The Lost Hindu Empire of Cambodia

7/20/2014
The Lost Hindu Empire of Cambodia

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Cambodia" within the Articles on Hinduism
section of IndiaDivine.org.
A visit to Cambodia is recommended or may
even be de rigueur for any Indian with an
interest in the erstwhile history of India. For
nowhere in the world outside India one can see
the glory of its p...
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IndiaDivine.org Newest Articles Articles on Hinduism Article: The Lost Hindu Empire of Cambodia
Published on Jun 21 2014 09:24 AM | Posted by Dr. Neria H. Hebbar

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A visit to Cambodia is recommended or may even be de rigueur for any

Indian with an interest in the erstwhile history of India. For nowhere in
the world outside India one can see the glory of its past splendor so well
exhibited as in Cambodia. There are several hundred Hindu and Buddhist
temple ruins throughout the countryside, especially around the town of
Siem Reap near the large lake Tonle Sap. Siem Reap is the heart of the
country. Here is where the splendid temple Angkor Wat has stood for
nearly nine hundred years.
1.3k
Mostly neglected for centuries and then ransacked and looted by
Like
occupying forces, the treasures of Cambodia are scattered all over the
world now, mostly taken by Europeans. Smuggling of artifacts continues
268
to this day. Cambodia has a very checkered history of war and

destruction. It is only in the last one hundred years that attempts have
been made to preserve, excavate and study the chronology of history, first
by the French, and now by the rest of the world community. Indian and
United States governments are also assisting in refurbishing and
preserving the temples.
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Many of the temple ruins appear like they are right out of pages of
Rudyard Kiplings books. Many with crumbling walls and roofs have seen
better days. Giant trees hover over many temple walls, threatening their
very foundations. Large roots of Kapok trees twine around the temples
like giant mythical birds gripping them in their talons. Yet there is an
indescribable charm that one immediately imbibes at first sight. Many
ruins may look similar but one is drawn to see more. Those, which are
preserved, demonstrate exquisite works of art and sculpture.
The people of this impoverished country are graceful and charming. They
are simple, honest people, (mostly fishermen and farmers. There are not
many towns outside a few larger cities. Once you leave the city limits of
Phnom Penh there are not many homes or buildings of significant
magnitude. Two-wheelers are the main modes of transportation, often
attached to trailers that are used to transport families and goods. The
vendors selling books, shawls and skirts are mostly beautiful children at
temple sites, who surprise the tourists with better English than one would
expect them to speak. These children are not scrappy, but not pushovers
either and they can drive a hard bargain.
The scattered temples are mostly deserted reminders of the former glory
of the Khmer people, the dominant people of the region. Their kingdoms
waxed and waned, to include parts of Thailand (Siam), Vietnam (Champa)
and Laos at various times. There have been wars and skirmishes between
the Khmer people and their neighbors for centuries. The most recent
involvement of Cambodia in the larger war in Vietnam, when the country
was carpet bombed by the might of the American military, was just one of
several wars in its history to cause much death and destruction. Following
the American exit, civil war had kept the country impoverished and
desperate until the year 2000 when it gained independence and now has a
nascent socialist democracy.
The early history of Cambodia is best studied as Pre- Angkor era and
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Angkor era. Angkor is a Khmer-ization of the Sanskrit word Nagara,

meaning city.
Pre-Angkor History
Pre-history of Cambodia starts with the legendary Khambujaraja, a
Brahmanical king of India, who had come to the region and faced
adversity from a beautiful lady on the mountain. After a brief fight
between them, a truce was drawn and the beautiful lady, Mero by name,
married Khambuja. The country they jointly ruled was called
Khambujadesa and their descendants were called the Khmer people.
Khambujadesa later became Kampuchea and then Cambodia. The original
language spoken was Mon-Khmer. Later in the 6th century the Mon
people moved further west to Thailand and the Khmer remained in current
day Cambodia.
Indian influence in the region began in the first century C. E. They traded
goods with Khmer by way of sea, when spice and silk trade had
flourished. Both Indians and Chinese exerted their influences on the local
people but Indian culture took a firm foothold, perhaps through the efforts
of Brahmin priests. The rulers of the time had a suffix of Varman to their
names, similar to the Pallava kings of Kanchipuram. Whilst the Cholas of
Tanjavur in India eventually defeated the Pallava Varmans in the 8th
century, the Khmer kingdoms flourished well into the 14th century.
Though all the rulers of Cambodia bore the name Varman, they did not
necessarily belong to the same dynasty. At various periods in their
history, the rulers and usurpers came from Siam (Thailand) or Champa
(Vietnam) as well as Khambujadesa (Cambodia or Kampuchea).
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There are historical references suggesting that Cambodia had been

