Bhavavarman I.

Bhavavarman I (r. Approx. 550; † 600 in Bhavaborah , Cambodia ) was king of the Chenla Empire in Cambodia until his death . This empire later became the powerful Khmer Kingdom , which united large parts of Southeast Asia .

Queen Kambuja-raja-lakshmi married Bhavavarman I, who thereby secured the claim to the throne. However, the groom was most likely a grandson of the King of Funan , a more powerful neighbor of Chenla.

Bhavavarman I was able to extend Chenla's sphere of influence into the Mekong Valley , attacking both Funan and the old Vietnamese Empire of Champa . The reason for these struggles is not clear. It is believed that Bhavavarman wanted to rebel against the assumption of power in Funan by Rudravarman , who had the rightful heir to the throne murdered. Bhavavarman either wanted the throne for himself or at least the resignation of Rudravarman in favor of the rightful heir to the throne.

Bhavavarman I was succeeded by his brother Chitrasena, who took the throne name Mahendravarman . Chinese sources suggest that he contributed more than his brother to the escalation of the conflict. The sources also report that in the early 7th century Funan was ruled by a new king, a "wicked" king who was not Buddhist . Both Bhavavarman I and his brother could fit this label as they followed the traditional Shivaite belief.

literature

• George Coedès : The Making of South-East Asia . London: Cox & Wyman.