Suryavarman I
Encyclopedia
Suryavarman I was king of the Khmer Empire
from 1010 to 1050. After the reign of Udayadityavarman I, which ended around 1000, there was no clear successor. Two kings, Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I, both claimed the throne. Suryavarman I was a Buddhist who was said in the Chronicles of Chieng Maï to be of Malay origin from Old Malay Kingdom (currently Malaysia). After nine years of war, Suryavarman I won the throne.
His reign lasted some 40 years and he spent much of that time defending it. Known as the "King of the Just Laws," he consolidated his political power by inviting some four thousand local officials to the royal palace and swear an oath of allegiance to him. Suryavarman I favoured Buddhism but he allowed the people to continue practising Hinduism
.
His palace was situated in the vicinity of Angkor Thom
, and he was the first of the Khmers rulers to protect his palace with a wall. In 1022 Suryavarman I expanded his territory to the west to Lopburi
in Thailand
and into Laos
.
The major constructions built by this king were the Prasat Preah Vihear
, on Dangrek Mountain, and Phimeanakas
. Suryavarman I also started the second Angkor reservoir, the West Baray
, which is 8 km long and 2.2 km wide. It held more than 123 million liters of water. This is the largest Khmer reservoir that survives.
Suryavarman I died in 1050. He was succeeded by his sons, Udayadityavarman II
, who died around 1066 and Harshavarman III
(Sadasivapada). The latter continued the struggle against internal rebellions and fought back assaults from the Chams
until his death in 1080.
Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia. The empire, which grew out of the former kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, and Malaysia. Its greatest legacy is Angkor, the site of the capital city...
from 1010 to 1050. After the reign of Udayadityavarman I, which ended around 1000, there was no clear successor. Two kings, Jayaviravarman and Suryavarman I, both claimed the throne. Suryavarman I was a Buddhist who was said in the Chronicles of Chieng Maï to be of Malay origin from Old Malay Kingdom (currently Malaysia). After nine years of war, Suryavarman I won the throne.
His reign lasted some 40 years and he spent much of that time defending it. Known as the "King of the Just Laws," he consolidated his political power by inviting some four thousand local officials to the royal palace and swear an oath of allegiance to him. Suryavarman I favoured Buddhism but he allowed the people to continue practising Hinduism
Hinduism
Hinduism is the predominant and indigenous religious tradition of the Indian Subcontinent. Hinduism is known to its followers as , amongst many other expressions...
.
His palace was situated in the vicinity of Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom , located in present day Cambodia, was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire. It was established in the late twelfth century by king Jayavarman VII. It covers an area of 9 km², within which are located several monuments from earlier eras as well as those...
, and he was the first of the Khmers rulers to protect his palace with a wall. In 1022 Suryavarman I expanded his territory to the west to Lopburi
Lopburi
Lopburi ) is the capital city of Lopburi Province in Thailand. It is located about 150 km north-east of Bangkok. As of 2006 it has a population of 26,500...
in Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
and into Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
.
The major constructions built by this king were the Prasat Preah Vihear
Prasat Preah Vihear
Preah Vihear Temple is a Hindu temple built during the reign of Khmer Empire, that is situated atop a cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, in the Preah Vihear province, Cambodia...
, on Dangrek Mountain, and Phimeanakas
Phimeanakas
Phimeanakas or Vimeanakas at Angkor, Cambodia, is a Hindu temple in the Khleang style, built at the end of the 10th century, during the reign of Rajendravarman , then rebuilt by Suryavarman II in the shape of a three tier pyramid as a Hindu temple...
. Suryavarman I also started the second Angkor reservoir, the West Baray
West Baray
The West Baray is a baray, or reservoir, at Angkor, Cambodia, oriented east-west and located just west of the walled city Angkor Thom. Rectangular in shape and measuring approximately 8 by 2.1 kilometers, the West Baray is the largest baray at Angkor. Its waters are contained by tall earthen dikes...
, which is 8 km long and 2.2 km wide. It held more than 123 million liters of water. This is the largest Khmer reservoir that survives.
Suryavarman I died in 1050. He was succeeded by his sons, Udayadityavarman II
Udayadityavarman II
Udayadityavarman II ruled the Angkor Kingdom from 1050 to 1066 A.D. He was the successor of Suryavarman I but not his son; he descended from Yasovarman I's spouse. He built the Baphuon Temple to honor the god Shiva, but some of the sculptures are dedicated to Buddha...
, who died around 1066 and Harshavarman III
Harshavarman III
Harshavarman III was a king of Khmer who ruled from 1066 to about 1080 AD. He succeeded his elder brother Udayadityavarman II and his capital was the so called Second Yasodharapura, which had its center in Baphuon, built by his brother, and West Baray as its principal bàrày.His reign was upset by...
(Sadasivapada). The latter continued the struggle against internal rebellions and fought back assaults from the Chams
Champa
The kingdom of Champa was an Indianized kingdom that controlled what is now southern and central Vietnam from approximately the 7th century through to 1832.The Cham people are remnants...
until his death in 1080.
External links
- http://www.art-and-archaeology.com/seasia/angkorkings.html
- http://khmerprideproductions.com/chapter4.html
- http://www.indochinaexclusive.com/srkbalspean.jpg