The Many VARMANS of the Khmer Lands

Dr Uday Dokras

The Khmer Empire was a Hindu-Buddhist empire in Southeast Asia, centered

around hydraulic cities in what is now northern Cambodia. Known as Kambuja by its
inhabitants, it grew out of the former civilisation of Chenla and lasted from 802 to 1431.
Historians call this period of Cambodian history the Angkor period, after the empire's most
well-known capital, Angkor. The Khmer Empire ruled or vassalised most of mainland
Southeast Asia and stretched as far north as southern China. At its peak, the Empire was
larger than the Byzantine Empire, which existed around the same time.
The beginning of the Khmer Empire is conventionally dated to 802,
when Khmer prince Jayavarman II declared himself chakravartin (lit. 'universal ruler', a title
equivalent to 'emperor') in the Phnom Kulen mountains. Although the end of the Khmer
Empire has traditionally been marked with the Fall of Angkor to the Siamese Ayutthaya
Kingdom in 1431, the reasons for the empire's collapse is still debated amongst
scholars. Researchers have determined that a period of strong monsoon rains was followed by
a severe drought in the region, which caused damage to the empire's hydraulic infrastructure.
Variability between droughts and flooding was also a problem, which may have caused
residents to migrate southward and away from the empire's major cities.
The site of Angkor is perhaps the empire's most notable legacy, as it was the capital during
the empire's zenith. The majestic monuments of Angkor, such as Angkor Wat and Bayon,
bear testimony to the Khmer Empire's immense power and wealth, impressive art and culture,
architectural technique, aesthetic achievements, and variety of belief systems that it
patronised over time. Satellite imaging has revealed that Angkor, during its peak in the 11th
to the 13th centuries, was the most extensive pre-industrial urban complex in the world.[9]
[10]
Researchers have also concluded that the Khmer Empire invented the world's first
healthcare system, which included 102 hospitals.
Modern scholars often refer to the empire as the "Khmer Empire" (Khmer: ចក្ភពខ្រ) or the
"Angkor Empire" (Khmer: ចក្ភពអង្គរ), the latter named after the capital Angkor.The
empire referred to itself as Kambuja (Sanskrit: कम्बुज; Old Khmer: កម្វុជ; Khmer: កម្ពុជ)
or Kambujadeśa (Sanskrit: कम्बुजदेश, lit. 'country of Kambuja'; Old Khmer: កម្វុជទេឝ; Khmer:
កម្ពុជទេស), which were pre-modern predecessors to the modern name Kampuchea.No
written records of the Angkor period have survived other than stone inscriptions. Current
knowledge of the historical Khmer civilisation is derived primarily from:

 Archaeological excavation, reconstruction and investigation

 Stone inscriptions (the most important of which are foundation steles of temples), which
report on the political and religious deeds of the kings
 Reliefs in a series of temple walls with depictions of daily life, market scenes, military
marches, and palace life
 Reports and chronicles of Chinese diplomats, traders, and travellers
Much of what is known about Kambuja comes from the bas-reliefs of Angkor's temples and
the first-hand accounts of Chinese diplomat Zhou Daguan (The Customs of Cambodia),
which provide information on 13th-century Cambodia and earlier. The bas-reliefs, such as
those in the Bayon, describe everyday life in the ancient Khmer kingdom, including scenes of
palace life, naval battles on the river and lakes, and common scenes of the marketplace. There
is a definite connection between South India and Khmer empire across a spectrum of years.
The shared civilisational and historical connections between India and Cambodia reflect a

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peaceful coexistence and convergence of culture. From the Cambodian perspective, Indian
culture and tradition were not in conflict with but complementary to the preexisting local
customs. Through the assimilation and conventionalisation process, Indian ideas and
traditions were remoulded into Khmer national character. The religious transition from
Brahmanism to Buddhism and from Mahayana to Theravada happened in a peaceful process,
thanks to the syncretisation of new and old cultures asserting an underlying unity and
inclusivity and the bond of true compatibility of Indian culture and the indigenous mindset or
psyche. The cultural similarity and affinity between the two civilisations enabled the Khmer
to absorb more advanced ideas and customs of India apparently without resistance. The
Khmer culture owes its richness and enrichment to the Indian subcontinent. In contemporary
times.

