Kamboja Dynasty of Bengal

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The Kamboja Dynasty ruled parts of Bengal in the 10th to 11th centuries CE, gradually gaining independence from their former liege lords, the Palas.

Contents 1 Origins 2 Ancient sources on Kamboja Rule in Bengal 2.1 Dinajpore Pillar Inscription 2.2 Irda Copper Plate (Tamrapatra) 2.3 Bangar Grant of Mahipala I 3 Extent of Kamboja Empire 4 Known Kamboja Kings of Bengal 5 Pala Dynasty vs Kamboja-Pala Dynasty 6 New Possible Interpretation of Dinajpore Inscription 7 Religion of Kamboja rulers of Bengal 8 Kambojas in Caste System of Bengal 9 Evidence on Later Kamboja Rulers in Bengal 10 Opinions of Some Scholars 11 References 12 Books and Megazines 13 See also 14 External links

[edit] Origins

Main article: Kamboja migrations

During the last centuries BCE, many clans of the Kambojas entered India in alliance the with Sakas, Pahlavas, Yavanas and spread into Sindhu, Saurashtra, Malwa, Rajasthan, Punjab and Surasena.^[1][2] The Kamboh Darwaza in the city of Meerut is named after the Kambojas. An offshoot of these Kambojas moved eastwards and entered Bengal, Bihar and Orissa and in 10th century, they founded a large empire in north-west Bengal.^[3]

[edit] Ancient sources on Kamboja Rule in Bengal

There are several ancient inscriptions which attest Kamboja rule in Bengal and Bihar. The most important sources are:

[edit] Dinajpore Pillar Inscription

The Dinajpur Pillar Inscription makes mention of a certain Kamboja king called the Kambojanvaya Gaudapati (i.e lord of Gauda, born in Kamboja family). The Pillar Inscription was originally established in a Siva Temple which was built by Kambojanvaya Gaudapati in Gauda country. But during Muslim rule, the Pillar was brought to Bangar about 40 miles east of Gauda. During 18th century AD, the Pillar was further moved to Dinajpore by Maharaja Ram Nath and as a result, the inscription came to be known as Dinajpore Pillar Inscription.^[4].

According Dr R. C. Majumdar, Kunjarghatavarsheyan was a personal name of Kambojanvaya Gaudapati, but that may also imply his epithet. The imperial title Gaudapati (Gaudeshawara) as testified by the Dinajpore Pillar Inscription is obviously his imperial title. Term Kambojanvaya implies that he belonged to the Kamboja lineage. The inscription further reveals that Kambojanvaya Gaudapati was a devotee of lord Siva. The date of this record has been shown to be 888 Saka, though this is sated to be doubtful (Dr R. C. Majimdar). Scholars state that the Dinajpore Pillar Inscription belongs to the second half of 10th c AD.^[5].

[edit] Irda Copper Plate (Tamrapatra)

Irda Copper plate (Irda Tamarapatra) is another very important source on the Kamboja-Pala dynasty of Benga. The plate was discovered in 1931 from a landlord named Mrityunjaya Narayan Prahraj of Irda, District Balasor in Orissa. The Inscription was edited by Dr N. G. Majumdar and published with his comments in 1934 in the Epigraphia Indica.^[6]. Irda Copper plate is written in Sanskrit tongue and has 49 lines of text written in ancient Bengali script. The Vamsa or the tribal identity of the rulers in the mentioned in the Irda Copper plate is specifically stated to be Kamboja-Vamsha-Tilaka (i.e Glory of the Kamboja tribe).^[7] Like the Dinajpore Pillar Inscriptions, the Irda Copper plate is also thought to belong to the second half of 10th c AD (Dr N. G. Majumdar, Dr R. C. Majumdar). Hence the scholar community believes that the Kambojanvaya Gaudapati of Dinajpore Pillar Inscriptions and the Kambojavamshatilaka Paramasaugata Maharajadhiraja parameshvara paramabhattAraka Rajyapala of Kamboja-Pala dynasty of Irda Copper plate Inscriptions refers to the same Kamboja family. But whereas the Dinajpur Pillar inscriptions refers just to one Kamboja ruler epithetted as Kambojanvaya Gaudapati, the Irda Copper plate, on the other hand, mentions generation after generation of the Kamboja-Pala kings of Bengal i.e Rajyapala, Narayanapala and Nayapala etc. The Kamboja-Pala kings of Irda Copper plate had ruled north-west Bengal in 10/11th c.^[8]

