Aspects of an Empire in

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia Southeast Asia In start of empire, main source of In start of empire, main source of

water was Mekong Riverwater was Mekong River Surrounded by the South China Surrounded by the South China

Sea and Bay of BengalSea and Bay of Bengal The area ruled under the Khmer The area ruled under the Khmer

Empire consists of modern day Empire consists of modern day Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos.Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos.

Topography consisted of mostly Topography consisted of mostly plains and small mountains around plains and small mountains around the Mid-west and North-westthe Mid-west and North-west

Warm tropic weatherWarm tropic weather Either dry aired or heavy rainfallEither dry aired or heavy rainfall May to November- monsoon May to November- monsoon

(heavy rainfall) (heavy rainfall) seasonseason December to April- dry seasonDecember to April- dry season

K.C. K.C. Period 1Period 1

Khmer culture is “Indianized”; influenced Khmer culture is “Indianized”; influenced mostly by Indiamostly by India

- - religionreligion: Hinduism; worshiped : Hinduism; worshiped Shiva and Vishnu; followed caste system with Shiva and Vishnu; followed caste system with BrahminsBrahmins

- - architecturearchitecture: temples and : temples and monuments were built in honor of Hindu gods monuments were built in honor of Hindu gods such as Angkor Watsuch as Angkor Wat

- - artart: stone carvings taught by : stone carvings taught by Indian Brahmans. Indian Brahmans.

- - public workspublic works: learned how to : learned how to make irrigation systems and waterways from make irrigation systems and waterways from BrahmansBrahmans

K.C.K.C.Period 1Period 1

Religion and beliefsReligion and beliefs - The majority of the Khmer empire are - The majority of the Khmer empire are

people who follows the Khmer style of Buddhism, people who follows the Khmer style of Buddhism, which blends the elements of Hinduism, Buddhism which blends the elements of Hinduism, Buddhism and spirit worship. The Angkor rulers also adopted and spirit worship. The Angkor rulers also adopted

its idea of god-kings, in which the kings were an its idea of god-kings, in which the kings were an incarnation of Shiva, a Hindu god who was known incarnation of Shiva, a Hindu god who was known

as the protector. as the protector. -The Khmer Empire was formed

from Indian cultural influences. Religion and beliefs were practiced in temples. In Angkor ancient kings built more than 700 temples. The largest temple was Angkor Wat. It covers 500 acres and is known as one of the largest monuments that

was ever built.

R.C. Period 1

Language Language - The official language in Khmer was - The official language in Khmer was

very similar to Sanskrit. Many of its characters very similar to Sanskrit. Many of its characters derived from Sanskrit which was a sacred Indian derived from Sanskrit which was a sacred Indian language. language.

- The language was usually written on - The language was usually written on stone or carved into it. Some of the inscriptions stone or carved into it. Some of the inscriptions were placed in temples to honor and show respect were placed in temples to honor and show respect to the gods they believed in. to the gods they believed in.

-The alphabet consists of 74 letters. -The alphabet consists of 74 letters.

R.C. Period

• Used brick, laterite, and sandstone.• Bricks were bonded with vegetable compound, carved.• Sandstone was used in large construction projects, carved. • Laterite- iron rich clay, soft and easy to cut into blocks. Hardens

when exposed to the air and sun. • Wood- used in palaces, houses,

and monk’s dwellings. Used in roofs, ceilings, and pavilions.

• Pottery was used on the exterior of roofs.

B.A. Period 1

• The Khmer Empire built extensive city and temple complexes. Each city was carefully planned and laid out.• Many of these cities were expanded andbuilt upon several times, such as Angkor Wat.• Angkor Wat is nearly one

square mile, and is dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu and was also used as an observatory.

• • Several temples at Angkor are some of the

most outstanding architectural achievements ever.

•

B.A. Period 1

There are many reasons on why the Khmer Empire eventually fell.

Soil Resources: Because the Khmer Empire had to sustain a large population, the constant farming using fertile soil ultimately led to the depletion minerals such as silt affecting the surplus of food the Khmer people needed.

Depletion of Wood: The Khmer people wood use a lot of wood for farmlands, to construct houses, temples, to make cooking materials, and for use of scaffolding in large construction products.

A.S. Period 1

Rice paddy

Failures in Irrigation Systems: ¹In some irrigation systems, the water may have become stagnant in some places and there would be a disease outbreak (i.e. malaria). ²Irrigation systems may have been different due to the shifts in monsoon patterns and therefore disrupted the normal water management system during the 14th/15th century. *There was a delicate balance between the reservoirs and irrigation canals and even the slightest disruption could have damaged something and have broken down the balance which added to the empire’s decline.

Climate Changes: Abnormal climate changes could have occurred and upset the irrigation systems. Methane emissions from rice fields can alter climate conditions significantly. Irregular monsoon patterns could lead to droughts, famine, and infectious disease.

Ancient Khmer Irrigation system (dry).

A.S. Period 1

Conflicts with Neighboring People: The Khmers were often engaged in warfare with the Chams, Bagans, Sukhothai, and the Thais. In fact the Thais in 1431 sacked Angkor and forced the Khmers to work as slaves for them.

Many Unproductive People: People such as aristocrats and Brahman priests were part of the religious order and the royal family and usually didn’t contribute to the society.

Ruins of the Bayon Temple. ↑

Ruins of the Ta Prohm temple. ↓

A.S. Period 1

R.C.:

1. (for the first page khmer religion and beliefs) "Khmer language." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2008. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 5 Feb. 2008  <http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9045321>.

2. (for 2nd page khmer language)  "Khmer Inscription and Language."  Written by Aphisit W. Copyright © 2000 Royal Exclusive Travel.

A.S.:

1. "Cambodia Information and History." 29 July 2007. 5 Feb. 2008 <http://www.apniisp.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=40160>.

2. Hong, Udom. "The Angkor Empire, Environment, and Conflict." The Mandala Projects. May 2007. 5 Feb. 2008 <http://www.american.edu/ted/ice/ankorwat.htm>.

B.A.:

1. http://www.marymount.k12.ny.us/marynet/StudentResources/art/southeastasia/cambodia/html/architect ure.html

2. http://www.angkorwat.org/html/architecture/html

K.C.:

1. Influence of Indian Civilization. 2000. Feb. 6,2008 . <http://vietnambudgettour.com/webplus/viewer.asp?pgid=55&aid=1252>