The Varman dynasty (350–650) was the first historical dynasty of the Kamarupa kingdom.
It was established by Pushyavarman, a contemporary of Samudragupta. The earlier Varmans
were subordinates of the Gupta Empire, but as the power of the Guptas
waned, Mahendravarman (470–494) performed two horse sacrifices and the status of
Kamarupa as an independent state remained unimpaired. As per the Apsad Inscription of
Adityasen, Susthivarman was defeated by Mahasengupta on the bank of Lauhitya. The first
of the three Kamarupa dynasties, the Varmans were followed by the Mlechchha and then
the Pala dynasties.
The first king in this dynasty was Pushyavarman, possibly a contemporary
of Samudragupta (c. 335/350-375 CE). The kingdom which he established with much effort,
grew in the periphery of the Gupta Empire, adopted the north Indian political model, and its
kings took on names and titles of the Gupta kings and queens.[9] Nothing much is known
directly about the initial kings till the sixth king, Mahendravarman, who established a rock
temple and assumed the title of Maharajadhiraja (king-of-kings) in the last quarter of the
fifth century. The dynastic line from Pushyavarman first appear in the 7th century,
in Dubi and Nidhanpur copperplate inscriptions issued by Bhaskaravarman and in
the Harshacharita and not earlier in any inscription from his ancestors. In these
inscriptions Bhaskaravarman claims that he was a descendant
of Narakasur, Bhagadatta and Vajradatta. Modern scholars consider this claim to be a
fabrication, jae-eun shin suggests that this genealogy was created in the context of
Bharkarvarman's alliance with Harshavardhana, to help legitimise his sovereignty. The use of
Naraka/Bhagadatta lineage to establish sovereignty continued under the Mlechchha and
the Pala dynasties, a practice which is in keeping with the trend in the post-Gupta period in
India.
She-Kia-Fang-Che claiming him to be a kshatriya whose ancestors came from China Though
some modern scholars have opined that the Varman dynasty is probably of Indo-Aryan
descent,[11][12] it is now believed that the Varmans were originally non-Indo-Aryans. Suniti
Kumar Chatterjee calls Bhaskaravarman a Hinduised Mlechcha king of Indo-
Mongoloid origin. Hugh B. Urban also infers that the Varmans descended from non-Aryan
tribes.

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The name "Kāmarūpa" in later Brahmi script, in the Allahabad Pillar inscription of Samudragupta (350-
375 CE). / Relics of Pragjyotishpura, the capital of Varmans
The capital was moved at least once, the last time by Sthitavarman (566-590) with the older
city not named but presumed to be Pragjyotishpura,[ located at the south-eastern slope of the
Narakasur hill near Dispur. The new capital was possibly some location in Guwahati. Though
the claim is not supported by any archaeological findings.The Varman's modeled themselves
after the Gupta's and named themselves after the Gupta kings and queens
The dynastic line, as given in the Dubi and Nidhanpur copperplate inscriptions:

South-Asia-400-450 CE- KALABHRAS

Location of the Varmans and neighbouring polities circa 400-450 CE

Reign Name succession Queen

1 350-374 Pushyavarman (unknown)
2 374-398 Samudravarman son of Pushyavarman Dattadevi
3 398-422 Balavarman son of Samudravarman Ratnavati
4 422-446 Kalyanavarman son of Balavarman Gandharavati
5 446-470 Ganapativarman son of Kalyanavarman Yajnavati
6 470-494 Mahendravarman son of Ganapativarman Suvrata
7 494-518 Narayanavarman son of Mahendravarman Devavati
8 518-542 Bhutivarman son of Narayanavarman Vijnayavati
9 542-566 Chandramukhavarman son of Bhutivarman Bhogavati
10 566-590 Sthitavarman son of Chandramukhavarman Nayanadevi

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11 590-595 Susthitavarman son of Sthitavarman Syamadevi
12 595-600 Supratisthitavarman son of Susthitavarman (Bachelor)
13 600-650 Bhaskaravarman brother of Supratisthitavarman (Bachelor)
14 650-655 Unknown (unknown) (unknown)

