Origin of Kamboja Tribe

The origin of the Kamboja is ambiguous. Various scholars have attributed various theories with regard to the origin of the Kamboja tribe. Mostly it is said that Kambojas belong to the Vedic race. It is true that Kambojas have not been mentioned in the Rig Veda but it is believed that belong to the race of Vedic Aryanas. In the Mahabharata there is not only mention of the Kamboja tribe but there has also been a mention of the Kamboja King. It has been said that the Kamboja king had given blankets to Yudhistir.

As per historical records say that Kambojas were from Tibet. Some other records say nothing accurate is known about the origin of the Kambojas. Kambojas has also been associated with the Gandharas. On the other hand legends specify that during the times of Mahabharata Kambojas occupied a prominent place among the Kastriya tribes of Mahabharata. In the battle of Kuruksetra Kambojas were the allies of Duryodhana and by their bravery and especially with the prowess of their king Sudkasina they had rendered great service to the Kuru side. In the battle of Kurukshetra the Kambojas were constantly in the thickest of the fight. It is said that their king Sudaksina was eventually killed in a duel with Arjuna. In fact it can be said that Kambojas rendered support to the Kuru forces till the last moment.

In addition to this the Ramayana states that the Kambojas were created by the divine cow Sabala at the request of Vashistha. According to Harivamsa the Kambojas were the ones who had dethroned Iksvaku.

Even during the times of Ashoka Kambojas was a prominent race because the great emperor had sent missionaries in order to bring about Buddhist conversions among the Kambojas. History states that the Kamboja rulers were expelled by Mahipala I, the ninth king of the Pala line around the year 978 or 980 AD.

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