The military history of Bengal/Introduction

Bengal's military history is intertwined with the history of a larger region, including present-day India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. The country was historically a major power in between South Asia and Southeast Asia. Bengal's military history begins with the mythical Kurukshetra War in which the Janapads of Pundra, Vanga took part respectively. The Vanga Janapad is especially notable as they produced the well known Prince Vijaya who went on to become the first King of Sri Lanka. The later Gangaridai civilization of Bengal and its fearsome elephant corps were enough to force Alexander the Great's men into mutinying and return home. Looking further we see the rise of Shashanka who is often cited as the first King of Bengal to unify the region. His rule oversaw the beginning of the Bengali Calendar and the start of a unified Bengali identify. The Bengali identity would slowly grow through the Pala and Sena ages where it would later be consolidated under the royal patronage of the Muslim Sultans of Bengal. Muslims brought new military technology to the region after the 12th century. According to João de Barros, Bengal enjoyed military supremacy over Arakan and Tripura due to good artillery. Its forces possessed large guns and cannons. It was also a major exporter of gunpowder and saltpeter to Europe. Bengal had a cosmopolitan military, including Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and mercenaries from Africa, Central and West Asia. The Bengal Sultanate was a powerful kingdom between the 14th and 15th centuries. Bengal became an integral part of the Mughal Empire in the 16th century. The Mughal Army built fortifications across the region and expelled Arakanese and Portuguese pirates from the northeastern coastline of the Bay of Bengal. Throughout the late medieval and early modern periods, Bengal was notable for its navy and shipbuilding. Its shipyards produced ships for the Mughal, Ottoman and British navies.