inhabited in the 3rd millennium B.C.E. Chinese travelers later chronicled
the first established kingdom. The first kingdom was called Funan (an
alteration of the word bnam or mountain in Khmer language). A certain
Kaundinya, inspired by a dream, traveled from India and married a local
princess Soma, belonging to the naga (cobra) tribe. He established the
first Kaundinya dynasty of Funan. Later in the 5th century a second
traveler from India - Kaundinya Jayavarman (478-514) arrived and focused
on re-establishing the Indian culture. He established a more defined
Funan kingdom and was later followed by Rudravarman in the sixth
century. He was responsible for the first sculptures, mostly of Vishnu.
After the decline of Funan kingdom Khmer people established Chenla
kingdom, where the names of kings Shrutavarman and Sheshthavarman
are mentioned. They established their capital in Shreshthapura. Later
Ishanavarman, from the Khmer kingdom of Bhavapura, defeated the
remnants of Funan, and established his capital in Ishanapura.
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Jayavarman I followed him and then his successor Pushkaraksha again

united the splintered principalities in the year 716. His capital was
Shambhupura (currently Sambor). His heirs maintained control over the
kingdom until the end of 8th century, when Malayans and Javanese
(Jayavarman II) gained dominion over many Khmer principalities. During
this pre-Angkor period many temples were built, though they did not
demonstrate the same style of architecture or the confidence of the later
builders.
The Golden Period

The glory of Cambodia and its temples began in earnest during the rule of
Jayavarman II beginning 802 C. E. It is thought that he came from the
royal court in Java to conquer smaller Khmer states. He declared a
unified and sovereign Khambujadesa, independent of Javanese influence.
This was when the Angkor era in the history of Cambodia was born. He
named his capital city Hariharalaya and introduced linga-cult. to his
kingdom. The cult of Devaraja or the God King (the terrestrial counterpart
of the celestial being) was also introduced by Jayavarman II. The capital
stayed around the large Lake Tonle Sap, in and around the city of Siem
Reap (until the 15th century, well after the demise of Hindu empires,
when it was moved to Phnom Penh).
Thirty years after Jayavarman IIs death, his successor Indravarman I
constructed the first major temple in his honor (one of the so called
Rolous group of temples). From then on the rulers busied themselves in
building temples using bricks, sandstone and laterite. Often they were
painted in bright colors. They also built large water reservoirs called
barays. Following Indravarman I, his son Yasovarman I built many more
temples and barays.
Rajendravarman in the 10th century was a ruler busy building another half
a dozen temples, the best preserved and an architectural masterpiece at
Bantay Srei.
During the rule of Udayadityavarman II, several lingas were carved in the
riverbed on Phnom Kulen (called Mahendraparvata at the time). Today it is
known as the River of thousand lingas and is a tourist attraction in its
own right. It was believed that the water that flowed over the countless
lingas of the river would fertilize the rice fields below. A short hike up the
mountain will take a visitor to the place of thousand lingas at Kbal Spean.
The first inscriptions found on temple walls, dating back to 5th century,
resembled the script used by Pallavas of South India. Later, the Khmer
developed their own unique script and carved them into the walls mostly
describing the temple and its deity but sometimes the inscriptions were
just mundane details like a list of inventory. There are as many
inscriptions in Sanskrit language as in Khmer language.
The first decade of 11th century witnessed the ascent to the throne of a
powerful king Suryavarman I (1010-1050), who unified almost all of
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Khambuja and southern Thailand. He was also a busy builder of temples

