The Khmers

This is a history of the Khmers, the people who for thousands of years inhabited the wooded interior of Cambodia. One hundred and fifty years ago the representatives of imperial France were astonished to find half-buried within the jungle the still magnificent ruins of vast temples. Justly described as one of the wonders of the world, these were the remnants of the once great Angkor empire. Since then archaeologists and historians have attempted to piece together its history. This book presents the result of these endeavours in the first account of the history of Khmer civilization to be published for many years.

Ian Mabbett is currently in the History Department at Monash University, teaching courses covering traditional Asian cultures and religions. His present research interest is in the history of Buddhism. His previous books include Kings and Emperors of Asia (1985), Modern China (1985) and A Short History of India (second edition, 1983).

David Chandler is currently Visiting Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Centre for Scholars, Professor of History at Monash Univesity and concurrently research director at the centre of Southeast Asian Studies, Monash University. His previous books include Brother Number One: A Political Biography of Pol Pot (1992), The Tragedy of Cambodian History: Politics, War and Revolution since 1945, (paperback edition, 1993) and A History of Cambodia (second edition, 1992).

List of Plates

vii

List of Maps

xi

Preface

xii

Introduction

1

(12)

Images of the Khmers

13

(10)

The Land

23

(16)

Before History Began

39

(13)

The Rise of Cities and Indian Influence

52

(14)

The Beginnings of Khmer History

66

(12)

The Early Khmer Kingdoms and the Rise of Angkor

78

(16)

The Kings of Angkor

94

(13)

The Immortals

107

(18)

Daily Life

125

(14)

Farmers

139

(17)

Ruler and State

156

(14)

Society and Economy

170

(13)

Artists and Craftsmen

183

(21)

Jayavarman VII and the Decline of Angkor

204

(14)

From the Fall of Angkor to 1945

218

(19)

Cambodia since 1945

237

(24)

Appendix I: Chronological Survey of Angkor's Rulers

261

(5)

Appendix II: The Periodization of Religious Art and Architecture

266

(3)

Bibliography and Guide to Further Reading

269

(9)

Index

278

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Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials