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Nov 27, 1002
Civil war between Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I
After Udayadityavarman I died the struggle for power between the two princes, Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I lead to a decade of civil war. In the beginning Jayaviravarman was declared king however a few years later, Suryavarman I successfully overthrew the king and stayed king for 40 years. -
Period: Nov 27, 1050 to Nov 27, 1066
Udayadityavarman II ruled the Angkor kingdom without a single moment of peace and during his kingship he built the West Baray reservoir.
Udayadityavarman II built the Baphoun Temple devoted to the God Shiva and Lord Buddha. He completed the construction of the West Baray reservoir. During his reign Udayadityavarman II praised his general Sangrama for destroying several rebellions against the king. Throughout Udayadityavarman II’s kingship there was constant violence and he ruled over the Angkor kingdom without peace. -
Nov 27, 1113
Angkor Wat was completed.
In 1113 Angkor Wat (which means capital) was completed after over 150 years of construction. The temple was built by the Khmer King Suryavarman II in Yasodharapura the current capital of the Khmer empire in the 12th century. Breaking from the tradition of dedicating capital temples to the supreme Hindu God of Shaiva, Angkor Wat was instead dedicated to Vishnu. The temple is an iconic symbol for Cambodia and it is placed on Cambodia’s national flag. -
Nov 27, 1132
Invasion on Vietnam by Suryavarman II failed.
In 1132 Suryavarman II who was a great warrior sacked several Champa states to the east, however when he waged war with the strong Ly Dynasty of Vietnam he failed. -
Nov 27, 1177
Cham invaders took control of Yasodharapura
In 1177 a Champa king attacked the Khmer empire by sailing his troops up along the Mekong River. A fierce naval battle was fought on the Great Lake of Tonle Sap which eventually led to the painful defeat of the Angkor. The Champa king then took control of the capital Yasodharapura. -
Period: Nov 27, 1181 to Nov 27, 1219
Jayavarman VII was the last greatest king of the Khmer empire, who expanded the empire greatly.
Jayavarman VII expanded the Khmer empire beyond breaking point and he went to war with the Cham and Thais.
Jayavarman VII was the last greatest king of the Angkor empire, for not only did he unify the Khmer empire he was also a profound builder who created the new capital city of Angkor Thom. -
Nov 27, 1189
The Bayon began construction.
In 1189 the Bayon, which was the last of great Khmer temple to be built, began construction. The temple was built during the reign of king Jayavarman VII and is dedicated to the Buddha. -
Nov 27, 1200
Angkor Thom was established
In about 1200 Angkor Thom, a temple complex was built by king Jayavarman VII. This capital city was the last to be ever built in the Khmer empire and it endured the longest out of all the capitals. -
Nov 27, 1219
The Thais and the Cham kingdom launched a series of attacks on the Khmer empire
In 1219 after the death of king Jayavarman VII, the Cham kingdom in central Vietnam and the Thais launched a series of brutal attacks against the Khmers. The attacks succeeded in pushing the borders of the Khmer empire back and cutting off the empire’s resources. -
Nov 27, 1351
The Ayutthaya Kingdom laid siege to Angkor, then invaded and conquered it.
The Ayutthaya kingdom of the Siamese was a major threat to the Khmer empire and in 1351 the Siamese laid siege to the Khmer empire. After a year and a half they invaded and conquered Angkor. -
Nov 27, 1431
The khmer capital was moved to today’s capital of Phnom Penh
In 1431 Angkor was abandoned and the Khmer capital was moved to today’s capital of Phnom Penh. Once deserted the large Thai army marched from Chao Phaya River Bason through Aranyapathet in which they attacked right at the heart of Angkor and sacked the city. -
The Khmer empire was defeated and Cambodia became a vassal state to the Thais.
In 1594 the Khmer empire was defeated and Cambodia officially became a vassal state of the Thais. The Thais looted the temples of Angkor and brought many items from the city to their capital Ayutthaya. -
Period: to
Yasovarman I built a new capital and he built one of the greatest reservoirs in the Khmer empire which he called Yasohodharataka.
Yasovarman I built a new Khmer capital about 8 kilometres away from the Great Tonle Sap lake, which he named Yasodharapura in honour of himself. He also built the Yasohodharataka, which was one of the largest reservoirs in the Angkor kingdom and it was estimated that it could hold up to 55 million cubic meters of water. Yasovarman I has been described as a man of no modesty since he used to force his subjects to worship and praise him. -
Period: to Nov 27, 1000
Jayavarman V had to fight hard for his kingship and he began the construction of the great Angkor Wat temple
Jayavarman V was the 9th Khmer king who had to fight ferociously against his rivals to receive kingship. He commenced construction of the great Angkor Wat temple which is one of the great wonders of the ancient world. -
Period: to
Indravarman I was the third Khmer king and he is deemed the first great builder of the Khmer kingdom
Indravarman I was the third king of the Angkor kingdom and he is regarded as the first great builder of the Khmer kingdom. Historians find it a mystery how Indravarman I ascended to the throne since he did not have any connections with the previous kings. Indravarman I built two Khmer temples namely the Bakong mountain temple and the Preah Ko temple. Indravarman I further expanded on the work of Jayavarman III by creating artificial lakes and irrigation canals. -
Period: to
Jayavarman II founded the Khmer empire, established a capital city and became one of the first dervajas
King Jayavarman II founded the Khmer Empire and he further strengthened the power of the Khmer monarchy. He established a new capital at Mount Kulen. A few years later Jayavarman II moved his capital city from Mount Kulen to Hariharalaya which is near the Great Tonle Sap Lake. While king, he was declared a dervaja by Hindu high priests which made him become a God-king. -
Period: to
Jayavarman III succeeded the throne and started an irrigation water system to increase food productions within the empire.
King Jayavarman III succeeded the throne from his dead father and he started the construction of an irrigation water system to help increase rice productions in the empire. Jayavarman III did this because he realised as the empire expanded the demand for food increased exponentially, so he wanted to ensure that the food production rate would also rise. It is believed that Jayavarman III enjoyed hunting and it is theorised that he died while hunting. -
Period: to
During this period in history 5 kings ruled the Khmer kingdom and numerous changes occurred throughout the years.
During this period the five kings Harshavarman I (910-923), Isanvarman II (923-928), Jayavarman IV (928-941), Harshavarman II (941-944) and Rajendravarman II (944-968) ruled the Khmer empire. Hasharvarman I built two monuments dedicated to the God Vishnu. Isanvarman extended the Khmer empire until it bordered the Mon kingdom of Dvaravati. Jayavarman IV moved the Khmer capital to his town of Koh Ker which was about 90 kilometres from Angkor. Harshavarman II ascended to the throne through force a
