Indian socio-cultural contribution to ancient Kambuja as revealed in Sanskrit inscription

Abstract

This paper discusses the Indian socio-cultural contribution to ancient Kambuja as mentioned in inscriptions. The kingdom of Kambuja was, according to local legends, founded by Kambu Svyambhūva, the king of Āryadeśa or India, and the land named after him. The cultural relations between India and South-East Asia are one of the most fascinating fields of world history. This collaboration, which started the beginning of the Christian era, has left an indelible imprint, on nearly every part of life in several countries of the region. It would not be an embellishment to say that this communication has been a vital factor in shaping the history of this area. The most unique feature of this communication is that is has been entirely peaceful. To know about Cambodian Socio-economic history, one has to go through Cambodian inscriptions, composed in Sanskrit and Khmer languages. These inscriptions reflect the life and society in Kambuja and testify to the meticulousness of Indian cultural subjugation of these far-flung lands.