[edit] Bangar Grant of Mahipala I

Bangar Charter^[9] of Mahipala I is the third very important ancient source of Kamboja rule in Bengal. The charter asserts that Mahipala had re-conquered nearly the whole of north and east Bengal "after defeating the usurpers who had seized his ancestral kingdom".^[10] The same verse has been repeated in the Aamgaachhi Charter of Vigrahapala-3. But "Who were the usurpers the inscription does not tell, but other evidences indicate that the rulers belonging to the Kamboja family were in possession of the north and west Bengal".^[11] Scholars believe that Mahipala's Charter alludes to the seizing of the northern parts of Bengal by Kamboja dynasty from the Gopala II or Vigrahapala II of the Pala dynasty, which the great king Mahipala I claims to have won back by the force of his arms^[12]

[edit] Extent of Kamboja Empire

No definite information is available on the precise geographical area of the Kamboja-Pala kingdom of Bengal. According to Irda Copper plate evidence, the Kamboja-Pala kingdom definitely comprised Varadhmana-Bhukti Mandala (modern Burdman division) and Dandabhukti Mandala within the Kamboja empire. The Dandabhukti division is believed to have comprised southern and south-western parts of district Midnapore as well as the lower parts of river Suvaranrekha in district Balasore. Evidence from Dinajpore Pillar Inscription attests that the Gauda country also formed parts of Kamboja-Pala kingdom. But as long as we do not include northern Rad, the region does not constitute one viable politicall entity. Hence it appears likely that northern parts of Rad may also formed parts of Kamboja-Pala kingdom. Dr R. C. Majumdar says that Gauda and Radha both formed parts of Kamboja-Pala empire ^[13] During second half of the 10th century, Chandella king Yashovarman invaded the Palas and the Kambojas and he claims to have conquered Gauda and Mithila.^[14]. It is also stated that Chandela chief Dhanga of Jejabhukti, the successor of Yashovarman, had invaded Rad towards the end of 10th century AD. As a consequence, the Kamboja power in the north Bengal received a severe jolt.^[15] This political scenario enabled the Pala king Mahipala I to re-conquer Gauda from the Kambojas.^[16] The last king of the Kambojas was Dharamapala who continued to rule Dandabhukti in the first quarter of 11th century AD.^[17] The Capital of the Kamboja Pala kingdom is stated to be Pryangu which has not been identified yet,^[18] though some scholars tend to identify the same with an old village known as Pingvani located in Garvet Thana.^[19]

[edit] Known Kamboja Kings of Bengal

We know the names of three Kamboja rulers of the Kamboja Pala family for sure viz. Rajyapala, Narayanapala and Nayapala. The Charter (Copper Plate Inscription) was issued by Kamboja king Nayapala wherein he and his father are given the imperial titles like Parameshevara, Paramabhattacharya and Maharajadhiraja. The Copper Plate Inscription also attests that the founder of the Kamboja Pala dynasty was king Rajyapala. He has been referred to as Kambojavamshatilaka Paramasaugata Maharajadhiraja parameshvara paramabhattAraka-Rajyapala. This proves that this line of kings belonged to the Kamboja lineage. The second king is Narayanapala who was son of Rajayapala. Narayanapala was succeeded by his younger brother Nayapala, the author of the Irda Copper plate. Dr R. C. Majumdar states that the expression Kunjarghatavarshan of the Dinajpore Pillar Inscription indicates that Kunjarghatavarshan was personal name of Kambojanvaya Gaudapati of the Dinajpore Pillar Inscription. If this is so, then this Kambojanvaya Gaudapati is the fourth known Kamboja king of Kamboja dynasty of Bengal. Some scholars however believe that the Kambojanvaya Gaudapati of the Dinajpore Pillar Inscriptions is same as Kambojavamshatilaka Rajyapala of the Irda Copper plate. This does not seem to be true since Rajyapala of the Irda Copper plate is described as devotee of Buddha (Parama-saugata) where as Kambojanvaya Gaudapati of Dinajpore Pillar Inscriptions claims in his own inscription to be a Siva devotee. It may however be possible that Kambojanvaya Gaudapati is same as Kamboja king Nayapala of the Irda Copper plate since king Nayapala also claims to be a Saivite (Siva devotee) in the Irda Copper plate. The last known ruler of the Kamboja Pala dynasty is stated to be king Dharamapala who ruled in Dandabhukti in first quarter of 11th century AD.^[20]

[edit] Pala Dynasty vs Kamboja-Pala Dynasty

Curiously, there are several similarities between the Kamboja Pala ruling family and the Pala ruling family of Bengal.

• The names like Rajyapala, Narayanapala and Nayapala of Irda Copper plate are also found in the genealogies of the Pala dynasty of Bengal,

• The Kamboja king Rajyapala of Irda Copper plate and his counterpart, king Rajyapala (II), of the Pala dynasty belong to the same era and time frame,

• King Rajyapala of the Irda Copper plate and king Rajyapala (II) of the Pala dynasty, assumed exactly similar imperial titles i.e. Parmeshevara, Paramabhattacharya and Maharajadhiraja,

• King Rajyapala of the Irda Copper plate and Rajyapala (II) of the Pala dynasty, have assumed exactly similar religious epithets i.e Paramasaugata (devotee of the Buddha),

• The queen of king Rajyapala of Irda Copper plate is named named Bhagyadevi, which, very interestingly, is also the name of Pala king Rajyapala's queen,

• Both the Kamboja kings of Irda Copper plate as well as the Pala kings of the Pala dynasty, use 'Pala' as the last part in their names,

• Both the Kamboja kings of Irda Copper plate and the Pala kings of the Pala dynasty are known to have similar religious beliefs,

• The script and language of Irda Copper plate and that of Dinajpur Pillar inscriptions belonging to the Kamboja dynasty is identical to that of numerous charters of the kings of the so-called Pala dynasty.

Based on these startling similarities, some scholars have gone to the extent of stating that the Pala dynasty and the Kamboja-Pala Dynasty of Irda Copper plate & Dinajpore Pillar Inscription is one and the same dynasty. But if this is really so, then the inescapable conclusion which must follow is that the unified Kamboja/Pala dynasty of Bengal must belong to the Kamboja lineage ^{[21] [22]} .

It is very curious to note that whereas the identity of the Kamboja Pala rulers of Bengal has been referred to twice and is indisputably connected to the Kamboja ethnicity, that of the Palas has nowhere been specifically stated in any of the Pala traditions in numerous of their Grants, Charters and Inscriptions (Dr D. C. Sircar). According to Manjuśree Mūlakalpa, Gopala I was a Śudra ^{[23] [24]}. Balla-Carita says that the "The Palas were low-born Ksatriyas". Tibetan Historian Taranatha Lama, in his "History of Buddhism in India" and Ghanarama, in his "Dharma Mangala", (both of 16th century CE), also give the same story ^{[25] [26]}. Arabic accounts tell us that Palas were not kings of noble origin^[27]. According to Abu Fazal (Ain-i-Akbari), Palas were Kayasthas ^[28]. Khalimpur Plate of Dharmapala, son of Gopala I (the founder of the dynasty), states that Gopala was a son of a warrior (Khanditarat) Vapyata and grandson of a highly educated (Saryavidyavadat) Dayitavishnu ^[29]. Ramachrita of Sandhyakaranandi attests Pala king Ramapala as a Kshatriya ^[30] , but in another portion of the same text, Dharmapala is described as Smudrakula-dipa ^[31], though, the reason why the origin of the Palas has been ascribed to the Sea (Samudrakula) remains obsecure ^[32]. In the Udaya-sundari-katha, a Champu-Kavya, written by Soddhala in the eleventh century, Pala king Dharmapala is said to have belonged to the family of Mandhata of the Ikshvaku line which is known to belong to solar race^{[33] [34]}. It is also stated that they were born of a Ksatriya mother ^[35]. "All these hear-says practically have no value at all for discussion" ^[36].

The Kamauli Copper Plate inscription of king Vaidyadeva of Kamarupa (Assam) ^[37] indisputably connects the Palas to the Kshatriyas of "Mihirasya vamsa" (Surya lineage).^[38].

Since Mihira means Sun or Sun worshipper, the expression Mihirasya implies connected with or relating to the Sun or Sun Worship (Sanskrit Mitra, Persian Mithira == > Mihira = Sun). According to Bhavishya Purana, the Mihira lineage originated from the union of Nishkubha, daughter of Rsi Rijihva and the Sun (Mihira) ^[39]. From this wedlock was born a sage called Zarashata, who apparently is Zoroaster of the Iranian traditions. Mihirasya Vamsa means Mihira Vamsa which is also found written as Mihirkula i.e lineage of the Sun-worshippers. The reference to Mihirasya vamsa as being the lineage of the Palas of Bengal as attested independently by the Kamauli Grant of king Vaidyadeva of Assam holds a probable clue that the Palas may have come from the Sun-Worshipping lineage i.e Iranian or Zoroastrian line of the Kambojas.^{[40] [41]}.

