Rise and Decline of the Khmer Empire

The Khmer Empire

Period: Apr 28, 800 to Apr 28, 1500

Jayavarman II

Apr 28, 835

(802-35) Jayavarman II used wars, alliances and marriages to expand the area under his control. Built several Hindu temples. Founder of Angkor.

Yasovarman I

Apr 28, 900

(889 to 900) Yasovarman I constructed a capital called Yasodharapura and a gigantic reservoir in the Angkor area.

Rajendravarman II

Apr 28, 968

(944-968) Rajendravarman II built a series of temples at Angkor. The Khmers had their first war with Champa.

Jayavarman V

Apr 28, 1001

(968-1001) Jayavarman V made the Khmer court become a centre for scholars and artists.

Suryavarman II

Apr 28, 1150

(1113-1150) Suryavarman II had a power struggle when becoming king. Suryavarman II extended the Khmer Empire by conquering Hariphunchai and southern-western Thailand up to the border with Bagna. In the east and north he took several provinces of Champa and expanded north to the present southern border of Laos. Suryavarman II also commenced the construction of the Angkor Wat, built in 37 years and was dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu.

Tribhuvandityavarman

Apr 28, 1177

After Suryavarman II’s death, Cham invaded the Khmer Empire in 1177, they sacked the Khmer capital and killed King Tribhuvandityavarman.

Jayavarman VII

Apr 28, 1215

(1181-1215) Jayavarman VII waged war against Champa for twenty-two years and conquered much of its land. Buddhism had been practised alongside Hinduism, but Jayavarman VII was a follower of Mahayana Buddhism and made this the new state of religion. The Khmers built Angkor Thom under Jayavarman VII's control. The Khmers also built the Bayon Temple, along with many other temples, roads, hospitals and rest houses for travellers and traders.

First Thai kingdom

Apr 28, 1238

After Jayavarman VII’s death no other temples were built .The Khmer lost much of its territory they had conquered in Champa. Several Thai nobles rebelled, establishing the first Thai kingdom at Sukhothai in 1238.

Jayavarman VIII

Apr 28, 1295

(1243-1295) Jayavarman VIII wanted to return to Hinduism. Jayavarman VIII converted Buddhist temples to Hindu temples and destroyed many of the Buddha images. The Khmer empire were threatened by the Mongol Empire. Jayavarman VIII paid tribute to the Mongols to avoid war.

Srindravarman

Apr 28, 1309

Jayavarman VIII was overthrown by his son-in-law Srindravarman (1295-1309) who introduced Theravada Buddhism to the Khmer Empire. Theravada Buddhism was adopted quickly by the Khmer.

Indrajayavarman

Apr 28, 1327

Indrajayavarman ruled from 1308 to 1327. 1327 is regarded as the end of the Khmer Classical Period. No more inscriptions telling of the accession of kings and no more temples, possibly because Theravada Buddhism did not demand such buildings.