Map of Angkor Capital
Ancient Angkor Capital (9th century - 15th century) locates in the area north of Boeung Tonle Sap (Great Lake) in which covered most territory of what is now Siem Reap Province, Cambodia. Sometimes it was called Mohanokor City, the capital of Angkor Empire. According to historian of the world, Angkor city was seen as the largest city of the world with the success of agricultural practice in that period of time. This city was established by King Jayavarman II (802-877) in AD 802. Kulen Mountain was the main place for king Jayavarman II to declare his power over the kingdom. Since Khmer ancestor in Nokor Phnom Era (Funan Era) and Chenla Era usually built stone temple, his royal majesty started building temple in this new capital. From the reign of a king to another king, Angkor City was expanded bigger and bigger. The population growth was as rapid as the increasing of temple building and other infrastructure development. During the reign of King Indravarman (877-889), temple building started at Rolous temple group in suburb city near Boeung Tonle Sap such as Prasat Bakong, Prasat Lolei, Prasat Preah Ko, etc. Then temple building began around and on the Peak of Bakheng Mountain such as Prasat Bakheng in the form of pyramid and other small temples in the reign of King Yasovarman (899 to about 910), son of King Indravarman and the Khmer King who started building Prasat Preah Vihear on Dong Rek Mountain Range. King Rajendravarman (944-968) started building Prasat Phimean Akas, Prasat Eastern Mebon, Prasat Bat Chum, and Prasat Pre Rup. Until the reign of King Jayavarman V (968-1001), Prasat Kleang Khang Cherng (Northern Kleang Temple) and Prasat Takeo were built, but Prasat Takeo was unfinished since his death occurred. Banteay Srey, 30km from the center of Angkor City, was built by kingdom official in his reign, too. After that, King Suryavarman I (1002-1049) added the upper pyramid on Prasat Phimean Akas and built Prasat Kleang Khang Tbong (Southern Kleang Temple). Later, King Udayadityavarman II (1049-1065) built Prasat Baphuon as the main center in the city; Angkor City was modified and decorated with other new temples. Until the reign of King Suryavarman II (1113-1150) that Prasat Chao Say Tevoda, Prasat Thommanon, and Prasat Angkor Wat (Wonder of the World) were built throughout his reign. However, all the construction was paused awhile and once damaged by Cham Army in 1117 in which they attacked Angkor City and racked the whole city. Then King Jayavarman VII (Youth name: Prince Jayavarthon) (1181-after 1201) overcame Cham army and took back the control on Angkor City. He reconstructed the capital with new temples such as Prasat Bayon (Angkor Thom), Prasat Taprohm, Prasat Preah Khan, Prasat Neak Poan, shelters for pilgrims, traditional hospital, routes throughout the kingdom, etc. When Angkor city was recovered, people from other provinces started to live around Bayon Temple (Smiling Temple) as the largest city center of Angkor City. There is not cleared about the year of King Jayavarman’s death. During his reign, nearly one million people lived in Angkor City. For the following century until the early 15th century, Angkor City was the largest city in the world with great number of people. As a result of Angkor Empire’s golden age, there were many temples, living houses and golden royal palace. Besides that, there were also 2 large Baray (Western Baray and Eastern Baray), many water irrigation systems, city road (linked to other big cities of Angkor Kingdom such as Sambo Preykuk, Prey Nokor, Preah Vihear, Champasak, Suor Khet, Nokor Phnom, Baschem Borey, Nokor Reach Seima, Battambang, Lop Borey, O Keo, Ba Phnom, Sokhortey, Kanhchanak Borey, Ayuthyea, Nokor Sreythamareach and so on) and hospitals all over this city. The view of Angkor City’s livelihood can be seen on the wall of Bayon Temple and also through the 3-D video clip about Angkor Empire on the internet. Today, this ancient city in the forever green forest is being the most interesting Cambodia’s ancient site for tourism from around the globe. Lastly, Angkor City was the most fascinating and largest ancient city in the ancient time. There is an expectation for more million of tourists to visit this city in the near future and also a hope for achievement of the reconstruction for all ancient temples and water irrigation system in Angkor City soon to make it the greatest ancient city for the world again. “Memory of ancestor’s effort in golden age will be the greatest lesson for next generation!” “Culture and believe of nation always stay with the wonderful infrastructure of Ancient Angkor City!”
By: POK Panhavuth
View of Angkor City from the sky near Angkor Wat Temple