The fact that Gopala I, the founder of the so-called Pala dynasty has also been branded as Śudra^[42], may also carry a clue to their connections to the Kamboja lineage as the Kambojas have also been branded as Vrishalas (degraded Kshatriyas or Śudras) in Hindu texts ^[43]. Also from the fact that Gopala's grandfather was a learned man, and his father a warrior, and Gopala I is said to have been elected to the throne of Bengal, he therefore, was definitely not initially of a royal blood. Some say he may have been from a Brahmin lineage ^[44] but since the Palas are called Śudras as well as Ksatriyas, these references qualify them more as from Iranian Kamboja than of any other lineage.

It is notable that one section of scholars like Dr N. G. Majumdar ^[45] , Chandra Chakrabarty ^[46] etc consider that so-called Pala Rulers of Bengal actually belonged to Kamboja race. Dr N. G. Majumdar was the original editor of Irda Copper plate, and had initially thought that the Pala Dynasty and the Kambboja Pala dynasty were two separate dynasties, but later on, had modified his views in light of new discovery which demonstrated that king Rajyapala-II of the so-called Pala dynasty, just like king Rajyapala of the Irda Copper plate, was found as adorned with religious epithet of Parama-saugata (devoted Buddhist) as well as the imperial title of the Maharajadhiraja.^[47] Based on this new evidence and earlier similarities, Dr N. G. Majumdar, had accordingly changed his views and got inclined to identify the Pala Dynasty of Bengal with the Kambojas, and thereby, also dispelling the earlier views on the origin of the Pala kings of Bengal ^[48].

Dr H. C. Ray however, has advised a policy of 'wait' till the discovery of more powerful evidence before we can say that the Pala dynasty belonged to Kamboja race. He oberserved: "I can only suggest that we must wait for more definite proof before we can say that the Palas were Kambojas" ^[49]. Dr Ramananda Chatterjee writes that "as regards the Kamboja origin of the Pala, one cannot be definite in the present state of our knowledge" ^[50]. Dr J. L. Kamboj cautions that if we identify Rajyapala of the Pala Dynasty with the Rajyapala of the 'Irda Copper Plate', then we will have no option other than to accept that the Pala Dynasty of Bengal had sprang from the Kamboja race ^[51]. Dr R. C. Majumdar advises that if we identify the Kamboja-vamsa-tilaka Rajyapala of the Irda Copper plate with the Rajyapala of the Pala dynasty, then we must also accept that after Rajyapla, the Pala empire had split up into two ^[52]. Dr R. C. Majumdar further advises that "although the presumption about the identity (of the Palas with the Kambojas) is certainly a reasonable one, the evidence in favor of it can not be regarded as conclusive.." ^[53].

In spite of the above, the probabilities of unification of two dynasties and their connection to Kamboja lineage seem to have tremendously increased though.

[edit] New Possible Interpretation of Dinajpore Inscription

The Rajyapala of Irda Copper plate has been referred to as Kambojavamshatilaka (i.e belonging to the Kamboja lineane). If he and Rajyapala II of the Pala dynasty is one historical personage, then one shall have accept that the Palas dynasty originated from the Kambojas. The only other source referring to the Kamboja rulers in Bengal is the Dinajpore Pillar Inscription which refers to a ruler Kambojanvaya Gaudapati and its date has been fixed to later half of 10th century. Up till recently, the scholars believed that the Kambojas could not have won Gauda without defeating the Palas of Bengal hence it was assumed that Kambojanvaya Gaudapati came as some foreign invader from the northern hills and wrested north and western Bengal from the Paslas. If it is proved that the Palas and the Kambojas are one people, the Dinajpore Pillar shall have to be interpreted differently ^[54] i.e . if the Palas and Kambojas are unified, then Kambojanvaya Gaudapati of the Dinajpore Pillar inscription shall have to be accepted as a representative of the Palas, and there shall be no need to assert that the Kambojas came as foreign invaders from the northern hills and wrested the Gauda from the Palas. The only basis of the so-called usurpation of Bengal by the Kambojas is the vague statement of king Mahpala I, the author of Bangar Grant^[55] which asserts that Mahipala had re-conquered nearly the whole of north and east Bengal "after defeating the usurpers who had seized his ancestral kingdom"^[56] but "Who were the usurpers the inscription does not tell but other evidences indicate that the rulers belonging to the Kamboja family were in possession of the north and west Bengal.^[57]. Scholars have only speculated that Mahipala's Charter alludes to 'seizing of the northern parts of Bengal from the Gopala II or Vigrahapala II by the Kambojas', which the great king claims to have won back by the force of his arms.^[58] If the two dynasties are united, then this may mean that Rajyapala II had three sons: Gopala II, Narayanpala and Nayapala ^[59]. Gopala II inherited Magadha and northern Bengal while Narayanapala got rest of the empire including western Bengal. Narayanapala was thus rival and competitor of Gopala. Narayanapala was succeeded by his younger brother Nayapala. These two sons of Rajayapala, in all probability, were the usurpers of the ancestral land of Mahipala I, the grand son of Gopala II. This may be the reason as to why these two kings do not find any mention in the main genealogy of the Palas which was continued by Mahipala I onwards. It is also interesting to note that the genealogy of rulers mentioned in the Irda Copper plate of king Nayapala does not go beyond Rajyapala.^[60].^[61]

