Cambodia History
Let me first introduce you about Cambodia History
Under the Indian influence at the first decade, two principal
centers civilization developed. The older in the extreme south of the peninsula
was called “Funan” (the name of Chinese transliteration of the ancient that
Khmer Called “Anajak Phnom” which mean hill. At that time, Khmer was an empire one.
In the sixth century, the Kampuja (Khmer) who lived in the Middle of Mekong
river, North of present Cambodia, was broken away from Funan period. After Funan(Norkor
Phnom) period, the new power known as Chenla, absorbed Funanese Kingdom. In the
last 7th century, Chenla broke into two parts that are Land Chenla,
and Water Chenla. Land Chenla was fairly stable during the 8th
century, whereas Water Chenla was beset by dynastic rivalries. During this
period, Java invaded and took control part of country.
At the earlier 9th century, the king set up the
respective capital int present province of Siem Reap province (where Angkor Wat
temple situated right now). At that time
many temples were built up and there two hundred of the temples are spread over
Ankorian area. Those are sanctuaries are best known as architecture and
sculptures.
The founder of Angkor was king Jayayarmen II (820-850), who
built one of his residences on the plateau of the Kulen Mountain. King
Indravarman I (887-889) a nephew of previous king constructed a vast irrigation
system at Lolie and then built a tower of Preako and Bankong. King Yasorvarman I (889-900) built the towers
of Lolie to his memory and founded a new capital to the northwest which was to
remain the very heart of Angkor, and he built Eastern Baray, (7km x 2km size)
artificial lake.
King Harshavarman I (900-923), the son of Yasovarman , who
took the foot of Phnom Bak Kheng, consecrated the little temple of Baksie
Chamkrong, and built Prasat Kravan in 921. King Jayavarman IV (928-941), uncle
of king Harshavarman I, reigned in northeastern Cambodia near the present town
of Koh Ker. He erected several majestic monuments. King Rajendravarman (944-968)
returned to Angkor in 952 and built the Eastern Mebon and Pre Roup. In 967, the
Brahman Yajnavaraha, a high religious dignitary of royal blood, erected the
temple of Banteay Srie, about 20 km northeast of the capital. King Jayavarman V
(968-1001) founded a new capital around Takeo Temple.
In the 11th century, King Suryavarman I (1002-1050)
seized Angkor and founded a glorious dynasty. It was at this time that the
Gopura of the royal Palace of Angkor Thom was completed with the sober pyramid
of the Phimeanakas at its center. He also erected the temple of Phnom Penh
Chiso, Some parts of Preah Vihear, and Preah Khan in Kampong Svay District.
King Udayadityavarman II (1050-1066), son of king
Suryavarman I, built the mountain temple of Baphuon and Western Baray. King
Udayadityararman’s brother, King Hasrshavarman III, succeeded him and ruled
from 1066 to 1080 when violent strife led to the fall of the dynasty. King
Jayavarman VI (1080-1113) continued to build Preah Vihear Mountain in Vat Po
and Phimai.
King Suryavarman II (1113-1150) extended his power from the
coast of China sea to the Indian Ocean and built the temples of Angkor Wat, Thommanon, Chau Sa Tevoda,
Preah Palilay, Preah Pithu and Banteay Samre. Agter these achievements, the Khmer civilization began
to decline due to internal strife and an attack by the chams.
King Jayavarman VII (1181-1220) was the most fascinating
personality in Khmer history. He reestablished his rule over all of southern Indochina
and is best known for his huge building program. He built many temples as well
as Ta Prohm (1186) and Preah Khan (1191) to dedicate to his parents. Then he
erected Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, the Terrace of the leper King, the Terrace of
the Elephant, Neak Pean, Ta Saom, Ta Nei, and a few monuments in other parts of
the Country. It was who founded his great capital, Angkor Thom and in the
center of which, he built the Bayon temple with its two hundred stone faces.
It is understandable that the country was exhausted after these
enormous efforts. The decline of the Angkor era began after the death of King
Jayavarman VII Siamese invasion and the limitation of the irrigation, Khmer
Power declined so drastically that the king was finally obliged to move to the vicinity
of Phnom Penh in 1431. Then resulting from a seies of Siames and Cham
invasions, the country was placed as French protectorate in 1863.
After regaining independence on 9th November,
1953 demanded by King Norodom Sihanouk, the country resumed several name and
difference Political System. Those name are:
1.
1953-1970: The
Kingdom of Cambodia (under the Reachea Niyum )
2.
1970-1975: The
Khmer Republic (Under the Lon Nol regime)
3.
1975-1979: Democratic
Kampuchea (under the Pol Pot Genocidal Regime)
4.
1979-1989: The
People’s Republic of Kampuchea
5.
1989-1993: The
state of Cambodia
6.
1993-present: The
Kingdom of Cambodia.
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| temple in Angkor Wat area |
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| Phnom Penh |
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| King Norodom Sihanouk |
By Kongkea, Mr. Water.
