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The Khmer Empire

  • Aug 28, 1002

    Civil War at Angkor

    Civil War at Angkor
    Civil war breaks out in Angkor as rival leaders compete for control of the Khmer Empire.
  • Apr 19, 1066

    The Khmer Empire in crisis

    The Khmer Empire in crisis
    The empire is divided as several contenders fight to gain control.
  • Jun 1, 1177

    Angkor looted

    Angkor looted
    The capital at Angkor is looted by the Champa Kingdom (modern day Vietnam.) The Champa defeat the Khmer and burn parts of the Angkor region.
  • Sep 7, 1181

    The Champa are driven out of Angkor

    Jayavarman VII becomes King of the Khmer Empire. The Cham are defeated and driven out of Angkor.Under Jayavarman VII’s rule many temples and hospitals are built and the road system develops rapidly; Buddhism becomes the official religion of the empire.
  • Oct 30, 1200

    A new capital for the Khmer Empire

    A new capital for the Khmer Empire
    A new capital city called Angkor Thom (‘great city’) is built by Jayavarman VII
  • Period: Aug 13, 1243 to Dec 27, 1298

    Buddhism renounced

    Rule of Jayavarman VIII. His biggest legacy was to renounce Buddhism and order that all Buddhist temples and images be destroyed in favour of a return to Hinduism.
  • Feb 10, 1431

    Angkor abandoned

    Angkor abandoned
    The Thai army attacks Angkor and the Khmer abandoned the capital and re-established a new capital in Phnom Penh.
  • First Khmer capital established

    First Khmer capital established
    Yasovarman I becomes king and
    establishes the first official capital of the Khmer Empire at Yasodharapura.
  • Period: to

    The Khmer Empire, Birth and Death

    King Jayavarman II forces a number of
    small Khmer kingdoms to unite,
    Thus founding the Khmer Empire. He declares
    himself Chakravartin (‘ruler of the
    world’) and Hinduism becomes the official
    religion of the empire.
    The Empire ended almost 800 years later when the Siamese king attacked and defeated the Khmer Empire in 1593AD.
  • Period: to Aug 1, 1113

    Angkor Wat

    Angkor Wat was built by slaves during the reign of Suryavarman II, he was considered one of the greatest of the Khmer Kings.
    Angkor Wat was originally a Hindu temple, dedicated to the God Vishnu, built as the king's state temple and capital city.