----------------------------------------------------
Name Varman
Meaning : Lord Vishnu
Gender : Male
Origin : Hindu
Letter : 6
Varman Astrology Info
Rashi/Zodiac : Vrishabha/Taurus (B, V, U, W)

Nakshatra : Rohini (O, BA, BI, BU, Vee, VA, VI, VU, Bee)
Varman Numerology Info
Numerology Number : 6

Motivation Number : 2

Destiny Number : 6

Inner Dream Number : 4

Soul Urge Number : 2

Heart's Desire
: 2
Number

Personality Number : 4

Number of Vowels : 2

Number of
: 4
Consonants
About Varman Name
Meaning of Varman is Lord Vishnu. Varman is Baby Boy name. The Rashi/Zodiac of Name
Varman is Vrishabha/Taurus (B, V, U, W) and Nakshatra is Rohini (O, BA, BI, BU, Vee,

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VA, VI, VU, Bee). Numerology details of Varman name is Numerology Number 6,
Motivation Number 2, Destiny Number 6, Inner Dream Number 4, Soul Urge Number 2,
Heart's Desire Number 2 & Personality Number 4. The letter in Varman name is 6. Varman
Name Number of Vowels is 2 & Number of Consonants 4.

Common Questions & Answers for Varman Name

What is the meaning of Varman Name?
The Varman Name meaning is Lord Vishnu.
What is the Rashi/Zodiac of Varman Name?
The Varman Name Rashi/Zodiac is Vrishabha/Taurus (B, V, U, W).
What is the Nakshatra of Varman Name?
The Varman Name Nakshatra is Rohini (O, BA, BI, BU, Vee, VA, VI, VU, Bee).
What is the Numerology details of Varman Name?
The Varman Name Numerology details is Numerology Number 6, Destiny Number 6,
Inner Dream Number 4, Soul Urge Number 2, Personality Number 4 & Heart's Desire
Number 2.
How many Vowels & Consonants in Name Varman?
There are 2 Vowels & 4 Consonants in Name Varman.
What is the Origin of Varman Name?
The Origin of the Name Varman is Indian.
What is the Length of Varman Name?
The Name Varman contains 1 Word and 6 Alphabets.

What is the meaning of the name Ishan? The name Ishan is primarily a male name of Indian
origin that means Son; Lord Of Wealth. East Indian/Sanskrit -From the Hindi element "ish,"
an invisible power that rules the universe. The name of a part of Shiva.
Ishvara is primarily an epithet of Lord Shiva. In Shaivism and for most of the
Hindus, Ishvara is synonymous with Shiva. For many Vaishnavites, it is also synonymous
with Vishnu. In traditional Bhakti movements, Ishvara is one or more deities of an
individual's preference (Iṣṭa-devatā) from Hinduism's polytheistic canon of deities. In
modern-day sectarian movements such as Arya Samaj and Brahmoism, Ishvara takes the
form of a monotheistic God. In the Yoga school of Hinduism, it is any "personal deity" or
"spiritual inspiration".
Varman or its variants, Varma, Verma, Varman, Burman or Barman, are surnames that are
used in India and South-East Asia. According to Avvai Su Duraisamy, it is derived from
the Tamil word Varamban as in the royal titles "Vaana Varamban" (One whose kingdom
bounds the sky) and Imaya Varamban (an epithet of the Chera king Nedum
Cheralathan). According to Radhakanta Deb, the surname is derived from the Sanskrit word
for "Shield, Defensive armour". Ishanavarman would mean- THE SHIELD OF SHIV and
ISHANAPURA would mean the City of Shiva.

The Varman Dynasty in Cambodia was established by King Kaundinyavarmandeva, who

married Queen Soma (Khmer: សោមា), who ruled the indigenous kingdom and established
her spouse as the king of the Nokor Phnom or Funan kingdom, forming the Varman dynasty.
There is evidence in the Sanskrit stone inscription mentioning that the Brahmin Kaundinya
who received the magic spear from the Brahmin Ashwatthama (Sanskrit: अश्वत्थामा, Roman:
Aśvatthāmā), the son of Drona (Sanskrit: द्रोण), had arrived in the kingdom of
the Nāga (IAST: nāga; Devanāgarī: नाग) tribe and had finally waged a war and negotiated

