Harikela


Harikela was a kingdom in ancient Bengal encompassing much of the eastern regions of the Indian Subcontinent and Arakan. There are numerous references to the kingdom in historical texts as well as archeological artifacts including silver coinage.

History

Yiling in the seventh century mentions kingdom of Ali-ki-lo or Harikela. The kingdom was ruled by the Chandra dynasty during the 10th century CE. They were overthrown by the Varman dynasty, who were in turn overthrown by the Deva dynasty. In the 17th century the Mughal Empire absorbed and brought Harikela under the province of Bengal.

Geography

For a time its capital was near Chittagong before being moved to Munshiganj by the Candras. Arab traders recognised Harikela as the coastal regions of Bengal in the early period and included Sylhet in the later period reaching as far as the ancient Sundarbans.