Temple face

Timeline of the Khmer Empire

  • Nov 17, 802

    Jayavarman II is named ruler

    Jayavarman II is named ruler
    Jayavarman II is named a devaraja and the ruler of the Khmer Empire. He continues to pacify rebellious areas and enlarge the empire. Jayavarman is also the named the first Angkor king.
  • Nov 17, 968

    Cultural Developments

    Cultural Developments
    During the rule of king Jayavarman V, there were many cultural and educational developments, for the first time, women were able to hold important positions in religious and social life.
  • Period: Nov 17, 1101 to Nov 18, 1145

    Building Angkor Wat

    Suryavarman II begins construction on the largest religious monument in the world, Angkor Wat, which he dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu.
  • Nov 17, 1166

    Tribhuvanadityavarman named King

    Tribhuvanadityavarman named King
    Tribhuvanadityavarman was a mandarin who, around 1165, overthrew Yasovarman II and proclaimed himself king of the Khmer Empire.
  • Period: Nov 17, 1171 to Nov 18, 1178

    The 2nd Cham Invasion

    In 1177, the Cham invasion, led by Jaya Indravarman IV, of the capital of the Khmer empire is looted, and Tribhuvanadityavarman is eliminated.
  • Period: Nov 17, 1181 to Nov 18, 1219

    Liberation from the Chams

    Jayavarman VII defeated the Chams, liberates the empire and is crowned king, and also extends the Khmer Empire to cover most of present-day Laos, Thailand and Burma.
  • Period: Nov 17, 1243 to Nov 18, 1298

    Buddhism is Banished

    Jayavarman VIII renounces Buddhism, he destroys Buddhist temples and images, and makes Muslim the main religion of the Khmer Empire.
  • Nov 17, 1431

    Forgotten Angkor

    Forgotten Angkor
    Thai army attacks Angkor and the Khmers are forced to abandon Angkor. Over the following centuries, the jungle grows over Angkor and its location becomes long forgotten.
  • Period: Nov 17, 1432 to Nov 18, 1440

    New Capital

    The Khmers relocate their capital to Phnom Penh, since the last Khmer king to use Angkor as the capital abandoned it.
  • Period: Nov 17, 1445 to Nov 18, 1500

    The Fall of the Khmer Empire

    The Vietnamese armies continually attack the Khmer forces in Mekong River delta and defeat the Khmer. The Khmer empire finally comes to an end and the modern borders of Cambodia are established.