The Khmer Empire

Funan kingdom

550

Funan kingdom established in lower Mekong (1 CE) , falls in 550 CE

State of Chenla

Jan 1, 700

Chenla of the North becomes the new dominant kingdom when Funan falls. The kingdom lasts until 700 CE.

King Jayavarman II

Jan 1, 850

King Jayavarman II is born in 770 CE. He unifies all smaller states under one big empire. He establishes himself as a devaraja or god king, giving him the divine right to rule. He establishes a new capital at Mount Kulen in north west Cambodia. As his power grew he again moved the capital to Hariharalaya near lake Tonle Sap. He built many palaces and temples and died in 850.

Indravarman

Jan 1, 877

Indravarman expands the system of artifical lakes and irrigation canals. Buddhism starts to influence people.

Yasovarman I

Jan 1, 889

Yasovarman I moves the capital to a city named after himself, Yasodharapura. He encouraged people to praise and worship him .

Jayavarman V

Jan 1, 968

King Jayavarman V ruled from 968 CE for sixty years. Women began to hold prominent positions in social life. He started construction on the great Angkor Wat temple in 961.

The decline

Jan 1, 1181

King Jayavarman VII made the most dramatic changes to the expansion of the Khmer Empire. He declared war on neighbouring Cham and reduced their land. He also started many wars on the Thais as the Thais advanced to take control of Khmer in the west. The king mantained a large military force and a very lavish lifestyle that he could not maintain. In 1219 the Cham and Thai launched many wars on the Khmer. The Khmer lost significant territory, placing a burden on resources and the empire went broke,

The last Khmer king

Jan 1, 1431

The last Khmer king abandoned Angkor. In 1440s the capital became Phnom Penh. The Khmer empire scraped by until 1594 when the Thais took control of Cambodia, which became a vassai state. The Thais also looted Angkor and took Buddha images, gold, jewellery and slaves back to their capital.