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with them peacefully. Through marriage, Kaundinya Brahmin therefore was established as
King Kaundinyavarmandeva , the first King of the Varman Dynasty.
Zhou Daguan, the Chinese diplomat during the reign Emperor Nian Chengzong of the
Nguyen dynasty traveled to Angkor in 1296 to record the traditions and places, including the royal
family and court traditions which corresponds to the reign of King Indravarman III. Zhou Daquan was
not the first Chinese to enter the kingdom but made the most detailed record of the lives of the
Angkorians known as Zhenla Feng Tuji (Chenla Tradition Record). This record is an important record
about Angkor and the Khmer Empire. In addition to the stone inscriptions and other documents
depicting the daily lives of the residents of Angkor. From this record, the order of kings in the
Varman dynasty is known in detail, which later became the original version of the Cambodian royal
chronicles.

Monarchs of the Varman dynasty

Kingdom Title Reign Royal House Notes

Funan late 1st

Queen Soma (Liu-Yeh)
Kingdom cent.

Funan late 1st

Kaundinyavarmandeva
Kingdom cent.

Founder of Vyadhapura,
Funan late 2nd
Hun P'an-huang Fàn dynasty "city of the hunter
Kingdom cent.
king"[4]

Funan Srei Meara (Fàn He was the first king

205–225 Fàn dynasty
Kingdom Shīmàn) from Fàn dynasty.

Funan
Fàn Jīnshēng 225 Fàn dynasty
Kingdom

Funan
Fàn Zhān 225–244 Fàn dynasty
Kingdom

Funan
Fàn Chāng 244 Fàn dynasty
Kingdom

Funan
Fàn Xún 244–289 Fàn dynasty
Kingdom

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Kingdom Title Reign Royal House Notes

Funan
Fàn Tiānzhú 289–357 Fàn dynasty
Kingdom

Funan Chandana (Chu Chān-

357–410 Murunda
Kingdom t’án)

Funan
Kaundinya II 410~434 Kaundinya
Kingdom

Funan
Srindravarman 434~478 Kaundinya
Kingdom

Funan
Kaundinyajayavarman 478 - 514 Kaundinya
Kingdom

Funan
Rudravarman I 514—540 Kaundinya The last Funan King
Kingdom

Funan Claimed to the throne

Queen Kulaprabhavati 514—517 Kaundinya
Kingdom (529—550)

Sreshthapura Srutavarman 550–555 Kambuj

Sreshthapura Sreshthavarman 555–560 Kambuj

Sreshthapura Kambujarajalakshmi 575–580 Kambuj

Bhavapura Viravarman 560–575 Bhavapura

Chenla First King of the Chenla

Bhavavarman I 550—590 Bhavapura
Kingdom Kingdom

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Kingdom Title Reign Royal House Notes

Chenla
Mahendravarman 590—611 Bhavapura
Kingdom

He reigned at the same

Chenla
Hiranyavarman I ~611 Bhavapura time as
Kingdom
Mahendravarman.

Chenla Isanapura was found in

Kingdom Isanavarman I 611–640 Vyadhapura 618 AD. Annexation of
(Isanapura) Funan was complete.

Chenla
Bhavavarman II 639–657 Vyadhapura
Kingdom

Chenla
Jayavarman I 640—681 Vyadhapura
Kingdom

Chenla
Jayadevi 690—713 Vyadhapura
Kingdom

Sambhupura Sambhuvarman I 713–716 Sambhupura

Founder of
Aninditapura Baladítya Unknown Baladityapura
Baladityapura

Aninditapura Visvarupa Unknown Baladityapura

Aninditapura Nripatindravarman Unknown Baladityapura

Aninditapura Indraloka 716–730 Baladityapura

Aninditapura Sambhuvarman II 730–760 Baladityapura

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Kingdom Title Reign Royal House Notes

Sambhupura Rajendravarman I 760–790 Baladityapura

Javanese Kingdom
Sambhupura Mahipativarman 790-802 Baladityapura occupied the Chenla
Kingdom.

First King of Khmer

Khmer
House of Empire, declared
Empire Jayavarman II 802—850
Sambhupura himself as Emperor at
(Indrapura)
Mahendraparvata.

