Kamboja-Pala Dynasty of Bengal - New Possible Interpretation of Dinajpore Inscription

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 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 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" 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. 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. If the two dynasties are united, then this may mean that Rajyapala II had three sons: Gopala II, Narayanpala and Nayapala. 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.