and royal palaces. Following his rule, Suryavarman II (1113-1150) further
expanded the kingdom. He also built the glorious temple Angkor Wat
(from the Indian words Nagara Vata - City Temple), the pinnacle of
temples built in Cambodia.
The sprawling temple spreads over a one square mile area. Long walls
with stories of Hindu mythology are sculpted as bas-reliefs. It is a
magnificent temple complex, constructed in the form of mythological
Mount Meru - the Hindu center of the Universe. The temple is surrounded
by a large moat, representing the ocean surrounding Mt. Meru. The
brilliant paint used to enhance the reliefs has faded but the architecture
and beauty are still preserved. The sheer magnitude of the temple
complex is impressive.
All the gods of the Hindu pantheon are represented in temple sculpture.
Shiva and Vishnu were held in high esteem. Ramayana and Kurukshetra
war are depicted on entire walls of stone sculptures. A masterpiece basrelief is that of the legendary churning of the ocean by the gods and
demons.
Sculptures of Vishnu on the back of his vessel Garuda or reclining on the
serpent Ananta and Shiva with his consort Parvati are repeated in many
temples. Also seen are Hanuman and Ganesh, along with many seductive
figures of Apsaras - reminiscent of Dev-dasis, the consorts of the Gods.
Another colorful king Jayavarman VII (1181-1220) followed Suryavaramn

II. The kingdom had briefly fallen into the hands of the Chams of Champa,
but the warrior-like Jayavarman VII reclaimed it and united Khambuja
once again. He expanded his kingdom to include southern Malaya and
northern Laos as well as Champa. Burmese kingdoms including Java
became subsidiaries.
Jayavarman VII was married to a Buddhist woman and later became a
Buddhist himself. Builder of dozen or more significant temples and
palaces including the great Angkor Thom, he built many Buddhist
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monasteries and converted many Hindu temples into Buddhist shrines.

The elephant terrace and the statue of the Leper King are in Angkor
Thom. The statue when first found with blunted fingers, was first thought
to be of a leper (the French mistook the weather damaged fingers to be
that of a leper), but in fact is that of Yama, the king of death. The
Elephant Terrace is a ceremonial altar in facing the Royal Square,
supported by beautifully carved figures of elephants and mythical
creatures. At the entrance to Angkor Thom is a large tower, large enough
to admit elephants. On either side of the road near the entrance are rows
of large statues, with angelic face on one side and the scornful evil face
on the other.
Jayavarman VII declared himself to be Bodhisattva (as opposed to
Devaraja - God-king - introduced by Jayavarman II). His delusions of
grandeur are evident in the sculptures of colossal facial images of himself
on temples, especially at the towers of Bayon. Thus Mahayana Buddhism
(higher vehicle) had been introduced to Khambuja, which in turn marked
the beginning of the end of a glorious Hindu era.
Following Jayavarman VIIs death, skirmishes arose again both within the
kingdom and in its bordering regions. Brahmins tried to reassert their
authority with the help of Jayavarman VIII and tried to usurp Buddhist
power. However, their influence did not last too long. Soon after his death
Buddhism returned once again, though it was the Hinayana Buddhism
((Theravada or lesser vehicle) that took final foothold and still remains
the dominant religion of Cambodia today. The advent of Buddhism
effectively put a stop to the building spree in Cambodia. Some of the
existing Hindu temples were converted to Buddhist temples and
monasteries. Gods of Hindu pantheon were removed and replaced with
statues of Buddha.
Statues of Buddha had already appeared in the pre-Angkor period. These
were mostly ushnisha Buddha (with the knot in the head, denoting
enlightenment and Nirvana) in the standing position. Later Buddha
statues appeared in many other positions of the hands of giving,
preaching and blessing. Bodhisattvas and Avalokiteshvara Lord of the
World (Lokeshvara in Khmer) also are seen.
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The last king of record from the lost empire is Jayavarman Parameshvara
(1327 - ?). In the meantime, the first large Thai state, Sukhothai, had
occupied much of the northern and western territories of Khmer empire. In
1430 a Thai king, Paramaraja II of Ayuthya laid siege on the capital and
conquered it in seven months. From then on the decline, abandon and
decadence set in. Discussion of the upheaval and the tumult in the
ensuing history of the kingdom in the following centuries is beyond the
scope of this article.
During medieval times the capital was moved to Phnom Penh. Today it is
a city with orderly traffic with clean air and streets, with none of the
typical hustle and bustle of a mega-city in South East Asia. There are
many Pagodas and Buddhist monuments with larger than life sized
statutes of Buddha (including the Emerald Buddha), adorned with gold
and decorated with diamonds. The use of jewels on the statue of Buddha,
who had taken a vow of poverty, is curious. This is explained by the
desire to emphasize the pre-eminence of the Enlightened one, who is the
chakravartin - a sovereign of the Universe - worthy of jewels and riches.
There is an interesting story about Phnom Penh. The word Phnom means
mountain. Penh is a Khmer word, meaning woman. This is where a
beautiful woman sitting on the mountaintop had confronted the wandering
king from India, and eventually became his consort. The place came to be
known as Phnom Penh - mountain woman. Interestingly the word Penh (or
Pen reflexive n) means a woman in the Tamil language as well.
The epic story of Ramayana plays an important part in the philosophical
and cultural life in Cambodia. The Khmer version, referred to as Reamker,
is carved into the walls of Angkor Wat. Reamker follows the characters
depicted in the Indian Ramayana with some of its own twists. It is a
philosophical allegory that combines Hinduism with Buddhism. Though
written in the 16th or 17th century, a full half a millennium after the
sculptures of Angkor Wat, it formed the basis of Khmer life and
philosophy from the time of its origing. It is the foundation of the Royal
Ballet repertoire and classical theater and dance.
The protagonist of the story is Preah Ream whose wife is called Neang
Seda. His brother is Preah Leak and his antagonist Ravana is called Krong
Reap. Hanuman even has a love interest in a mermaid princess called
Sovanna Maccha (translates to Golden Fish). Interestingly the Thai version
of Ramayana (called Ramakien) is actually an adaptation of Reamker
rather than the Indian original.
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Conclusion
More than a million people lived around the region of Angkor Wat (Siem
Reap) during its peak. Today, the Hindu population of Cambodia
(population approximately 14 million) is not even measurable. The
majority belongs to the Buddhist religion. Though mainly based on
Hinayana (lesser Vehicle), a unique potpourri of Buddhism that is currently
practiced. Its pantheon of gods includes many Hindu idols. They have not
forgotten their history and still pay their obeisance to god Vishnu and
Shiva as well as worship Buddha.
The lost Hindu empire of Cambodia is marked by hundreds of temples. It
is the product of sweat and blood of devoted subjects of many rulers with
a passion for building. Many of the temples have crumbled from neglect
and vandalized. Many have not withstood the onslaught of centuries of
harsh weather.
But the memory of the glory of the empires left behind by its templebuilding rulers is lasting. Its vibrant former civilization and culture are
firmly etched in stone sculptures, and in their ancient scripts. The
beautiful bas-reliefs depicting Hindu puranas are delicate as well as
delightful. The sculpted figures of lovely apsaras on its temple walls, with
their modern appearing hairdo and dresses are esthetically pleasing to the
eyes. The neglected temples of Ta Prohm and Preah Khan, with their
overgrown roots of Kapok trees are sights to behold. The rooftops appear
to be strangled by giant talons of some mythical birds in a vise-like grip.
Tree roots snake around the temple walls like Anacondas lazily bathing in
the sun.
Palace city of Angkor Thom with its Elephant Terrace and the Leper King
(which actually is a sculpture of Yama with blunted fingers - due to
damage - and so it came to be known as the Leper King), and the rows of
giant statues at the entrance with the large gate are majestic. Angkor
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Wat is awe-inspiring by its sheer magnitude and architectural finesse.