Khmer He reigned the throne at

Jayavardhana 850–877 Sambhupura
Empire Hariharalaya.

Khmer He reigned the throne at

Indravarman I 877–889 Baladityapura
Empire Hariharalaya.

Khmer Founder
Yasovarman I 889—910 Yasodharapura
Empire of Yasodharapura

Khmer
Harshavarman I 910–925 Yasodharapura
Empire

Khmer
Ishanavarman II 925–928 Yasodharapura
Empire

Khmer
Jayavarman IV 928–941 Yasodharapura
Empire

Khmer
Harshavarman II 941–944 Yasodharapura
Empire

Khmer
Rajendravarman II 944–968 Yasodharapura
Empire

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Kingdom Title Reign Royal House Notes

Khmer
Jayavarman V 968–1001 Yasodharapura
Empire

Khmer
Udayadityavarman I 1001–1002 Yasodharapura
Empire

Suryavarman I was son

Khmer Jayaviravarman 1002— of King Jivaka of
Yasodharapura
Empire (Narapativiravarman) 1010 Shailendra dynasty,
who usurped the throne.

His father was Jivaka

(Sujitaraja), King
of Tam-bralinga. He
Khmer Suryavarman I 1002— claimed the throne
Shailendra
Empire (Kambojaraja) 1050 through his mother, a
royal member
descended from Fàn
dynasty.

Khmer
Udayadityavarman II 1050-1066 Shailendra
Empire

Khmer
Harshavarman III 1066-1088 Shailendra
Empire

He was the last king

Khmer
Nripatindravarman 1088–1113 Shailendra from Shailendra
Empire
dynasty.

He usurped the throne

from Vimayapura.
Khmer House He was the first king
Jayavarman VI 1082–1107
Empire of Mahidharapura from the House of
Mahidharapura. He
built Prasat Phimai.

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Kingdom Title Reign Royal House Notes

Khmer He reigned the throne

Dharanindravarman I 1107–1113 Mahidharapura
Empire from Vimayapura.

He was the first king

from the House of
Khmer
Suryavarman II 1113–1145 Mahidharapura Mahidharapura, who
Empire
reigned in
Yasodharapura.

Khmer
Dharanindravarman II 1150–1160 Mahidharapura
Empire

He was seized the

Khmer House of throne by King
Yasovarman II 1160–1165
Empire Mahidharapura Tribhuvanadityavarman,
a Chinese nobleman.

He was executed during

Khmer
Tribhuvanadityavarman 1165–1177 Champa attacked
Empire
Angkor.

He successfully
Khmer House of expelled Champa and
Jayavarman VII 1181~1215
Empire Mahidharapura established Angkor
Thom as the capital.

Khmer ~1215-
Indravarman II Mahidharapura
Empire 1243

Khmer
Jayavarman VIII 1243–1295 Mahidharapura
Empire

Khmer
Srindravarman 1295–1307 Mahidharapura
Empire

Khmer
Srindrajayavarman 1308–1327 Mahidharapura
Empire

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Kingdom Title Reign Royal House Notes

The last King of

Cambodia whose name
appears on a Sanskrit
Khmer Jayavarman House of
1327–1336 stone inscription
Empire Paramesvara Mahidharapura
End of rule by the
House of
Mahidharapura

List of monarchs of Cambodia and Monarchs' family

tree
Reign King Capital Information and events

Proclaimed the independence of

Kambuja from Java. Claimed
Mahendraparvata,
802–835 Jayavarman II as Chakravartin through sacred Hindu
Hariharalaya
ritual on Phnom Kulen and
initiating Devaraja cult in Cambodia.

835–877 Jayavarman III Hariharalaya Son of Jayavarman II

Nephew of Jayavarman II. Built Preah

Ko dedicated to Jayavarman II, also
877–889 Indravarman I Hariharalaya
for his father and his grand father.
Constructed temple mountain Bakong.

Son of Indravarman I. Built

Indratataka Baray and Lolei. Moved
Hariharalaya, Yaśo
889–910 Yasovarman I the capital to Yaśodharapura centred
dharapura
around Phnom Bakheng, and also
built Yashodharatataka.

