Dharmapala Kamboja

Who is Dharmapala Kamboja?

Dharmapala Kamboja was probably the last ruler of Kamboja Pala dynasty of Bengal. He ruled Dandabhukti-mandala in Vardhamana-bhukti in the first quarter of eleventh century and was contemporary of Rajendra Chola of Chola dynasty of Deccan.

⁕One king named Dharmapala ruling in Dandabhukti finds mention in the Tirmulai Inscription of Rajendra Chola which he issued in his 13th regnal year. Scholars identify this Dharmapala of the Tirmulai Inscription with the Dharmapala of the Kamboja-Pala Dynasty ruling in Dandabhukti in the first quarter of the 11th century. It has also been suggested that when threatened by Pala rulers of Bengal, Dharmapala, this last ruler of the Kamboja-Pala Dynasty of Bengal, might have sought help from Rajendra Chola of the Chola Dynasty.

⁕Chidambaram Inscription Tamil language, found in Chidambaram refers to one Kamboja ruler who made a beautiful stone gift as a curio to Rajendrasoladevar which with latter’s permission, was embedded in front row of the edirambalam of the Nataraja temple:

Though K. A. Nilakanta Sastri links Kamboja king of Chidambram inscription to Cambodia which however seems to be far-fetched, many other scholars say that Kamboja of Chidambram inscriptions is this Dharampala of Kamboj lineage who was ruling in Dandbhukti-mandala of west Bengal during early 11th century and was therefore a contemporary of Rajendra Chola.