To see all the ruins will take many trips to Cambodia but a student of
history and anyone with curiosity about the eastward spread of the Indian
Diaspora in yesteryears must pay at least a visit to Cambodia.
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Dr. Neria H. Hebbar
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24 Comments
Beautiful. Looking beyond religion what is amazing is that these kings promoted art,
Ashok
Jun 21 2014 10:10 PM
peace and harmony so that world becomes humane. We would not be having
environmental problems. Alas, this materialistic world has not learnt anything how to
live in peace. These are reminders of our forefathers telling us to stop destroying self
and the surrounding. My book "Beyond the boundaries" by Ash Malho has the same
theme. If every individual becomes positive the world will become a paradise. These
monuments are benchmark of what is possible if humans decide to become positive.
Very nice. India divine is doing an excellent job. Thanks.
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Beautiful, thank you for a great article and amazing pictures!

Highervedic
Jun 22 2014 12:47 AM
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Excellent an exhaustive article, bringing out the glory of Cambodia and its rule by
white40
Jun 22 2014 02:01 AM
Indian Kings.
G.Vaidyanathan
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I was in Cambodia while in military service. I have visited famous Angkor Wat several
A.H.Srinivas
Jun 22 2014 02:57 AM
times. Even after completing 3 hours we could not complete. It is more than Indonesia,,
Nepal or Bhutan. Wherever we see its Hindu culture. Cambodian army battalions were
named after Hindu Gods.Phonphen was clean city. Cambodia it is said, suffered
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