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Suryavarman II takes power with ambitious goals for the Khmer Empire to become a significant power.
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Angkor Wat finished.
The largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat, is completed. Suryvarman II succeeds Suryavarman I. -
Statue of Suryavarman II.
Suryavarman II's rule ends. -
A depiction of the Cham invasion carved into stone.
From 1177 to 1178, Hindu Chams invade and pillage the Angkor Kingdom from the East. -
A painting depicting the uprise against the Cham occupation.
Jayavarman VII ascends to the throne, defeating the Chams soon afterwards. -
Reign of Jayavarman VII, the greatest Khmer king. He vows to restore the Khmer Empire’s former glory by defeating the Chams and expanding the empire to its furthest extent.
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A statue of Jayavarman VII
After defeating the Chams to reclaim the land and expanding the Khmer Empire to its greatest extent, Jayavarman VII, the Greatest King, ends his rule. -
A typical Khmer Hindu painting.
Jayavarman VIII rises to power, using it to introduce Hinduism and reject Buddhism. -
During the reign of Jayavarman VIII , he renounces Buddhism and orders that Buddhist temples and images be destroyed and Hinduism become the main religion.
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The ruins of a Buddhist temple.
Jayavarman VIII's rule ends. Even though Buddhism begins its integration back into society, ruined Buddhist temples all around the empire remind the people of his anti-Buddhist regime. -
One of the first Buddhist paintings that came into fashion with the return of Buddhism.
Buddhism grows in importance and again becomes the main religion of Khmer Kings in the 1300's. -
Painting of the Thai Invasion.
Thai army attacks Angkor, defeating the Khmer people in battle.The Khmer people give up on the city of Angkor, as it has been pillaged beyond repair. This event marks the end to the official Khmer Empire. -
Picture of an abandoned Khmer building.
Khmers abandon Angkor. Over subsequent centuries, the jungle grows around and over Angkor and its location is forgotten. -
One of the first buildings made in honour of the Khmers moving to Phnom Penh.
Khmer rulers relocate the capital to Phnom Penh during the 1440's, which remains the capital of Cambodia even through to the present day. -
Artwork depicting the battle between the two kings.
Siamese (Thai) king attacks and defeats Khmer king and takes control. The empire stays fundamentally the same, just under a different ruler. -
Painting showing the naval battle in the Mekong River.
Vietnamese armies repeatedly attack Khmer forces in Mekong River delta and defeat the Khmer in the 1700’s. The approximate borders of Cambodia are determined after much conquest and foreign influence. -
Painting of Angkor Wat being built.
Construction for the Khmer temple of Angkor Wat, dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu, begins. -
Painting of Jayavarman II being enthroned.
Jayavarman II is enthroned as devaraja (god-king) after unifying small states to establish one large empire, independent from the rule of "Java". The Angkor region of Cambodia is assigned as the capital and thus, the Khmer Empire is born. -
Statue of Jayavarman II.
Jayvarman II, the founder and first king of the Khmer Empire, ends his rule by death. His son Jayavarman III succeeds him. -
Khmer Empire expands and Angkor Wat starts construction. Buddhism becomes important.
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Angkor Wat, the biggest religious monument in history, is built and is dedicated to the Hindu god, Vishnu.
Construction begins during king Suryavarman I's reign and ends during Suryavarman II's rule. -
The Khmer Empire in South East Asia from when Jayavarman II becomes the ruler of Khmer and proclaims himself as devaraja (God-king) to when Thai armies invade Angkor.
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The founder of the Khmer Empire rules for 48 years before passing away.
