For centuries, the area around the Mekong delta and the Cambodian
central plain were ruled by the Kingdom of Java (in today's
Indonesia). But in 802, Khmer prince Jayavarman II,
who was born and raised at the court of the Javanese Sailendra
Dynasty, declares the areas inhabited by Khmer independent from
Java and thus founds the kingdom of Angkor. He is crowned as Devaraja
(god king) by a Brahman priest. In the following years he
moves his capital several times. Initially it was at Indrapura
(east of Kampong Cham), then at Wat Phou (in today's southern
Laos) and finally at Rolous (near Angkor).
In 889 Yasovarman I becomes king of the Khmer. He starts
the construction of Angkor, then named Yasodharapura. Yasovarmans
reigns until the year 900.
In 1002 Suryavarman I usurps the throne. Under his rule,
the kingdom of Angkor is extended into vast stretches of
today's Thailand and Laos.
In 1080, after Angkor had been conquered by the kingdom
of Champa, a northern provincial Khmer governor declares himself
king, assuming the name Jayavarman VI. He rules the new
Khmer kingdom from his northern province.
In 1113 a nephew of Jayavarman VI is crowned king of the
Khmer, choosing the new name Suryavarman II. During his long reign
Angkor Wat is built.
In 1177 Angkor is again conquered by an army from Champa.
Jayavarman VII, a cousin of Suryavarman II, becomes
king in 1181 and subsequently conquers Vijaya, the capital
of Champa (in today's Vietnam). Under Jayavarman VII the Khmer
territory reaches its largest extent ever. It covers practically
all of today's Thailand and Laos, and reaches into today's Myanmar,
Malaysia and Vietnam. Jayavarman VII converts from Hinduism to
Buddhism and makes Buddhism the new national religion.
In 1200 construction of a new royal capital is started
Angkor Thom. As this enormous construction depletes the
resources of the Khmer realm, it suffers economical problems in
the following years.
The following decades see the decline of Angkor. To
the West Thai kingdoms become the dominant political powers;
to the East Vietnamese kingdoms rise. As a small buffer
state Cambodia in between the two, the kingdom of the Khmer alternatively
depends on the Thais and the Vietnamese. In order to liberate
themselves from the yoke of one conqueror they need the help of
the other who then demands that the Khmer obey in compensation
of their debts.
In 1432, after Thais once more conquered Angkor, the Khmer abandon
their capital, leaving it to the jungle.
This page: http://www.cockatoo.com/english/cambodia/cambodia_history_angkor.htm