[edit] Religion of Kamboja rulers of Bengal

The Kambojanvaya Gaudapati of Dinajpore Pillar Inscriptions is stated to be a builder of Siva temple and therefore was devotee of Siva. He is said to be a great bestower of the charities. Kambojavamsatilaka Rajayapala, the first king of the Irda Copper plate is referred to as Parama-saugata (devotee of Buddha). The third ruler Narayanapala Kamboja is stated to be a devotee of god Vishnu. King Nayapala Kamboja, the author of Irda Copper plate is known to have practiced Siva cult. There is no information on the Kamboja ruler Dharamapala, but it appears likely that he may have also been a Vedic follower i.e. either Saivite or a Vishnu devotee. The Irda Copper plate has references to Hindu gods, high rising temple buildings as well as to the sacred smokes rising from the Yagya fires into the skies. This again alludes to the Hinduism of the Pala Kambojas. Irda Copper plate also makes special references to the Purohits, Kritivajyas, Dharmagyas and other holy officials. Thus we find that the Kamboja kings of Bengal were mostly Vedic Hindus, of course, with the exception of king Rajyapala. Mention is made of grants of lands and villages to the Purohits in the Burdwan district of east Bengal. According to Prof R. C. Majumdar: "More significant, however, is the inclusion of Purohits in the land grants of the Kamboja, Varman and Sena kings of Bengal. It indicates the great importance was attached to religious and social aspects of administration during rules of these dynasties which were all followers of orthodox Hinduism." (History of Bengal, Vol I., p 281, Dr R. C. Majumdar</ref> Dr B. N. Sen says that the Buddhism which had followers in the early Pala and Candra rulers was probably on the decline in Bengal during 10th c AD. On the other hand, the Vedic religion was on the rise. Since the Kamboja Pala kings of Bengal were mostly Vedic Hindus, hence they must have got full support from their subject which must have helped them raise a powerful empire in Bengal.^[62]

[edit] Kambojas in Caste System of Bengal

In the ancient caste classification in Bengal, there are references to people who came as invaders from northwest or accompanied the invaders. These people have been described as Mlechchas in the brahmanical Caste System in Bengal. Ancient Sanskrit and Pali texts and inscriptions profusely attest the Kambojas as a Mlechcha tribe of Uttarapatha or Udichya division belonging to Indo-Iranian or Scytho-Aryan and not to the Mongolian stock. The north-westerners including the Kambojas, Sakas, Hunas, Yavanas, Abhiras, Khasas, Sabaras, Turushakas, Suhmas etc have all been labelled as outsiders, foreigners or Mlechchas within the Bengali society and therefore were left outside the Caste Classification of ancient Bengal. [1] Compare also: Part-II: VI. Ancient peoples of Bengal: [2].^[63]

[edit] Evidence on Later Kamboja Rulers in Bengal

There is a literary evidence which attests one Kamboja king known as Jagan Nath ruling in Bengal as late as that 16th century AD. King Jagan Nath is stated to have patronized a Brahmana scholar Sura Mishra who had composed Jagannathaprakasa, a Smriti Granth in honor of this Kamboja king:

Ashesh.Kambojakula.vatansah Shri Jagana Natha iti parsidhah

Akaryad dharmanibandhmaytam dhradhipaiapayairkablai nreshe^[64]

This shows that the Kamboja rule in some parts of Bengal must have continued, as late as 16th century AD.

