosperity in Business system :

Under the rule of the Deva dynasty, Bengali trade flourished again with renewed vigour. In fact, in the thirteenth century, the economic condition of Bengal was so badly damaged by several wars, that it was in such dire straits that 'kapardaka' cowry had to be used as a medium of exchange. But during the Deva era, the commercial journey of Bengal merchants started in a new way and the sea trade expanded widely. The state of trade collapsed due to the banishment of the gold merchant community during the Sen age, but under the rule of the Deva dynasty, the trade journey of the four caste traders of Bengal - Suvarnavanikas, Gandhavaniks, Sankhavanikas and Kansyavanikas - began.

In the second half of the 14th century, Suvarnagram developed into a prosperous trading city. By sea, trade from West Asian and Southeast Asian countries could easily reach Sonargaon. Ibn Battuta (1346) in his travelogue 'Tarikh al Hind' describes Suvarnagram as an important port-city and mentions its direct commercial relations with China, Indonesia (Java) and the Malay Archipelago. The Chinese traveler Ma Huan (1406) saw Sonargaon as a great commercial city. Hou-Hien (1415) mentions Sonargaon as a fortified walled city and trading center with many ponds, paved roads and markets, where all kinds of goods were stored and sold. The muslins produced in Sonargaon, especially the finest muslins known as 'Khas', are famous throughout the world. At that time, the production of cotton cultivation in a large area adjacent to Jessore, Khulna, Kushtia, Jhenaidah increased greatly, Dhaka region produced high quality long and fine fiber cotton. Along the banks of the Brahmaputra-Meghna and their tributaries, copious amounts of carpus were grown, which greatly enhanced the textile industry of Suvarnagram. Suvarnagram, Dumrore, Titvadi, Jangalbari, Kapasia etc. were the main centers of carapace industry in Bengal. It was from Dhaka that the export of muslin spread across the world by sea, which was considered the most desirable fabric in the world at that time. With the patronage of conch merchants, conch craft and conch furniture making flourished in Bikrampur and Panam Nagar. Bamboo-cane, wood carving, clay, jamdani, nakshikantha, ektara, jute, conch, pottery and oyster products started to be made by skilled artisans.

30 types of cloth were prepared by mixing “muga” and “silk” in Maldah region on the banks of Mahananda river. As Malda was a constantly attacked area, textile artisans of Malda took refuge in Dhaka. In Dhaka, this new type of mixed material textile system is commonly known as "Maldahi". Maldah's 'Elachi' (two-pith equal) and 'Mashroor' (Sadar Andarpith Wala) were very popular in Gaudnagar, adding to the fame of Dhaka. The economy of Bengal was strengthened by the improvement of the foreign trade of the merchants, the value of the Bengal currency improved and the use of silver coins denominated by the Bengal emperor as a medium of exchange began.

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● Sculptures :

Deva era Shiva-Parvati-Ganesha murti from Bengal, 14th Century, Deva dynasty. 

Present Bengali murti style originated here as the Deva rule shaped the tradition of Baṅgāli ethnicity. 

© সুন্দরবন প্রত্নতত্ত্ব গবেষণা কেন্দ্র 

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◆ Baṅgalakṣmī - Lakshmi murti [both four-handed & two handed] of Deva era from Kankandighi, WB, 12th-13th century. The murti style is unique & different from Pala & Sena era goddess idols which clearly reflects the cultural impression of Deva dynasty. 

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◆ Brahmā murti of Deva era found from a pond in Hooghly, West Bengal. Probably of 13th-14th century.

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◆ Dēbī Mādhabapāśā Kātyāẏanī - The kuladebi of Banghaladhishwara Maharajadhiraja Sri Sri Danujamarddana Deva.

The kuladevi of Deva dynasty - Mata Madhavapasha Kattayani Chandi, Madhobpasha, Barishal. 

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◆ Muralīdhara ŚrīKr̥ṣṇa - Deva era clay idol of Krishna holding flute from Nadia. 

Deva era clay idol of Krishna holding flute, late 13th Century, Debalgarh, Nadia, West Bengal 

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◆ Woodworks of Deva period, parts of a wooden pillar, Khulna, BD. The wood-carved idols bear resemblance to the Bengali Patachitra style art.