Son of Yasovarman I. Involved in a

power struggle against his maternal
910–923 Harshavarman I Yaśodharapura
uncle Jayavarman IV. Built Baksei
Chamkrong.

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 Reign King Capital Information and events

Son of Yasovarman I, brother of

Harshavarman I. Involved in a power
923–928 Ishanavarman II Yaśodharapura
struggle against his maternal uncle
Jayavarman IV. Built Prasat Kravan.

Son of King Indravarman I's daughter,

Mahendradevi, married to
928–941 Jayavarman IV Koh Ker Yasovarman I sister, claim the throne
through maternal line. Ruled
from Koh Ker.

941–944 Harshavarman II Koh Ker Son of Jayavarman IV.

Uncle and first cousin of

Harshavarman II and wrestle power
Rajendravarman Angkor (Yaśodhara
944–968 from him. Transfer the capital back to
II pura)
Angkor, Built Pre Rup and East
Mebon. War against Champa in 946.

Son of Rajendravarman II. Built a new

Jayendranagari
968–1001 Jayavarman V capital Jayendranagari and Ta Keo in
in Angkor
its centre.

Udayadityavarm
an I, Period of chaos, three kings rule
1001–1006 Angkor
Jayaviravarman, simultaneously as antagonist.
Suryavarman I

Took the throne. Alliance

with Chola and conflict
1006–1050 Suryavarman I Angkor with Tambralinga kingdom.
Built Preah Khan Kompong Svay. The
king adhered to Mahayana Buddhism.

Took the throne, descendant of

Udayadityavarm Yaśodharapura II Yasovarman I's spouse.
1050–1066
an II (Angkor) Built Baphuon, West Baray and West
Mebon, also Sdok Kok Thom.

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 Reign King Capital Information and events

Succeeded his elder brother

Harshavarman Yaśodharapura II Udayadityavarman II, capital at
1066–1080
III (Angkor) Baphuon. Champa invasion in 1074
and 1080.

Usurper from Vimayapura.

1090–1107 Jayavarman VI Angkor
Built Phimai.

Dharanindravarm Succeeded his younger brother,

1107–1113 Angkor
an I Jayavarman VI.

Usurped and killed his great uncle.

Built Angkor Wat, Banteay
1113–1145 Suryavarman II Angkor Samre, Thommanon, Chau Say
Tevoda and Beng Mealea. Invade Đại
Việt and Champa.

Dharanindravarm
1150–1160 Angkor Succeeded his cousin Suryavarman II
an II

Overthrown by his minister

1160–1167 Yasovarman II Angkor
Tribhuvanadityavarman

Cham invasion in 1177 and 1178 led

Tribhuvanaditya
1167–1177 Angkor by Jaya Indravarman IV, looted the
varman
Khmer capital.

1178–1181 Cham occupation, led by Champa king Jaya Indravarman IV

Led Khmer army against Cham

invaders thus liberated Cambodia. Led
the conquest of Champa (1190–1191).
Yaśodharapura (An Major infrastructure constructions;
1181–1218 Jayavarman VII
gkor) built hospitals, rest houses, reservoirs,
and temples including Ta
Prohm, Preah Khan, Bayon in Angkor
Thom city, and Neak Pean.

14
 Reign King Capital Information and events

Son of Jayavarman VII. Lost control

1219–1243 Indravarman II Angkor of Champa and lost western territories
to Siamese Sukhothai Kingdom.

Mongol invasion led by Kublai

Khan in 1283 and war with Sukhothai.
1243–1295 Jayavarman VIII Angkor Built Mangalartha. He was a zealous
Shivaite and eradicated Buddhist
influences.

Overthrew his father in law

Jayavarman VIII. Made Theravada
1295–1308 Indravarman III Angkor Buddhism the state religion.
Received Yuan Chinese
diplomat Zhou Daguan (1296–1297).

1308–1327 Indrajayavarman Angkor

Jayavarmadipara
1327–1336 mesvara Angkor Last Sanskrit inscription (1327).
(Jayavarman IX)

1336–1340 Trosok Peam Angkor

1340–1346 Nippean Bat Angkor

1346–1351 Lompong Racha Angkor

1352–1357 Siamese Ayutthaya invasion led by Uthong

1357–1363 Soryavong Angkor

1363–1373 Borom Reachea I Angkor

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 Reign King Capital Information and events

1373–1393 Thomma Saok Angkor

1393 Siamese Ayutthaya invasion led by Ramesuan

1394–c. 1421 In Reachea Angkor

Abandon Angkor (1431).

