The rise of Jayavarman II

In 781, Jayavarman II declared Chenla’s independence from the Shailendra kings. He quickly built a power base by conquering and uniting the patchwork of small kingdoms and territories in the region.

By 790, he had declared himself king of Kambuja. Through military conquest and political alliances, Jayavarman II continued to consolidate his rule.

There is scholarly debate over the meaning of the word ‘Java’ in historical inscriptions. A translation from the Sdok Kok Thom temple (in modern-day Thailand) states that “His Majesty came from Java in order to rule in Indrapura.” However, the large distance between Indrapura and central Java in Indonesia has led to suggestions that ‘Java’ may refer to another region, such as the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, or even an area to the east of Angkor.

Despite the uncertainty, it is agreed that Jayavarman II was determined to free his country from a powerful foreign influence.

Building cities and temples

Jayavarman II ruled for part of his reign from the city of Hariharalaya, where he died in 835. The city grew under his successor, Indravarman I (877–886), who led an extensive building campaign. He constructed temples, palaces and one of the first large-scale hydrological systems — a key feature of later Khmer cities.

For more on Khmer engineering, see the Building Angkor module.

The founding of Angkor and Yasovarman I

Between 889 and 900, Indravarman’s son, Yasovarman I, moved the capital northwest to the plains near the mountain Phnom Bakheng. He founded a new city called Yasodharapura (‘City that Maintains Glory’), also known as Angkor (‘Capital City’). A raised causeway linked the new capital to Hariharalaya.

Yasovarman completed the Eastern Baray — a large man-made reservoir that reflected the empire’s mastery of water management.

Angkor as a political and spiritual centre

Angkor became the heart of the empire — a political, cultural and religious capital. It was ideally located between the mountains and the Tonlé Sap lake, with fertile land that could support a large population. Recent archaeological research suggests that at its height, Angkor may have supported more than one million people.

Angkor remained the capital of the Khmer Empire until its decline in 1431, with only brief interruptions.

Royal power and divine rule

Khmer kings were skilled builders and rulers. They constructed grand temples dedicated to the gods, their ancestors, and themselves. The devaraja cult helped establish the king’s divine status and authority.

Although considered god-like, the kings still needed resources to run the empire and fund their building projects. As supreme rulers, they could levy taxes and recruit labour for construction and military service. Different kings reformed the administration to improve how taxes and services were collected, especially in distant provinces.

Learning activities