[edit] Opinions of Some Scholars

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Dr V. A. Smith:

• "During the later part of tenth century, the rule of Palas was interrupted by the intrusion of hillmen known as Kambojas, who set up one of their chief as the king. His rule is commemorated by an inscribed pillar at Dinajpore created apparently in AD 966"^[65]

Dr Benjamin Walker:

• "A branch of Kambojas seem to have migrated eastwards along the Himalayan foothills, hence their notices in the Tibetan and Nepali chronicles. Later, they entered the Gangetic plains and by nine century AD came into conflict with the Palas of Bengal. In the 10th c, the Pala rule in Bengal was terminated by Kambojas who had set up one of their chiefs as king. The Kamboja rule in Bengal lasted until they were deposed by resurgent Palas in 980 AD. The descendants of Kambojas are still found in Northern Bengal^[66]

Dr P. C. Baghci:

• "The Kambojas, a nomadic tribe, lived beyond Himalayas in Central Asia. Long ago, their one branch had entered India and got fully integrated into the local population. It appears that other branches same people had entered eastern Tibet and the Mekong valley. This assumption alone can explain par-excellence as to why the Mekong Valley was named Kambuja. We can also find the relics of their name in the Khambas province of Tibet. It is very probable that it were the Kambojas from the Khamba province of Tibet who had invaded Bengal and Assam in the succeeding centuries…"^[67]

Dr B. C. Law:

• "In 9th c AD, the Kambojas are said to have been defeated by Devapala, the great king of the Pala dynasty of Bengal.^[68] But during latter part of 10th c, the tables were turned and the rule of Palas kings was interrupted by the Kambojas, who had set up one of their chiefs as a king. In a certain place called Vanagarh in Dinajpore, mention is made of a certain king of Gauda, born in Kamboja family. It is probable that during the reign of Devapaladeva, the Kambojas first attempted to conquer Gauda, but were, at that time defeated.^[69]. Dr. R. R. Chanda supposes that in the middle of 10th c AD, the Kambojas of Himalayas again attacked North-Bengal and took away north-east Bengal from them. The present inhabitants of North Bengal viz Koch, Mech and Palia were descended from them.^[70] The Kamboja rule in Bengal was terminated by Mahapala I, the 9th king of Pala line, who is known to have been reigning in AD 1026 and may be assumed to have regained his ancestral throne from Kambojas at about 980 AD" .^[71]

B. G. Karlsson:

• Cf: "The Rajbansis (which means of 'royal race') intellectuals have traced their lineage to the purer ancient Kamboj dynasty in the northwestern India. It was the wrath of Parsurama that forced them away from their original homeland and led them to settle in north Bengal (Basu 1994, p 59-61)" ^[72].

Hasna Jasimuddin Mouddud:

• Cf: After Devapala's death, the decline of the Pala dynasty in North India was rapid. Northern Bengal was first invaded and annexed by the king of Pratihara, Mahendrapala, sometime before 898 AD and later northern and western Bengal were annexed by the Kambojas, a powerful hill tribe from the north or the east India"^[73]

R. R. Diwarkar:

• "In course of his military campaign, Pala king Devapala is said to have reached Kamboja. The Kambojas of ancient India are known to have been living in north-west, but in this period, they are known to have been living in the north-east India also, and very probably, it was meant Tibet. Thus Devapala might have come into conflict with Tibet, there is nothing surprising in this because Tibetan sources claim that their kings Khri-Srong-Ide-Btson and his son Mu-Tag-Btsan-Po subdued India and forced Dharamapala to submit. Devapala may have also clashed with them and defeated them"^[74]

Alternative View (in line with view of R. R. Diwarkar)

• A branch of the Pamirian Kambojas seems to have migrated eastwards towards Tibet hence their notice in the chronicles of Tibet (Kam-po-tsa, Kam-po-ce, Kam-po-ji) and Nepal (Kambojadesa).^[75] Burmese chronicles refer to it as Kampuchih. The Pamirian Kambojas may have receded to Tibet in wake of the Kushana (1st century) or Huna (5th century) pressure. Later the same Kamboja branch appears to have moved towards Assam from where they may have invaded Bengal during the bad days of the Palas and wrested north Bengal. Fifth century AD Brahma Purana mentions Kambojas around Pragjyotisha and Tamraliptika.^[76] Buddhist text Sasanavamsa^[77] also attests the Kambojas in/around Assam. These Kambojas had made first bid to conquer Bengal during the reign of king Devapala (810 AD-850 AD) but were repulsed. A latter attempt was crowned with success when they were able to deprive the Palas of the suzerainty over North and West Bengal and set up a Kamboja dynasty in Bengal towards the middle of 10th century AD.

