Rajendravarman II

Rajendravarman II († 968 ) was King of the Khmer Empire from 944 until his death . He resided in Yashodharapura (Angkor). Rajendravarman II undertook a campaign against the Champa and was able to expand the territory considerably. During his reign the Eastern Mebon and the Pre Rup were built and the independent Pre Rup style was developed. Inscriptions by Rajendravarman II can be found at four temples, including the longest Sanskrit inscription in the Khmer Empire.

predecessor

On Jayavarman IV. (928-941), the Koh Ker had raised the capital of the Khmer Empire, followed Harshavarman II. (941-944), who resided also in Koh Ker. When taking over the rule, Harshavarman II was probably supported by his cousin Rajendravarman II, because he was not the designated heir to the throne. When Harshavarman II died three years later (possibly by outside influence), Rajendravarman II became king. This moved the capital of the Khmer Empire back to the region from Angkor to Yashodharapura.

Reign

Shortly after taking power, Rajendravarman II moved to the Angkor area. He had the old capital Yashodharapura restored, which Yasovarman I (889-910) had built. Only one campaign against the Champa is documented, in which the Khmer ruler succeeded in stealing the golden image of a Bhagavathi . Rajendravarman was able to enormously enlarge the Khmer empire; Parts of Burma , large areas of Thailand and the southern region from China to Yunnan were among others. Rajendravarman II was a follower of Hinduism, but showed great tolerance towards Buddhism. His minister Kavindrarimathana was a Buddhist and responsible for the king's building projects.

Succession

After the death of Rajendravarman II, his son Jayavarman V (968–1001) became king at the age of ten.

Construction activity

Pre Rup Temple

The two most important temples that Kavindrarimathana was responsible for on behalf of Rajendravarman II are the Eastern Mebon and the Pre Rup . The eastern Mebon (Mebon = island temple) was built in the eastern Baray (Yashodharatataka), which Yasovarman I had built, on an artificial island of 117 meters × 114 meters and inaugurated in 952. Exactly south of this and about 200 meters from the bank of the (now dried up) Baray, the Pre Rup rises, a temple mount that was inaugurated about 9 years later. The temples Kutisvara , Prasat Leak Neang and Prasat Bat Chum were also built during the reign of Rajendravarman II. Rajendravarman II probably also had the Baksei Chamkrong temple completed. It is not yet clear whether the construction of the Phimeanakas temple began under Rajendravarman .

The so-called Pre Rup style (944– approx. 968), which includes the shrines Pre Rup, Eastern Mebon, Bat Chum and Kutisvara, forms the transition from the Koh Ker style (928–944) to the Banteay Srei style (967 -1000). Compared to the colossal and dynamic sculptures of the Koh Ker style, the Pre Rup style statues are relatively small and static.

During the reign of Rajendravarman II, the temple Banteay Srei (= citadel of women), located approx. 20 kilometers northeast of Angkor, was inaugurated (the sanctuary was completed in 967, the foundation stele was attached in 968). This pink sandstone temple was not built by the ruler, but by two brahmins.

Inscriptions

Rajendravarman had inscriptions attached to four temples between 947 and 961.

Inscription on Baksei Chamkrong

This inscription was added in 947 and comprises 48 stanzas in Sanskrit. I.a. Rajendravarman II praises his ancestry, which he traces back to Srutavarman (solar sex) and Rudravarman of Funan (lunar sex).

Inscription on the Eastern Mebon

This inscription was added in 952 and, with 218 stanzas, is one of the longest Sanskrit inscriptions of the Khmer Empire. The inscription mentions the campaign against the Champa. Regarding the descent of Rajendravarman II, she says that he is the son of Mahendradevi and Mehandravarman. The inscription also says that the ruler understood the Buddhist teachings.

Inscription on Pre Rup

With 298 Sanskrit stanzas, this inscription, which was added in 961, is the longest of all the inscriptions of the Khmer Empire. It is very important because the relationship of Rajendravarman II is explained in detail.

Inscriptions from Bat Chum

The Bat Chum inscriptions were added by 960 at the latest. There are six texts carved into the door posts of the three brick towers of Bat Chum. More than 200 lines are written in Sanskrit and in verse. They were written by poets who signed their texts. 14 lines in Khmer (prose) were added. None of these six inscriptions deal with royal genealogy . Mention is made of the accession to the throne in 944, the campaign against the Champa and the restoration of Yashodharapura, the capital founded by Yasovarman I. The construction of a mandir is also mentioned (which building it is is not known) and the construction of the island temple in Yasodharatataka (Eastern Baray) is mentioned. An inscription says that Kavindrarimathana created a lake (it may have been a first installation of Srah Srang ).

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Jochen Mertens: The Sanskrit inscriptions from Bat Chum. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2005, ISBN 3-8334-2497-4 , p. 22.
2. ↑ Csaba Kàdas: Koh Ker, short guide. Hunincor 2010, ISBN 978-963-08-0470-7 , p. 15.
3. ↑ Jochen Mertens: The Sanskrit inscriptions from Bat Chum. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2005, ISBN 3-8334-2497-4 , p. 22.
4. ↑ Jochen Mertens: The Sanskrit inscriptions from Bat Chum. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2005, ISBN 3-8334-2497-4 , p. 24.
5. ^ Briggs, The Ancient Khmer Empire. P. 134.
6. ↑ Jochen Mertens: The Sanskrit inscriptions from Bat Chum. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2005, ISBN 3-8334-2497-4 , p. 25.
7. ^ Marilia Albanese: Angkor . National Geographic Art Guide. Ed .: National Geographic Society . G + J / RBA GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg 2006, ISBN 978-3-937606-77-4 , p. 27 (Italian, original title: I tesori di Angkor . Translated by Wolfgang Hensel).
8. ^ Marilia Albanese: Angkor . National Geographic Art Guide. Ed .: National Geographic Society . G + J / RBA GmbH & Co. KG, Hamburg 2006, ISBN 978-3-937606-77-4 , p. 236 (Italian, original title: I tesori di Angkor . Translated by Wolfgang Hensel).
9. ^ Dawn F. Rooney: Angkor . Cambodia's wondrous Khmer Temples. 6th edition. Odyssey Books & Guides, Hong Kong 2011, ISBN 978-962-217-802-1 , pp. 201 .
10. ↑ Jochen Mertens: The Sanskrit inscriptions from Bat Chum. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2005, ISBN 3-8334-2497-4 , p. 28.
11. ↑ Jochen Mertens: The Sanskrit inscriptions from Bat Chum. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2005, ISBN 3-8334-2497-4 , p. 29.
12. ↑ Jochen Mertens: The Sanskrit inscriptions from Bat Chum. Books on Demand, Norderstedt 2005, ISBN 3-8334-2497-4 , p. 31 ff.

predecessor	Office	successor
Harshavarman II.	King of the Khmer 944 to 968	Jayavarman V.