Top 5 facts on  ANCIENT INDEPENDENT BENGAL

1.The word Bengal was actually derived from the ancient kingdom of BANGA which dates back to the MAHABHARAT EPIC period.

                                                                                

2.KING SHASHANKA is considered to be the first independent ruler of a UNIFIED POLITY IN THE BENGAL REGION. His reign was between 590 CE to 625 CE and he was also the founder of GAUDA KINGDOM. His capital was KARNASUBARNA which is presently situated in the MURSHIDABAD district of WEST BENGAL.
 

3.The Bengali solar calendar was first introduced in 7th century CE during SHASHANKA's reign and NOT during AKBAR's reign.

 4.The GAUDA KINGDOM  was succeeded by the  Varman dynasty (350 CE -650 CE, FOUNDER: PUSHYAVARMAN) , Khadga dynasty(625 CE - 716 CE, FOUNDER: KHADGODYAMA), Pala dynasty(750 CE - 1161 CE,FOUNDER: GOPALA) , Chandra dynasty ( 327 CE - 957 CE, FOUNDER : MAHATAING CHANDRA) , Sena dynasty( 1070 CE -1230 CE, FOUNDER: SAMANTA SENA) AND Deva dynasty ( 12TH CENTURY CE - 13TH CENTURY CE , FOUNDER: DAMODARADEVA).

5. By viewing the powers that ruled Bengal after these dynasties, we get :-

    a)Delhi Sultanate (1204–1352)

    b)Small sultanates (1338–1352)

    c)Bengal Sultanate (1352–1576)

    d)Ilyas Shahi dynasty (1342–1414 and 1435–1487)

    e)Hindu-Muslim usurpers (1414–1435)

    f)Hussain Shahi dynasty (1494–1538)

    g)Suri Empire (1539–1564)

    h)Karrani dynasty (1564–1576)

    i)Baro-Bhuyans (1576–1610)

    j)Mughal period (1574–1717)

    k)Subedar period (1574–1727)

    l)Nawabs of Bengal (1717–1757)

    m)Nasiri dynasty (1717–1740)

    n)Afsar dynasty (1740–1757)

    o)Portuguese Chittagong (1528–1666)

    p)Dutch settlements (1610–1824)

    q)Early English settlements (1600s)

    r)French settlements (1692–1952)

    s)Danish settlements (1625–1845)

    t)Austrian settlement (1700s)

    u)British East India Company (1757–1858)

    v)British crown rule (1858–1947)

    w)Bengal Legislative Council (1862–1947)

    x)Eastern Bengal and Assam (1905–1912)

    y)Bengal Legislative Assembly (1937–1947)

    z)Partition of Bengal (1947)

                                                                                                                                                                          SOURCE : INTERNET