✒️ Historical Background and Legends
🕰️ 1. Ancient Name of Mainamati
The ancient name of the Mainamati-Lalmai hill region was **Devparbat**, which is mentioned in both mythological and historical texts. To the west of this hill range flowed the Kshiruda River. Devparbat was an important center for Buddhist religion and culture in eastern India.
Archaeological evidence indicates that there were kingdoms named Pattikera, Jaykarmantabasak, and others in this region. Around the 10th century, the area was named **Mainamati** after Queen Mainamati, the wife of the Chandravanshi king Manik Chandra.
📖 2. Folklore
There is a popular legend behind the naming of Mainamati. During the rule of the Chandravanshi dynasty in the plains, King Manik Chandra was the most successful ruler. The hilly region was named **Mainamati** after his wife, Queen Mainamati.
From childhood, Mainamati was beautiful and virtuous. According to the customs of the time, she became a disciple to learn astrology and practice yoga. After years of training, she became so skilled that she could foresee the future. One day, while attempting to see her own future, she discovered that she would have a son, but he would die at the age of 18.
Deeply worried, Mainamati began intense spiritual practice to save her son. The deity was pleased with her devotion and saved the child, but with the condition that he would renounce worldly life and live as an ascetic in the forest at the age of 18.
Mainamati gave birth to a son named **Gopichand**. He later married two daughters of King Harichandra, Aduna and Paduna. When Gopi reached 18, Mainamati instructed him to fulfill the condition. However, his wives objected and refused to let him go into the forest, plotting against Mainamati and falsely accusing her of immorality.
King Manik Chandra tested her chastity by throwing her into boiling oil, but the queen emerged unharmed. Misunderstandings were cleared, and Gopi’s wives apologized. Gopichand then happily went into the forest. Many years later, he returned, bringing joy back to the entire kingdom.
👑 3. Ruling Dynasties of Mainamati
The Lalmai-Mainamati region was part of the plains of ancient Bengal. Archaeological evidence and local as well as foreign literature suggest that this region was ruled by multiple dynasties at different times. Notable dynasties include:
- Gupta Dynasty (320–550 CE)
- Gopichand Dynasty
- Bhadra Dynasty
- Nath Dynasty
- Kharga Dynasty (625–705 CE)
- Rat Dynasty (640–670 CE)
- Dev Dynasty (720–800 CE)
- Chandra Dynasty (865–1055 CE)
- Paul Dynasty (756–1162 CE)
- Varman Dynasty (1055–1145 CE)
- Sen Dynasty (1097–1250 CE)
By the late 13th century, this region came under Muslim rule along with the plains of Bengal and the Harikel area. Later, it was ruled by the kings of Tripura. Under British rule in 1765, it became part of British India, and in 1790 it was included in Tripura District. During Pakistan’s rule, the district was renamed Comilla District in 1960.
🏛️ 4. Decline of the Mainamati Kingdom
After the 11th century, when the capital of the plains was established at Bikrampur, the importance of Mainamati gradually declined.
With the rise of the Hindu Sena dynasty in the 12th century and Muslim invasions in the 13th century, insecurity forced the people of Mainamati to leave. Many migrated to regions such as Arakan, Kamrup, Tibet, Nepal, and Odisha.
By the mid-13th century, the Mainamati kingdom ceased to exist. Neglected Buddhist and Hindu religious sites gradually faded from public view.
Over time, this prosperous region became buried under soil and turned into forests. 🌳
🪔 5. The Plains Region and the Paul Period
The **Plains Region** of eastern Bengal was once a vast political and religious center, and Mainamati was part of it.
During the Pala period (8th–12th century), Mainamati was an important center for regional Buddhist practices. Under Pala rule, Buddhism developed as the state religion. The Palas encouraged monasteries and educational institutions, leading to high-quality architecture and a scholarly environment. They were patrons of Mahayana Buddhism and built numerous viharas, stupas, and universities during their reign.
Mainamati became a center of Buddhist learning and pilgrimage, where monks studied religious texts, philosophy, and meditation.
Copperplate inscription, Mainamati, Comilla.
Key Historical Milestones
- 6th–10th century: Early settlements and first terracotta constructions.
- 10th–12th century: Peak of Pala architecture; construction of viharas and stupas.
- 1960–1970: Beginning of modern archaeology; small-scale excavations.
- 1973: Large-scale excavations by the Department of Archaeology, Bangladesh.
Among the findings from this period, Buddhist statues, copperplate inscriptions, coins, and terracotta artifacts are the most significant. They indicate the presence of an organized community centered on religious education.