A Short History of Bengal

• "On the other hand, they may be the Kambojas from north west India from where the Pala used to get their horses, the Tibetans, or the Koca tribe (the related tribe Mleca may be the origin of the term Mleccha). There is also a south Indian reference to a Kamboja king gifting a stone to Rajendra Cola for the Nataraja temple. Other references to Kambojas abound in the ancient literature, and this may have been just the expansion of an Indo-European tribe with both Persian and Indic affinity from their homeland in the Afghanistan-Turkistan (Some relate their name to Cambyses of the Achaemenian empire of early 6th cent BC) region along the foothills of the Himalayas towards Bengal, along the coast to Gujarat, to Ceylon, and maybe to Cambodia. Extracted from: "[3]

Dr Debala Mitra:

• "A section of the Kambojas, originally living on the north-western frontier of India, most probably in Afghanistan, and belonging to the Parasaka vanna, according to the Buddhaghosa, came and permanently settled in different parts of India. They lent their name to some of the localities occupied by them. A few of the families went to the extent of carving out principalities like the one temporarily eclipsing the fortunes of the Palas of eastern India (Bengal) in the tenth century A.D. …..".^[78]

Dr A. D. Pusalkar:

• "It is held by some scholars that the Kambojas were a hill tribe from tribe from Tibet or other regions who had conquered Bengal. But it is more likely that some high official of the Palas belonging to the Kamboja family or tribe took advantage of the weakeness of the Pala kings and set up an independent kingdom".^[79]

Dr R. C. Majumdar:

• "The Palas employed mercenaries forces, and certainly recruited horses from Kamboja tribe.^[80] N. G. Majumdar has very rightly observed that if horses could be brought into Bengal from north-western frontiers of India during Pala period, it is not not unreasonable to suppose that for trade and other purposes, some adventurers could also have found their way into that province".^[81] Mercenary soldiers (speciality cavalry) might have been recruited from Kambojas and some of them might have been influential chiefs. It has been suggested that the Kambojas might have come to Bengal with the Pratiharas when the latter conquered part of this province Indian.^[82].^[83][84][85]

Airavat Singh

• "Devpala in the 9th Century repeated his father's feat by leading an army into the Punjab region and further north into the lands of Kamboja (near the Indus). But no territory was gained in this campaign—even the neighboring kingdoms of Kamarupa (Assam) and Utkala (Orissa) were only compelled to render tribute. The two successors of Devapala were more religious-minded and in that period the Pratihars annexed both Magadha and Varendri (Bengal) while Kamarupa and Utkala also resumed independence. To make matters worse feudatories of the Palas also carved out their own states like the Chandras of East Bengal and the Kambojas of Radha—the latter are believed to be descendants of the Kamboja officers and men that had joined the army of Devapala during his campaign in their country near the Indus....".^[86] [4]

Dr. H. C. Ray:

• Dr. H. C. Ray writes that Kamboja rulers of Bengal came from Punjab with Gurjara Pratiharas. The Kambojas had joined the forces of Gurjara Pratiharas and there were separate regiments of the Kambojas in the Pratihara army which were entrusted with the defense of north-eastern borders of the Pratihara empire. The Kambojas did not leave the province after the collapse of Pratihara power. They rather took advantage of the weakness of the Pala kings and set up an independent kingdom which was not a difficult task for them^[87] Dr H. C. Ray also writes: "I must also admit however, that the Kambojas of Bengal may also have come from north-west as mercenaries and then formed into an independent army under a Kamboja chief by successful rebellion"^[88]

Dr H. Chander Raychaudhury:

• Dr Hem Chander Raychaudhury also states that the Kambojas came to Bengal with the armies of the Gurjara Pratiharas^[89]

Nagendra Nath Vasu"

• According to Nagendra Nath Vasu, the Kambojas came to Bengal from Kambey in Gujarat^[90]

Dr Jogindra Ghosh:

• Dr Jogindra Ghosh also says that the Kamboja rulers of Bengal had come from the Kambey in Gujarat, but curiously he connects the Kamboja rulers of Bengal with the Pratiharas of Gujarat.^[91]

Dr J. L. Kamboj:

• According to Dr J. L. Kamboj, during second/first centuries BCE, many clans of the Kambojas entered India in alliance the with Sakas, Pahlavas, Yavanas and spread into Sindhu, Saurashtra, Malwa, Rajasthan, Punjab and Surasena.^[92] The Kamboh Darwaza in the city of Meerut is named after the Kambojas. An offshoot of these Kambojas moved eastwards and entered Bengal, Bihar and Orissa and in 10th century, they founded a large empire in north-west Bengal.^[93]

