Queen Soma

Queen Soma (Khmer: សោមា) was the ruler of the Kingdom of Funan and widely regarded as the first monarch of Cambodia (reigned c. 1st century).[1] She was also the first female leader of Cambodia. She was the consort of Kaundinya I (also known as "Huntien" and "Preah Thong"). She is known as Soma (Indian), Liǔyè (Chinese) and Neang Neak (Khmer).

Queen Soma
Queen of Funan
Reign1st century CE
PredecessorInaugural holder
SuccessorKaundinya I
SpouseKaundinya I
ReligionHinduism

Queen Soma and her husband, Kaundinya I, are known in Khmer culture as "Preah Thong (Kaundinya) and Neang Neak (Soma)". According to reports by two Chinese envoys, Kang Tai and Zhu Ying, the state of Funan was established by an Indian Brahmin named Kaundinya. In the 1st century CE, Kaundinya was given instruction in a dream to take a magic bow from a temple and defeat a Khmer queen named Soma (Chinese: Liuye, “pasture sheet”), the daughter of the king of the Nagas.[2]

She later married Kaundinya (Chinese: Huntien) and their lineage became the royal dynasty of Funan. Kaundinya later built a capital, and changed the name of the country to 'Kambuja'.[3]

References
  1. "The women who made Cambodia". The Phnom Penh Post. 19 May 2010.
  2. Bihar Research Society, 1968 - Indo-Aryan philology.
  3. Some aspects of ancient Indian history and culture.
    Upendra Thakur, Abhinav Publications, 1974 - History - 322 pages
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