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King Jayavarman II forces a number of
small Khmer kingdoms to unite,
In doing so he founded the Khmer Empire. He declares
himself Chakravartin (‘ruler of the
world’). -
Civil war breaks out in Angkor as rival leaders compete for control of the Khmer Empire.
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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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End of the reign of Jayavarman VII leads the Khmer empire to its fullest peak but is later abandoned.
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Jayavarman VIII biggest legacy was to renounce Buddhism and order that all Buddhist temples and images to 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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Angkor Wat was built by slaves during the reign of Suryavarman II. He was considered one of the greatest of the Khmer Kings.
