The Khmer Empire lasted from 802 AD to 1432 AD, ruling much of Southeast Asia during its peak around 1200 AD. It followed a feudal system of rule and strict Hindu social class structure. Key rulers like Jayavarman II who founded the empire and Suryavarman II who built Angkor Wat expanded its territories, while Jayavarman VII made Buddhism the dominant religion and initiated construction projects, though the empire went into decline after his rule. The empire officially ended in 1432 after a recurring pattern of dislocation, turmoil, reunification and expansion over the centuries.

2. The Khmer Empire was founded in 802 AD and
continued until 1432.
During the height of its power (around 1200 AD)
the Khmer Empire was the largest and most
dominant kingdom in South-East Asia.
The Khmer Empire
Introduction

3. The Khmer Empire
Introduction The Khmer Empire, like those that came before,
used a feudal system of rule. Smaller states and
nobility were vassals to the ruler.
The Khmer Empire used a strict Hindu class
system called varna. There are four levels to
this system:
1. Brahmin: (priests, scholars, teachers)
2. Kshatriya: (rulers, warriors, administrators)
3. Vaishya: (agriculturalists, merchants)
4. Shudra: (laborers, service providers)

4. The Khmer Empire
Rulers The monarch of the empire was declared a
devaraja (god-king). Being a devaraja
meant your rule was ‘divine’ as you were a
living god on earth.
Every Khmer king had a name that ended
with ‘varman’ which was often used by the
Kshatriya (ruling) class.
The name varman means ‘shield’ or
‘defensive armour’. Therefore what was
the role of the king?

5. The Khmer Empire
Key Rulers JayavarmanII (802-835)
1. FoundedtheKhmerEmpire.
2. Unifiedindividualkingdomsand
absorbedthemasvassals.
3. BeganthetraditionofKhmerkingsbeing
declareddevaraja.
4. Veryfewreliableprimarysourcesremain
aboutJayavarmanII.

6. The Khmer Empire
Key Rulers SuryavarmanII(1113-1145/50)
1. BuiltthetempleofAngkorWat.
Atthetimeitwasthelargestandmost
complexstructureinSouthEastAsia.
2. Expandedtheempireeastandwest.

7. The Khmer Empire
Key Rulers JayavarmanVII
1. Consideredtheempire’sgreatestking.
2. Madesignificantterritorialvictories.
3. BelievedinBuddhismandmadethe
KhmerEmpireaBuddhistkingdom.
4. Initiatedmassivebuildingprojectsthat
includedtemplesandmanyhospitals.
5. Seenasarulerwhotookcareofhis
subjects.
6. Afterhisruletheempiresteadilydeclined.

8. The Khmer Empire
A pattern in rule ThroughouttheKhmerEmpiretherewasa
patternofdislocation,turmoil,reunification,
andexpansion.

9. The Khmer Empire
End of the empire The Khmer Empire officially ended in 1432.
But what caused it’s
collapse?