2026

Kingdoms of the Jungle Mahals: Medieval Hindu Rule in Bankura, Midnapore, and Purulia

Author(s): Mousumi Gorai

Abstract

The western districts of Medinipur, Bankura, and Purulia—forming part of the historical region of Rarh—represent a significant yet often understudied zone in the regional history of medieval eastern India. This study explores the emergence, development, and characteristics of localized Hindu kingdoms in this frontier landscape between the Gangetic plains and the Chotanagpur Plateau during the medieval period (c. 7th–18th centuries). Focusing on prominent polities such as Mallabhum in Bankura and various garh-based and feudatory chiefdoms in Medinipur and Purulia, the paper examines their political organization, socio-economic foundations, and cultural contributions. These kingdoms, though smaller in scale compared to major imperial powers like the Pala Empire and the Mughal Empire, played a crucial role in sustaining regional autonomy and facilitating cultural synthesis. The study highlights how these polities functioned as intermediary zones, negotiating power with larger empires while preserving local traditions. Their patronage of religious movements—particularly Vaishnavism, Shaivism, and Shaktism—along with the development of distinctive architectural forms such as the terracotta temples of Bishnupur, underscores their cultural significance. Additionally, the interaction between tribal communities and caste-based agrarian societies within these kingdoms contributed to a unique socio-cultural fabric. By situating these regional Hindu kingdoms within broader historical processes, the paper aims to reframe the understanding of medieval Indian history through a localized lens, emphasizing the importance of peripheral regions in shaping long-term cultural and political developments.