Yashodharapura (; ;
[Headley, Robert K.; Chim, Rath; Soeum, Ok. 1997. ''Cambodian-English Dictionary''. Dunwoody Press. University of Michigan. . http://sealang.net/khmer/dictionary.htm] ''"Yashodharapura"''), also known as
Angkor
Angkor ( , 'capital city'), also known as Yasodharapura (; ),Headly, Robert K.; Chhor, Kylin; Lim, Lam Kheng; Kheang, Lim Hak; Chun, Chen. 1977. ''Cambodian-English Dictionary''. Bureau of Special Research in Modern Languages. The Catholic Uni ...
(), was the capital of the
Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was an empire in Southeast Asia, centered on Hydraulic empire, hydraulic cities in what is now northern Cambodia. Known as Kambuja (; ) by its inhabitants, it grew out of the former civilization of Chenla and lasted from 802 t ...
for most of its history. It was established by King
Yashovarman I in the late 9th century and centred on the temple of
Phnom Bakheng.
[Higham, C., 2001, The Civilization of Angkor, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ]
Yashodharapura was referred to in the inscriptions as Phnom Kandal (Central Mountain). Phnom Bakheng was constructed just before the foundation of Yashodharapura due to Yashovarman's belief that the mountain was among the holiest of places to worship the
Hindu
Hindus (; ; also known as Sanātanīs) are people who religiously adhere to Hinduism, also known by its endonym Sanātana Dharma. Jeffery D. Long (2007), A Vision for Hinduism, IB Tauris, , pp. 35–37 Historically, the term has also be ...
deities. Yashodharapura was linked to an earlier capital,
Hariharalaya
Hariharalaya (, Hariharalaya) was an ancient city and capital of the Khmer Empire, Khmer empire located near Siem Reap, Cambodia in an area now called Roluos (temples), Roluos (Khmer language, Khmer: រលួស). Today, all that remains of the ...
, by a
causeway
A causeway is a track, road or railway on the upper point of an embankment across "a low, or wet place, or piece of water". It can be constructed of earth, masonry, wood, or concrete. One of the earliest known wooden causeways is the Sweet T ...
. The urban complex included the
East Baray or Yashodharatataka.
The succeeding capitals built in the area were called Yashodharapura. One of those is
Angkor Thom
Angkor Thom ( ; meaning "Great City"), alternatively Nokor Thom ( ), located in present-day Cambodia, was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer empire, Khmer Empire. It was established in the late twelfth century by King Jayavarman V ...
, centred on the
Bayon
The Bayon (, ) ( ''BAI-on'') is a richly decorated Khmer temple related to Buddhism at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of the King Jayavarman VII (), the Bayon stands at the centre of Jaya ...
temple by King
Jayavarman VII
Jayavarman VII (), known posthumously as Mahaparamasaugata (, c. 1122–1218), was king of the Khmer Empire. He was the son of King Dharanindravarman II (r. 1150–1160) and Queen Sri Jayarajacudamani.
He was the first king devoted to Buddhism, ...
(1181-1218AD).
In 1352, King
U Thong (also known as
Ramathibodi I of the
Ayutthaya Kingdom
The Ayutthaya Kingdom or the Empire of Ayutthaya was a Thai people, Thai kingdom that existed in Southeast Asia from 1351 to 1767, centered around the city of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya (city), Ayutthaya, in Siam, or present-day Thailand. Europe ...
) laid siege to it. The Ayutthaya were successful the next year in capturing the city, placing one of their princes on the throne. In 1357 the Khmer regained it.
Angkor Thom was raided and abandoned in the 15th century by King
Borommarachathirat II of Ayutthaya.
References
External links
Beyond Angkor– Graphical maps of all the historical sites relating to Yaśodharapura
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yasodharapura
Angkorian sites in Siem Reap province
Former populated places in Cambodia