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Civil war breaks out in Angkor as rival leaders compete for control of the Khmer Empire.
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The empire is divided as several contenders fight to gain control.
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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.
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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.
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A new capital city called Angkor Thom (‘great city’) is built by Jayavarman VII
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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.
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The Thai army attacks Angkor and the Khmer abandoned the capital and re-established a new capital in Phnom Penh.
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Yasovarman I becomes king and
establishes the first official capital of the Khmer Empire at Yasodharapura. -
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. -
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.
