LESSON 8.5 How did the Khmer create an empire?
LEARNING INTENTION By the end of this lesson you should be able to describe how the Khmer Empire changed and expanded its power between the ninth and thirteenth centuries.
Tune in Secondary sources can provide useful information about significant individuals.
SOURCE1 From Craig A. Lockard, Southeast Asia and the Kingdom of Angkor , The New Oxford World History Series
The largest and most powerful Golden Age state was the Khmer Kingdom of Angkor in Cambodia, established by King Jayavarman II in 802. The name Angkor derives from the Sanskrit term for ‘holy city’, and Jayavarman considered himself a reincarnation of Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction and fertility. Jayavarman himself had lived for many years at a Hindu court in Java before returning to Cambodia, indicating the widespread contacts among Southeast Asian states.
Discuss what this source tells us about the founder of the Khmer empire.
8.5.1 The Khmer Empire to the twelfth century Until 802 CE, Cambodia (Kambuja) was a collection of weak states under Java’s Hindu kingdom. In 802, Khmer prince Jayavarman II declared independence, became the God-King, and established four capitals, with Hariharalaya being the most significant. He expanded his realm through wars, alliances and marriages, building Hindu temples as mausoleums. His successors continued to expand the empire and construct temples. Yasovarman I built a new capital, Yasodharapura, and a large reservoir in Angkor. Rajendravarman II built several temples and initiated conflicts with Champa. Under Jayavarman V, the court became a centre for scholars and artists. Suryavarman II (1113–1150) gained power by defeating a rival prince and extended the empire into Haripunchai, southwestern Thailand, parts of Champa and southern Laos. This expansion often involved local rulers accepting the Khmer king as their overlord rather than his direct rule.
DID YOU KNOW? Khmer armies used war elephants, cavalry and infantry armed with spears, bows and swords. Elephants were probably first used in war in ancient India. Their use continued in later times because they were effective in breaking up and crushing enemy infantry.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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