Angkor

Quick Facts: Who was Angkor?

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Angkor

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Ancient capital of the Khmer Empire, renowned for its vast temple complexes and hydraulic engineering.

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2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Angkor (Khmer: អង្គរ [ʔɑŋkɔː], lit. 'capital city'), also known as Yasodharapura (Khmer: យសោធរបុរៈ; Sanskrit: यशोधरपुर), was the capital city of the Khmer Empire, located in present-day Cambodia. The empire flourished from approximately the 9th to the 15th centuries. The site of Angkor has a variety of religious temples, libraries, moats, and other buildings. These other buildings could have been used by officials to the grand palace housing the Khmer king.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Those constructed outside the main complex were not made of stone. One of the more visited places in Angkor is Angkor Wat, a temple complex that is one of Cambodia's tourist attractions. The name Angkor is derived from nokor (នគរ), a Khmer word meaning "kingdom" which in turn derived from Sanskrit nagara (नगर), meaning "city". The Angkorian period began in AD 802, when the Khmer Hindu monarch Jayavarman II declared himself a "universal monarch" and "god-king", and lasted until the late 14th century, first falling under Ayutthayan suzerainty in 1351. A Khmer rebellion against Siamese authority resulted in the 1431 sacking of Angkor by Ayutthaya, causing its population to migrate south to Longvek.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The alternate name, Yasodharapura, was derived from the name of the foster mother of Lord Krishna in Hinduism this temple was completed around 921. Hinduism was the dominant religion in the ancient Khmer Empire, and many temples constructed by Khmer kings were dedicated to Hindu deities, including Angkor Wat. The ruins of Angkor are located amid forests and farmland north of the Great Lake (Tonlé Sap) and south of the Kulen Hills, near modern-day Siem Reap city (13°24′N, 103°51′E), in Siem Reap Province. The temples in the Angkor area sum to over one thousand, including Angkor Wat, is a large religious monument. Many of the temples at Angkor held a variety of religious beliefs, including Shaivite, Buddhist, and Vaishnavite, and many others.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1351: 1351 Milestone — The Angkorian period began in AD 802, when the Khmer Hindu monarch Jayavarman II declared himself a "universal monarch" and "god-king", and lasted until the late 14th century, first falling under Ayutthayan suzerainty in 1351.
2. 1431: 1431 Milestone — A Khmer rebellion against Siamese authority resulted in the 1431 sacking of Angkor by Ayutthaya, causing its population to migrate south to Longvek.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Angkor

True or False: “The initial establishment of Angkor as a major political center occurred before the 9th century AD.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While evidence suggests earlier habitation dating back to the Bronze Age, the Khmer Empire's flourishing period and the formal beginning of the Angkorian period are generally placed from the 9th century onwards.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Muhammad bin Tughluq — Historical peer (Died in 1351) (1351): Eighteenth Sultan of Delhi, known for ambitious, often erratic policies.
• Andrea Mantegna — Historical peer (Born in 1431) (1431): Master of the Italian Renaissance, known for monumental perspective and sculptural figures.
• Borommatrailokkanat — Historical peer (Born in 1431) (1431): Great King of Ayutthaya known for massive reforms and military success against Lan Na.
• Anglo-Ashanti wars — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A series of five conflicts between the Ashanti Empire and the British Empire (1824–1900).
• Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Treaty resolving disputes between the UK and Netherlands over Southeast Asian spheres of influence.
• Anglo-Dutch wars — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A series of four major conflicts between the Dutch Republic and England/Great Britain (1652-1784).

Frequently Asked Questions about Angkor