Yaśodharapura

Yasodharapura (Khmer: យសោធរបុរៈ; Khmer pronunciation: [jeaʔ sao tʰeaʔ reaʔ boʔ raʔ];[1] Sanskrit: यशोधरपुर "Yaśōdharapura"), also known as Angkor (Khmer: អង្គរ), is a city that was the second capital of the Khmer Empire (after Amarendrapura), established by King Yasovarman I in the late 9th century and centred on the temple of Phnom Bakheng.[2]:103[3]:64

Yasodharapura
យសោធរបុរៈ
satellite image and map of Yasodharapura
Yasodharapura
Location in Cambodia
Alternative nameAngkor
LocationSiem Reap, Cambodia
RegionSoutheast Asia
Coordinates13.423854°N 103.856092°E / 13.423854; 103.856092
History
BuilderYasovarman I
Foundedlate 9th century AD
Abandoned1431 AD
PeriodsMiddle ages
Site notes
Conditionrestored and ruined
Public accessYes
Architecture
Architectural stylesBakheng, Pre Rup, Banteay Srei, Khleang, Baphuon, Angkor Wat, Bayon and post Bayon

Yasodharapura was referred to in the inscriptions as Phnom Kandal (Central Mountain). Phnom Bakheng was constructed just before the foundation of Yasodharapura due to Yasovarman's belief that the mountain was among the holiest of places to worship the Hindu deities. Yashodharapura was linked to an earlier capital, Hariharalaya, by a causeway. The urban complex included the Yashodharatataka.[3]:64–65

The succeeding capitals built in the area were called Yasodharapura. One of those is Angkor Thom, centred on the Bayon temple by King Jayavarman VII (1181-1218AD).

In 1352, King U Thong (also known as Ramathibodi I of the Ayutthaya Kingdom) 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.[2]:236 Angkor Thom was raided and abandoned in the 15th century by King Borommarachathirat II of Ayutthaya.[4]

References

  1. Headley, Robert K.; Chim, Rath; Soeum, Ok. 1997. Cambodian-English Dictionary. Dunwoody Press. University of Michigan. ISBN 9780931745782. http://sealang.net/khmer/dictionary.htm
  2. Coedès, George (1968). Walter F. Vella (ed.). The Indianized States of Southeast Asia. trans.Susan Brown Cowing. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN 978-0-8248-0368-1.
  3. Higham, C., 2001, The Civilization of Angkor, London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, ISBN 9781842125847
  4. Donald Richie (23 September 2007). "Yasodharapura, revived in literature". The Asian Bookshelf. The Japan Times. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
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