Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v6.c41.s17.5

v6.c41.s17.5

The Khmer and Sanskrit epigraphic texts give details of a dynasty of seven kings who reigned from A.D. 435 to 680. From the death of the last king Jayavarman to the commencement of the ninth century there are no records. In A.D. 802, Jayavarman II, who may have been connected with the earlier dynasty, formed a new dynasty of eighteen sovereigns who ruled till A.D. 1201. To this monarch is attributed the foundation of the Cambodian kingdom, with its capital Angkor Thom. He is credited to have laid the foundations of the great city of Angkor Thom, the royal palace in its centre, the pyramid temples of Phimêanakas, the great temple of Bayon, and other structures.¹ Aymonier has correctly traced the origin to this great king of the colossal constructions which were raised during the four centuries following.² He is also of opinion that this king may have come from Java, with an acquaintance with the great temple of Boro-Budur. But there are some small earlier temples of comparatively small importance, built towards the end of the sixth or commencement of the seventh century, in which the origin of the Cambodian style may be traced. There are, however, striking similarities between the great temples of Java and Cambodia. The other kings of this long dynasty were also great builders. Thus ‘the third king, Indravarman, besides building the temples of Baku and Bakong, completed and consecrated the temple of Bayon in Angkor Thom. To the fourth king, Yaśovarman, is attributed the completion of the great capital city, also the temple of Lolei and the pyramid temple of Phimêanakas in the centre of the palace enclosures. The ninth king, Rājendravarman, built two great temples, Ta-Prom being Brahmanical, and Bānteai Kedei, Buddhist. The tenth king also built several temples, of which the most important is the pyramid temple of Bapoun, immediately south of the royal palace in Angkor Thom. The eleventh king, Sūryavarman, who reigned for nearly a half century, was a great builder, the temples of Phnom Chisor, Vāt Ek, Phnom Bāset, Prah Vihear, and Prah Khan being attributed to him. His successor continued his work and built the temples of Banteai Ta Kean, Phimai, Pre Rup, and, probably, the temple on Mount Bakheng, south of Angkor Thom. Vāt Phu may have been built in 1090–1100 by one of the three following kings.