Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII was a prominent king of the Khmer Empire during the Ankgorian Period, known for his military campaigns and significant contributions to the empire's expansion in Southeast Asia. Returning from a voluntary exile in 1178, he sought to restore the empire after a devastating attack by the Cham people from central Vietnam. Ascending to the throne in 1181, he quickly demonstrated his military prowess by defeating the Chams in a notable naval battle, celebrating his victory with a coronation in Angkor.
Jayavarman VII faced challenges, including uprisings in dependent regions, which he managed to quell effectively. His military strategy culminated in a significant conquest of Champa in 1190, which subsequently became a vassal state under Khmer rule. Despite facing numerous rebellions during his reign, Jayavarman maintained control over Champa for seventeen years until his mysterious death around 1215. His legacy remains a significant part of Cambodian history, reflecting both the challenges and achievements of the Khmer Empire during this transformative period.
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Jayavarman VII
- Born: 1181
- Birthplace: Angkor, Cambodia
- Died: 1218
- Place of death: Yaśodharapura
Principal wars: Khmer-Cham Wars
Military significance: Under Jayavarman VII, Kambuja reached its apogee of political power, territorial expansion, and cultural growth.
During the Ankgorian Period (802-1431), the Khmer Empire, by force of arms, extended its commonwealth to encompass vast areas of Southeast Asia. After a voluntary exile over a succession claim, Jayavarman returned to Kambuja in 1178 to help mitigate the damage done by the sack of Angkor by the Khmer Empire’s primary adversaries, the Chams from central Vietnam. In 1181, Jayavarman became king and raised an army, as standing armies seldom existed, and subsequently defeated the Cham in a great naval battle. After this first victory, he celebrated his coronation at Angkor. Immediately afterward, however, he was called upon to put down an uprising in the dependent Malyang. Jayavarman’s army subdued the rebels, and his commander, who was himself a Cham refugee from his own country, was selected to help him in the total conquest of Champa. In 1190, after exhaustive preparation, Jayavarman launched a great attack on Champa and was victorious. The son of Jayavarman VII, Prince In, was proclaimed king at Vijaya, and Champa became a vassal state of the Khmer Empire. Rebellions against the new regime were ubiquitous, but in 1203 the Khmer armies drove out the insurgents, and for seventeen years, 1203–1220, Champa was under Khmer domination. Although the death of Jayavarman VII is shrouded in mystery, he is thought to have died about 1215.
Bibliography
Hall, D. G. E. A History of South-East Asia. London: Macmillan, 1981.
Harrison, Brian. South-East Asia: A Short History. London: Macmillan, 1966.
Ross, Russell R., ed. Cambodia: A Country Study. 3d ed. Washington, D.C.: Library of Congress, 1987.