Dr B. R. Chattetjee:

• Interestingly, Dr B. R. Chattetjee supposes that the Kambojas who founded the Kamboja empire in Bengal may have come from the Kambuja of Indo China.^[94]

[edit] References

[edit] Books and Megazines

• The History and Culture of Indian People, The Classical Age, Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr A. D. Pusalkar
• The History and Culture of Indian People, The Age of Imperial Kanauja, Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr A. D. Pusalkar
• The History and Culture of Indian People, The Struggle For Empire, Dr R. C. Majumdar, Dr A. D. Pusalkar
• Ancient Kamboja, People and the Country, 1981, Dr J. L. Kamboj
• The Kambojas Through the Ages, 2005, S Kirpal Singh
• These Kamboja People, 1979, Kirpal Singh Dardi
• The Rise and Decline of Buddhism in India, 1995, (The Kamboja-Pala Dynasty (c. AD 911-92), Chapter 9), Kanai Lal Hazra.
• The People and Culture of Bengal: A Study in Origins, Volume 1— Part 1 & 2, 2002, Annapurna Chattopadhyaya.
• Kamboj Itihaas, (Punjabi), 1972, H. S. Thind
• Ancient India, 2003, Dr V. D. Mahajan
• A Critical Study of The Geographical Data in the Early Purana, 1972, Dr M. R. Singh
• History of Bengal, Part I, 1971, Dr R. C. Majumdar
• Some Historical Aspects of the Inscriptions of Bengal, 1962, B. C. Sen
• The Dynastic History of Northern India, II, Dr H. C. Ray
• Some Kshatria Tribes of Ancient India, 1924, Dr B. C. Law
• Candelas of Jejabhukti, R. K. Dikshit
• Hindu World, Vol I, 1968, Benjamin Walker
• Jataka, 1957, Fausboll
• District Gazeteer, Rajashahi,1915
• India and Central Asia, 1956, Dr P. C. Bagchi
• History of the Origin and Development of the Bengali Language, 1926, Dr S. K. Chatterjee
• Early History of India, 1957, Dr V. A. Smith
• Decline of the Kingdom of Magadha, 1953, B. P. Sinha
• Dacca University Studies, Vol I, No 2
• Bharatvarsha, 1344 (Bangala Samvata)
• Library of India Office, Vol II, Part II
• Modern Review, 1937, N. G. Majumdar
• Epigraphia Indica, Vol V, XII, XXII, XXIV
• Indian Historical Quarterly, Vol XV-4, 1939
• Bihar Through the Ages, 1958, Ed, R. R. Diwarkar
• Journal of Proceedings of Royal Society of Bengal (NS), Vol VII

[edit] See also

• Kambojas
• Kamboja Migration
• Pala Empire
• Gopala
• Dharmapala
• Devapala
• Mahipala
• Middle Kingdoms of India

Middle kingdoms of India
Timeline:	Northern Empires	Southern Dynasties	Northwestern Kingdoms
6th century BCE  5th century BCE  4th century BCE  3rd century BCE  2nd century BCE  1st century BCE  1st century CE  2nd century  3rd century  4th century  5th century  6th century  7th century  8th century  9th century 10th century 11th century	Magadha Shishunaga dynasty Nanda empire Kalinga Maurya Empire Sunga Empire Kuninda Kingdom Western Satraps Gupta Empire Harsha Pala Empire Solanki Sena dynasty	Pandyan Cholas Chera Satavahana empire Kalabhras Kadamba Dynasty Pallava Chalukya Rashtrakuta Western Chalukyas Hoysala Empire	Gandhara (Persian rule) (Greek conquests) Indo-Greeks Indo-Scythians Indo-Parthians Kushan Empire Indo-Sassanids Kidarite Kingdom Indo-Hephthalites (Islamic invasions) Shahi (Islamic empires)

[edit] External links

• Kamboja Rule in Bengal: [5]
• Bengal in the Pala and Varmana Period--Rise of Independent Kingdoms: [6]

• See: BANGLAPEDIA Links below:
• The Chandra Dynasty:[7]
• Mahipala I: [8]
• Trailokyachandra: [9]
• Pala Dynasty:[10]
• Dandabhukti:[11]
• Kamata-Koch Behar:[12]
• History of Bangla, then Bangladesh: [13]
• Military History & Fiction (Bihar, Nepal, and Orissa), Airavat Singh [14]