1.2-Mandi Community: Bengal connection that we can’t ignore-“the Migration”

Compiled by: Dr Pawan Vaidya; 2025/2

 Waves of migration had been a feature quite regular in human life as a way of survival since historical records exist. Following climatic catastrophes, food famines, dynastic dangers, warlord worries, trade wars and societal pressure, large-scale migration has been a norm. The demographic mix of hill states point to migration from plains of north India especially from ancient Sind, Punjab and Bengal. 

Close look at the cultural legacy of Mandi community suggest that the thought process of Sen coteries was much influenced by their memories of home land. The Sen rulers tried to replicate governance order that reflected memories of homeland to satisfy the community and their clans. 

Two factors may have played major role in migration of our ancestors. 

One - the Mughal invaders

Second - the Religious persecution

First, Mughals had their eyes on prosperous Indian sub continent and had been invading erstwhile ancient Punjab kingdoms. The region had been under constant attacks with changing dynastic controls that had made life difficult and always under threat. The enmity among the local ruling kingdoms and mounting turmoil in the region, encouraged the Mughal invaders to move deep into north and north eastern kingdoms. Under such hostile conditions, the dynasties too started crumbling and their heir apparent, the royal princes seeing the opportunities fading away, thought of escaping/exploring new lands. Over time the Mughals reached Bengal and in one such attack by Muhammad Bakhtiyar Khalji, Lakshman Sena (1178-1205 A.D) of Sena dynasty had to flee from their ruling kingdom of ‘Gauda’, or ‘Lakhnauti’ in Bengal. Our ancestors, Baidya, Kaith and Brahmins, were no exception to be spared as many of courtiers/traders were from the later community. Facing a life threatening situation forced them too to fend for life and leave their homeland. 

Some of the Sen princes fleeing with their confidante, reached Shivalik foothills in erstwhile Punjab. One of the royal prince, Rup Sen settled at Ropari (present Rup Nagar). However, haunted by the Mughals, his three sons slowly shifted deep into north western Himalayas and subsequently established themselves in separate principalities. Overtime the descendants of sen dynasty and their coteries established Suket, Keonthal and Kishtwar (in Jammu) and later Mandi states. 

Even today, one can find their descendants settled in various parts of north western Himalayan region and in context of our community around panjgaon(present Pangana), Rajwari(near Jaidevi), Hatli(present Hatgarh, Baggi&Lohara area), Bhojpur&suket(present Sundernagar ), and Nagar (present Mandi town). Overtime more of the oppressed families arrived on invitation from Sen royal houses to settle in their states especially Nagar (present Mandi Sadar ). One such reference appears in Mandi state history that testifies to this fact when Raja Ajbar Sen extended an invitation to Bhale lok (the upper castes of Bengali Baidya, Kaith & Brahmin) to settle in Mandi Sadar. (Read more-https://www.mandipedia.com/post/1695801404/ )

Second, New religions had evolved in Eastern India under patronage of mighty Maurya, Gupta and Pala kingdoms in the past and still finding its place in society. Different religious groups had managed to find favour with reining kings who valued the religion as a way to increase their own royal power. Religious proponents usually engaged in a variety of protection and destruction rituals which could be used for the benefit of the kingdom and the king. Sermons & authority was used to manoeuvre the folklore to follow a particular way of religious life. Intertwined among all this was worshipping rituals of “Gaudiya Vaishnavism”, and the common belief in “Shaivism”, “Shaktism”and "Bhaktism," promoted by Sen’s kingdom, largely followed by our community even today. 

Continuous religious persecution had put the common folks under lot of strain to live normal life. While this was not enough, now the community had to encounter Mughal ways day in and day out to affirm in Muslim faith or face the consequences. 

To be continued…………