Barom Reachea
1405–1431 Chaktomuk
II

List of architectural styles during Angkor period

Styles Dates Rulers Temples Chief Characteristics

Continuation of pre-Angkorean but a

period of innovation and borrowing
such as from Cham temples. Tower
Jayavarma
Kulen 825–875 Damrei Krap mainly square and relatively high.
n II
Mainly brick with laterite walls and
stone door surrounds. Square and
octagonal colonettes begin to appear.

Simple plan: one or more square brick

towers on a single base. First
Indravarm appearance of concentric enclosures
Preah
Preah an and of gopura and libraries.
877–886 Ko, Bakong, Lole
Ko I Jayavarm Decorative 'flying palaces' replaced
i
an III by dvarapalas and devatas in niches.
First major temple
mountain at Bakong.

Bakheng 889–923 Yasovarm Phnom Development of the temple mountain.

an Bakheng, Phnom More use of stone, particularly for
I Harshava Krom, Phnom major temples and more decorative
rman I Bok, Baksei stone carving.
Chamkrong (trans

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 .)

Scale of buildings diminishes toward

Jayavarma Group of Koh
Koh Ker 921–944 center. Brick still main material but
n IV Ker temples
sandstone also used.

Transitional between Koh

Pre Rup, East Ker and Banteay Srei. Long halls
Rajendrav
Pre Rup 944–968 Mebon, Bat partly enclose sanctuary. The last great
arman
Chum, Kutisvara monuments in plastered brick,
increasing use of sandstone.

Ornate, superposed pediments,

sweeping gable ends, rich and deep
Banteay Jayavarma carving. Plasterd brick replaced by
967–1000 Banteay Srei
Srei nV stone and laterite. Appearance of
scenes in pediments. Voluptuous
devatas with gentle expressions.

Ta Keo,
First use of galleries. Cruciform
Jayavarma The Khleangs, Ph
Khleang 968–1010 gopuras. Octagonal colonettes.
nV imeanakas, Royal
Restrained decorative carving.
Palace

A return to rich carving: floral motifs

but also lintels with
scenes. Nagas without head-
Baphuo Udayadity Baphuon, West
1050–1080 dress. Bas-reliefs appear at Baphuon
n avarman II Mebon
temple, carving with lively scenes
enclosed in small panels, often in
narritive sequence.

The high classical style of Khmer

Angkor
architecture. Fully developed conical
Wat, Banteay
towers with carving profile. Galleries
Samré, Thomman
Suryavarm wider and with half galleries on one
on, Chau Say
Angkor an side. Concentric enclosures connected
1113–1175 Tevoda, Beng
Wat II Yasovar by axial galleries. Nagas with head-
Mealea, some
man II dress, naga balustrades raised off the
of Preah
ground. Invention of cross-shaped
Pithu, Phimai and
terrace. Richly carved lintels and other
Phnom Rung
decorations. Bas-reliefs, Apsaras.

Bayon 1181–1243 Jayavarma Ta Prohm, Preah The last great style. Hurried

17
 Khan, Neak
Pean, Ta Som, Ta
construction, often in laterite not
Nei, Angkor
stone, carving less elegant. Complex
Thom, Prasat
plans, huge temples. In Cambodia,
Chrung, Bayon, E
face-towers and historical narrative
n lephant
bas-reliefs. Three periods: 1. large
VII Indrav terrace, Ta Prohm
complex temples on a single level, 2.
arman II Kel, Krol
face-towers and avenues of giants
Ko, Prasat Suor
carrying nagas, 3. decline of the
Prat, Banteay
building standards, devatas acquire
Chhmar,
Angkor Wat style diadem.
Hospital Chaples,
Jayatataka baray

Terrace of the
Leper
Jayavarma
Post King, Preah Inversion of cross-shaped terrace,
1243–15th c. n VIII and
Bayon Pithu, Preah causeways on columns, low or high.
others
Palilay (modificat
ions to temples)

18