CAMBODIA HISTRORY

Khmer History

The Mon-Khmer races develop slowly during the first six centuries of the Christian era. Under Indian influences, a powerful maritime empire called “Funan” ruled over all the shores of the Gulf of the late 7th century. Chenla broke into two parts: land Chenla (to the north) and water Chenla (to the south along the Gulf to Thailand). Land Chanla was fairly stable during the 8th century, whereas water Chenla was beset by dynastic rivalries.

At the begin of the 9th century, the king set up their capital in the present province of Sien Reap. For nearly six centuries, they erect two hundred temples as well as their sanctuaries in the Angkorean area of some 400 square kilometers in the Siem Reap Province.

King Suryavarman II (1113-1150) built the temple such as: Angkor War, Thommanon, Chau Say Tevoda, Preah Palilay, Preah Pithu, and Bnteay Samré. Jayarvaman VII (1181-1220) was best known for the huge building program. Firstly, he bul Ta Prohm (1186) and Preah Khan (1191)) to dedicate to his parents.

Secondly, he erected Banteay Kdei, Srah Srang, the Terrace of the Leper King, the Terrace of the Elephants, Neak Pean, Ta Som, Ta Nei, and some others in other parts of the country, thirdly, he founded his great capital, Angkor Thom. Finally, in the center, he built the Bayon with its two hundred stone faces.

The decline of Angkor era began after the death of King Jayarvarman VII in the
early 13th century. Due to the Siamese invasion and the limitation of the irrigation system, Khmer power declined so much that the king was finally obliged to move to the vicinity of Phnom Penh in 4131. Resulting from the stories of Siamese and Cham invasions, the country was put as French protectorates in 1863.

After regaining Independence in 1953, the country has had several names:

1. The Kingdom Of Cambodia (under the Reachea Nyum Regime from 1953 to 1970)
2. The Khmer Republic (under the Lon Nol Regime from 1970 to 1975)
3. Democratic Kampuchea (under the Pol Pot Genocidal Regime from 1975 to 1979)
4. The People’s Republic of Kampuhea (1979- 1989)
5. The State of Cambodia (1989-1993)
6. The Kingdom of Cambodia (1993 until now).