Chandradwip

The ancient and medieval name of Barishal was Chandradwip. Now it is a small region in Barishal District, Bangladesh. The History of Chandradwip goes back to the Pre-Pala Period. This region was famous for its " paddy, rivers and canals". The presence of mighty rivers and canals prevented the Muslims from conquering this region. Chandradwip was successively ruled by the Mauryas, Guptas and the Palas. Towards the end of 10th Century A.D., the Chandra Dynasty gave this region a " distinct political identity." The Chandras were succeeded by the Deva Dynasty. After a brief period of confusion, the Deva Dynasty occupied this region and established their capital at Kachua. They were followed by the Basu and Mitra Mazumdar Family. During the rule of the latter, Chandradwip was sold out in an auction. Till 18th Century A.D., the Hindu rulers of Chandradwip were independent. After that this kingdom became a Zamindari, while greater part of Chandradwip was named Bakerganj after a Muslim adventurer, Bakar Khan.

Chandradwip was one of those Hindu Kingdoms which survived the Muslim Invasion and Conquest. It maintained its independence under the kayastha rulers. The prosperity of this kingdom reached its zenith during the time of Kandarpanarayan Rai. Many Chinese and European travellers left interesting accounts about this kingdom. The earliest Chinese accounts describe this region as " a fanous place for the worship of the Hindu-Bauddha-Tantrik deity Tara" The Temple of Tara was situated near the sea-shore. It was visible from the sea. Chandragomin, the famous grammarian of 6th Century, wrote his hymns on Tara from this place. In a manuscript of 1015 A.D., the region of Chandradwip was mentioned with the Tara-Temple. It was there during the rule of the Chandra kings.

During the Mughal Period, this region came to be known as Bakla-Chandradwip. Later it was named Bakerganj. Neither the Delhi Sultans, nor the Mughals could conquer this region. The kingdom of Chandradwip maintained its independence for nearly 500 years and continued to give resistance to the Muslim invaders. The whole socio-cultural and political history of Chandradwip can be divided into five parts:-

(1) From Time Immemorial to the End of Gupta Rule-

(2) Under the Pala rulers and the worship of Tara-

(3) The Chandra Rulers and After-

(4) The kingdom of Chandradwip under the rule of Deva, Basu and Mitra Dynasties-

(5) The Modern Period ( From 18th Century to 20th Century )and the Revolutionary Activities-